Hornby takes title

Anthony Hornby with the Moston Open trophy.

DARTS:

CHADDERTON’S Anthony Hornby won the Moston Open title, beating Anthony Cooper (Ashton) 3-1 in the final.

He went two legs up only for Cooper to hit back in the third. However, a timely 180 helped Hornby take the next leg and the title.

He had earlier beaten John Moreton (Shaw) 3-2 in a thrilling semi-final following wins over Freddy Oliver (Little Hulton), Rob Holroyd (Halifax) and Moston-based former Oldham player John Downs.

After the final, Hornby was presented with £200 winnings and the trophy by Colin O’Neill, manager of the Lightbowne Club which sponsors the competition and where it was held for the eighth successive year.


THE Oldham men’s darts team produced a spirited fightback to claim a 5-5 draw at Blackpool in the Lancashire GMC Super Eights.

After falling 3-0 behind, Ian Walters won his match 4–1 with a three-dart average of 72.75, Lee Holden matching that effort by with the same match score and a average of 75.79 — including three 180s.

Oldham lost their next two and were once again staring down the barrel at 5-2 down.

However, Dave Rawstron, stepped up to the plate, winning 4-3 (79.69) and Gary Jackson produced a superb 4-1 victory (72.95) over Lancashire ‘A’ and England player Tony Burrows.

The pressure was on Stuart Holden to snatch something from out of the fire for Oldham — and he managed it, a 4-0 whitewash (82.08) ensuring the match finished all square.

It leaves Oldham, whose next match is away at St Helens on April 11, in second place in the standings behind Rochdale.