JAMES Kempster made amends for his surprise defeat in last year’s final by overcoming Castle House team-mate Tommy Richardson to lift this year’s Evening Mail Darts trophy.

Kempster was determined to live up to his status as tournament favourite, with the memories of his 4-1 loss to Paul Harris in the 2017 competition still at the forefront of his mind.

And he did just that, seeing off Richardson 4-0 in the decider at Saturday’s Grand Finals Night at Cloud Nine to land the prize.

“I came close last year, getting beat in the final,” said Kempster. “I missed a few darts, but Paul did well and I’m over the moon to win now.

“I struggled a bit earlier on, but luckily I got through and I started to play well in the final.

“Those memories of getting beaten in last year’s final helped me. I wanted to win this time around and I managed to get the job done.”

Kempster had done it the hard way too, having to overcome veteran of the Barrow darts scene Sean Miles and then defeat second-favourite Ross Rimmer.

Miles, representing the Wellington Inn in Loppergarth, made a flying start and took the first leg of their quarter-final against the throw after landing 120 and 140.

But Kempster’s response was swift and when Miles missed three darts at a double to level at 2-2, the ‘Welsh Wizard’ swooped to finish on double 12 to book his place in the semis.

His opponent was Rimmer, who beat Dale Miles 3-1 in the quarters, and after the first two legs were shared, Kempster went on to win a high-scoring affair 3-1.

Richardson beat both Ian Greaves and up-and-coming Luke Shaw 3-1 to reach the final, but his fellow Castle darter proved too strong on the night.

But despite the whitewash, Kempster admitted it was tough playing against someone he knew so well.

“It’s a hard game to play,” said Kempster. “It was the same when I drew Sean Miles in the quarter-finals. When you play someone so often they’re hard games.

“With darts, you need a bit of fire in the belly to think ‘I want to win here’, but when you’re playing people regularly it’s hard to really want to beat them, but you’ve got to do the job.

“I’ll be back next year, definitely.”

Results

Quarter-finals: Sean Miles 1 James Kempster 3, Craig Mansell 1 Luke Shaw 3, Ross Rimmer 3 Dale Miles 1, Tommy Richardson 3 Ian Greaves 1.

Semi-finals: Ross Rimmer 1 James Kempster 3, Luke Shaw 1 Tommy Richardson 3.

Final: James Kempster 4 Tommy Richardson 0.