Salopian Super League
Week three of the Salopian Super League and it’s a case of as you were as the top three all recorded victories to maintain their 100 % records.
The North Shropshire derby saw Market Drayton outfit Salopian Star overcome Wem’s Dickin Arms 6-0 although the final score doesn’t really reflect how hard the joint league leaders were made to work for their victory. Three of the matches went the full seven legs with Drayton’s Tim Eley (21.38) and Rob Henderson (22.50) being pushed all the way in the opening two games. Team mates Joe Higgins (21.66) and Pete Eley (23.86, 180) added further wins for the hosts before Derek Coulson (28.63) upped the ante with an outstanding performance that featured two maximums plus a 15 darts leg. Richard Wotton Jones (26.16, 112f) completed a fine team performance that saw the “Salopian Stars” register an overall one dart average of 24.03. Kev Rogers fired a maximum for the visitors whilst Paul Ashworth (24.16) pitched a 15 darts leg as the Dickin fell to their first defeat of the season.
Joining the Salopian Star at the top with an identical record are Dawley Social Club but they didn’t have it all their own way at the Inn On The Green ‘A’ as the hosts went one up through Paul Evans (24.20). Indeed the Shrewsbury team would go on to take legs in all of the remaining five games but a brilliant performance by Dawley’s Dan Astbury (29.65) that included a 13 darts leg and a maximum sparked a revival. David Phillips (19.30) once again triumphed in the deciding leg before Sam Hamilton (24.20), Dan James (22.14) and Andy Gilbert (25.26, 2×180, 13 darts leg) saw Dawley run out 5-1 winners with an overall team average 23.84 per dart. This was a first defeat for the IOTG ‘A’ who slip a couple of places to ninth in the table.
Shrewsbury’s Charles Darwin ‘A’ complete the top three following a 4-2 home success over the Inn On the Green, Wetnor. Paul Rowley (28.77, 180) featured 13 and 16 dart legs that proved the catalyst for the Charles Darwin ‘A’ although Paul didn’t have it all his own way as opponent Ben Bevan (22.87) fired a 116 finish in 18 darts before going down 4-1. Dan Dean (20.36) doubled the score for the hosts before Tony Burton (21.93) replied for the visitors (21.93, 180, 13 darts leg). Ash Hilditch (24.25, 180) restored Darwin’s two game advantage before an overall victory was secured by Steve O’Callaghan (20.62). Jason Griffiths (19.86) checked out on 107 as the visitors claimed the final match whilst team mate Eddie Price chalked up a 16 darts leg.
The Compasses continue to head in the right direction following a comfortable victory away at Whitchurch Bulls Head to secure fourth position. The visitors made the perfect start with 4-0 wins for both Andy Mullinder (20.88) and Jon Mansell (22.77), both players also scoring a maximum. Tony Lloyd (20.17) hit back for the hosts only for Jason Evans (24.43, 16 darts leg) restored a two games lead. Tony Middleton (19.54) held his nerve to win a last leg match that saw five finishes of 60 or more in the seven legs against Rowan Price (19.36) to secure victory for the Compasses. The final match of the night saw Rob Paine (21.72, 15 darts leg) claim a consolation second game for the Bulls Head who are now joint bottom.
Joining the Bulls Head at the bottom are Charles Darwin ‘B’ who finished on the wrong end of a 6-0 scoreline against Shrewsbury’s Hop and Friar. Evonne Taylor (20.70) and Sarah Roberts (20.04) both impressed for the hosts with 4-1 wins before John Roberts (21.10) and Dan Jones (21.76) closed out what would be a first victory for the Hop and Friar, they skip five places to sixth in the table. Dan Swancott checked out 120 for Charles Darwin in what was their third defeat in the opening three fixtures.
Oswestry’s Griffin secured a fine first win of the season at the Bagley Club. Jamie Kynaston (21.02, 180) put the visitors ahead before namesake Andy (22.47) replied for the hosts as he also fired a maximum. Kacey Jones (23.86) re-established the lead for the visitors, one that they wouldn’t relinquish as they leapfrogged the Bagley Club into seventh place. Further maximums were achieved by Neil Southern and Ian Oldfield.
Finally, the Plough (Wistanstow) were the leagues other big movers following a comprehensive 6-0 home win over Monkmoor which sees them leap up to fifth place in the table. Des Francis (23.03) set the standard for home side firing a 17 darts leg that included a maximum whilst team mate Terry Williams (18.22) checked out on 110, as the Plough conceded just one leg all night.
Team Of the Week:- Derek Coulson (Salopian Stars), Dan Astbury (Dawley Club), Des Francis (The Plough), Jason Evans (Compasses), Kacey Jones (23.86), Dan Jones (Hop and Friar), Paul Rowley (Charles Darwin ‘A’).
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