WHITWELL-ON-THE-HILL ace Terry Temple inflicted a first defeat on Brian Dawson in the qualifying stages of the Streamline Taxis York Open Darts Championship.

Dawson won the first four stages of the Red Dragon Darts-sponsored event, including a 5-4 victory over Temple having hit back from 4-0 down in stage three.

In the stage five final, Dawson was within a leg of victory before his Ryedale-based opponent won the match 5-4.

Temple had included a 17-darter and a 180 for a 19-dart leg against Dawson's 180 and 100 finish for 12 darts followed by legs of 15, 18 and 18 darts as Yorkshire county player Dawson went 4-2 up.

Despite Dawson hitting a 180 to leave 37 after 15 darts, Temple conjured up legs of 16, 20 and 180 for 18 darts to take the match.

The semi-finals oozed quality with Temple defeating fellow PDC Pro Tour player Darren Johnson (20) 4-2 with legs of 13, 19 and 14 darts, while Dawson, with three 15-darters and a 13-dart leg, beat PDC pro Mark Lawrence (2 x 15) by the same margin.

York's Russ King (15 and 180 for 16) was unfortunate to meet an in-form Johnson in the quarter-finals as he went down 3-2 to legs of 15, 16 and 180 for 15.

The other last eight results saw Temple beat Chris Gill 3-1, Dawson (18 and 19) beat Colin Hendry (21) 3-1 and Lawrence take a 3-0 win over Steve Kemp Snr.

Acomb's Chris Thompson hit the highest checkout of the day with a 161, while there was a 113 from Andy Jones and 100 from Dawson.

Further 180s were secured by Neil Hart (2), Tracey Marron, King, Steve Vine, Darren Johnson and Dawson.

Thirty-two players entered the fun Blind Pairs which followed the singles event and Temple made it a double delight when partnering Dave Kerr to win the final over Trevor Day and Ian Atkin.

Ranking stage six takes place on Saturday at Huntington WMC in York. Registration closes at 12.30pm for a 1pm start.

Tomorrow, the King William in York will host the M & M Darts Show Knockout 7, with the winner and runner-up qualifying to play at an exhibition featuring Wayne Mardle and Peter Manley later this month.

Register at 8.15pm for an 8.30pm start.