CHRISTCHURCH thrower Mark Grimes achieved darting perfection before describing as "an unreal experience” his oche exploits.

The 48-year-old admitted he had joined his sporting idols on Sunday having recorded a nine-dart finish during Dorset’s British Inter-County Championship Division One clash with Surrey.

Grimes replicated the feats of former world champions Phil Taylor, Raymond van Barneveld and Michael van Gerwen by producing a flawless 501 leg in competitive action.

He went the conventional route by kicking off with two maximums, before hitting treble 20, treble 19 and double 12 to raise the roof of Branksome & Upper Parkstone Conservative Club.

The accomplishment is believed to be the first by a player representing Dorset, with Grimes going on to beat Jersey Classic champion Dave Parletti 4-2.

Grimes, who was asked for autographs and selfies after his victory, told the Daily Echo: “I have had darts at the double in practice before but, in a match, I have never been anywhere near it. It was out of this world.

“When it went in the roar from the crowd was incredible. I have never heard anything like it.

“Normally I am pretty quiet and calm but I turned around and gave it some! The reaction was magnificent.

“All of a sudden you start to become a celebrity within moments. It was an unreal experience.”

Sixteen-time world champion Taylor has recorded the most televised nine-darters, with 11 across his glittering career.

The first recorded at a World Championship came courtesy of Singapore’s Paul Lim in 1990, during his second-round match against Jack McKenna at Lakeside.

But it was the inaugural televised nine-dart finish from John Lowe against Keith Deller in 1984 which Grimes reflected on.

“When I first started watching darts, I watched John Lowe. He hit his nine-darter and one of the ladies came up to me on Sunday and said the last one she saw was John Lowe hitting it.

“It’s an honour to be up there with those guys who I see as my heroes. Now I have joined them, it’s amazing.”

Despite helping Dorset triumph 20-16, Grimes admitted he struggled to control his emotions for the rest of the battle.

He was brought back down to earth by beginning his next leg with a miserly 27 – earning him an ironic cheer from the home crowd.

He added: “After doing it my heart rate soared and my arm felt like someone else’s for the next leg or two. I was shaking and was all over the place!

“You have to get yourself together and get back into the game but, at the time, I had to focus myself to play darts again. The adrenaline took over.

“Dorset are the biggest team I play for and it means a lot to me. Without Dorset, I am not known by anyone.

“Hopefully, it can bring some sponsorship in so I can take the chance of moving on a bit further with my darts.

“I would like to give the BDO circuit a go and see what I can do, rather than never knowing.”