PAUL Clarke entered his first darts competition and finished as runner-up.

The Marquis B thrower was beaten by the experienced Bryan Hartley, of New Alliance, in the Warrington Summer Darts League Individual Merit that was staged at the Railway.

Hartley succeeded 2-0 in 15 and 23 darts after knocking out Peter Jolley 2-1 in the quarter-finals and Mike Abbott 2-1 in the semi-finals.

Hartley's best was a 12-dart finish against Abbott.

Clarke's route to the final came via a 2-1 defeat of Geoff Bailey in the quarter-finals, in 11 and 17 darts, and then a 2-1 victory over Archie Goodier in the semi-finals with 12 and 10 darts wins.

The other quarter-finalists were Jolley Tanner's Simon Cunningham and Dog and Partridge's Derek Peacock.

The final of the Summer League Pairs competition will take place tomorrow, Friday, at the Railway Club, 8.30pm prompt start.

Players involved in the final should be available when the draw is made at 8.15pm.

The Summer League prize presentations for first, second and third places in all divisions will take place following the final. Representatives from each club must be present to receive and sign for prizes. Any prize money not claimed on this night will be forfeited to league funds.

Warrington Independent Darts League members who would like to take part in the O'Day competition should collect an entry form off their club secretary.

The closing date for entries has been extended to October 27.

The draw will be made on October 28 and then submitted to Warrington Guardian for publication.

The first game will be played on November 2.

All entry fees will be paid out in prize money so the more that enter the more prize money there will be.