Shrewsbury Premier League:Week 2:
After just two weeks of the CRF Shrewsbury Premier League only one team, the Mytton are able to boast a 100 % record, in a night that saw four draws overall, 16 maximums and not one single away win.
Early league leaders Mytton hosted the Wheatsheaf who would return from Habberley legless after the home side recorded an impressive 8-0 victory. However credit must be given to the Wheatsheaf who pushed their opponents all the way with Colin Scott, Sacha Rothwell and Jake Elsey all recording 20 plus averages. Shaun Pryce (28.93) set the standard for the Mytton recording a 13 darts leg plus a maximum, he was backed up by team mates Ed Price (25.91) and Tony Burton (22.42) who on the night were also very impressive.
The Masonic were another side who enjoyed a comfortable home win at the expense of the Dickin who again showed resilience taking legs in all but two of the games. Ash Hilditch (24.10) set the tone for the night firing a maximum and a 102 check out in the first match against Craig Ashley (20.78) who also hit a maximum. Josh Davenport (21.78, 180) doubled the Masonic score before Dean Rogers (20.47, 102f) made it three nil. Jim Elsey (27.70) and Paul Rowley (28.11, 180) secured the victory for the Masonic before Gary Crowther (23.12, 180) prevented the whitewash winning the first game for the Dickin and then teaming up with Dave Price to take the first pairs. The Masonic, through Paul Rowley and Ryan Page took the final pairs game to run out 6-2 winners.
Hop and Friar were the other winners on the night overcoming Charles Darwin 5-3. Mike Unsworth (19.27) put the hosts one up only for Dean Stokes (19.82, who had a 104 finish), to level. John Roberts (22.33, 180) saw the Hop skip into the lead again only for Andy Mullinder (21.28) to level up once more. Back to back wins for Steve Ritchie (19.64) and Jeff Uncles (17.28) gave the hosts the cushion of a two games lead and despite losing the first pairs John Roberts and Steve Ritchie saw them home.
Despite leading early on through Scott Dockerty (24.64, 15 darts game,180) the Compasses needed both pairs matches for a share of a spoils in an absorbing match played at the Brooklands. Having fallen behind, the hosts responded in some style with wins from Shane Thorne (22.20) and Dan Dean (23.39, 180) to take the lead. Jon Mansell (25.47) hit back for the Compasses to level only for Steve O’Callaghan (22.31) to record a maximums as he edged out Shaun Reade (20.81) 3-2. Matt Elsey (26.07, 14 darts game)) then put the hosts 4-2 up before the Compasses salvaged a point taking both pairs in the deciding legs. A fitting score in high quality match where the winning average in the singles was 24.01 per dart.
Admiral Duncan had to be content with a point having let a 3-1 lead slip away at the Inn on the Green ‘B’. Terry Nash (25.05), Paul Ashworth (20.31 and Derek Rogers (17.73) had given the Baschurch side the ideal start with Buddy Budryk replying for the home side. In form Paul Andrew (22.77) and Mike Rogers (20.04, 180) took the final two singles games for the hosts and they then combined to take the final pairs game in the deciding leg to claim a point that sees both sides unbeaten on three points after two games.
It was a similar story for the Inn on the Green ‘A’ side who were reliant on the pairs to claim a point at the Woodman. Another in form player Phil Passant (23.12) had put the visitors ahead. However the Woodman soon leveled through Wayne Evans (18.17) who defeated Jay Adams (18.76) 3-2 with both players hitting a maximum. Mike Lewis (17.24) restored the lead for the visitors, again over five legs, only for the Woodman to hit back taking the next three games through Andre Knox (22.07), Adam Thackery (21.70) and Tony Wilson (18.56), conceding just two legs in the process to go into the pairs 4-2 up. The Inn on the Green ‘A’ regrouped to take both pairs without conceding a leg to ensure a second successive draw whilst it’s a first point of the season for the Woodman.
There was further drama in Coton Hill as Premier League darts made a welcome return to the Royal Oak after a five year break. Graham Wall (18.79) had put the Oak one up against the Heathgates who responded with wins for Jason Evans (18.03) and Ian Evans (19.52). Back came the Oak taking the next two thanks to Andy Kynaston (17.68) and Steph Clarke (21.62). Steve Guyatt (18.82) claimed the final singles for the Heathgates to leave the game evenly poised at three each which would become four each after the two pairs games were shared.
Team Of The Week:- Paul Andrew (Inn on the Green ‘B’), Shaun Pryce (Mytton), Jim Elsey (Masonic), Steph Clarke (Royal Oak), Jon Mansell (Compasses), John Roberts (Hop and Friar) and Phil Passant (Inn on the Green ‘A’).
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