ANDOVER’S Mark Thorne has been recalled to the Hampshire Darts A team after bouncing back last month with a 3-0 win over Gwent’s Will Hook with an impressive 27.32 average.

Sam Pike was unfortunate to lose 3-2 in a deciding leg against Susan Bailey.

Andover’s other county player, Richie Ford, was away in America, Meanwhile, last Sunday the Wolversdene Club saw yet another fantastic turn out with players from all over the south of England coming to play in the Les Brant competition.

Brant, who is 82-years-old, was there to participate in his event again but unfortunately lost in the first round to Swindon’s Lee Evans .

There was a high quality field which included Kirk Sheppard and Dennis Smith from the PDC and England international Paul Hogan and there were early first round exits for Mark Cox and Chris Aubrey from Swindon.

Paul Cook fell in the last 16 to Smith who then defeated Southampton’s Ron Atwill in the quarter-finals 4-1.

Dorset’s Colin Littlecott lost 4-3 to Evans, Berkshire’s Hogan defeated Basingstoke’s Kev Woodward 4-0 and Berkshire’s Jack Tweedell was beaten by Swindon’s Stuart Emms.

In the semi-finals Hogan beat Smith 5-3 and Evans got past Emms 5-1, setting up a close final with two of the best players on the BDO circuit at the moment. Hogan came out on top with a 5-4 win in very entertaining game .

The plate was won by Tidworth’s Simon Coxhead after he defeated academy youngster Matt Gibson Smith in the final 3-0 .

The next competition at the Wolversdene club is the Ali Macdonald Open on December 7.

A Christmas special is being held at News Street FC on Sunday, December 14 in memory of John Coleman and Robbie Bedford and those wishing to enter either should contact Mark Thorne on 07795 515403 or e-mail markthorne123@ sky.com