Sunday (April 6) saw Spalding and District Darts League’s annual Open, held at Spalding Services Club.
With £950 being paid out and a prize of £500 for the winner, there were 96 entrants from across the area with people travelling from Norwich, Lincoln and even York for their chance to win the money.
In a high quality tournament the field was whittled down to a final four of Leighton Bennett (Lincoln) v Mark Lynn (Peterborough) and Martyn Turner (York) v Chris Fidler (Bourne).
The first semi final saw ex youth World Champion and PDC professional Bennett beat Lynn 4-1 with winning legs of 19, 20, 15 and 18 during which he scored two 180s and a 171.
Lynn was close to Bennett throughout, but the Cambridgeshire County A player could not keep up with Bennett’s constant high scoring.
Next up was local player Fidler, who plays in the league for Consti A, against WDF world ranked number 20 Turner, who in the last three years has won the Isle of Man Open, Scottish Classic and Welsh Open.
Fidler, who plays for Cambridgeshire, managed to get the best of Turner and won 4-2.
Fidler won with legs of 18, 20 (x2) and 21 and hit a 180 en-route.
Turner won his two legs with 17 darts each leg and had a 180 of his own.
So, onto the final and Bennett beat Fidler 5-2 with two 180s, 15 and 16-dart legs being the standout legs.
Fidler had a 180 of his own and hit two 18-dart legs.
Bennett won the £500 prize money, and this was his third victory at the Spalding Open in a row.
League representative Sam Roberts said: “Thank you goes out to the sponsors and all the players who entered, any money above and beyond the payout goes as profit to the league to keep it running.
“Thanks to those from the committee who helped on the day and MC Ian Tilley for calling the semi finals and the final.
“Final thanks goes to the Services Club in Spalding for all the help with their function room.
“The next Open will be in October and will be advertised shortly.”
