Cleveland players in Top Form 

It has been a busy schedule on the darting front as a large contingent of players went to the BDO ranked British Open at Bridlington with two players really acquitting themselves on the big stage as Rich Parkin from Whitby reached the last 16 agonisingly losing 3-2 to the eventual runner up. However, it was Barry Davies from Billingham who flew the flag for Cleveland with a stunning run that included wins over Scottish international Mark Barilli and lakeside representative Ross Smith of Kent before bowing out at the last 8 stage

Jamie ‘Jabba’ Caven was in the North East for an exhibition at the Whale Hill Social Club for a best of 7 challenge with good friend Ken Dobson with Jabba winning the match 4-2, but it was Simon Hopkins (See Photo) who stole the show with a magnificent 2-1 victory and a winning average of 29.02.

Caven remained in the Teesside area to attend the Dormans Club dart open and was joined by World number 34 Tony Eccles in a competition that boasted some of the top players in the North East. Glenn Moody was an early casualty before Caven demolished Peter Searle 5-1 even though Searle hit 4 maximum 180s.

All eyes were on the clash with Teesside number 1 Glen Durrant and Eccles in the last 8, however, it was a one-sided affair with Durrant whitewashing Eccles with a fantastic display of finishing wining the match on a 121 checkout.

Caven was cruising through the rounds including a revenge win over Hopkins

Ken Dobson showed a real return to form with a magnificent win over Collin Foxton and John Hardman from Hartlepool made up the last 4 confirming his continued improvement in 2010

Once again Caven was in stunning form with a comfortable victory over Hardman though the Durrant v Dobson match was a much closer affair with Dobson leading 2 nil and 3-1 before Durrant won the match 5-3 to set up a final clash with Caven
The match was a classic that went the full distance. There were moments of real significance though the match. The game was poised at 4 legs each it was still all to play for. Durrant won the bull and opened up with a 134 score followed by two 140s from Caven who was sat pretty on 40. Durrant needed to checkout on 76 to take the £200 first prize and he did so with his final dart for a famous victory.

In the Barbara Bradley memorial Shirley Witten opened up with two great wins against Claire Stainsby & Babs Evans though it was Kathleen Wilson who won the £80 first prize beating Wiiten in the final with Chris Wilson & Karen Helmore the beaten semi finalists

Cleveland County are at home this weekend against Clywd at Billingham Arms Hotel and all spectators are welcome with an entry fee of £3. Shirley Witten will be hoping for a match similar to last month that had only World Number 1 Deta Hedman with a better playing average across all the counties.