Walters form in vain as Oldham title bid vanishes

DARTS: OLDHAM hopes of snatching the Lancashire GMC Super Eights Elite League title were dashed on the final day of the season.

At home to Rochdale, who also had a chance of lifting the crown, the town team slumped to a 6-4 defeat after losing five of the last six games.

But Rochdale’s victory was also in vain as Burnley marched off with top honours thanks to an emphatic 8-2 win over Blackpool.

Ian Walters, Oldham’s man-of-the-match with a three-dart average of 88.89, put the home side in front with a 4-2 defeat of opposition captain and England international Dougie Smith.

Walters was in great touch, recording one 180 and a 13-dart leg.

Rochdale drew level in game two, before a quick-fire double put Oldham back in the ascendancy at 3-1.

John Moreton won 4-3 — he averaged 75.38 for every three-darts thrown — and Peter Connolly registered a 4-2 success (77.25 ave).

The visitors to the Flowerpot claimed the next three games to go one up, only for Stuart Holden to level matters with a 4-0 whitewash win (85.24 ave).

But it was Rochdale who emerged victorious in the end to claim runners-up spot behind Burnley, with Oldham back in third place.