Ton up boost for Rawstron

SHOW OFF . . . Dave Rawstron with his certificate for achieving the magic 100

DAVE Rawstron brought the ton up in style as he won his match 4-0 in what was his 100th appearance for Lancashire's darts team.

Royton-based floor tiler Rawstron, who made his Red Rose debut 20 years ago, was in great form in his landmark game for the men's 'B' team, whitewashing Cambridgeshire's Jamie Phillips in Lancashire's latest British Inter-County Championship fixture.

The men's 'B' team went on to win their match 9-3 at the St Thomas club in Wigan, with the county taking an overall 24-12 victory across the weekend.

"I can remember my first county game back in the 1995-96 season," said Rawstron.

"We lost against London and I was a bit fed up about that.

"I am enjoying my darts at present, though.

"I packed in playing for Lancashire a few years ago when I'd got to 72 appearances (the county usually play nine games per year).

"I'd had enough at that point, but I got back into it three years ago and to be honest I'm enjoying it now so I'll just keep playing for as long as I can."

There have been highlights for the player whose career-high three-dart average is a mightily impressive 99.2.

"We had a really good side around 2001 and 2002 time," recalled Rawstron.

"That's when I was in the team that won the British County Championship and that was a special achievement."

Despite his successes with Lancashire and at county level with 2014 national champions Oldham and latterly Rochdale, Rawstron has never actively pursued a career in the professional game, unlike some of his former team-mates.

"I've played in some quite big tournaments over the years," added Rawstron, known as 'Rossi' to his friends.

"But I've never fancied trying the professional route.

"There's a lot of travelling involved and it is a lot of messing about, and at weekends in the summer I'd miss watching cricket at Royton too much.

"I played for them for 20 years and I still go to watch them regularly."

Meanwhile, former Oldham star Mark McGeeney has been seeded number 11 for what will be his second appearance at the BDO Lakeside World Championships tournament at Frimley Green in January.

The draw for the 2017 tournament will be made on Sunday, December 4, during finals day at the Winmau World Masters.