St Annes Open Report

A record attendance of 159 players contested what what is becoming a very prestigious event, included in the numbers were Lancashire Captain Doug Smith England International and BDO World Championship Runner up Dave Chisnall, Cheshires Steve Bunting, and Robbie (Kong) Green, and from the PDC Ronnie Baxter and Fleetwoods Heart throb(so he tells me) Wez (Ave it) Newton.
Early casualties were Steve Bunting going down 3-2 to Dale Newton in round one, also Steve Cusick losing the same score to Burnleys Wayne Clegg. Board Ones Board Final was a real treat with Chissy and Kong treating the crowd to a thrilling match which saw Chissy come out the victor 3-2. Board 7 final saw 2 past winners of the open go head to head, Dale Newton and Doug Smith, with Doug putting an end to Dales quest 3-1.
The Last 8 were as follows

Quarter Finals
Dave Chisnall (St.Helens) 3
v
Jamie Guilfoyle (Accrington) 1

Steve Barrow (St.Helens 1
v
Paul Phillips (Stockport) 3

Dave Charnock (Southport) 3
v
Andy Cornwall (Clitheroe) 1

Doug Smith (St.Helens) 3
v
Dave Shacklady (Southport) 2

Semi Finals (Best of 7)
Dave Chisnall 4
v
Paul Phillips 1

Dave Charnock 1
v
Doug Smith 4

Final (Best of 9)

Every Leg of the Final went with throw
1st Leg Dave 24 darts
2nd Leg Doug 21 darts
3rd Leg Dave 18 darts (106 checkout)
4th Leg Doug 17 darts
5th Leg Dave 12 darts (100 checkout) Dave 1x180 Doug 2x180 (41 left after 9)
6th Leg Doug 21 darts
7th Leg Dave 17 darts
8th Leg Doug 15 darts
9th & Deciding Leg
Dave 17 darts including a 180 and a 167 to leave 32.

Final Stats
Dave Chisnall 18 tons 2 x 180 AVERAGE (82.14)
Doug Smith 21 tons 2 x 180 AVERAGE (84.15)

Prize Money

Winner Dave Chisnall £800
Run-Up Doug Smith £300
Semi's Paul Phillips £100
Semi's Dave Charnock £100
Qtr Fin Andy Cornwall £50
Qtr Fin Steve Barrow £50
Qtr Fin Jamie Guilfoyle £50
Qtr Fin Dave Shacklady £50
. Total Payout £1500

Thank you to all who attended with special thanks to:
Andy Heaton for doing most of the computer work inc the live blog, thanks to all who took part in the blog, getting very popular.
Tommy Thompson for running the Lancashire Darts Stall and calling the final
Ronnie Bretherton for marking the Final, never be another David Bailey (photo's were crap)
and special thanks to Lynne Marshall for the help and support she gave all day.

See you all next year
Malcolm Poole (St.Annes Superleague)

Well Done to Malcolm Poole and everyone at The St Annes Ex-Servicemens a great day all round.