DAVE Place is good enough to mix it with the professionals claims the organiser of the Blackburn Premier Darts League.

Place won the title for the third consecutive year and Brian Gouldthorpe believes he has the talent to make it big.

"Dave Place is a exceptional darts player and he was simply awesome on the night," said Gouldthope. "I have no doubt whatsoever that he could be a professional darts player and a very good one at that.

"However, he is a family man and some things are more important. Being a professional darts player means a lot of travelling and Dave has a young family. He is doing the right thing to put them first."

Place is the only winner of the competition which was formed three years ago. And for the third year running, he beat his brother Darren in the final.

It was the culmination of 12 weeks of quality darts where 12 of the top darters in the town battled it out to see who was the best in Blackburn.

The top four from the league progressed to the grand final where the semi finals and final were played at a packed out Manxman pub.

"The crowd were fantastic," added Gouldthorpe. "They really made it a night to remember. The support this competition has had since I started it up has grown and grown. It just getting bigger and better each year."

In the first semi final, the defending champion was drawn against qualifier Jeff Baron and clinched a 10-2 win - which included a 157 check-out which was too late to win the highest check-out prize.

"Jeff did little wrong but Dave just showed why he is the champion. He really turns it on in the competition and is virtually untouchable."

In the second semi final, Darren Place held off the challenge of John Phillips to win 10-7 despite Phillips rattling up an incredible 11 180s.

Gouldthorpe added: "Darren opened up a 9-3 gap before John battled back to win the next four legs. However, Darren was hitting high scores consistently throughout the match and won the next leg to reach the final. But it was a great performance from John. To hit so many 180s in just 17 legs in some feat."

Phillips came out on top in the third/fourth place play-off, beating Baron 4-3 before the final proved to be a one-sided affair with Dave beating brother Darren 13-1.

Goulthorpe thanked all of the landlords for sponsoring the players, Nick Holt for helping him with the averages, Matt Howard for marking and the bar staff were run raged on each night!

He said: "This event would not have been a success without all the support and help I have received and I would just like to say thank you to them all."

But now that the dust has settled, Brian will be planning for next year's tournament.