It was a magnificent finale to a superb day of darts as Lee Evans defeated Dave Wicks 5-3 to take the Colin Monk Classic Ranking Singles sponsored by Transplus and ASP Murphy writes Glen Dawkins.

Of the many regional darting stars on show Evans shone brightest to claim his second title in three outings with the aid of 13, 13 and 14 dart legs over his persistent opponent.

A full house at the Wolversdene’s Hayward’s Suite has justified the calendar moving to Sunday and as the day drew to a close the semi-finals had Wicks recovering from 4-2 down to overcome Andy Jenkins while Evans eased past rising star Jack Tweddell 5-2.

On board one PDC rising star Chris Aubrey beat Dennis Simpson 4-3 with Simpson sat on double top after 12 darts in one leg without having a shot at it then Aubrey was taken out 4-1 by the resurgent Ricky Williams.

On the way to the board final Evans disposed of the talented Tony Moulden 4-1, Nick Budgen 4-3 and Matt Aubrey 4-1.

In the quarters Evans won a classic with Williams culminating in a deciding winning leg. Evans started with a maximum which was matched by Williams then Evans responded with another to set up a possible nine darter before Williams replied with 125. Evans then had his own 125 to leave double eight which he hit first dart for a magnificent ten darter.

On board two Academy prospects Dan Read and Jordan Edmonds went head to head with the former triumphant 4-2. Read then beat Simon Coxhead before double trouble saw him exit to Aiden Wiltshire 3-4.

Dave Wicks quietly made his way to the last eight with impressive wins over Darren Braine, Tony Clark and Mike Gillet, dropping just one leg along the way then enjoyed a 4-0 win over Wiltshire to set up a semi-final with Jenkins.

Mark Thorne had earlier lost a last leg nailbiter with fellow Hampshire A star and Welsh international Gillet.

There was of course the obligatory board of death and on this occasion it was board three.

Arron Monk looked a possible three times winner of his dad’s event as he purred through the opening rounds against Rob Higginson 4-1, County A Paul Gibbs 4-2 and England international Paul Hogan 4-0.

Mark Cox looked impressive recording a 164 check out, Richie Ford lost a tough tussle with Gary Donoghue while another Academy pairing had Shane Reidy victorious over Ryan Rowe.

Andy Jenkins was given a fright by the emerging Logan Barnecut who did the Academy proud, the 4-1 scoreline does not reflect the match. Jenks then defeated Mark Hiscock 4-1 and Mark Cox in a last leg thriller.

In the board final young Arron was left rueing missed doubles as Jenkins took out 122 on the bull and 81 to record the narrowest of wins.

On four the ever popular Steve Shadwell made it to the last eight with wins over Matt Parsons (Academy), 4-2 against Rob Hart and a fine 4-1 win over his nemesis Paul Cook. Shadders was to lose an excellent encounter with Jack Tweddell 2-4, another emerging PDC Youth star.

Tweddell arrived by means of last leg wins over Ryan McCarthy and Andover’s Martin Adams and Gavin Howard.