London may be teetering on the edge of relegation but they showed plenty of fight at home to Hampshire who were forced to hold on for a draw in their British Inter-County Premiership clash.

But the match produced more excitment than a draw may suggest.

One of the finest exhibitions of darts throwing came in the penultimate match of the weekend.

Hampshire skipper Rick Lowther toed the oche against Mark Walsh and, despite Lowther having 33.33 - he lost.

Walsh played like a demon. He ambled through the first leg in 14 darts, checking out on 17. In the second he checked out with 131 for a 12-dart leg. And finally he came within a whisker of a nine-dart leg. Scores of 180, 180 and 105 left just 36, a score he achieved just one dart later for a ten-dart leg.

Lowther said: "It was almost a pleasure to lose in that fashion. I came off the stage dumbstruck. It was awesome."

Hampshire's ladies and men's B sides were held to a draw.

The ladies trailed 3-0 before wins from Trophyman Player of the Match Laura Power, Elaine Harty and Pennie Lewis secured the draw.

With three games to play the men trailed 6-3. Tony Whitcher - the Trophyman Player of the Match - Andy Elvin and Graham Hardy provided those wins. But then Neal Neat, Alan Yates and Steve Phillips came through to snatch a draw.

Jane Monaghan and Jo Sibley were the only winners for the Hampshire Ladies' A team as they went down 4-2. Monaghan edged out Sibley for the Trophyman Player of the Match award.

Those results put Hampshire 13-11 down overall so winning the men's A match was a must. Denis Murrell, Doogie Ralph and Kevin Ede opened a 3-1 lead. London levelled before wins from Steve Ballard, Paul Hogan and Trophyman Player of the Match Roy Brown opened a 6-3 lead. Two wins from London almost gave them all the points, but Steve Phipps came good to win the last set 3-0 and secure the win, netting a vital bonus point.

Hampshire's teams were:

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, Andy Elvin, Steve Greenough, Graham Hardy, Darren Hogg, Neil Neat, Steve Phillips, Colin Philpott, Sam Rooney, Anthony Whitcher, Alan Yates.

Ladies' B: Elaine Harty, Amanda Humphreys, Mandy Keith, Pennie Lewis, Sarah Morgan, Laura Power.

Men's Reserve: Ricky Cull, Ladies' Reserve: Sue Lowther.

Meon Valley

League leaders Boarhunt were held to a draw at Mead End and lost their top spot. New Inn walloped Bold Forester 8-0 and drew level with Boarhunt on points. Game difference took them ahead with just three games to play. Tony Westaway (Boarhunt) has hit the top finish of the season to date, 156.

Cobweb Solutions Fareham Men

Teams are advised that the delegates' meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 8 at Fareham British Legion will be followed by the annual meeting for the new summer season.

Itchen & District Men

After 12 weeks of competitive darts the top three teams could almost not be separated. Woolston Trades and Labour, subject to final league checks are the champions, but only by game difference. Both Woolston Social and Ship have identical records and are kept apart by the alphabet.

League officials will need to check the records are correct before awarding trophies.

And the same has happened in Division Two with first and second parted by just one set after a season of matches. West End A are the champions and Bulls Eye take second.

Some players certainly finished the season in style. D Wheeler (Gardeners) hit a 101 checkout to finish a 15-darter. Barry Humby (Bulls Eye) and M Filgate (Woolston Social) hit maximum 180s. D Perren (Harrier) went out on 160. Gene Bagley (West End A) hit 120 and L Dawson (West End B) 128.

Eastleigh Town & Guests

Not for the first time this season Danny Ballard has hit a brace of 180s for Obelisk. Matt Walker was the only other player to nail a maximum in a week with a number of missing results.

Eastleigh & Bishopstoke

Paul Hogan (Eastleigh RI) threw a maximum and 14-dart leg in a week that saw some impressive finishing and scoring.

S Kelly (Arrow) hit a 15-dart leg and threw a 111 finish. B Wright (Breezer's) went out on 112 and P Bentley (Chamberlayne A) with 108. Colin Wolosianka (Bishopstoke WMC B), A Long (Arrow), I McCarthy (Arrow), D Cocks (Chandler's Ford), C Ryves (Eastleigh RI), S Merritt (Loco B), P Boulton (Loco B) and P Prestland (Bishopstoke WMC B) all hit 180s.

Lyndhurst WMC

J Topham (Lyndhurst A), N Male (Lamb), A Cron (Keepers) and M Smith (New Inn) all hit 180s. S Guffogg (Sir Walter Tyrrell) hit a finish of 103 but that was bettered by N Elford (Lyndhurst B) who threw 155.

Bitterne Park Hotel Invitation League

Tim and Andy Webb (Swaythling) have won the men's pairs title. Played at the Bitterne Park Hotel the duo took on and beat Paolo Vetere and Gary Moon (Drummond B) in the final.

Tim Webb hit the only maximum 180 on the night.

Eight players have made it to finals' night for the men's singles title. Played at the Bitterne Park Hotel Steve Jannaway (Castle) will joint Steve Broad (Drummond), Dave Bullock (Q-World), Bob Jennings (Swaythling), Mike Keenan (Swaythling), Pete Lockwood (South Western Arms), Peter Flooks (South Western Arms) and Chris Gasser (Bitterne Park Hotel).

For information about the new ladies' league call Mo Purkiss on 023 8058 2144.

Romsey & District Ladies

Carol Rickman (Malthouse) and Sue Harrington (Legion B) will contest the Premier Division singles final in April.

The pair came through the preliminary stages to set up the final. Doreen van der Plank (Tally Ho) and Debbie Pearce (Comrades) will battle it out for the Division One title. All finals will be played on April 18.