ONE of the world's top arrow-throwers is now playing darts in York.

England international and former World Masters champion Karen Smith is turning out every week for Cygnet ladies in Knavesmire Racing Open League. She comes up from her home in Doncaster and returns by rail after every match.

"I'm friends with Cygnet player Ros Kerr in the Yorkshire team and some time ago she invited me to visit the pub and I really like the place and the people," explained Smith.

"The Cygnet is a real darts pub. It has its own darts room and there are no other distractions," she added. "This is purely social darts for me, just for a night out and a bit of fun, but I enjoy coming up here."

Smith, who plays Super League darts for a Doncaster team, has been in the England team for five years and has a 100 per cent record, having won ten out of ten matches.

She won the World Masters women's title in 1998 at the famous Lakeside Country Club in Frimley Green, Surrey. She came through the qualifying round to take the title, knocking out world number one Trina Gulliver and the number two, from Holland, on the way to glory.

She'll be making a determined bid at Bridlington in October to regain the Masters title as she increases her focus on her darts career.

"My number one fan was my dad and he died recently, so I'm dedicating this season to focussing all my efforts on achieving success in darts to honour him," said Smith.

But in between her top-flight efforts, she'll be enjoying her darts nights in York.

Updated: 10:47 Friday, September 30, 2005