ARROWS aces from across the area gave the St Helens Star Open Individual Darts Championship a flying start at Chapel End Labour Club, Billinge on Sunday. There were some outstanding individual performances with no fewer than six players hitting 180 in the opening round games.

Gary Welding established himself as one of the competition's early favourites with some superb throwing to proceed into the next round at the expense of David Chisnall.

Chisnall can count himself unlucky as he started off well, hitting a ton and a 180 in his first three visits to the board.

But 'Capper' Welding started with 180 and followed up with some steady throwing to wrap up the first leg in 16 darts.

Capper coasted through the second leg in 18 darts, after opening throws of 100 and 125.

There were some big scores in Ian Hunter's win over Peter Heyes with the victor hitting two tons in the opening leg and two in the second leg as well as a 137. Heyes also hit some big scores with 140, 100 and 125 over the two legs.

Michael Tully opened his account with 140 and 100 to take the first leg against Wayne Davidson. Davidson hit two tons in the second leg but was unable to hit the crucial doubles allowing Tully to take it 2-0.

Alf Dutton came back from behind to beat Alan Tabern 2-1 in a thrilling match.

Tabern hit a ton and 180 on his way to taking the first leg.

But a blistering 17 dart finish from Dutton, which included a ton and 135, levelled the match to set up a thrilling final leg.

After hitting a ton and a 137 Tabern failed to hit the doubles when it counted, allowing Dutton the opportunity to clinch the match.

The game between Kevin Archer and Mick Hallwood also went to three. Both players hit 100 and 140 in the first leg, but Archer twice failed on the doubles to allow Hallwood to sneak the first leg.

Archer opened up the second leg with a 180 and added a ton to level up the match with 18 darts. Steady throwing from Hallwood, including a 180, secured his passage through to the next stages in 18 darts.

Three 100 and over scores saw Steven Comber take the first leg and he hit 180 on his way to an 18 dart finish to take the second leg.

Two second leg scores of 140 were the highlight of Peter Turton's win over David Turner.

In a part two game brought forward from next week Mike Spratt showed some blistering throwing to see his way through to the next round. He took just 15 darts, including two scores of 140, to take the first leg against Fred Ward. The whirlwind continued with two tons and a 140 to clinch the match.

Results: Round one, part one: Peter Heyes 0 Ian Hunter 2, Wayne Davidson 0 Michael Tully 2, Alf Dutton 2 A. Tabern 1, Matthew Traverse 0 Brian Sinkinson 2, Kevin Archer 1 M. Hallwood 2, Gary Welding 2 David Chisnall 0, Dave Jacks 0 Shaun Pilling 2, Steven Comber 2 Ray Moss 0, David Turner 0 Peter Turton 2.

Chris Martin (w/o), Doug Smith (w/o), Michael Frodsham (w/o)

Byes: Eddie Dootson, B. Hesford, Bob Arnold.

Stephen Jones v. Mark Owen play on Sunday, June 17, along with round one, part two competitors.

2pm start: fixtures: Carl Fenney v. W. Dingsdale, Antony Dingsdale v. Fred Edzes, Michael Anders v. Derek Jackson, Barry Owen v. A. Thompson, Richard Hesford v. George McCormick, Peter Phillips v. Andy Ashton, Karl Lee v. Ronnie Singleton, Ken Harris v. Les Bromilow, Dave Houghton v. W. Baines, Andrew Rodger v. Rob Jacks, Alan Johnson v. Ian Paul Hunter, Stephen Lynch v. Colin Young.

Byes from part two: Paul Pennington, Michael Holt, Alan Waite. Part two result Mike Spratt 2 F. Ward 0

The last 16 from part one of the draw will play down to the last four on Sunday, June 24 with the draw being made at the venue on that date.

And the last 16 from the second part of the draw will play down to the last four on Sunday, July 1. The final will be played on Sunday, July 15.