AFTER eight weeks of gruelling qualifying, the British Queen Panel Darts competition came to a head when world number eight David ‘Chizzy’ Chisnall beat Wes Newton 7-1 in the final to claim the £1000 prize.

The Darwen pub hosted it’s third annual panel darts competition and attracted some of the sport’s biggest names throughout the eight qualification weeks - including Chisnall and former world champion, Stephen Bunting.

Starting on the last Wednesday in July, the Darwen ale house welcomed darters from across the country battling to reach the last 16 for finals night.

With a guaranteed prize fund of £2,000, some of the best Lancashire darting talent from past and present arrived week in week out to qualify.

The 16 finalists were the best names in the sport from the county and it certainly lived up to expectations - and with nine of the 16 coming from East Lancashire, there was plenty of local interest.

The concluding night was a stunner, and it narrowed down to Chisnall and Fleetwood’s Newton, as they renewed an old rivalry on the big stage.

Newton’s night had been enthralling, as he wired double 12 for a nine-dart leg twice during his run to the final.

Settle’s Cameron Doyle had no answer to him in the last 16 as Newton wrapped up a 5-0 win.

Burnley’s Robert Rickwood, who had beaten Blackburn’s Darren Place by the same scoreline in his last 16 match, offered a much sterner test in the quarter finals, with Newton prevailing 5-4.

And in the semi final, Newton claimed the prize scalp of Bunting, winning 6-2 to reach the final.

Chisnall beat Joe Muran from Longridge 5-1 in his last 16 clash then beat Dave Place 5-1 to reach the last four.

His toughest test came in the semi finals were he was pushed all the way by Wigan’s Kirk Shepherd. But the St Helens’ man’s class told in the end as he sealed a 6-4 win.

In the final, Chisnall set off like a house on fire, storming into a lead.

He continued to build on his advantage and raced into a 6-0 lead with no reply from the reigning champion. Newton hit back once but it only delayed the inevitable as Chisnall clinched a 7-1 victory with a sensational 106.7 average.

It was top class darts from Chisnall and Newton was gracious in defeat admitting the better man had won.

“No complaints from me, Chiz was class”, Newton admitted.

“I could have thrown the board at him and he’d have outscored me!”

Newton’s return to form was noticed by many, and Chisnall himself was quick to compliment.

“Wes has been working hard to get back to this level and it’s fantastic to have him back,” said Chisnall

Organisers thanked sponsors, A.T Electrical, Cravens Roofing, Smokies BBQ & Grill, KMac Piping and Jarcon Floors for their support.