Win puts St Annes second

After this win over bottom-of-the-table Milnrow, and with Littleborough's game at Lancaster being cancelled due to a double-booked venue, St Annes moved into second place, just four points behind leaders Burnley.

Jon Fish started the match for St Annes with a 3-0 win and a three dart average of (57.07).

Bob Warham followed suit also winning 3-0 (59.32) and Alec Butcher made hard work of his game but came away with his first win of the season 3-2 (49.44).

At 3-0 to St Annes Jamie Clare could have put the home team further ahead, and after a hard fought game was unlucky to lose 3-2 (57.44).

The last game before the break saw Stevie Doran produce a steady 3-0 win over his opponent (54.32).

With team captain Malcolm Poole taking the oche after the break 5-1 looked on the cards, but a disappointing performance saw Milnrow pull one back with Malcolm losing 3-1 (63.19). But one person who wasn't going to submit was Alan (Alfie) Dyer and he gave his best display this season to win easily 3-0 (76.42).

The eighth game gave Jim Scott a chance to put the match beyond the reach of Milnrow but, with his opponent 2-1 up and on a double, Jim produced a brilliant 116 finish by hitting single 20, treble 20, and double 18, to take the game into a decider.

His opponent didn't seem to be affected and won the last leg with Jim leaving himself on a double, making the match score 5-3.

Game nine put Tony Dyer at the oche for St Annes and once again he gave a rock-solid performance winning 3-1 (71.81). In the last game of the day Fraser Bagnall won 3-0 (63.50).

The team's next fixture is on Sunday, December 16, when they host Lancaster.

The match is the final game of 2001 and St Annes will be hoping for a good end to the year. Spectators are welcome, with the match starting at 12.30pm and team players should report by noon.

Other results: Burnley 9, Castleton 1; Lancaster v Littleborough postponed; Clitheroe 5, Kirkham 5.