A charity darts competition has raised over £500 to support individuals diagnosed with Autism and their families.

On Saturday Whitehaven RUFC hosted The BEE UNIQUE Round Robin Darts Competition – proudly sponsored by ORTUS Energy, organised by Marras & Arras darts organisation and sanctioned by the Amateur Darts Circuit (ADC).

A total of 44 players entered the competition, with players travelling from across the county and South Scotland. The field was split into five Groups to battle it out through a one leg shoot out round robin. The top three from each group then qualified for the last 16, with the final spot going to the best 4th placed player. 

Some of the highlights from the groups were: a superb 12 dart leg from Mike Routledge, a 115 outshot on the bull from Malcolm McLeish and a 158 check out from Paul Branthwaite – winning the high finish prize on the day.

There were seven maximum 180s recorded on the day, shared out between Dave Weaver, Ben Nicholson, Craig Lewthwaite, Simon McCall, Jimmy Clucas and two from David Cunningham, who saved one for his semi-final clash with Martin Rush, which Dave won 3-2. A super semi-final that saw Martin ping a 130 check out on the Bull under pressure, but Dave prevailed in a nervy last leg decider. 

Some other highlights from the knockout stage were a ton+ average from Jimmy Clucas in a 2-0 win over Leo Thomson including a 180 and a very tidy 15 dart leg from Nathan Lowrey in his quarter final win over Robert Atkinson. 

Anne Dunn claimed the prize for furthest lady after a solid group stage making it to the last 16 and the youngest entry in the competition showed a few old stagers how to hit doubles. Devon, 12 finished 3rd in his group to make it to the last 16, coming unstuck 2-1 against the eventual finalist, Nathan. 

After a little over six hours, and 211 legs of darts, it was David Cunningham who claimed the top prize beating Nathan 3-1 in the final. The win netted him 64 Ranking Points in the Northwest Ranking Table on the Amateur Darts Circuit, moving him up to 10th place.

Whitehaven News: The competition has raised over £500 for BEE UNIQUE, which will support individuals with autism and their families The competition has raised over £500 for BEE UNIQUE, which will support individuals with autism and their families (Image: Nicky Anderson)

A spokesperson for BEE UNIQUE said: "We are able to continue to do what we do for SEND families thanks to the generosity of people like this. It has also made a lot of new people aware of the charity and to raise awareness of autism.

"We are incredibly delighted that Whitehaven Marras & Arras have raised £550 for the charity with every penny raised going to either sessions or equipment for sessions.

"When we set up BEE UNIQUE, we made a decision to donate our time voluntarily and do this around our jobs and our own family.

"We support SEND families in the best way we can and we have the most incredible and dedicated reps who have enabled the charity to grow.

READ MORE: Jimmy Clucas wins at Whitehaven Marras & Arras competition

"We provide support for SEND individuals and their families who are able to relax, enjoy and be themselves as a result of the positive environment we create.

"As a charity we could not exist without the continuing support we see from our fundraising events, grants and corporate and community support.

"Through fundraising events, we not only gain financial support but increase the number of people who are able to help out and get involved after they learn about us and our values."

Organisers have thanked the main sponsor, OTRUS Energy and everybody who supported the competition. 

The competitive darts continues this Thursday with week 10 of the ADC Vault Series 2.0. For further information contact the Marras & Arras social media outlets.