THERE was good quality darts on show during the Pickering League’s finals night at the Working Men’s Club, Southgate, Pickering - with Billy Hague the big winner as he sealed his first individual title.

Hague was one of three Yorkshire Superleague players competing in the individual semi-finals, along with Steve Oldfield and Simmy Cass, and the competition lived up to expectations.

Oldfield showed solid form to beat Mike Brown with legs of 23, 21 and 18 darts, including two 140s, two 125s and two 100s.

Hague then edged out Cass in the other semi-final. Hague started well with two 100s and a great 105 finish for an opening 18-darter, followed by a 20-dart leg to go two up.

He then hit two 140s and a 125 to set up double 18 after only 12 darts - only to miss 12 match darts, with Cass taking advantage to nick the leg.

Hague kept his composure in leg four, hitting an 80 finish on the bull for a 21-darter and a place in the final.

He also came out strongly in the final with two 140s in the opener, rounding off the leg in 18 darts with a 75 finish.

He powered on in leg two with two 100s and a140 for a 17-darter, and he kept the pressure on with two more tons in leg three before sealing the title with a 96 finish in 21 darts. He finished with a fine average of 80.5.

Earlier, the mixed pairs final saw Nigel Monkman and Sarah Hodgson beat Rob Aconley and Christine Bulmer 2-0 thanks to legs of 31 and 32 darts.

Monkman also won the House Championship final against Steve Taylor.

He set off with an 18-dart leg including scores of 140 and 135, plus a 68 finish. Taylor levelled in 20 darts with a 70 finish. Monkman hit a great 102 outshot in leg three, then powered home with 135 and two 100s for a fine 16-darter to win 3-1, averaging 82.3 along the way.

The open pairs semi-finals saw multiple winners Phil Bointon and Taylor edge new partners Tony Barber and Mike Brown 2-1.

Bointon and Taylor took the opener in 31 darts with two 140s and a 100. Barber and Brown levelled in 28 darts including a 140 and 135.

Bointon and Taylor showed their experience, hitting 140, 137 and 133 in leg three to win the match 2-1 in 30 darts.

The second semi-final saw father and son Ady and Matty Turnbull edge John Rule and Mike Barnes 2-1.

The Turnbulls won a scrappy opener, helped by two 140s by John. Rule and Barnes levelled, but in the decider Ady hit a 180 and Matty a 72 finish to win the game with a 24-darter.

The final proved one step too far for them, though, as Bointon and Taylor won 3-0 with legs of 37, 25, and 28 darts to claim their 21st pairs title.

The Horseshoe Individual Darts League starts on Sunday, May 18. Places are still available.

For details, phone Kevin on 07768 521022.