THE Third Division in the Lancashire GMC Superleague is proving to be harder than anyone expected, but the players have only themselves to blame for not pushing for a promotion place.

While still not impossible, promotion is only likely if St Annes start a good run of results.

The visit of Littleborough to St Annes Ex-Servicemens Club was expected to result in a close fought match, but the outcome was anything but.

The first game saw Alec Butcher -- who had only been released from hospital the week previous -- feeling the pinch and edged out 3-2 in a very close game, hitting a maximum 180 and recording a three-dart average of (66.24). Jamie Clare then followed suit. After finding himself 2-0 down, he fought back to 2-2 and just lost out in the deciding leg (49.06).

Luck seemed to evade St Annes when Frazer Bagnall, who is having a good season, was also beaten 3-2 (60.47), with his opponent scoring two 180s in the game. Things got worse for the home team when Jon Fish failed to hit his usual form, losing 3-0 (54.95). Someone had to stop the rot and captain Malcolm Poole duly obliged winning 3-2, hitting a 101 checkout and an average of (70.50) to make it 1-4 at half-time.

After the break Bob Warham produced man-of-the-match form in his 3-1 victory (71.56) hitting a 180 on the way. A glimmer of hope shone for a St Annes comeback, but was soon extinguished as Alan Dyer couldn't produce his usual high standard and lost it 3-1 which included a 180 (58.16). Jim Scott then went 1-0 up in his match and, missing double top in leg two, gave his opponent the opportunity to win the leg and take the next two to inflict a 3-1 victory over Jim (54.75). In game nine Steve Doran had nine darts at a double but missed and lost the second leg, but made a brave stand to take the game to a decider in which he had two darts at double top but couldn't check it out. His opponent didn't make a mistake.

The last game of the day saw Tony Dyer also failing to fire on all cylinders and going down 3-1, giving the away side a massive 10 points. The result puts Littleborough in second place behind leaders Burnley. St Annes are third, with Kirkham fourth with a game in hand.

The next game for St Annes is a local derby against Kirkham on Sunday, February 24, with the coach leaving at 11.15am from St Annes Ex-Servicemen's Club. Spectators are welcome. The game will mark a milestone for two players, Alan Dyer and Jamie Clare, who will clock up 50 consecutive games for St Annes.

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