THREE former champions crashed at the first round stage of the Evening Mail darts championship.

Brian Caine was beaten by Nat Hardie, Gary Clamp fell to Kevin Hubbold and Simon Kane exited at the hands of Sean Connolly, as the revitalized competition provided plenty of drama at the oche.

The impressive Hardie saw off Caine with the help of 114 and 117 knock-ups in an emphatic a 3-0 victory.

Clamp also lost 3-0 but in different circumstances with Hubbold often mopping after his opponent missed more than 30 darts at a double and was down to a finish first in every leg - proving the old adage that its trebles for show, doubles for dough.

Simon Kane lost 3-1 to the under-rated Connolly.

Another first round encounter of note saw in-form James Kempster come through a hard-fought test against his Castle team-mate Daz Clarke, with Clarke going 1-0 up and then starting the second leg with a maximum. Kempster looked under pressure but he soon got into stride winning the match 3-1 after checking out on 93 in the final leg.

Tournament organiser and capable darter Chris Irvine earned a comfortable win 3-0 over Chris Fittes.

Tony Robinson carried on his good form to progress. After taking out Red River Grand Prix champion Ross Rimmer in the preliminary round Robinson defeated Jimmy Burns 3-0.

The Harbour's Dave Eccles also won his first round match 3-0, and he could be one to watch.

Paul Harris rolled back the years, replicating his high standards of the late 1990s, in beating Scott Tippett 3-1.

Castle king Simon Whiteside played his usual very consistent match to overcome a vastly improving Ryan Tippett 3-1.

In the Dalton and district area first round matches the pick of the games saw Steve Woodburn overcome good friend Barry Twiname 3-1 to book himself a place in the area finals on Saturday February 11 at Dalton Cricket Club.

Other first round matches saw Masons team-mates Ryan Steel and Chris Pickthall both progress to the area final with 3-2 victories.

Millom and Haverigg lads Kevin Beaumont and Gary Ryce also booked their spots in the area finals.

Ryce looked impressive once he got going, hitting 157 in beating Danny Laker, and Beaumont had to come through a hard-fought match against the steady Ian Worthington to win 3-2.

The only lady from the Dalton area in the competition also progressed to finals night as Karen Kirkby of the Clarence made easy work of it to beat Chris Atkinson of Duddon SC 3-1.

The Barrow area final the takes place the week after the Dalton area finals (Saturday, February 18) at the Cottages Club. Two players will progress from the district area final and six from the Barrow final, with the climax of the tournament being grand final night at The Nines on Saturday, March 11, where the winner will take home a guaranteed £300.

Organiser Chris Irvine said: "I'd like to once again like to thank all players for entering and I hope that all the players and supporters can make the area and grand finals nights and make it a great atmosphere."