ST ANNES Superleague darts team ended the season with a disappointing defeat, but took consolation from the individual performances of all the players.

The main improvement was in the overall team average, which was the highest of the season. But unfortunately they came up against Burnley, who were already promoted from the Third Division, and they showed why they deserve the Division Two slot next season.

The fact that St Annes have returned to form at the end of the season must given them hope for next year's campaign.

St Annes Ex-Servicemen's Club was the venue for this fixture and, with Frazer Bagnall first to the oche where four days earlier he had won the LSA Private Clubs Dart League individuals title, it was an anti-climax when he never looked comfortable and lost 3-0.

Team skipper Malcolm Poole, the player Frazer beat in the final, put the scores level with a 3-1 win, with relative ease against a rookie player who took the first leg, which included a 180, to give Malcolm a wake up call.

Paul Schofield returned to the team and, while losing 3-0, played very steadily and must be happy with the standard of his game. Alan Dyer has been a rock for the team this season and everyone thought he would produce the goods for St Annes. He did, but unfortunately he was up against a worthy opponent and found himself 3-0 down with the highest average for St Annes.

The last game before the interval put Jon Fish in the position of needing to put a point on the board for St Annes, and he did just that, making a 3-2 half-time scoreline.

The unluckiest player this year has been Bob Warham in that he always seems to draw a top player. This match was no exception, and he lost 3-0 but still managed a good display.

Stevie Doran made it 4-3 when he beat his opponent 3-2 in the closest game of the day, keeping his nerve to check out the last leg. Mick Crewe should have recorded his first win for St Annes, but missed chances at doubles cost him the game 3-1, although he recorded a 180. Jim Scott could have won his game, too, but for missed doubles, and eventually went down 3-0.

The last player was Jamie Clare who found himself 2-0 down after missing doubles. He managed to pull one back and was just pipped at the post in the fourth leg to give Burnley a 7-3 win.

All players should note that the Superleague team's AGM will be on Sunday, June 2, at St Annes Ex-Servicemen's Club, immediately after England's opening World Cup game against Sweden. All players must attend because registration forms for next season have to be signed.

St Annes 3 Burnley 7