Holden effort in vain for Oldham

NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL:

STUART Holden’s heroics were to no avail as Oldham slipped to a 6-4 defeat at St Helens in the Lancashire GMC Super Eights Elite League.

Holden averaged a stunning 96.23 for every three darts thrown in a 4-2 defeat of Alan Tabern, who is ranked ninth in the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) standings. He also recorded a maximum 180.

The victory cut St Helens’ lead to one, but Oldham’s hopes of a draw were dashed after they lost the final match of the afternoon.

Behind after the opening encounter, the town team hit back to lead 2-1 through Geoff Tucker (4-2) and Dave Rawstron (4-1).

Tucker averaged 73.14 and struck two 180s, while Rawstron’s average was a healthy 81-23.

St Helens won the next two matches, but Oldham were back on level terms after Lee Williams tasted a 4-2 success at an average of 73.94.

But the visitors were left it all to do after losing matches seven and eight, and even Holden’s magic display was unable to stave off defeat.

Oldham, who remain third in the table, welcome Rochdale to the Flowerpot on Sunday (12.30pm).