Littlehampton crowned Sussex champions

They defeated East Division champions Brighton 6-3 in the final and will now represent Sussex in the BDO British Champions Cup finals in Hull in August.

The team got off to a excellent start as they moved into a 4-0 lead and needed only one more point to take the title.

Mick Rodgers was first up and won a closely-fought game 3-2. Team captain James Stephenson then made it 2-0 to Littlehampton with ten ton-plus scores, including two 180s. Further wins from Andy Macintosh and the team’s player of the season, former Bognor Regis Football Club goalkeeper Craig Stoner, made the score 4-0.

Former PDC star Tony Ayres was up next for Littlehampton, but he failed to relive the form that saw him beat James Wade in the quarter-finals of the 2010 UK Open finals, going down 3-1 to Brighton’s Graham Harris.

With Littlehampton needing one more point for the title, it was down to the in-form Gary Blackwood, who won his game 3-0 with an impressive man-of-the-match performance and a three dart average of 90.18, which included two 180s and a 108 finish.

Brighton won the next two games, but it was then down to Courtney Wilson in the last game to put the icing on the cake with a 3-2 win, which included 12 ton-plus scores.

Stephenson said: “It’s an amazing feeling. Due to many pub closures in the area over the years, the local darts scene isn’t as good as it was ten years ago. So, to produce the type of players required to win our division and the play-off final against Brighton, is a great achievement.”

The Sussex champions are looking for a team sponsor to be printed on their shirts. Anyone interested can contact James Stephenson on 07770 180180.