Bognor’s ladies and over-50s step up to the oche

Ladies' KO finalists Ellie Gostick and Hayley Gatford

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The Bognor Friday Night Summer League’s over-50s and ladies’ knockouts took place at the Aldwick Royal British Legion.

A joint-record 35 players took part in the over-50s’ event but the ladies’ knockout had only 12 ladies playing.

The over-50s first round saw a 180 from Dave Coupland (Wheatsheaf), and later in the quarter-finals Gary Miller (Claremont) scored another.

The first semi-final saw Simon Edwards (Aldwick Legion B) lose to Keith Robinson (Chi Snooker C).

The second pitted Andy Stubbs (Hunston Club) against Miller, with Stubbs going through.

In the final Robinson who took the early lead and eventually hit the double nine to take the first leg. The second leg went to Stubbs with Robinson way back on 260.

In the decider Stubbs took to the oche for double 18 but hit the single. His second dart was outside the double nine, but his last dart slid into the double to take the champion’s title for the second time.

The ladies knockout saw five former champions taking part – Mary Todd (BRSA Ravens), Julie English (Friary C), Paula Duckett (Richmond Rebels), Hayley Gatford (Hunston Club) and Emma Bist (Lumber Jacks).

The first semi-final saw Todd face Gatford. A hard-fought 2-0 win saw Gatford take her place in the final.

The second had Ellie Gostick (Richmond Rebels) take on the 2014 winner Bist. Gostick had enough to book her spot in the final for the second time.

In the final, 140 from Gatford put her in the lead but Gostick kept scoring steady and finally hit 114. Both players had double trouble, but with double eight, Gostick took the leg.

Gatford then started leg two with a ton which set her up to take it to a decider.

The last leg saw Gostick get the only ton-plus score, 121, but she missed double 18 for the win, while Gatford was now on 35. With two darts, scoring three and then double 16, Gatford clinched the ladies’ knockout title for the fourth time in six finals.

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