THE Crewe Oddies Club Summer Open League got underway with champions West End LMR B almost resigned to a shock loss.

They went 4-1 down in the Premier Division darts competition to newly-promoted visitors Oddies.

But youngster Aaron Ayres stepped up to prompt a revival with a 19 dart leg and a 180 to scramble a draw.

Top scorers were Delamere Arms and Pioneers Club A, who hit hosts Holly Bush and Nantwich Road ASLEF for seven apiece.

Vine A were also in a generous mood by letting slip a 3-1 advantage that opened the door for Kings Arms A to fight back via Aaron Taylor and Andy Pitt.

They then had a hand in the pair’s games wins that clinched a 5-3 win for the Kings. Brunel A visited last season’s runners-up Cosey and won the first two games, but could not sustain the effort and eventually lost 5-3.

Top marksmen were Mark Jodrill (Cosey) and Dave Coyne (Oddies) with 15 darters, Mark adding an 18 darter and a 104 checkout and Dave a 135 finish.

Tony Richardson (Pioneers A) won in 17 and 19 darts and single 17 darters were hit by Clive Lucking (Delamere) and Vine A duo Steve Tizard and Robbie Arrowsmith, the latter also on the mark with a 180.

Jamie Yarwood (Holly Bush) and Andy Pitt (Kings A) fired 18 darters, Andy including a 180 in his and Bobby Baynham (Cosey) hit as 19 darter and a brace of 180s.

Other maximum men were Wayne Patton (Kings A), Barry Cooper (Holly Bush), Patrick Lynskey (LMR B) and Jordan Bradley (Brunel A).

Division 1 Darts top hitters were promoted Holly Bush who walloped visitors Nantwich Road A 7-1, closely followed by relegated Cheshire Cheese who kicked off their hopes of a swift return to the top flight by overturning a 2-0 deficit to take the next six games at hosts Broughton Arms.

More generosity saw Amalgamated A and Flying Lady A forfeit respective 3-1 and 4-1 advantages in draws with Hop Pole A and Pioneers Club B.

Ben Snape (Imp) included a 180 in his 15 dart leg, team mate Stu Wilson hit a 19 darter and Allan Bostock (White Lion) hit a ton checkout.

Division Two saw the clash of the two promoted teams Nantwich Road B and Willaston Club won emphatically 7-1 by Willaston, with last season’s runners-up Sydney Arms declaring their intentions by hitting visitors Woodside for six.

Amalgamated B also hit six at the Hawk. The clash of Bridge’s A and C saw the A team playing catch up all night as they won alternate games to finish all square.

Top marksman was Rob Paine (Sydney) who won in 17 and 20 darts and also fired a 177 high score. Dave Arrowsmith (Hawk) included a 180 in an 18 darter and Lee Ross (Sydney) and Jamie Clorley (Willaston) hit 19 darters.

Lee Moffat (Willaston) hit 109 checkout and Captain Webb’s Stef Masser celebrated with his first ever 180.

Division Three's big hitters were Kings Arms B who whitewashed visitors Vine B, closely followed by promoted Brunel Arms B who walloped Coppenhall Club 7-1 and Cheshire Cheese, 6-2 victors at Nags Head B.

Ben Davies (Brunel B) hit an 18 darter completed with a 112 finish, an ending replicated by team mate Lyndon Cartwright.

Tony Taylor (Kings B) hit a 20 dart leg and Shaun Young (Nag B) and Mel Roberts (Brunel B) registered maximum a 180’s.

Division Four big hitters were Hop Pole B, who saw off newcomers British Lion 7-1, for whom Shayne Faddes staved off the whitewash. Coach & Horses and Brunel C hit six apiece against respective visitors Foresters B and Nags Head A.