JAMIE Caven reflected on a second successive close defeat to five-times World Champion Raymond Van Barneveld and joked: "I'm only sick of Barney at this time of year!"

Derby darts ace Caven slipped out of the PDC William Hill World Darts Championship 4-3 at the second round stage at Alexandra Palace – the same score by which he lost to the Dutch master last year.

"It was another hell of a game and you could feel the tension from the crowd – they even stopped singing their football songs to watch because they were engrossed in it," said Caven.

He edged the legs overall by 15-14 and had a higher scoring percentage – but Van Barneveld hit the shots that mattered in a match-play situation.

"I was playing really well. I had a lot of belief and felt very comfortable, although it's exhausting, because it's so hot up there on stage," said Caven.

"I put pressure on him and kept thinking that he might crack – but he doesn't and that's why he's a five-time world champion.

"I'm not sick of the sight of him – except at this time of year! – because he's a top professional and it was a good match.

"You don't think about the fact that you're winning more legs at the time.

"You don't count them because you're so engrossed in what you're doing."

The result may have been the same but Caven's growing belief is unwavering.

"I know I keep saying that the following year will be better for me but I really believe it and the stats back me up." he said.

"I'm disappointed, of course – I wouldn't be playing if I wasn't disappointed to lose.

"But, whereas being on the big stage might have bothered me before, it doesn't now.

"This is my job and the big stage is second nature now.

"You never stop learning in any sport and there are not many negatives I would take from the match, apart from the result itself."

Caven has been a professional for eight years now and is competing at a time when the game is on something of a high, in terms of the number of top players around.

"The game is so competitive now," he said.

"You used to think that only two or three players would be in the hunt for the top prizes but there are eight or 10 who could win this World Championship and none of them would be a surprise.

"Obviously, you look at Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Barney, if he can stay on his game.

"The next match between Barney and Adrian Lewis will be massive.

"But, if I were a betting man, I'd put my money on Gary Anderson.

"He has always been a massive scorer but his finishing has been suspect in the past. He's improved that now and, if he can hit 50% on his finishing, he'll be a real threat."

Caven will take a rare holiday in the New Year, a Bahamas cruise with wife Debbie ("yes, I'll be taking my darts!" he said) but he will soon be back in action with European Championship qualifiers in Wigan later in January. 

ICE and snow mean bites are few and far between on local lakes.

But there are fish to be caught if you dig deep, as hardy anglers discovered during the Wednesday Open match at Dynamite Makins Fishery, where Sam Collett took top weight.

The match was held on Lake Two and the top three – Collett, runner-up Terry Sanderson and third-placed Terry Cockburn senior – all caught from pegs on the sheltered bank.

Collett had three carp in his 20lb 4oz net, all caught on bread.

The consistent Sanderson managed a couple of carp and a bream in his 16lb 4oz bag, which was caught from peg 19, while Cockburn senior (peg 22) caught two carp for 11lb 6oz. Both anglers used a combination of bomb and pellet.

Most of the 23 anglers who fished the match caught, with only three dry nets. Two of those who didn't catch had hooked and lost carp.

A WOMAN has been taken to hospital with "serious injuries" following a collision involving two cars and a lorry.

Police said the incident happened on the southbound carriageway of the A38, close to the slip road at Ripley, shortly before 1.30pm.

A Derbyshire police spokeswoman said a Volkswagen Golf collided with a lorry parked in a lay-by on the southbound carriageway.

She said another car, a Peugeot, then collided with the other two vehicles.

The driver suffered serious injuries and was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre, in Nottingham.

The A38 was initially closed in both directions at the Watchorn Island while the air ambulance attended the scene. One lane currently remains closed while recovery work is being carried out.

The driver of the lorry and Volkswagen Golf were uninjured.

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DARREN Bent is believed to be on Derby County's radar as they search to bolster their striking options in the January transfer window.

The 30-year-old Aston Villa player could join the Rams on loan for the rest of the season.

He is back at Villa after his loan spell at Brighton expired.

A groin strain ruled Bent out of Brighton's victory at Fulham last night

He scored two goals in five games for the Seagulls.

Derby have already been linked with a number of strikers including Ross McCormack, Troy Deeney, Glenn Murray and Chris Wood.

The Rams say they will not comment on speculation.

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A TELEPHONE call out of the blue in 1983 had an impact that is still being felt today.

It was the first step that brought Clarence Wiggins to Derby from the USA. In the 31 years that followed, all the way up to his untimely death this week at the age of 58, he touched thousands of lives and shaped the course of a sport.

Clarence came to Derby from North Carolina to play basketball, for £50 a week and the promise of free bus travel. He and Dave Smith were the first professional overseas players to be recruited by the city's club, then named Team Discounter Derby, for their first season at National League level.

Through the many evolutions of professional basketball in Derby since 1983 – Turbos, Rams, Bucks, Storm and now Trailblazers – one constant has been Clarence Wiggins.

He was a player for Derby's first three seasons and, following a year with Cleveland, was brought back as coach for their second season in the top division – the forerunner of the BBL – in 1987. The city has been his home ever since.

As a man, Clarence was quietly-spoken and humble, quick to deflect praise when it came his way but quicker to make others feel better about themselves.

Though he was fundamentally modest and unassuming, the competitor in him was never far below the surface and could be clearly seen in his absolute commitment as a player or in an unmistakably steely flash of the eyes when he was coaching.

He competed hard but was always honest and fair. Though winning mattered to him, it was never at any cost. That was the example he set in sport and in life.

When Trailblazers were formed in the summer of 2000, Clarence was given the responsibility of helping build a new club from the bottom up, establishing a broader base for basketball in the community from the youngest of age levels.

As a natural teacher, he was in many ways much happier coaching the basics of the game to kids than he was dealing with professional players. For some, he helped nurture a talent for the sport and guide them to play at a high standard, for others who might have drifted down a different path in life he instilled purpose and discipline.

Though he would have been content to carry on coaching youngsters, when Storm disbanded in 2002 and the decision was taken to enter Trailblazers in the National League for the following season, Clarence was the natural choice as coach.

He led them to promotions from Divisions Three and Two and would even turn out as a player, in emergencies. Even though he was in his 50s by that time, there were still flashes of the smart, competitive and influential player who became such a favourite in the 1980s.

After taking Trailblazers to the Division One title in 2009-10 and being voted the league's coach of the year again, he decided to step aside and return to developing more junior players and more young lives. He balanced that role with his job as a PE teacher at Noel-Baker School until his sudden death on Monday.

The response to the news has been overwhelming, from inside and beyond basketball.

"I came to Derby as a 19-year-old. Clarence was such an influence on me then and still is," said Tim Lascelles, one of Derby's greatest players and a former England coach.

"All three of my sons have come through his system and gone on to be sportsmen and there are so many other people who owe so much to Clarence and what he taught them.

"Nobody ever got the better of him on the court as a player but off the court I've never met anybody who had such total respect for other players, whatever their ability.

"He was the most unselfish, clean-living guy I've ever known. As a man, nobody compares with Clarence Wiggins."

"Clarence was the nicest man I ever met," said Andy Maher, also a long-serving former player and assistant coach.

"He lived his life the way he played basketball. He always thought of the team first and did all the little things that made everybody else better players. He was the glue.

"He was my favourite player and great to play under as a coach."

"Without a doubt, no other individual has played a more significant role in the development of basketball in the city of Derby," added Trailblazers chairman Charlie Wright.

"But more importantly, he made such a difference to so many as a person. The huge number of tributes being paid to Clarence reflects that. That is his legacy."

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CURRENT Notts & Derby Cyclo-cross League leader Andrew Naylor took an early lead and held on to it for victory in the 12th round of the series at Bakewell Showground.

Racers braved sub-zero temperatures and snow for the Matlock CC-promoted race but Naylor (Fossa Racing) was a man apart on the day.

Junior Arthur Green (Matlock CC), fresh from his GB debut in the World Cup in Belgium, kept Naylor in his sights but could not catch him as he took second, with Lee Shunburne, also racing for Fossa, in third.

The women's race saw another convincing performance from veteran Maddi Smith (Bolsover & District CC), who won by three minutes from Amy Jones. Matlock's Louise Wainwright was third.

In the veterans' race former multiple league title winner Dan Alexander (Zepnat), from Eastwood, made light of the conditions to win by almost four minutes ahead of Peak Road Club's Dan Cook.

Zepnat also took the honours through comeback king Tim Gould in the over-50s. Gould lapped all the other over-50 racers and all but three of the over-40s in the same race.

The youth race saw a win for Derby Mercury's Bailey Wilmott, ahead of Nottingham Clarion's James Swadling and Matlock's John Webster, while Leicester Road Club's Alex Haines took under-14 honours.

Elena Smith added to Fossa Racing's successes by winning the youth girls' race as an under-14.

Xan Crees (Derby Mercury) finished behind her and could claim maximum under-16 points.

In the Under-12 boys' race, Derby Mercury's Ben Chilton shrugged off the challenges of the conditions to win a minute ahead of club-mate Joseph Kininmonth. Chilton's usual rival Josh Giddings (Heanor Clarion) was a further 30 seconds down in third.

Libby Smith (Matlock CC) took the girls' under-12 win, while under-nine winners were Ben Mellor (Matlock CC) and Evie Kininmonth (Derby Mercury).

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FORMER Newcastle United defender Darren Peacock reckons Derby County head coach Steve McClaren would be the perfect choice as new manager for Newcastle United.

Current Magpies boss Alan Pardew is in talks with Crystal Palace about the managerial vacancy at the Eagles.

He is expected to take over once Newcastle and Palace agree a compensation package.

And Peacock told talksport that he thinks McClaren would be a good appointment at Newcastle.

"Newcastle need experience at the moment," said Peacock. "They're in a decent, comfortable position but that could soon change.

"Over the New Year period there are lots of games, the FA Cup is also important to the club. They need to all stick together.

"They need someone experienced to come in and settle the club down. Steve McClaren sticks out, he's so experienced and a great coach. I would look at him."

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Here is a view of Swanwick Primary School taken from a hot air balloon. The image was captured by Robin Macey, a member of Nottingham and Derby Hot Air Balloon Club, based in Marehay, which is the only one in the country with membership open to the general public. It was started by a group of enthusiasts in 1978, has two balloons and is run on a non-profit basis. The club is looking to recruit new members. No previous experience is required as training is provided. It is possible to join on a three-month trial basis for just £75. Call 01332 704096 or 0115 854 1028.

DERBY County Steve McClaren head coach is keeping his cards close to his chest going into the January transfer window.

Promotion-chasing Derby are keen to add to their striking options for the second half of the season.

They are being strongly linked with a loan move for Aston Villa's Darren Bent.

McClaren would not rule the former England international in or out when asked about the possibility of the 30-year-old joining the Rams.

"I know there is speculation. If anything happens you will probably be about the fourth or fifth to know!" he said.

McClaren added: "I have said all along there are not a lot of players out there who can improve this team.

"What we need to do is may be improve the squad and get some competition, more competition for certain places.

"We will be looking at that but I am delighted with the squad.

"You have seen the bench (against Leeds United). We have brought on the likes of Simon Dawkins, Craig Bryson and Paul Coutts.

"We have got good players on the bench, and we've still got Jamie Ward to come back in, and Zak Whitbread."

Bent's brief loan spell at Brighton is up and he has returned to Villa.

He missed Brighton's victory at Fulham on Monday night due to a slight groin strain and the Seagulls have not given up hope of luring the player back to The Amex.

Newly-appointed Brighton boss Chris Hughton said: "He's a quality player.

"He has gone back. There certainly would be interest in him, particularly with his contract position at Aston Villa (up in the summer)."

"Of course, from our position here, he's one that we'll very much think about."

The list of strikers being linked with Derby is growing and Eoin Doyle of Chesterfield is the latest name.

Reports say Derby as well as a number of other Championship clubs and SPL champions Celtic are interested in the 26-year-old, who has scored 21 goals in all competitions for the Spireites this season.

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A UNIVERSITY student and a Rolls-Royce apprentice could see their hopes of landing their dream jobs scuppered after they caused £8,000 of damage to cars during a drunken night out.

A court heard how formerEcclesbourne School pupils Alistair Rodgers and David Ravenscroft jumped on five cars while on their way home from the pub on September 18.

Their antics woke one of the victims who came out of his home and the pair ran off after he saw one of them jumping on the roof of his vehicle.

The man followed them and challenged the pair, who are both 21, as they walked down the street in Quarndon, staying with them until the police arrived.

Rodgers, of Bermuda Avenue, Little Eaton, and Ravenscroft, of Burley Lane, Quarndon, were arrested and admitted damaging the car.

Lynn Manning, prosecuting said: "During their interviews they both gave the same account saying they had been to the pub and drank several pints.

"They said they decided it was fun to walk over some cars and continued to do so up the road until they were detained.

"They could not remember which cars or how many there were."

Miss Manning said the damage to the five cars totaled more than £8,000.

In total £4,418.47 of damage was done to a Mini; £1,438.08 was done to a Vauxhall Corsa; £900 to a Volkswagen Polo; £782.39 to a Volkswagen vehicle and £500 to a Peugeot who Miss Manning said belonged to a young man in his 20s who cannot afford to get the damage repaired.

Both Rodgers and Ravenscroft, who pleaded guilty to five counts of criminal damage, were represented by Laura Thompson.

She said: "When they went out they never had the intention of causing the damage but in the cold light of day they both recognise they are fully grown men.

"Mr Rodgers is in his final year studying aerospace engineering in Leeds and is set for a first (class degree).

"He has now got to realise that his record is tarnished and all that hard work could be damaged.

"He wants to go into then defence sector and a criminal record could affect that.

"He spent the last eight weeks worried about custody and has been very, very upset and out this whole experience."

Miss Thompson said Ravenscroft was in the third year of a higher apprenticeship at Rolls-Royce which he is due to finish in March.

She said: "He is 95% sure a job will be offered to him but a criminal record could scupper his chance of getting it.

"This is something he is very worried about.

"This was not a malicious spree of criminal damage, they are both able to understand the consequences of their actions and realise how uncomfortable it is for the victims."

Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court heard how Rodgers was a man of previous good character and that Ravenscroft had one previous conviction for drink-driving.

Magistrates ordered both men to pay £2,000 each in compensation, £85 costs, £60 victim surcharges and to undertake 180 hours unpaid work each.

Sue Allen, chair of the bench, said: "I just wish I could count the number of times someone has stood there (in the dock) and said what they did was stupid.

"It was stupid."