Darts players from across the country converged on the Amman Valley for Garnant Club’s fourth Open tournament on one of the hottest days of the year.

In sizzling temperatures, the standard of darts proved just as hot, with some outstanding play on display.

Local players tried their luck against an array of talent. Among the entries were Welsh Internationals Wayne Davies (Cardiff), Robert Hughes (Milford Haven), Mark Layton (Breconshire), Kevin Thomas, Kelvin Painter, Johnny Clayton (Pontyberem), Marshall James (Llanelli), Natalie Evans and Dean Reynolds (Welsh Youth International).

In addition, there were PDC regulars Johnny Haines (Swindon) - a regular visitor to the Garnant Open, and well-known thrower Dennis Smith of Oxford.

Many local hopes had been dashed by the quarter-final stage, with only Brynamman’s John Murphy left to fly the Amman Valley flag, but he too fell, going out to Swindon’s Johnny Haines.

James Bevan from Pembrokeshire and John Newland (Wiltshire) also bit the dust upon reaching the last eight - as did Dennis Smith, who blew a lead to lose out to Brecon’s Mark Layton.

Clayton proved too hot for Haines in the best of nine leg semi-final, romping home with a comfortable 5-0 win, including a 12-darter in leg four.

Robert Hughes met Mark Layton in the other semi-final face-off.

Hughes was to rue many missed doubles as Layton built up a seemingly unassailable 4-0 lead. Hughes stopped the rot, but Layton wrapped it up with a superb 12-darter and finished with a bullseye to claim a 5-1 win and a final berth.

The final itself was a classic and went all the way.

Clayton went 2-0 up before Layton hit back and levelled at 2-2, just missing out on an 11-darter in leg four.

The Pontyberem man regained a 4-2 lead, but back roared plucky Layton - a bull-finish 122 out levelling the tie again at four a-piece.

He took the lead for the first time in the next leg, but fittingly, Clayton fought back to level at 5-5.

The Pontyberem ace finished the job in a sudden-death tiebreaker, with two 140s and a 14-darter to take the tournament 6-5 and £501 first prize pot.

The prizes were presented by the leader of Carmarthenshire county council Kevin Madge.

The highest out prize was shared by Dennis Smith and Wayne Davies (Cardiff) who both showed their class with 161 checkouts. The lowest number of darts (11) went to Johnny Haines while the furthest lady player prize went to Natalie Evans from Cwmllynfell.

Garnant Club would like to thank everyone involved for their support, including organiser Huw Jones, Sandra George for helping with catering, and all the sponsors, including Brecon Carreg Water, James Automatics and Coors Brewery.