Airey shines as big guns draw

OLDHAM, without several key players, shared the spoils with Rochdale in their Lancashire Super Eights Elite League top of the table clash at the Blue Club.

The 5-5 draw means Rochdale remain at the top, with Oldham second. But it was the latter who took the lead at home thanks to Paul Cartwright’s 4-3 success with an average 76.82 for every three darts thrown.

Oldham lost the next two matches, but Dave Rawstron restored parity with a 4-3 (84.06) win. Gary Jackson, 4-3 (82.04) made it 3-2, but the visitors hit back in the next two legs to lead 4-3.

Dave Airey needed a good display in the next game and he provided a man-of-the-match performance, averaging 89.33 in his 4-3 win.

Rochdale’s made it 5-4 but Oldham’s last man, Dave Adshead, won 4-3 with an average of 85.41 to earn his team a share of the points. Oldham’s next game is at Wigan on Sunday, February 21.


OLDHAM players Mark McGeeney, Dave Airey, Dave Adshead and Dave Rawstron are in the Lancashire team to take on Essex at St Thomas Sports and Social Club, Wigan, on Saturday and Sunday. Also representing Lancashire will be Shaw-based Rochdale player Carl Sneyd.