SOME tasty ties have been thrown up for the opening rounds in the reborn Evening Mail Darts competition.

With throwers back on the oche for the historic tournament after a six-year absence, the draw produced some matches to savour.

Previous winner Simon Kane is in the preliminary round against several-times area finalist Richie Hall.

Past grand finalist Simon Whiteside finds himself up against the young talent of Ryan Tippett, while one of the favourites, James Kempster will take on the winner of the preliminary round tie between Jason Williams Snr and Darren Clarke – another game which could either way.

Gary Clamp, another former champion, is in the preliminary round against Andy Watts, with Kevin Hubbold waiting in the wings for the victor.

Brian Caine, playing from his old stamping ground the Castle, has landed himself a tricky test against Rams Head lad Nat Hardie.

In the Dalton, Askam, Ulverston and Millom area, 18 throwers are battling for glory.

The draw again brought out a few intriguing affairs, with the last champion, Steve Callister, finding himself with a tricky opening test up the lanes at the Wellington, Loppergarth, against an unpredictable Graham Sterling.

The standout tie in this area sees good mates Steve Woodburn and Barry Twiname go head-to-head up in Ulverston

Organiser Chris Irvine has been taken aback by the level of entries, and said: “I'm overwhelmed to be running this event again, with the support from the Evening Mail and all the sponsors: The Nines, Castle House, Cemetery Cottages Club and Dalton CC.

“For the first year back after six years out, it's always a worry about players giving it the backing, but with 70 local players entered it has been more than a success.

“There are a few past winners and the cream of the crop in local darts talent, so it's safe to say the winner of this event will be worthy champion.”

Matches are played over the best of five legs format, with the bust rule.

Away players must contact the home player to arrange the date, giving at least three potential dates on which to play the match.

Anyone having difficulties arranging their games should contact Chris Irvine a week prior to the January 10 deadline for them to be completed. Both players will be removed from the competition if the game is not played.

Evening Mail Darts Draw - Barrow

Preliminary Round - Must be played before December 23.

]Jason Williams (snr) (01229 316315, Blue Lamp) v Darren Clarke (07720932974,Castle); Simon Kane (07713605608, Harbour) v Richie Hall (07521310792, Red River); Tony Robinson (07460646006, Britannia) v Ross Rimmer (07799160507, Wanderers); Gary Clamp (07894090734, Castle House) v Andy Watts (07902828121, Red River).

Round One - To be played before January 10, 2017.

Jordan Park (07872495823, Soccer Bar) v Craig Daly (07593088283, Castle House); Gav Lewis (07857422489, Castle House) v Paul Gibney (07490943378, Britannia); Tyler Armistead (826844, Red River) v Phil Anderson (813812/07840753630, Vic Tavern); Brian Caine (07496760504, Castle House) v Nat Hardie (07720616083, Rams Head); Simon Whiteside (07590037349, Castle House) v Ryan Tippett (07856206608, Furness CC); Paul Clarke (07745451118, Britannia) v Col Wright

(Castle House); Josh Bleckley (07708971347, Castle House) v Jordan Lowe (07476007385, Castle House); Nikki Lavery (07934432700, Blue Lamp) v Phil Irvine (471362, Castle House); Liam Armsitead (07703985345, Castle House) v Lol Crease (07399450869, Red River) Winner of Prelim 4 Clamp/Watts v Kev Hubbold (07495786161, Robin Hood); Chris Irvine (07792099968, Castle House) v Chris Fittes (07783413253, Vic Tavern); Winner of Prelim 2 Kane/Hall v Sean Connolly (07547190063, Vic Tavern); Matt Burrow (07814390712, Vic Tavern) v Martin Yuelle (07846023977, Castle House); Helen Ashton (07510159730, Castle House) v Daniel Backhouse (07470492036, Britannia); Tommy Richardson (07972812073, Castle House) v Carol McCormick (07708971347, Harbour); Garry Thompson (07809836473, Furness CC) v Jason Williams (jnr) (316315, Blue Lamp); Scott Lawson (07968285100, Castle House) v Lee Cooper (07513322070, Kill One); Keith Robson (07917034103, Red River) v Steve Patterson (07788240472, Castle House); Dale Miles (828301, Blue Lamp) v Dave Eccles (07796901310, Harbour); Jimmy Burns (07596334004, Castle House) v Winner of Prelim 3 Robinson/Rimmer; Toni Ormandy (07472663363, Castle House) v Jason Caine (07949160210, Castle House); Paul Harris (835600/07885203684, Britannia) v Scott Tippett (07393287940, Castle House); James Kempster (813604, Castle House) v Winner of Prelim 1 Williams/Clarke; Ben Livesey (07921035782, Castle House) v Joel Williams (07546227372, Castle House).

Evening Mail Darts Draw - Dalton

Preliminary Round - Must be played before December 23.

Chris Quirk (Bridge) v Ian Worthington (Masons); Mark Bamber (01229 464038, Devonshire) v Lewis Gribbin (Duddon).

Round One - To be played before January 10, 2017.

Winner Of Prelim Round Quirk/Worthington v Kev Beaumont (HWMC); Graham Sterling (0787128671, Wellington Lopper) v Steve Callister (Duddon); Chris Pickthall (07497806990, Masons) v Paul Beaumont (HWMC); Danny Laker (07788866527, Masons) v Gary Ryce (HWMC); Steve Woodburn (07921103147, Kings Arms) v Baz Twiname (Duddon); Darren Brown (07706300004, Bridge) v Sean Miles (Welly); Ryan Steel (07493237532, Masons) v Winner of Prelim 2 Bamber/Gribbin; Karen Kirkby (07979107443, Clarence) v Chris Atkinson (Duddon).