Hampshire were held to a draw by travelling Essex in last week's Kaliber Inter Counties Premier fixture at Hill Park Memorial WMC, Fareham.

But the weekend produced some super darts from both sides.

Pennie Lewis hit a third successive win to join Sarah Morgan and Laura Power on the winners rostrum as Hampshire Ladies B were held to a draw. Steve Greenough won the first set for the Men's B but they soon fell behind 2-1.

And despite Essex pulling it back to 3-3, Hampshire were never overtaken and won 7-5. John Burbidge, Graham Hardy, Trevor Elmer, Sam Rooney, Andy Elvin and Colin Philpott were Hampshire's other B team winners.

Sunday afternoon began as a disappointment with the Ladies' A slipping to a 4-2 defeat. Jill Field and Jo Sibley were the winners. Zo Wood's opening leg was a rapid-fire 14-darter. But there was no other joy to follow that as she went down 3-1.

And it was neck and neck all the way in the Men's A match. Steve Phipps, Steve Ballard, Roy Brown, Dennis Murrell, Danny Ballard and finally Paul Hogan earned the draw.

Steve Ballard's game typified the high standards of the day. Ballard was 2-0 down but battled back to 2-1. Opponent Alan Collins needed a 160 finish to take the match. His first two darts hit treble 20s.

He stepped back from the oche, went forward again and his third dart bounced out of tops. Ballard went to the oche and threw a 100 finish to send the match to the decider.

At the end of that leg Collins once more needed a big finish - this time 140. Once again the first two darts hit treble 20s and again he stepped back. He then toed the oche and hit ten to leave ten. Ballard went for 104 but scored only 80. Back came Collins who hit 5, 1 and 2 to leave 2. Ballard went out on 24 first dart.

The next match will be in Yorkshire over the weekend April 2 and 3.

Hampshire - Men's A: Steve Ballard, Danny Ballard, Jon Bramble, Roy Brown, Greg Cheesbrough, Kevin Ede, Paul Hogan, Rick Lowther, Andy Mitchell, Dennis Murrell, Steve Phipps, Doogie Ralph.

Ladies' A: Jill Field, Jane Monaghan, Wendy Reinstadtler, Joanne Senior, Jo Sibley, Zo Wood

Men's B: John Burbidge, Troy Butler, Ricky Cull, Trevor Elmer, Andy Elvin, Steve Greenough, Graham Hardy, Neil Neat, Steve Phillips, Colin Philpott, Sam Rooney, Anthony Whitcher.

Ladies' B: Elaine Harty, Amanda Humphreys, Mandy Keith, Pennie Lewis, Sarah Morgan, Laura Power. Men's Reserve: Trevor Elmer Ladies' Reserve: Sue Lowther.

West End Open

The adult and youth competition will be played at The Place, West End on April 9. Entries £5 or £6 on the day. Details from Gene Bagley on 023 8036 1591 or 07734 703381 after 6pm.

Southampton Waterside Ladies' League

BAT and Archers Road A both crashed to defeats. And for Archers Road it was almost an embarrassment as bottom club Nursling chalked up their third win in 17 games to beat them. Sandra Wheeler is still the only player with a 170 checkout, the season's top finish to date.

Eastleigh Town & Guests League

Excellent throwing was the order of the day during the latest round of matches. Danny Ballard (Obelisk) and Kevin Ede (Arrow) both threw 13-dart legs, with Ballard hitting a maximum 180 as well.

Dave Reed (Sam's) hit a 14-darter and Tony Whitcher (Obelisk) a 15-dart leg. Whitcher also hit a maximum 180. Steve Perren struck two 180s with Chris Witts and Ian Edmunds each hitting one. Andy Elvin (Arrow) checked out with 101 and Steve Ballard (Obelisk) hit 118.

Eastleigh & Bishopstoke League

Paul Hogan was once again in awesome form.

He hit a brace of maximums and nailed a 14-dart leg. D Cocks (Chandler's Ford), N Betts (Loco A), D Piper (Cricketers), P Badkin (Foresters B) and K Williams (Foresters B) all hit 180s.

C Ryves (Eastleigh RI) shot out with 116 and P Bland (Eastleigh RI) hit 120. B Francis (Leigh) went out with 109.

Bishop's Waltham League

There may not have been any maximums recorded in the latest round of matches, but there were four big finishes. Andy Underwood (Sam's) hit 112, Ritchie Bilton (Grapes) 124, P Davies (Hedge End) 108 and top shot G Farr (Black Dog) hit 127.

Meon Valley League

Bold Forester waited until their last match of the season to collect their first win in a clash of the bottom clubs. Opponents Izaak Walton went down 7-1. Stuart Harley (Boarhunt) hit the only maximum recorded in the last week of league action.