For the very first time this season, Ingate had all their players available, which was 12 altogether. Sadly, it was a few too many as three players had to miss out, which included a talented new signing.

For the very first time this season, Ingate had all their players available, which was 12 altogether.

Sadly, it was a few too many as three players had to miss out, which included a talented new signing. However, all decisions were totally accepted.

Without playing their best, Ingate did enough to win the match but the overall scoreline was an absolute injustice as Apollo missed a few chances and got punished.

Mark Eaton required 256 and five darts later it was all over as he hit 180+76 to beat Billy Kilbourn quite convincingly 2-0.

Graham Bergin trailed against Jason Kilbourn and hit back to level against all the odds and was a deserved winner in a deciding leg. John Dyke found his form later on and did enough to win 2-0.

Ingate's Minty Anderson, pulled off an unorthodox 106 shootout that stunned everyone and went on to topple Robin Loveday 2-0.

Then Pop Ansell looked in big trouble and was let off the hook and went on to produce a vintage leg to claim victory. Tony Payne had to pull out all the stops in a deciding leg to beat a useful opponent.

Apollo's Barry Riches uncharacteristically missed a number of chances to take the leg as Pistol Pete stepped in to pinch it.

Birkett found his form and emerged a 2-0 victor. Steve Driver and Steve Warner had a ding-dong battle that went all the way to the wire.

Ingate had first opportunity and missed as Apollo had their very first change of the night to win a game and declined eventually after a string of misses.

A relieved Driver put the Ingate 8-0 up. Peter Birkett and Graham Bergin won the opening doubles encounter, Paul Burke filled in some big scores in the early stages and was successful in the partnership with Tony Payne. John Dyke and Minty Anderson followed up to make it 11-0.

One would have favoured the Ingate to pull off the whitewash, however their two bright sparks, Mark Eaton and Steve Driver had no more gas left in the tank as Robin Loveday produced the early damage, with the help of Jason Kilbourn, as the embarrassment was avoided.