Biggest win in the premier division of the Harborne and District Winter League this week goes to the Bell. Playing at the Hillyfields ‘B’, Bell chalked up a convincing 8-1 victory with D.Hayes hitting a maximum in the process. Midland Red also had a goog win, beating Raven 7-2, a 160 break from D.Bourne and a 180 by K.Harding helping them on their way.
In division one, leaders Bartley Green Social Club returned to winning ways with an 8-1 success at Avenue Social, Bartley’s I.Butler another man to notch a maximum. Division two leaders Stonehouse found themselves trailing 4-1 at home to the Highlander. However they staged a brilliant fight back to snatch a 5-4 victory. Quinborne, also battling for league honours, scored a 6-3 win over the Village Stump. Nevertheless, congratulations go to Highlander ladies, who for the first time in two seasons recorded their inaugural win. Playing at home, the ladies took on Raven ladies and finished on the right side of a 5-4 scoreline.
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Sheldon Ivy Leaf was the setting for the Forest of Arden Winter League singles knockouts. Taking the men’s title was Silver Wings representative John Lucas. After beating R.Lucas (Sheldon Ivy Leaf) in the semis, Lucas went on to win the final 2-1 against Ritchie Heaven (Mackadown Social).
The ladies competition saw three of the last four players supplied by the Cornerstones. But only one, Pat Hussey, made the final, in which she was taken the full three legs distance before claiming the title.
In the league Red Arrows continued their push for the title with a 7-2 away win at Hunters Moon.
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Tyseley WMC consolidated thier pole position in the Forest of Arden Winter League with a 6-3 victory ove the Robin Hood. Hot on the heels of Tyseley is Shirley Legion, who handed out a 9-0 whitewash to Tyseley Staff to maintain their challenge. Match of the week turned out to be the Britannia Arrows, Brewers Arms fixture. The Brit took a 3-0 then 4-1 lead only to see their opponents respond with wins from J.O’Connor, R.Scott, K.Devaney and in the decider D.Duggan. Duggan played against M.Payne who had a 160 break, but it was not enough to secure a win as Duggan with a maximum 170 finish and an eight darts leg won his game 2-1 and the match 5-4. S.Curtis (Brewers Arms) hit a 180.
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There was a top of the table clash in the Warwickshire Men’s Super League when leaders Coventry Howitzers travelled to second placed Bedworth Bank’s. The result was 5-3 in favour of the Coventry outfit to extend their advantage to 13 points with only four games remaining. Bedworth, with 124 points are now only three ahead of third in the table Tamworth who won 6-2 at Minworth.
At the other end of the table the bottom two teams met. Bottom team Midland Red Harborne, despite winning the battle with Coventry Potters Green by 6-2 remain rooted at the foot of the league on 44 points, six adrift of Potters Green.
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There were mixed fortunes for our two local counties at the weekend in the BDO Inter Counties Championship and it was basically down to the ladies. Warwickshire, in the premier division entertained neighbouring Staffordshire at the Belgrave Sports and Social Club, Tamworth. The mens ‘A’ who had previously played five fixtures were still looking for their first win of the campaign and this was not goin to be it. Tom McGlone was the sole winner of the first half and although Pat Koyce, Alan Sharratt, Geoff Wylie and Andy Smith were winners in
the second half they went down 7-5. Smith was man of the match with a superb 35.79 average, beating Karl Mavin 3-0 in 13-13 and 18 darts. The ‘B’ recorded their first win of the season, an 8-4 success with Mangal Singh (30.67) their top man.
The ladies were in terrific form, both of them winning 5-1. Taking the match awards were Trina Gulliver (27.83) and for the ‘B’ Caroline Pike (20.04). The ladies points plus the Men’s ‘B’ leaving the Men’s ‘A’ requiring just one winner for an overall victory. The final score 23-13 to the hosts.
West Midlands travelled down to Somerset. The Men’s ’A’ made it five wins in six outings as they won 8-4, Ian Jones (30.67) their top man. The ‘B’ side earned a 6-6 draw with Joe Biggs (27.33) collecting the match award.
The ladies ‘A’ opened up with a win by Carol Rose but from there on in it was downhill all the way as they lost 5-1. The ‘B’ team suffered a 5-0 whitewash. the final score a 21-15 win for Somerset.
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