Oxfordshire player Kevin McDine has spoken of his joy at reaching the semi-finals of the Grand Slam of Darts at Wolver- hampton.

The 22-year-old, who plays for Banbury side Three Tuns in the Oxfordshire Senior League, had a dream run through to the last four, before suffering an agonising 13-12 defeat to Andy 'The Hammer' Hamilton.

A wildcard qualifier for the event, he thrilled ITV audiences by beating Peter 'One Dart' Manley, world No 3 James Wade and former world champion Jelle Klasson on his way to the semi-finals and a cheque for £15,000.

And it was only by the narrowest of margins that he missed out on a place in the final and a clash with eventual winner Phil Taylor.

"It was unbelievable," said McDine. "It's not a surprise because I know I can play, but reaching the semi-finals was a surprise.

"I've always wanted to be a world champion, since I picked up a dart as a three- year-old, and it was a dream run."

McDine, who was born in Wallsend in the north-east, now lives in Irthlingborough, Northants, but plays his county darts for Oxon along with his partner Sarah Rose.

He won his game in Oxon's opening defeat by Surrey with a 26.80 one-dart average.

But he missed Oxon's last two games due to tournament commitments.

And he will again be otherwise engaged as the county take on Warwickshire in Division 1 of the British Darts Organisation Inter Counties Championship at Morris Motors Social Club on Saturday and Sunday.

Tony Leone is among several changes to the men's A team, while the men's B team sees the return of Pete Newman.

The games start on Saturday and Sunday are due to start at 12.00.

OXON'S LINE-UP Men's A: P Addison (Bicester Beers & Minerals), R Anderson (Three Tuns, King's Sutton), P Freeman, R Haines, J Jukes (Mole & Chicken), A Larner, T Leone, B Stratford (Potato Pubs and A1 Inflatables), W Topley, O Varney (Studio 133 & Wah Hong Chinese Takeaway), K Young.

Men's B: N Cobb, P Cohen, S Foster, J Fowler (Heyford Leys Camping), G Manning (Sandvik Coromant), P Newman, G Price, P Rouse, M Stocker, A Syphas, T Wood, M Wright.

Ladies' A: L Carroll (Handy Stores), L Jones (Handy Stores), J Newman, D Pape, B Rose, K Williams.

Ladies' B: S Castle, S Cox, N Curzan (SB Enterprises Ltd), B Manning, H Prowton (Spar Eynsham), I Richardson (Café Le Raj & Masons Arms).

Men's Reserves: P Champ, P Farnes, K McDine, R Pape, L Radford, M Turnbull.

Ladies' Reserves: Cali Birch, Cath Birch (Roof Doctor), P Guy (JPJ Supplies Ltd), P Moyo, S Rose.

Dan Franzen won a last-set decider as Oxfordshire Youth maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a 9-8 victory away to Middlesex.

Franzen, with a 21.47 average, produced the under 21s' only success as they went down 4-1, but it was enough for overall victory.

The under 18s had earlier won 5-4 thanks to Grant Tizzard (15.66), Tom Baughan (17.58), Dean Lockyer (21.32), Mark Burns (18.22) and Oliver Highton (22.27).

Debutant Sam Pollard (20.24) was unlucky to lose.

The Under 21 ladies' side of Ashley Curtis, Jess Brayne and Nicola Slay won 3-0.

Our picture shows Denise Pape who hopes to help Oxfordshire to victory against Warwickshire this weekend.