The first Lingwood open darts knockout competition was held at the Kings Head public house last Saturday afternoon. It started at 2pm and finished at 6.30 pm with the presentations being made to the winner and eight finalists.

There were four dart boards set up in the restaurant room of the pub which were kept the focus of determined marksmen including one markswoman.

As expected the winner was the seasoned county player Mark Flawn beating Andrew Rapley by a narrow by a decisive margin in the final match watched in silent reverence by the enthusiastic darts audience.

For most people though the lasting impression of the competition will be the close game given to Mark Flawn by 15-year-old Jack Holmes, from Martham. Egged on by his friends he finished to loud applause from all as he was only just beaten by the experienced favourite of the tournament by one game in the quarter-finals.

Competition organiser Adam Oxbury responded instantly over the microphone by congratulating Jack on his achievement and, to loud cheers, added. “I think we have witnessed this afternoon a future star darts player in the making.”

Adam said: “This has been a successful competition which we are using as a learning process to put on an even better one at the same venue in the future.”