BASILDON darts player Ritchie Edhouse missed out on the chance to rub shoulders with some of the sport's biggest names next month.

Edhouse lost in the amateur qualifying final at Rileys in South Benfleet against north Essex player Kevin Edwards.

The Essex Super League player from Great Bentley defeated the new towner 5-3 to secure his place in the PDC UK Open tournament.

Edhouse was one of 74 players battling it out at the qualifier and he defeated Toby Walford 4-0 in the semi-finals to set up his showdown with Edwards.

Echo:

Last four – Paul Marsh lost to eventual winner Kevin Edwards in the semi-finals

But it was the north Essex man who will join 32 other amateur players from around the country who have qualified for the UK Open in Minehead between March 6 and 8.

Edwards defeated Paul Marsh 4-2 in their semi-final to join the finals at the preliminary round stage at Butlins holiday camp in Somerset.

Edwards, whose sporting hero is John Lowe, started playing darts around 20 years ago and the highlight was a nine-dart finish in the Essex Super League.

Adrian Lewis is the defending UK Open champion and the tournament has been won five times by Phil Taylor.

Echo:

 Concentration – Anthony O’Reily aims for a treble 20