Warwickshire’s away game against Derbyshire in division one of the BDO Inter Counties Championships did not quite go to plan. Prior to the fixture Warwickshire had won all four of their matches, fortunately that did not change as the team roared to a 26-13 victory. Also previously all four teams had remained undefeated but on this occasion the men’s ‘B’ side lost their 100% record as they went down 7-5. Nevertheless the ‘A’ team recorded an 8-4 win to keep their 100% run intact and with 5-1 wins from both of the ladies sides they made it four wins and a draw.
Taking the match awards were Alan Sharratt (28.81) for the ‘A’, Mark Kane (27.33) for the ‘B’ and for the ladies Trina Gulliver (24.64) took her fifth consecutive award of the season and Debbie McPherson (18.24) claimed the ‘B’ team’s trophy.
There was not much joy for the West Midlands as they, in a lower table away game with Worcestershire lost 23-16. The two highlights of the encounter were the fact that the men’s ‘A’ held on to pole position in their division as they won 7-5, in the process maintaining a run of five undefeated games. The second significant point was the game in which Tom Aldridge beat Paul Brookes and chalked up a fabulous 36.66 average which without doubt earned him the man of the match award. Joe Biggs (26.62) took the ‘B’ team’s award as they narrowly lost by 7-5, both ladies teams finished on the wrong side of 4-2 scorelines. The ‘A’ were unable to continue their improved form which saw them record a win and a draw while the ‘B’ side suffered the fifth consecutive defeat. Match award winners were Diane Tolley (22.01) and Claire Downing (18.79) for the A and B respectively.
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The George, leaders of the premier division in the Harborne and District Winter League, showed some top form when in their latest fixture they chalked up a 9-0 whitewash on their home board against the Raven. Ladywood Social and Greenlands were also in fine form as they recorded 7-2 wins against respective opponents Midland Red and Golden Cup.
In division one Stonehouse extended their unbeaten run with a 7-2 success against Hillyfields ‘B’ while Hillyfields ‘A’, with an eight darts leg from D.Smith had an 8-1 win over Hobsons Choice. Similar to Stonehouse, Highlander are also undefeated in the third division. They continued that run with a 7-2 win away to the Coronation Club. However, in the same division there was a shock defeat for Avenue Social who lost 5-4 at home to Harborne Stores.
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Both T.Randell (Saltley Amateur Gardeners) and K.Moloney (EBAHA) recorded 160 breaks in the premier division of the Sheldon and District Winter League. Unfortunately both players finished on the wrong side of 5-4 results as Saltley lost at Olton RBL and EBAHA went down at Sheldon Heath Dukes. Not the story for B.Walker (Mackadown Social) in division one as his team won 7-2 at the British Telecom Club. For Telecom B.Moore and A.Wilcock each hit a maximum.
There were also 180’s for C.Tongue (Glebe Community Centre) and Small Heath Amateur Gardeners I.Durrington as they had respectively a 5-4 win against Lyndon Arms and a 6-3 defeat at the hands of a Gables Tavern outfit in the second division. Best finish of the week was in division three and went to B.Mason (Yardley Ex Service), a 160 checkout as his team accounted for the Tipsy Gent with a 6-3 scoreline.
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There was a top of the table tussle in the Forest of Arden Winter League as one time leaders Stechford Social took on current leaders Red Arrows. The outcome was a 6-3 victory for Arrows giving them a total of 18 points from 11 games. Stechford, on 14 points have now dropped to third place as Hobs Meadow, with a similar amount of points have the superior average. Hobs had a convincing 8-1 success at the expense of the Harvester whose Dave Hougham notched a 180.
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There were 9-0 wins for Bagot Arms and K.C.A. in the Amber Windows League with Aston Social and the Mitre on the receiving end. Old Oscott Social and King Edward 7th also had good results as they beat, in turn Seventh Trap and Vauxhall Social 7-2. Other results saw Heartlands win 6-3 at Yew Tree Colts and Lyndhurst have a 5-4 verdict at the Woodman.
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