CHESHIRE preserved their place in the British Inter-Counties Championship top-flight following a convincing win against Cambridgeshire in Northwich last weekend.

A 22-13 victory is their fourth at Rudheath Social Club this season, securing fifth place in the Premier Division of the British Darts Organisation (BDO) competition.

Two days of play began with the women’s B team running out 4-2 victors.

Winsford thrower Andrea Hunt top-scored with a single-dart average of 19.52 in a whitewash of Casey Horspool (16.67), while Heidi Williams – a teammate at Rudheath in the Cheshire Ladies’ Super League – lost 3-1 against the visitors’ best performer Liz Humphries (18.81).

The men’s B proceedings were a one-sided affair, with Cheshire thrashing their guests 10-2.

Stuart Kellett, from Lostock Gralam, led the way with a 4-2 win against Barry-John Paget (25.81).

His average, 28.94, was the highest of the weekend.

Weaverham’s Matt Hunt (25.37) whitewashed Terry Redhead (22.58) in the same match.

On day two at the Middlewich Road venue, the women’s A teams shared the spoils after a 3-3 draw.

Northwich-based Jane Stubbs (22.84) led the way for Cheshire in a 3-1 win against Jane Judges (21.88).

Bev Martin, from Winsford, won by the same margin against Diane Nash (18.54) while recording a single-dart average worth 17.86.

The men’s A clash was a draw too, ending 6-6.

Winsford’s Dave Bird (23.96) went down 4-1 against Steve Carrett (26.51).

The fixtures for next season have been released already, with Cheshire scheduled to start at home to Lancashire on the first weekend in September.

They complete the campaign at Cambridgeshire in April.