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Normal service for town team

17/12/2003

HEYWOOD town team darts beat old adversaries 7-3 East Lancs to move four points clear of second-placed Blackburn on Sunday.

First on for Heywood, Mick Milner found himself up against Lancashire County player Fred Carter, but bad finishing saw him 2-0 down before he won the third and fourth to set up a tantalising final leg. Milner then bust on treble 20 to let in this opponent, who finished in two darts. Milner hit 10 tons for a 66.24 average.

Darren Latham levelled the scores for Heywood with a 3-1 win against Fred Long. Latham won the first leg with a 123-checkout, the second leg in 16 darts and the fourth to clinch the win. Tony Smith found the going tough against Lancashire county player Ian Lever, losing 3-0.

Andy Dole got Heywood back on track with a 3-2 win against Mick Ansbro. Missed doubles cost Dole the first leg, but he recovered to secure the next two. Ansbro pinched the fourth leg, but a superb double 15 tied up the game for Dole.

Back from injury, Steve Service kept the wagon rolling with a good 3-0 win over Dave Ryan. Carl Langley kept up the momentum, beating Jamie Guilfoyle 3-1. A see-saw battle included a 119-checkout and 20-dart finish from the Heywood man.

Chris Jacques played a blinder against Eric Plane, winning the first leg with a 156-checkout. It was nip and tuck until three tones from Jacques - he hit 11 in total - won the fourth leg and game.

A 12-arrow opening leg from Dave Lennard set the tone for his comfortable 3-1 win against Donovan Carter. A maximum, 10 tones and an average of 83.42 proved too good on the day.

Heywood skipper Paul Benson went down to the wire against Les Greaves, but pulled out a 15-dart final leg to wrap up a vital victory and put his side 7-2 ahead, The match finished with Jimmy Phillips losing 3-1 to East Lancs form man Les Gibson.