Sheppey Darts Classic winner Richie Howson with his trophies presentated by Tom and Lee Dunn

by Luke Cawdell

Richie Howson made a last-ditch entry into the 2011 Sheppey Darts Classic and walked away victorious at Merlins on Sunday.

The Essex-based player was eliminated from the UK Open at the third-round stage in Bolton on Saturday but finished the weekend on a high with a 6-1 final win over Lionel Sams the following day to clinch the Island honours.

A number of late entrants boosted the number of competitors to alleviate earlier concerns from organiser Tony Cox that he would face a severe shortfall in the guaranteed £7,000 prize fund.

On Saturday, Sheppey’s Ricky O’Brien and Pat Scurfield took the pairs win and a £300 prize after seeing off opponents Louis McGurn and Paul Amos.

Top Sheppey players during Sunday’s singles were Mark Legg and Gerry Cunningham, who received £125 each, having been knocked out in the last 16, along with defending champion and three-time winner Andy Belton.

Sheppey’s Dave Smith held the highest checkout from the start to almost the end, before being pipped by losing semi-finalist Bob Linton with a 164.

On Saturday, competition focused on the ladies’ singles, youth singles and the pairs.

Josh Payne beat Paul Gould 3-2 to win the youth final while Jill Campbell-Miles defeated Donna Rainsley 5-1 in the ladies’ final.