Warwickshire finished 2021 in style in the UKDA National League’s Elite Premier Division by making it five wins in as many games when they beat rivals London 20-16 playing at home at Hen Lane Social Club, Coventry.
There were mixed fortunes for the ladies as the ‘B’ side lost 4-2 but the ‘A’ won 5-1. With just Marian Conway and Melanie Jones winning for the ‘B’ it was the former who picked up the match award for her 18.02 average. For the ‘A’ team Tammy Montgomery was their lady of the match beating Joanne Deamer 3-0 in 17, 22 and 23 darts giving her a superb average of 24.24.
It was a similar story for the men but in reverse as the ‘B’ side won 8-4 with Carl Green taking the match award with a 26.59 average and the ‘A’ losing 7-5 with Jamie Hughes their top player with a tremendous 31.31 average.
The win consolidates Warwickshire second place in the divisional table, however they did lose ground on leaders Lancashire as they extended their lead from four to seven points.
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In the AON Championship Division of the National League it was another dismal trip for the West Midlands as they returned from Oxfordshire on the wrong side of a 29-16 scoreline making it one win, one draw and three defeats in their opening five games.
The ladies ‘B’ were 5-0 down before they chalked up their one and only stripe as Shelbie Simmons beat Julie Laverack 3-1 to earn herself the match award for her 19.42 average. The ladies ‘A finished all square at three each with Gemma Barrett (21.47) the top player.
Both men’s teams had a 7-5 result unfortunately for the ‘B’ team it was a defeat but for the ‘A’ a win. Taking the respective ‘A’ and ‘B’ match awards were Shaun Carroll (29.36) and Richard Platt (29.75).
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Game five in the Darts for Windows Division Three of the National League saw leaders Black Country drop their first points of the campaign as they were held to an 18-18 draw by fellow county newcomers Salopian. Both ladies games finished with a 4-2 result, Black Country winning the ‘B’ match and Salopian the ‘A’. Lacey Hughes (18.11) was Black Country ‘B’ player of the match while Chez Allcock (22.43) had the same accolade for the ‘A’ team as they lost 4-2.
The two men’s matches ended at 6-6 with Black Country ‘A’ and ‘B’ award winners being Reece Colley (32.85) and Rich Bowen (29.47).
Despite being held to a draw Black Country remain in pole position with a ten points lead over second in the table Northumberland.
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Boldmere St Mikes continued their quest for the division one title in the Four Oaks and District League with 7-2 home win over Pint Pot Flights who drop to the bottom of the division. Boldmere meanwhile now have a four points lead over second in the table Erdington Arrows who lost 5-4 playing away to Golden Hind Lions who as a result have moved two places off the foot of the table.
In division two Bishop Vesey lost ground in their promotion chase as they went down 5-4 at fourth in the table Bills Arrows and are now two points behind new leaders Heartlands who had a convincing 8-1 win playing away against Rosey Mac’s.
Walmley CSC Fights turned around a 4-1 deficit into a 5-4 victory playing at home against Oscott Social Club.
K.Neale (Highcroft Social) and D.Bond (Bills Arrows) both recorded a 180 this week, while I.Matthews hit his second for Red Lion.
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Week five results in the Sheldon and District Winter League had very little effect on the premier division table in fact the only change was that Langley Arrows after winning 6-3 at Hornet now have to share pole position with Sheldon Marlborough Arrows who won 7-2 against Highwood Gerry’s Boys to put them level on points and average with Langley.
In division one Kingshurst Labour Club suffered their first defeat of the season when they lost 5-4 at Hollywood Social and as a result also lose the number one spot being replaced by Sheldon Dukes who kept their unbeaten run going with a 5-4 home win over Yardley Ex Colts. At the other end of the division Irish Centre recorded their first win in five beating Meadway Sports and Social 5-4 to move off the foot of the table and be replaced by their opponents.
It was a first defeat in five for Journeys End in division two as they went down 5-4 at home to Willclare Sports and Social. Journeys drop from top to third behind Willclare and new leaders Langley Flights who had a 5-4 win over Lyndon Old Boys. All of the top three teams are on eight points with only average separating them, however Willclare are the only team in the division that remain undefeated and have a game in hand on their two rivals.
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A huge 8-1 win over Cider House sees Dunky’s Boys hang on to pole position in the Shirley and District League’s division one table with a two points advantage over their nearest rivals Tippetts Bar who had a rather close 5-4 verdict away to next to bottom of the division Wharf. Lodge are placed third on the same 16 points as Tippetts after their 5-4 success over bottom team Saracens Misfits.
In division two Wythall Legion’s 7-2 win against Legion Royals gives them a two points lead over a trio of teams Highwood, Vikings and Solihull Municipal. Highwood actually lost at home 6-3 to Vikings while Solihull won their home tie with Saracens Slingers 7-2.
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In a Memorial Cup dedicated to members of the Hilltop Friendly Tuesday Night League who passed away this year, league leaders Vine beat Miners Arms.
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The Netherton Thursday Night League played their singles knockout down to the last eight at eight separate venues and making the quarter finals are Bobby Carr, Darren Brown, Phil Tonks (Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club), Simon Booton (Fairfield), Mark Archer (Old Hill Cricket Club), Mark Bayliss, Matt Hadley (Townsend Social Club), Richard Lento (Bulls Head).
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White Horse and Britannia are tied on 16 points at the top of the Stourbridge and District Monday Night League. However the 6-1 win over Seven Stars by White Horse was their eighth game of the season while Britannia’s 4-3 success against Bell ‘B’ was their tenth fixture, leaving White Horse with two games in hand.
After the top two come three teams all on 12 points, four short of the leading duo and all having played nine games. Ten Arches are placed third, their 4-3 win at Bell ‘A’ giving them a slender one leg advantage over fourth in the table Gate Hangs Well whose 6-1 win at Crestwood leaves them a further one leg of average adrift.
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The Sedgley and Gornal Tuesday Night League staged the finals of their John Walters Knockout Trophy and taking the title with a final 7-2 result over Chainyard was the Griffin.
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Yeltz Bar ‘A’ suffered a severe setback to their title hopes in the Black Country Super League when they not only lost 4-1 to their nearest rivals Railway Tavern but also surrendered their pole position to their victors who now have a three points lead over them.
Despite their heavy defeat and the fact that third in the table Allens Bar ‘C’ won 4-1 at High Acres ‘B’, Yeltz Bar ‘A’ still have a five points cushion over Allens ‘C’.
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The Stourbridge and District Wednesday Night League sees three teams at the top of the table, Bird in Hand ‘E’, Bell ‘A’ and Foxx Inn (Lye) all on 12 points. Bird in Hand ‘E’ beat Ten Arches ‘A 4-3 to put them top on average with second placed Bell ‘A’ winning 5-2 at Raven and having a game in hand on their two rivals. Third placed Fox Inn (Lye) were the league’s biggest winners this week as they handed out a 6-1 defeat to their hosts bell ‘B’ who after completing eight games are still seeking their first win of the season.
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There were big wins for the top two teams in the Camp Hill League in game number fourteen as leaders Aston Inn Nomads handed out a 7-0 whitewash to their visiting team, bottom of the league Sedgemere Devils and second in the table Sheldon Marlborough Flights won 6-1 at Moseley Arms.
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News of a couple of knockouts over the Christmas period, first at Gilbert’s Bar, 54 Field Street, WV13 2NY on 27th December there will be £200 on offer for the winner (based on 32 entries) for an £8 entry fee (includes Plate Knockout). Doors will open at 11.30am with a 1.00pm deadline and 1.30pm start.
For more information contact Reece on either 07762-961737 or 01902-603939.
Secondly on the 28th December at the Ashwood Inn, Sandringham Place, Stourbridge, DY8 5HP will host a doubles knockout and for a £10 entry fee, all monies in will be paid out together with money added by the pub. Last entries will be accepted to 12.30pm with a 1.00pm start.
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