Super Mann claims yet another singles title

JOHN Mann picked up another Steve Chapman 501 League singles title after a brilliant night of individual action at the annual event staged at the St Levans.

- JAMES COOK

STEVE CHAPMAN 501 LEAGUE

The night started with a play-off between Andrew Cook and Simon Washington to decide the league phase's individual winner after both players finished on 76 points from 78.

Cook, who represented the King Billy, ploughed into a 2-0 lead in a spell that contained an 18-darter and the game's only maximum.

Cook missed darts at the whitewash before Washington won the next two to make it 2-2 before having his chances.

Cook finally got over the line 3-2 to take the league prize as the best individual player with Washington settling for a more than respectable second.

Rob Wills put a 180 onto the scoreboard in the very first leg of the match and the main tournament to help him to a 1-0 lead.

Opponent Dave Johns then fired a leg in 16, before running out a comfortable 3-1 winner, before Paul Tackle and newly-crowned individual champion Cook met.

A second leg in 18 of the night to helped Cook to a 3-1 win over the man representing Bar Mez before Mike Pearce took his first step at claiming the prize money that his own company had put up.

Despite a 15-dart leg from Mark Hatherley of the Indian, Mike Pearce ran out the third 3-1 winner of the competition to book his place amongst the eight elite players.

The final prelim match-up saw Cherry Tree's Dan Brazier come through a 3-1 winner over Fawn A's Mike Bassett thanks in part to a leg in 18.

Next opponent of the night for Cook was Kelvin Rowe, of the Victory A, who became the fifth 3-1 victim during a match that saw Cook hit his third leg in 18 so far.

The draw saw Mann paired with Washington, and the former looked in the mood for the title as he netted a 15-darter to make it 1-0 before going 2-0 up.

Just like in the first match, Washington survived his opponent's poke at a 3-0 win to mount a second comeback of the evening, which saw him level at 2-2 in just 18 darts.