Liverpool Echo from Liverpool, Merseyside, England • 66

WORLD DARTS WAR EXPLODES 34 Liven ol Echo, Fi December 24, ll Rebel tournaments to fight for supremacy DARTS hostilities will be stepped up during the next two weeks when two world championships one official, one unofficial are staged in the south of England. The rebel tournament is being staged by the World Darts Council from December 28 to January 2 at Purfleet, Essex, and has most of the top names in the game taking part. The official tournament is being held at the Lakeside Country Club, Frimley Green, from January 1 to 8 by the British Darts Organisation the ruling body in Britain. Both the WDC and the BDO insist their events will attract capacity crowds, both claim they are the real world championship and both stress that it is time the other side came to their senses. The WDC championship sponsored by Skol £64,000 in prize money and has seven men who have won the BDO world championship, namely John Lowe, Eric Bristow, Phil Taylor, Jocky Wilson, Dennis Priestley, Bob Anderson and By Echo reporter Keith Deller, in their field.

They also have Alan Warriner, Rod Harrington, Peter Evison and Kevin Spiolek in an event that will have 30 hours of live coverage on Sky TV. On paper, they have the most attractive entry but there are WDC has only 24 players, including eight virtually unknown Americans, instead of the 32 they had hoped to field. Meanwhile, the BDO championship, sponsored by Embassy, has two obvious advantages. They have total prize money of £136,100, more than twice the WDC event, and will be televised daily on BBC which can command a far wider audience than Sky. Record rivals in Nu roles By Ken Matthews The year 1993 has seen a meteoric rise in British cycle racing, largely due to Merseyside's Olympic champion Chris Boardman and the Scottish wonderman Graeme Obree.

Boardman 's longterm plan called for an attack on the world one hour record on the track, eventually booked in at Bordeaux. Before Chris could make his attempt, Obree went for it at Haymar in Norway and succesfully broke IFranucesco Moser's record set at altitude in Mexico. Six days after Obree's success came Boardman's attempt. Despite the heat and humidity of the Bordeaux track, Chris rode 208 laps to beat Obree by 674 metres with the new world record of 52.270 kilometers for the hour. Both riders were amateurs, but are now professionals and reaping some of the benefits of years of working to reach the top of their chosen sport.

Obree went on to win the world 4,000 meters individual pursuit title on the Haymar track, beating Boardman in the semi-final. Aiming for a big success John Lowe Flying high with Wright brothers OLD BIRKONIAN are on the Wright lines for their traditional Boxing Day rugby union clash with New Brighton, writes Andrew Stratton. Birkonian, who reform the side once a year for the match at Reeds Lane, include the three Wright brothers Paul, Chris and Simon in their lineup while a fourth, Mike, is on the bench. Father Bernard will be an interested spectator. Paul, from Waterloo, figures at full back while Chris (Wasps) and Simon (Waterloo) are the half back pairing.

Alistair Saverimutto, now with Bristol and the leading try scorer in Courage League One, appears in the centre. Birkonian were able to select from 60 for the match with chairman of selectors Bernie Hearn declaring: "This fixture is gathering in momentum. It is one of the most genuine friendly matches on the calendar and everyone is encouraged to play attractive, attacking rugby." New Brighton lose regular first teamer Geoff Jones to the Old Boys' side but hope to have Lee Hodgers in his Cats purr to victory WALLASEY'S Manor Road Conservative Club lost their second successive match In the Merseyside Indoor ague's men's second division to newcomers Meentre Cats, writes Geoff Clare. Ron Wilms opened with a 21-12 for the Chester side mime the division leaders but helped by a 21-6 from Ron lillohniough Manor Road pulled It round to lead by tour shots WM two jacks to play. HOwever Cats turned the tables in style to secure a five shot win.

hull cashed In with a win over Thlngwall to go top. John Jones had a 214 for but Richie O'Brien (21-3), Tommy Crawford (21-9) and John Lillis (21-12) led Tlicall to a 21 shots success. In the ladies first division champions ESWA have now caugh Victoria Pwk at the lop. Alice Dawood and daughter Pat Devise ware stalls figure vAnners In the success over Melrose (Owen flemilton 21-7). place.

The winning team receives the Jack Smith Memorial Trophy. Birkenhead Park introduce Chester Law student Andrew Tarbuck in the centre and John Moores student lan Woodhouse in the back row against Waterloo on Monday. Phil Tarleton returns after injury. Ruksin Park are unchanged at home to Southport. Oldershaw go to Anselmians and will give North of England Colt Steve Clarke his debut at prop if Dave Williams is unavailable.

Other fixtures: Parksmans, Wallasey Getty. Shorts club pokes Spoke MI Sports I Social Club: 32- 1M Holy soota a Augur. Dov Fund: 02-14 (7) Labour Clb: 14-27 (14) AFC: 0-U-V (1) Soorad Nast L'posl: 3-29 (2) Wigan sights on top WIGAN are aiming to strengthen their title challenge in the big Boxing Day clash against St Helens at Central Park. The promised confirmation of the club's new signing Va'aiga Tuigamala and a taped message from the man himself is set to swell the crowd to over the 25,000 mark. And a win could send the champions marching into the New Year back in number one spot, if Warrington lose at Widnes.

Warrington's shock defeat at Wakefield on Wednesday has given Wigan the unexpected chance. Said coach John Dorahy: "That was an unbelievable result for us, and it gives us another incentive on Boxing Day. If we win we go to the top and we don't mind leading from the front." Wigan will have an unchanged squad on duty, but Martin Offiah has yet to satisfy Dorahy about his fitness. He said: "St Helens are a tough proposition. They have had their traumas recently, but they will come back harder and stronger." Wigan chairman Jack Robinson said: "Saints might have had a couple of bad results but that doesn't make them a bad side." Meanwhile, Wigan are planning to give rising star Barrie-Jon Mather a 21st birthday present an improved contract.

Cheshire forced info changes CHESHIRE have been forced to make several late changes in their squad for the county hockey match against Lancashire at Brooklands on Sunday (2 pm). Three Brooklands players, Andy Aldred, Carl Bennett and Sanbay Singh, have been rought in and Gary Brown, now playing regularly in the north east for Tynemouth, is also included. The under 21 sides play at mid-day following a veterans match at 10.30. Graham Hill may be back ference, will have finished their morning game at Bromsgrove. Marine look for a third successive Northern Premier League win as they bid to consolidate their premier division leadership.

The Mariners face Colwyn Bay at College Road, and manager Roly Howard selects from an unchanged squad. Long-term casualties Kevin O'Brien and Keith Proctor are both progressing and could be back in contention soon. Knowsley United include new signings Mark Noise and Keiran McDonald in their squad for the NPL visit of bottom club Fleetwood Town to Alt Park. Striker Peter Edwards is unavailable, but defender Andy Diggle has recovered from injury as Knowsley look to end a run of eight games without a win. Warrington Town are in NPL First Division action against Farsley Celtic at Cantilever Park.

But winger Mike Knopp is rated as very doubtful with a knee ligament injury and midfielder Neil Cook is again sidelined. Boss Derek Brownbill selects from the same squad that gained Town's first away win since September last week. Double delight with a top derby crunch By Ryder Jawed IT'S derby day at the double on in the Carling North West Count de Lesgue first division on Monday and the top six teams find themselveslnaction at Bucks Park. Bootle versus Presoot has always been a much-swelled fixture, but this particular encounter may be the most momentous between the two In Both hold MN aspirations both find themselves In their best form for many SOSIDORB. Tom Fagsn's Bootle are In sixth position with four in hand on leaders can go top if thilog rod uce the goods.

the Chr istmas period Is over I believe we will go to the top of the division," said Booth general manager Frank Doran. Both sklsi are ovocao to be at full strength, thanks mainly to a period of due to pmVonemenkr. Burscough and Skelmersdale United meet at Victoria Park In a fixture that Is bound to cast aside league Second-pieced Burscougm id- nbesbe flying high, but Skarn, now are one of the most Improved teems 'ln the league after a woeU stout that saw them In bottom spot for the first 10 games. Toww In oMg Ba a So e' In dhdalon two mons derby action when klaghu thll er a ks Stwilondale mast at Onall Lana. Goal aces Dale, who have hit 20 goals In their last fourmatdvn, could go to top, but title holders MaOull have them the selves hit the goal standard.

Formby are at Old Trafford, while Dave will kick start his secondspell In charge of Ellesmere Port Town with a home game against Nelson. Christmas forget set by Carroll RUNCORN go in search of a welcome Christmas boost as they bid to step up the pressure on the GMV Conference pacesetters. Despite only two wins in their last seven league games, the midtable Linnets are still just nine points off the top and have games in hand on most of the teams above them. And manager John Carroll, whose side take on Stafford Rangers at Canal Street next Monday, is quietly confident after setting a target of seven points from their three holiday games. "We haven't hit any real form so far this season, but we are still very much in with a shout," insisted Carroll.

By David Bassett "We need a bit of consistency and some luck, but I am very optimistic that we can start putting it together." But Runcorn have injury problems as they prepare for the Stafford game, with midfielder Joe Connor struggling to shrug off a groin problem which necessitated an appointment with a specialist today. Neil Parker (groin) and Mike Smith (Achilles) hope to be fit, while defender Graham Hill could be included in the squad after his recent knee operation. Southport have finally completed the signing of defender Phil Jones, and the one-time Everton player is included in the Sandgrounders' squad for Monday's Conference trip to Stalybridge Celtic. Defender Kevin Mooney is also in contention after missing two games with an eye problem as joint leaders Southport bid to avoid a third consecutive away defeat. Brian Kettle's men will know their task at kick-off time, as Kidderminster, who lead the table on goal dif- is i ti i I I low i a' 6.6, 16 4 6 1 6 11 4 Soccer signing FIRST division strugglers Oxford have signed former Stoke and Bristol Rovers striker Carl Saunders, 29, on a month's contract..