MILL Brow fittingly gunned down their fellow Cheshire Roof Trusses 501 Section big-shots Halton Stadium in their 'own' Widnes & District League cup competition.

Ray Booth and Mike Howard (17 darts) gave Brow a 2-0 advantage in the Mill Brow Cup opener, but John Bowles (20 darts, 91 finish) brought Stadium back into contention.

However, three consecutive wins by Brow's Stuart Bous-field, Jimmy Reynolds and Chris Bright sealed their rivals' fate.

A valiant effort by Alan Clark, who hit the first 180 of the season when finishing in 18 darts, enhanced Stadium's tally. But Brow continued their winning streak with Chris Taylor and last-gasp success by Stadium's James Brown couldn't dampen Mill's spirits.

The other preliminary round tie involved the Buffs taking on Our Mike's.

This was a nailbiter from beginning to end with neither team able to rest on their laurels.

Barry Shanahan and Anthony Abbott took the first two for Our Mike's, but Buffs retaliated through Darren Grant and Tez Gallagher.

Mark Lunt steered Our Mike's into the lead. The position was reversed in the next two games which belonged to Bing Gray and Ray Dutton from Buffs.

It was still anyone's match, but John Davies and Frank Cosgrove ensured it was Our Mike's night.