DARWEN'S John Grimshaw is the new Town League champion after producing a grandstand finish to pip club-mate Neil Durkin at the weekend.

The former Lancashire player birdied the 17th and 18th on his home course to beat Durkin by one shot with a round of 70.

But spare a thought for Durkin who started the day with high hopes only for it to end in a hat-trick of disappointments.

He was one of the first out and carded a round of 71 before disappearing to play football for Darwen in an FA Cup-tie against Billingham Synthonia.

But it all went pear-shaped later in the day as Grimshaw pipped him at the post, Darwen got knocked out of the Cup 1-0, and Durkin ended up on crutches after a crunching tackle.

One crumb of consolation, though, was he was part of the Darwen team which won the prize for best team gross.

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