DOZENS of darters have signed up for the re-established Evening Mail darts championship, which is returning to the oches of South Cumbria after a lengthy absence.

The 2016/17 tournament – an open competition for men and women – will see players from the Barrow, Dalton, Ulverston and Millom area battle for glory and culminate in a Grand Final at The Nines, Barrow, in March.

Matches in the early stages of the competition will be played in a best-of-five legs basis. Winners will progress to two area finals – one for Dalton/Askam/Ulverston/Millom and one for Barrow.

The district area finals will be held at Dalton CC on Saturday February 11 and the Barrow area final the following week (18th) at Cemetery Cottages Club.

Two players will progress from the district area final and six from the Barrow final, with the climax of the tournament seeing the cream of the crop throw for glory and big prize money on grand final night at The Nines on Saturday March 11, where the winner will take home a guaranteed £300.

Deadline for entries is November 28, with organiser Chris Irvine hoping at least 64 players will sign up to play in a prestigious competition, last contested seven years ago.

Chris said recently: “I feel privileged having been asked to get this superb prestigious local darts competition back up and running, and would like to thank the sponsors who have made this opportunity possible.

“I just hope it will get the backing of all local darters and supporters that it deserved as this competition is certainly the main local event in area.”

Players can contact Chris Irvine directly (on 01229 471362 or 07792 099968) to enter or fill out the coupon below and send their details along with £7 entry fee to the Castle House Hotel, Walney.

No entries will be accepted without payment. After the draw is made, away players must contact the home player and suggest three alternative dates for the match to be played.

If matches are not completed by the required date BOTH players will be eliminated and no entry money returned.

All results should be sent to Chris Irvine no later than the deadline date for each round. All draws will be published in the Evening Mail and online (www.nwemail.co.uk) and on Facebook.