STEVE Willard kept up his good recent run of form to claim the inaugural Swindon Advertiser Friday Night League title following victory over Tony Clark.

The two players faced off at the league’s presentation and finals night at the Even Swindon club, with Willard getting the better of Clark after semi-final victories over Nick Budgen and Bob Phillips respectively.

In the pairs event, Jack Tweddell and Richard North beat Dennis Smith and Paul Woolf to book their place in the final against Dave Wicks and Andy McAllister, following the latter pairing’s success over Clark and Paul Boulton.

Wicks and McAllister eventually came out on top to end a successful first season for the league.

Committee chairman Darrell Townsend said: “We’ve been really pleased with how things have gone this year and if we’re honest we are a little surprised,” he said.

“The players have turned out in their numbers and that’s been brilliant to see and their commitment has been first class. We are now looking at ways we can progress the league in the future because of the success we have had.

“Friday night was a great occasion and some really good darts was played, but that’s what we’ve come to expect from Swindon because the standard in the town has been really high for quite a while now.

For Steve to continue his really good form of late was great and he was rewarded by winning the singles title. He’s played really well all through the qualifiers to reach the final so for him to win in in the end was well deserved.

“We, as a committee, would also like to thank the Swindon Advertiser for sponsoring the league and we’re really looking forward to the next one starting in just a few weeks’ time.”

Registration is now open for the new campaign, which begins on April 25, and forms can be downloaded from www.swindonddl.co.uk. Entry costs £40 for the season.