Chris Thompson lights up first stage of Open Darts Championship (From York Press)

Chris Thompson lights up first stage of York Open Darts Championship

11:16am Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Sport By Dave Flett, Sports reporter

ACOMB arrows ace Chris Thompson lit up the first stage of the Streamline Taxis York Open Darts Championship following a blackout at Huntington WMC.

After an electrical fault plunged everybody into darkness during Thompson’s semi-final clash with Jake Patchett, the Ainsty player went on to beat the talented Hull-based 16-year-old PDC youth player 4-3 and then dazzled Malton’s Paul Bulmer to clinch a 5-0 triumph in the final.

York’s former UK Open quarter-finalist averaged 81.68 against Bulmer having also disposed of fellow Minsterman John Quantock (3-0) and Thirsk’s Simon Craven (3-1) earlier in the competition.

He threw legs of 13, 14 and 15 darts on his way to victory.

Bulmer’s trip to the final included legs of 14, 15, 17 and 19 darts as he defeated former Humberside county player John Pickering 4-2 in the semi-finals.

Hull’s Lewis Kirk hit the highest checkout with a 160 in the tournament, organised by Red Dragon Darts and sponsored by The Pit Stop Sandwich & Snack Bar, York Print and Ellis of Rillington.

Patchett also finished on 156 with other big checkouts recorded by Kev O’Hara (142), Gary Walmsley (130), Trevor Holtby (130), Dave Kerr (122), Simon Rimmington (112), Lewis Fisher (101), Steve Atkin (100) and Quantock (100).

Maximum 180s, meanwhile, were thrown by Barry Ballaban (two), Thompson and Bulmer.

Thompson picked up the £200 winners’ prize and collected maximum ranking points with seven more stages to be held before the top 32 players contest the Grand Finals Night on Saturday, June 9 when £501 will go to the champion.

York’s Denise Fowler, meanwhile, won the first stage of the Streamline Taxis Ladies Championship by beating former Yorkshire county player Roz Kerr 3-1 in the final.

Fowler started her day with a 120 finish to help defeat Jannine Cartwright 3-0, then went on to enjoy 3-1 wins over Sonya Love and Cindy Roberts.

A pair of 3-1 triumphs over Mandy Baker and Bridlington’s Sue Ballaban also booked Kerr’s place in the final.

Stage two of the Streamline Taxis York Open Darts Championship will be held on Saturday, February 25 at Huntington WMC with the next ladies event on March 3.

For further details, visit the York Darts Promotions’ Facebook page, email neilhartydp@hotmail.co.uk or phone Neil Hart on 07921 128063.