HAVING reached the last 32 of the Boddingtons team darts championship, the Swan & Railway from Radcliffe came within a whisker of taking the top prize.

The squad was made up of Mick Hilton, Martin Holt, Craig Mansell, Mick Bushby, Pete Smith, Jamie Tracey, John Tuicci and Mick Pilling. Three of the four games the Swan won on their way to the final, went to the final deciding leg, and John Tucci came out on top in them all.

The standard of play from all the team was tremendous and in reaching the final they took out teams littered with past and present county players.

When the final came, they found themselves up against a very strong team in the Sprayhrst USC from St Helens and, despite their best efforts, had to be content with runners-up spot.

The venue and organisation of the event on the day by the PDC was superb and in finishing second, the local side had the consolation of a cheque for £1250 to cushion the blow.