Farmer so near nine dart perfection

Shropshire's Steve Farmer has suffered the agony of missing out on his first ever competitive nine-darter.

Farmer hit eight perfect darts for England against Scotland's Craig Baxter in the Home Internationals at Merthyr Tydfil.

But his hopes of achieving the perfect 501 leg (180, 180, 141) were dashed when he missed double 12.

"It was about a quarter of an inch away so it was very disappointing to come so close," said Farmer, of Hadley. "I recovered my composure and won the leg in 11 darts."

There was ample compensation for Farmer, however, as he was part of the England team who won the round-robin tournament, also involving Wales and Scotland, last weekend.

England won both their matches with Farmer taking maximum points, defeating Baxter 3-2 and Phil Evans of Wales by the same scoreline.

It means the Telford thrower – who now plays his county darts for West Midlands – has won 16 of his 24 matches for England.

Farmer is next in action in the Open Holland at the end of this month.

By JAMES GARRISON