Maybe Witham's darts star Colin Lloyd should think about quitting the sport more often.

As the last time the current world number seven considered throwing his darts away he went on to win his next competition.

The 29-year-old nicknamed 'Jaws' was set on taking a break three years ago before deciding to enter one last tournament.

"At the end of January in 1999 I played in the Essex Open and got beat in the final by Rod Harrington." Lloyd explained.

"I decided then that it was going to be my last darts tournament as I'd had enough of the game and thought that I would take a year or so off.

"I decided that I wasn't going to play local league, Super league, anything and then Steve Pegrum an official for the Professional Darts commitee said 'I've already entered you into Eastbourne' and I said 'oh right I wasn't going to go' but he persuaded me to take part.

"So I started the tournament at 10 o'clock that morning and by 10 o'clock that night I was lifting the trophy and had a cheque in my hand for £2,000.

Having completed his best year of his sporting career quitting is the last thing on Lloyd's mind now.

"I've had a great year. I made it to the semi-finals of the World pro, I lost in the final of the Eastbourne Open and Vauxhall Open final, won in Antwerp and got to the semi-finals of the World Matchplay."

Published Wednesday, January 29, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette