Darts in York

York darts star Chris Thompson homing in on world elite
ACOMB arrows ace Chris Thompson has edged closer to the world’s top 50 after his fourth round showing at the Blue Square UK Open.

Thompson climbed four places up the PDC Order of Merit into 53rd spot after he beat Mark Jodrill 6-2 and Paul Rowley 9-1 at Bolton Wanderers’ Reebok Stadium.

The St Paul’s Lodge and Crescent WMC player’s run ended 9-2 against former world number one Colin Lloyd, but a cheque for £2,000 saw him climb away from the likes of former World Championship finalist Alan Warriner-Little and ex-BDO number one Gary Anderson in the rankings.

Martyn Turner, also from York, has dropped five places to 84th after losing a high-quality second round game 6-4 against Dave Honey in Bolton.

The pair will now play in the Players Championship regional events at Barnsley this weekend.

Meanwhile, St Paul’s consolidated their place at the top of division one in the John Smith’s Men’s League, with Thompson (17, 19), Dave Mason (17, 21), Paul Cooper (19, 19) and Paul Botterill (20, 21) ensuring a 7-2 win at Fulfordgate.

Clifton had Barry Noble (180 for 17, 15), Iain Smith (21) and Neil Hart (18) playing well, but Shepherd’s had John Mooring (180 & 20) to thank for a 5-4 win.

New Inn and Acomb produced the game of the week. New Inn’s Stu Limbert (115 & 112 c/o for 15), Jamie Harding (21) and Phil Brooke (138 c/o for 18) played well, but Adam Thompson (115 c/o for 18 & 106 c/o), Keith Turner (20, 180 & 126 bull c/o for 18), Mark Hartley (140 c/o for 15) and Lee Brundrett (18) helped Acomb to a 7-2 win.

Division two leaders Crescent ‘A’ had Kelvyn Frankle (122 c/o for 18) and Ron Simpson (20) playing well in a 7-2 win at Turpin, whose best was Matty Wilson (18).

Second-placed Sun had Gary Kilner (2 x 22 & 2 x 180) playing well in a 7-2 win at Crescent ‘B’.

Division three leaders Severus had a 6-3 win at rivals Tree ‘B’.