Appledore Darts League Division 1 title holders, Champion B, crowned an outstanding season when they retained their two team trophies at the League’s annual ‘finals night’ held at the Appledore Hall on Friday.

The powerful Champion team, led by skipper Ralph Marshall, repeated the success they achieved at last year’s event. Champions’ opponents in both the finals of the team knock-out cup and the Salmon Cup were the Royal Artychokes. Other members of the team are: Jackie Marshall, Andy Bowden, Reg Jeffery, Fred Seath and Eric Johnson.
For the first time the name of Sid Hosegood will appear on the singles trophy. In a hard fought final he beat Bideford title holder, Eddie Kitte. Last year’s winner, footballer Bobby Bailey, was put out in a semi-final match by Hosegood. Landlord of the Royal, Derek MacMurray, was the other beaten semi-finalist.
Champion also had representatives in the pairs events, with Reg Jeffery and Jackie Marshall, but they were eliminated in a semi-final. The winners were Archie Harding and Noel Lock of Royal Artychokes.
Prizes were presented by Mr and Mrs Philip Harris of Appledore.
Singles – E Kitto beat D MacMurray; S Hosegood beat B Bailey; Hosegood beat Kitto.
Pairs – A Harding and N Lock beat D Bale and J Bale; T Peake and V Keen beat R Jeffery and J Marshall; Harding and Lock beat Peake and Keen.
Team knock-out – Champion B beat Gunners; Royal Artychokes beat Abbotsham A; Champion B beat Royal Artychokes
Salmon Cup – Division 1 champions v Division 2 champions; Champion B beat Royal Artychokes.
Full Gazette article dated 18 April 1958