Franklin finds fine form to land Bognor darts prize

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The Bognor Friday Night Benevolent League Benevolent Cup knockout was held at Newtown Social Club.

It had its second-biggest turnout on record with 58 players in attendance, only six short of the record.

The first few rounds saw some great darts including 180s and a 17 dart leg from Richard Ragless (Squash Club), and a 180 from Rob Collins (POW ‘Z’). On his way through, Collins managed a 150dart leg with scores of 100, 100, 100, 60 and a 141 out-shot.

Alex Norgett (Newtown Amity) scored a 180, but lost out in round three to team-mate Stuart Rose.

The first quarter-final saw Rose beat team-mate Ricky Clark. The second was between Karl Wingate (Friary ‘D’) and Chris Williams (QEII), with Williams taking the win.

The third quarter-final pitched Ragless against Lee Franklin (POW ‘Z’). Franklin missed out on the chance of a nine-dart leg but won in three legs.

The last quarter-final saw Mark Walker (BRSA Wanderers) bow out to Collins.

The first semi-final pitted Williams versus Rose. Rose took the first leg. Williams started the second steadily and scored 100 and 140, but Rose pushed with four good scores then hit the double, taking the leg in 17 darts and a spot in the final.

The second semi-final was between two-time champion Collins and Franklin.

Franklin claimed the first leg. The second saw Collins miss a chance at 95, but Franklin also missed his out-shot. Collins missed again, and with 35 left it was Franklin who hit the double, taking the game 2-0.

The final started with two scores of 81 from Franklin putting him in the lead. Rose replied with 125, but a ton and 89 from Franklin gave him the lead and left him with 32.