Darts: World Champion Lewis to visit South Lakes (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Darts: World Champion Lewis to visit South Lakes

4:30pm Wednesday 4th January 2012 in Sport By Patrick O'Kane, Senior News/Sport Reporter

WORLD darts champion Adrian Lewis will take part in an ‘Ashes of Darts’ contest in Kendal in March.

Lewis will be joined at the Lakes Leisure contest on Friday, March 16, by fellow Englishman James Wade and they will team up to compete against Australia’s Wizard of Oz Simon Whitlock and Paul Nicholson.

Under 21 World Champion Aaron Monk, from England, will also attend the evening.

Event organiser Glenn Higgins has set up several darts events across Cumbria in the last four years and was thrilled to have landed so many big names for the Kendal event.

He said: “This is our first event in Kendal and we are delighted to get four of the top names for the main contest. James Wade is the second most successful darts player in PDC history and Adrian’s record speaks for itself.”

Lewis retained his world darts title at Alexandra Palace at the weekend as he defeated Andy Hamilton 7-3 in the final, but his epic comeback against Wade grabbed the headlines as he turned his semi-final around.

Trailing 5-1 in sets, Lewis stormed back in true champion style to win 6-5 to set up his final appearance against Hamilton, while Whitlock was defeated at the semi-final stage.

Higgins added: “When we started doing the darts events four years ago it was based at a working man’s club and it was hard to attract many players.

“We have progressed quite well though and are now in more of a position to bring them here. All the players love coming to the area.”

Higgins said that Monk will play members of the audience to get the evening warmed up before the other players contest four singles matches, consisting of nine legs of 501, before seven legs of 1001 doubles are fought out for the title.

Tickets will be available from Lakes Leisure’s box office priced at £20. Call 01539 729777.