ALBION and Halfway A, Section One champions and runners-up respectively in Runcorn Apec Taxis Darts League, were strong favourites to meet in the 'Todger' Jones VC Cup final.

But the formbook counted for nothing and both favourites went down 3-2 to Section Two outfits Tricorn and Grapes in five pairs games.

Tricorn got off to a flying start against Albion, taking the opening game through Paul Walsh & Stuart McCormack.

They followed up with a win from Richie Marshall & Jack Tarr. Albion reduced the deficit through Nick Hough & Bernie Dodd.

But Tricorn booked their final place when Peter Langton & Ian King put them into an unassailable 3-1 lead with King recording a 108 finish.

The remaining game went in favour of Albion via John Kilkenny & Neil Dunbebin.

Wally Done & Wally Nether-cott took the opening game for Halfway in their semi-final against Grapes, only for Bob Ward & Carl Sanders to equalise.

Halfway regained the lead through Neil Connor & Steve Rogers but again Grapes levelled, this time through Neil Sanders and Dylan Lewis.

At this point, Halfway had to concede defeat due to a shortage of players as a result of prior commitments.

Tonight (Thursday) sees first-round matches in the Town Championship and Executive Competition. These are followed tomorrow by the Best Sports Cup semis.

Thursday, March 22, sees the semi-finals of the Committee Challenge Cup and Friday, March 23, second-round ties in the Individual Competition.

* Two established stars of the Runcorn women's darts league scene have put their team's name back up in lights.

Kath Vaughan and Yvonne Cassidy won the Barbara Rawlinson Memorial play-offs for Section One league winners War Memorial at Pavilions.

All league teams were committed to sending one pairing for the doubles competition and also donating £10 to the league's charity.

The winners edged out un-lucky Lyn Haste and Mo Cannon from the host club, of Section Two, to take the final 2-1.

There were no-shows from four teams, meaning 15 pairings took part.

As the winning club, Warmy will now decide the good cause to be supported by the league for the coming year.

Tonight (Thursday) sees endof-season play-offs for the Town Championship at War Memorial and the Committee Cup at Pavilions.

The Committee Cup (8.15pm for 8.30pm) involves Bottom House, New Pavilions, Flights, Pat's Angels, Pavilions Wanderers, Barge, Pavilions, Tranny AS, Wellington and Fe-Lions.

Teams engaged in the Town Championship, at the same times, are War Memorial, Halfway Aces, HRBL, Dock, Burma, Ex-Pat's, Clarry Girls, Raven and Croft.