FORMER champion Steve Callister and finalist Sean Miles head the list of contenders as the Dalton and District area of this year's Evening Mail Darts tournament reaches the last eight.

Callister defeated Ian Iveson to progress to the area finals night, which takes place at Dalton Cricket Club on September 8, while Miles overcame Lewis Gribbin.

Also through to this stage of the tournament are Millom brothers Paul and Kevin Beaumont, who defeated Chris Atkinson and Simon Garnett respectively, along with Les Quayle, Barry Twiname, Paul Carr and Chris Pickthall.

The Barrow Area section of the competition has reached the second round, with the winners from this stage going through to the area finals night at Cloud Nine on September 1.

Pre-tournament favourite James Kempster, who received a bye, faces ever-steady Tony Finley on his home patch of the Castle, with Finley having beaten Ryan Wilson in his first-round match.

Furness CC pair Ryan Griffiths and Luke Shaw have been drawn against each other in one of the eye-catching ties of round two – Shaw having beaten Paul Clarke in the first round and Griffiths being given a bye.

Elsewhere, the ever-improving Ben Sowerby takes on Dale Miles after victory over Martin Holland and Tommy Richardson, who has been finding some form recently, face a tough home tie against Kevin Hubbold.

All matches must be played by Thursday, August 20 with the away player to make contact. If there has been no contact with one week to go, the home player must inform tournament organiser Chris Irvine or both players will be eliminated.

Winners from the area finals will qualify for the finals night, which takes place at Cloud Nine on September 22.

Barrow Area second round draw (venue in brackets): Ross Rimmer v Mark Morgan (Tally Ho), Natt Hardie v Mark Ayres (Ram's Head), James Kempster v Tony Finley (Castle), Andy Watts v Tyler Armistead (Red River), Zak Walker v Craig Mansell (West Shore), Phil Irvine v Martin Rhodes (Castle), Kenny Hartley v Joe Gedling (Victoria Tavern), Steve Woodburn v Gav Lewis (Furness CC), Ryan Griffiths v Luke Shaw (Furness CC), Chris Irvine v Josh Bleakley (Castle), Ian Greaves v Karl Twiname (Red River), Tommy Richardson v Kev Hubbold (Castle), Keith Moscrop v Ian Worthington (Last Orders), Ben Sowerby v Dale Miles (Tally Ho).

Dalton Area finalists: Sean Miles, Steve Callister, Paul Beaumont, Kev Beaumont, Les Quayle, Barry Twiname, Paul Carr, Chris Pickthall.