British Darts Organisation World Champion and World No1 Martin "Wolfie" Adams, 50, is an inspiration for middle-aged men.

So too the defeated finalist, Phil "Nixy" Nixon, also 50, 150-1 first-time qualifier.

Adams' triumph (SA, "Adams ends world wait," Jan 15) was all the more remarkable because the half-time tea-break disrupted his rhythm and a 6-0 lead was frittered away to 6-6.

Experience told in the deciding set and he became World Champion at the 14th attempt.

Adams's nemeses over the years include Raymond Van Barneveld (Barney) and Phil "The Power" Taylor.

Their Professional Darts Corporation world final on January 1 had seasoned observers describing it as the best match ever.

Van Barneveld hit 21 maximum 180s, a record for the final, and finished with a three-dart average of more than 101, which was only fractionally better than Taylor's. Van Barneveld won a sudden-death final leg after the scores had finished at 6-6 in sets and 5-5 in legs in the decider.

N E Gough.

Eldene, Swindon