LEAGUE action took a back seat as the remaining 69 of the area's top darters fought it out to reach the quarter finals of the Banks's Bewdley darts singles knockout.

Eight pubs were chosen for the mini knockout stage of the competition finishing with one winner at each venue. Defending champion Des Tipper came through his group beating Jes Smith, Duncan Taylor and Rick Sault to reach the last eight.

New darter John Mason turned in the surprise result of the evening, winning his group stage after beating county player Steve Watton, Archie Fernall and Alan Marshall.

Kevin Biggs beat George Evans and Shaun Portman to win his group and county players Tim Green, Mat Sheehan and Graham Perry went through in their group stages.

Richard Winters beat Craig Hopkins and Anthony Morris for a last eight place and Rob Jones defeated fellow former singles champion Richard Adams in their group stage.

Quarter final line up: Tipper, Green, Jones, Winters, Perry, Biggs, Mason, Sheehan.

Tomorrow's league fixtures: Black Boy B v Bowling Club A, Bliss Gate v Black Boy A, Wribbenhall Social v Waggon A, Cock & Magpie v Rising Sun A, Red Lion B v Red Lion A, Rising Sun B v Great Western, Waggon B v Waggon & Horses. Bowling Club B have a Bye.