Paul Rowley tasted victory in the darts singles as the MJH Pontesbury and District Darts and Domino League held their annual summer tournament at Minsterley Parish Hall.

In the darts event there was a strong a line up with last years champion James Elsey, former Shrewsbury Singles champion Steve O’Callaghan, Pontesbury Singles Champion Laurence Colley, Steve Rowlands, Vaughan Owens, Michael Gray and Adrian Talbot all competing for the first prize of £250.

Many of the fancied players to win the tournament were knocked out very early on. In the second round, two of the favourites came head to head Radnorshire’s County Star Player Steve Rowlands played Steve O’Callaghan both players struggled in the summer heat. At 2-2 O’Callaghan was sat on 16 ready to claim victory, Rowlands needed 86. Then from nowhere he produced a class finish (18-18-50). O’Callaghan was very gracious in defeat making no excuses for his performance and wished his opponent all the best in the later rounds.

In the final Rowley from Shrewsbury met Andy Jones from Minsterley. Jones had battled his way past former Pontesbury Champions Paul Ashworth and Neil Southern, beat Steve Rowlands in the quarter-finals, then after all that he defeated last years champion James Elsey 3-1 in the semi finals, hitting a nine dart leg in secure his place in the final (160-85-56).

The final itself was a different story, Rowley moved up to another level producing an outstanding display of darts hitting 148 and 116 checkouts, plus a maximum 180 in the first leg, Jones bravely battled on but Rowley was in inspired form taking the final 4-0.

Rowley was a worthy winner and expressed his thanks to the Pontesbury League for organising probably the largest darts and domino tournament in the Shrewsbury Area.

In the dominoes, last years’ winner Alice Price, Hanwood met Brian Cooke from Westbury in the final, it was Cooke who eventually came out on top winning a very close final and picking up the first prize of £250.