Our two local teams, Warwickshire and West Midlands did not get the 2000 / 2001 BDO Inter Counties season off to a very good start. Both teams played at home, Warwickshire hosted London and finished on the wrong side of a 20-16 scoreline. The weekend began with a fine 4-2 win for the women’s ‘B’ side, Lesley Newcombe with a 20-58 average the top player. The men’s ‘B’ got off to a bad start with Carl Betteridge the only winner in the first six games. There was a better showing in the second half but it was not enough to avoid an 8-4 defeat.Trevor Frost (31.08) took the match award.
Trina Gulliver began the season where she left off taking the lady of the ‘A’ teams match award with a 26.84 average, but unfortunately Lesley Newcombe was their only other winner as they lost 4-2. Steve Cain with three maximums got the ‘A’ team off to a winning start, Peter Rouse, man of the match Colin Fowler (30.53) with a 160 game shot and Kevin Dowling giving them a 4-2 lead at the halfway stage. Pat Koyce added another win before it all went pear shaped. London claimed all five remaining games to snatch a 7-5 win.
West Midlands entertained Cornwall. The ladies ‘B’ suffered a humiliating 6-0 whitewash, while their men’s team chalked up a very useful 9-3 win, Frank Johnson their top man with a 26.84 average. The ‘A’ games saw the ladies go down 4-2, Diane Tolley and lady of the match Gill Cook (20.73) their only winners. The men after leading 4-3 eventually lost 7-5, a 30-06 average giving Dave Robbins the match award.
Worcestershire played hosts to Oxfordshire and enjoyed 23-13 victory. Match awards went to Pam Jones (15-03, ladies ‘B’), Tim Green (25.15, men’s ‘B’), Carol Jones (16.16, ladies ‘A’) and Tony Randell (30.94, men’s ‘A’).
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There were three 7-2 wins in the premier division of the Sheldon and District Winter League as Saltley Amateur Gardeners, Shard End Social and Mackadown Social accounted for Stechford Social, Kingshurst Labour Club and Fordbridge Social. J.Randell (Saltley Amateur Gardeners) broke with 160 and for the opposition Stechford Social’s A.Grainger recorded an eight darts leg. Division two’s M.Mitchell (Sheldon Shoes) hit a maximum as his team had a narrow 5-4 win at Small Heath Gardeners.
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Reigning Forest of Arden Winter League champions Hobs Meadow got the new campaign off to a good start with a cracking 6-3 win over rivals Red Arrows, Nick Benson hitting a 180 for Hobs. Paul Goldie was another man to hit the three treble twenties as his side, Old Bill and bull lost 5-4 at home to Silver Wings. Best win on the opening night was provided by Hobs Meadow Mixes, they won 7-2 at the Poachers Pocket.
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Tony Randell (Custard House) has, for the second successive year won the Small Heath Summer League’s individual title. A final win over Saltley Flights Mark Birch gave Randell his title. Losing semi finalists were Noel Cook (red Hill) and Alan Caddick (Saltley Flights), quarter finalists Mick O’Sullivan (McDwyers), Peter Yardley, Anthony Powell (Victoria Flights) and Kevin Maloney (Custard House).
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The Sheldon Charity squad has been in action again, this time the Lyndon providing the opposition. The result was a close 7-5 win for the charity team with the exhibition raising a tremendous £201, which will go to the team’s two hospital charities, the Princess Diana Birmingham Children’s Hospital and the Burns Unit of the Birmingham University Hospital. Thanks go to Mick Seymour, Martin and Steph.
The team will be action again on 14th October when they visit the Lea Hall RBL.
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Saltley Amateur Gardeners had a comfortable 9-0 victory over Chelmsley Wood RBL to progress into round three of the Sheldon and District Darts League and Lea Hall RBL Poppy Appeal Knockout. Three Horse Shoes won a
close 5-4 match with Heathway ‘B’ and the Sportsman ‘A’ also won against Jans Pets (Sheldon Heath Social Club).
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Congratulations to West Midlands players Ian Jones and Darren Williams who both won through the men’s play off for the Winmau World Masters. Gill Cook took the ladies title despite a 180 from her opponent Angie Perry. All three winners will now go forward to the play off finals at Trentham Gardens, Stoke on Trent.
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