Newport ace takes the first prize in thrilling darts open (From South Wales Guardian)

Newport ace takes the first prize in thrilling darts open

6:20am Wednesday 13th June 2012 in Sport

NEWPORT ace Stephen Cake came out on top off a list of high class entries at Garnant Club’s third darts open on Saturday to take the £601 first prize.

The Gwent thrower was among an impressive cast list which included fellow current and former Welsh Internationals Robert Hughes, Paul Davies, Barry Bates, Llanelli’s Marshall James, Kevin ‘The Undertaker’ Thomas and top international ladies Christine Savoury, Michelle Webber and Natalie Evans.

Early casualties included Glamorgan’s Barry Bates while AmmanValley interest ended with the departure of Tim Hendra from the last 16.

The quarter final line-up was a top-notch one as Newport’s Steve Cake just edged out Pembrokeshire’s Paul Wright 4-3 before another Pembrokeshire thrower, Peter John, also needed the deciding leg to defeat John Farmer of Glamorgan 4-3.

The impressive Johnny Haines from Wiltshire then saw off Robert Hughes (Pembs) 4-2, before Kevin Thomas buried the chances of fellow Glamorgan player Paul Davies, 4-2.

A high-quality first semifinal went all the way with Peter John averaging 26.4 per dart before hitting a fine 128 “out” shot in one leg while Steve Cake (averaging 29.51 per dart) narrowly missed a 161 shot.

The tie went to 4-4 before Cake nailed the deciding dart to win 5-4.

The second semi was just as good.

Kevin Thomas led 1-0, but Swindon’s Haines took the next two legs before Thomas levelled Haines then upped the ante with a 180 to take the fifth leg, and in leg six threw two 140s and a 100 before going out on 121 in 12 darts.

The next two were shared, but Haines’ double six took the match 5-3.

The final did not disappoint.

Haines took the first leg before Cake went 2-1 up, but missed double ten to go 3-1 up.

Haines levelled, but Cake, with another two 180s, took the next two to go 4-2 ahead.

Again Haines came back, but Cake took the deciding eighth leg with a 100 checkout to claim the £601 first prize.

Cake averaged 30.31 per dart in the final, Haines 29.8.

The Highest Out prize went to Peter John (156) while Johnny Haines’ 11- darter against Garnant’s Mark Morgan early on was the best.

Top lady prize went to Michelle Webber once again.

Garnant Club would like to thank sponsors including Coors, Cwmaman Town Council, Brecon Carreg Water, James Automatics, Aman Concrete and all others who sponsored the event.