First Classic win for Dennis
11:11am Thursday 8th May 2008
Hampshire's Dennis Murrell claimed his first ever Classic ranking title at the Entertainer after winning the Keith Goacher Classic, sponsored by JM White Plastering.
In the final he defeated county colleague and England international Paul Hogan 5-3. Murrell collected 70 points and £200 for his efforts after earlier edging a final leg decider against Johnny Haines in the first semi, with Hogan despatching another Hampshire star, Kevin Ede in the second.
Board finalists were Southampton's Wayne Parker, Steve Perkins of Devizes, Andover's Chris Bailey and Dickie White. On an unusually subdued day for Andover players, another five made the last 16, Jeff White, Ben Simpson, Ali MacDonald, Glen Dawkins and Richie Ford.
Sean White and Arron Monk fell short of the standards they set themselves but there were other encouraging performances by Academy players ahead of the trip to Essex. Karl Brooks, Gary Thorne, Gavin Howard, Christine Pike, Billy Day and Sam Pike all performed with determination and dignity.
The Unicorn Darts Youth Academy are out in force tomorrow as over half make the journey to Walton on the Naze for the second Essex Youth Tournament.
Thirty-six juniors, young ladies and young men join the coach party hoping to build on the experiences of last year.
Charlotte Burgess, who won the young ladies and Sean White, an unlucky runner-up, return with a host of talented team mates including a first outing for some exciting juniors. The day's events will culminate with the legendary Bobby George making the presentations.
Merlin Mercenaries' Danny Ballard won the Winter League singles last week at the Entertainer when defeating Kevin Ede of the Mingers 3-1 in the final.
In the semis both ties went the distance with Ballard accounting for Wyke's Dennis Simpson 3-2 and Ede edging out Arron Monk of the Oak in the other.
As the season reaches its conclusion, the remaining dates are: May 1'3 Team KO Final, May 20 Presentation Night, May 27 Summer League AGM.
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