Honeymoon put on hold

JOHN DOWNS delayed his honeymoon to help a depleted Oldham men’s darts team defeat Blackpool 7-3 at home in the premier division of the Lancashire GMC Super League.

Downs, who had married Lancashire county team-mate Shereen Scholes the previous day, won his match 3-0 with an average of 84.98 before beating a hasty retreat.

Oldham made a request to postpone the match after Downs, Chris North, Stuart Holden, Lee Williams and David Rawstron were were all originally ruled out, but Blackpool rejected the move.

Oldham’s makeshift team produced some brilliant throwing, especially John Morton and Neil Hunter.

Morton included a 13-darter in his 3-0 victory which was achieved an an average of 84.98.

And Hunter won 3-1 in 16, 15 and 16 darts at an average of 95.94 to take the man-of-the-match award.

Scott Morris also recorded a thrilling 3–2 victory against Lancashire player Tony Burrows.

The other Oldham winners were Mark Thompson (3-0, 84.98), Peter Connolly (3–1, 81) and Terry Hey (3-1).

Oldham have six players in county action against Cambridgeshire at March over the weekend of November 1/2.

They are John and Shereen Downs, Connolly, Dave Yates, North and Hunter.