2000-11-01

West Midlands began their 2000 / 2001 BDO Inter Counties Championship campaign in division two as they did the 1999 / 2000 season with a match against Cornwall. There was one obvious difference such as this time it was a home fixture rather than an away game, but unfortunately that was where the differences ended. Last season both ladies teams lost, this was the case again this year. The men had a win and a draw, this time a win and a defeat. Last season Cornwall were overall winners, this year, sadly for the West Midlands it happened again.
The ladies got the proceedings underway, this again was a repeat of last seasons scoreline, with Cornwall romping to a 6-0 whitewash. Sandra Yendle’s 3-1 win over Rose Sanders started the ball rolling. She was followed by straight 3-0 wins from Teresa Jasper and Carol McCormack, who in turn defeated Teresa Johnston and Janet Cox.
Leanne Jennings took a leg off Sally Van-Evelingen, but it was not enough to stop the West Country player from chalking up the overall winning game for her team. A lady of the match performance from Michelle Hayley (18.68) gave Claire Hobbs very little chance and the visitors increased their advantage to 5-0. Marie Gray made it 6-0 when she, despite being taken to a deciding leg by Sue Smith won 3-2.
As in last seasons encounter the men’s ‘B’ team were the success story. Opener Ron Johnson lost the first leg to Brian Furse, but nevertheless bounced back to claim a 3-1 victory. Vic Lloyd was pegged back to one each when Barry Goodchild won the second leg. Unshaken, Lloyd carried on to win 3-1.Nick Walters strolled to a comfortable 3-0 win against terry Russell, Russell not reaching a finishing double in any leg.
In game four Clive Francis needed three attempts to secure his win over graham Tremayne, but secure it he did. Clive won the first leg in 24 darts, lost the second in 21 and in 24 darts again took the lead in the third. Tremayne with another 21 darts leg levelled for the second time, only to see Francis, with the darts advantage win the fifth and final leg in 22 darts. Making a welcome return to the West Midlands squad, Andy Bastable was at number five. He lost the opener to Dave Wyatt, but from there on in he never looked back as he won the next three legs for a 3-1 win.
To round off the first half West Midlands Peter Hadley squared up to Wayne Lawrence. Hadley drew first blood. However, he was unable to build on his lead as Lawrence went on to win Cornwall’s first game by 3-1. Their second win was not long awaited as Steven Thomas began the second half with a 3-1 victory over veteran Joe Biggs. Steve Kibble appeared to be on his way to the away teams third win when he beat Mark Wellings to the finishing double in the first leg after Wellings had missed his doubles on no fewer than three visits to the oche. Wellings did make amends, his next three wins giving him the 3-1 result. Martin Tibbetts was the player to notch the overall winning margin with his neat 3-0 win over Ernie Scorer.
Mrtyn Fugler reduced the arrears when he beat Steve Brindley 3-1, but from there on in normal service was resumed for the West Midlands. Jonathan Platt had a 3-1 win against Peter Hancock and then in the last game of the day Frank Johnson produced a man of the match performance. Frank, with a 101 game shot won the opening leg against Mark Odgers in 15 darts. With further legs of 22 and 19 darts Johnson took the final score along to 9-3, an improvement on last seasons 8-4.
Looking to continue the good work done by the men’s ‘B’ the ladies ‘A’ kicked off Sunday’s games. Angie Perry opened up for the West Midlands, Jane Cummings for Cornwall. Angie won leg one but Jane replied by winning the next three to put her team one up. Diane Tolley (West Midlands) started off in fine form, she won the first leg with a 68 finish and then went two up with a super 126 game shot. Her opponent Sue Collins pulled one leg back when she checked out on double twenty, Diane requiring double two. Collins had the darts in the fourth leg but it was Tolley who kept her nose in front all the way down to a double, in fact all the way down to double one which she found to win the tie 3-1 and level the match.
Sylvia Griffin looked as though she would restore Cornwall’s lead when she opened up a two legs advantage over Gill Cook. Never say die Gill battled all the way to win the last three legs with her counterpart unable to reach a double in any of them. Gill’s 3-2 win with a 20.73 average won her the match award.
From 1-0 down to 2-1 up. That was the good news. Claire Downing came from one down against Claire Combs to lead 2-1 then lose the last two legs. Rose Mycock won the first leg against Annie Lane and lost the next three and in the final game Frances Allen was unable to keep up with Nikki Furse and the latter won 3-0 to give the visitors a 4-2 result.
So with the weekend’s results at this point adding up to 13-11 in Cornwall’s favour, both men’s ‘A’ teams had everything to play for. Avtar Singh was unable to maintain the promise he began with. He won the first two legs against John Goves with Goves well and truly struggling. That certainly was not the case in the remaining three legs. The Cornish man wrapped up the game in 20-18 and 21 darts. Singh was unlucky in so much as he was down to a double in all three legs and in fact had three darts at a double to win the decider. Mick James wiped out Cornwall’s success with a 3-2 win over Colin Mills after Mills had taken a 2-1 lead. Ian Hugh was at number three for the away team. He gained an important 3-2 win over Tom Aldridge to put his side in front again. The pattern was now emerging for the first half as all players with first throw advantage were winning. Steve Parkes did nothing to stop that rhythm, he was in splendid form as he swept aside the challenge of Mick Cook beating him 3-1 in 16-19 and a tremendous twelve darts leg in which he hit 100-123-180-86 and checked out on double six to clock up a 29.75 average.
With the score at two each the home teams Gary Taylor squared up to Ian Keast. Keast showed no mercy as he raced to a straight three legs victory in 17-18 and 15 darts. With the match still following the set down pattern it was now the West Midlands turn to win. Colin (Zippy) Davies willingly obliged. He won 3-0, Mark Simmons was the man on the receiving end.
The first game of the second half changed the trend. Adrian Arnold put the West Midlands in front for the first time when he beat Colin Pass 3-1. Cornwall responded in the best way they possibly could. The next three games all went in their favour. Ian Derosa beat Paul Johnson 3-2. Steve Wilson and Ian Knowles also had five leg wins against Steve Penwright and Ian Jones respectively and in the process assured their team at least a share of the spoils.
In the penultimate game Dave Robbins laid on a man of the match performance as he defeated Ronnie Cook in three straight legs to average 30.06. Dave’s winning leg was a thirteen darts special hitting 180-100-140 and 49, then completing the win with double sixteen to set up vital last game. Chasing a draw Vic Lloyd won the opener against Kevin Bray. Bray, with 17 and 16 darts legs forged a lead. He then clinched his win in the fourth leg in 24 darts and at the same time a 7-5 win for the away side. The weekend’s scoreline a 16-23 defeat for the hosts.
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The two winners for the West Midlands County play off for the Winmau World Masters Men’s Competition are Darren Williams and Ian Jones. Williams treck to the winners post was via Fred Parsons, Gary Taylor, Mark Wellings and Steve Penwright. Jones meanwhile took out Kevin Platt, Frank Johnson and David Platt before meeting Super League and County team mate Steve Parkes, who he beat 2-0.
Gill Cook won the ladies event, but only after a tough five legs thriller in the final against Angie Perry, who hit a maximum against Gill.
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The Sheldon Charity team have been in action again, this time at the Lyndon, regular supporters of the league. The Sheldon team took the honours with a close 7-5 victory, but the Lyndon were the most successful as they raised a fabulous £200 plus for the team’s two hospital charities.
Special vote of thanks go to Mick Seymour and mine host and hostess Martin and Steph.
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The team of John Lockley, Chris Mortlock, Tony Randell, Phil Randell, John Pears and Rob South put on a Million and One exhibition at the Custard House, Birmingham in aid of the Danny Ryan Heart Machine Appeal. The players ran up the magical score in 47 hours and 54 minutes, raising in the process a fabulous £1200.00.
Special thanks go to Sandra Lockley, Claire Mortlock, Karen Guest, Rachel Lucey, Becci Lucey and Mandy Guest who all helped to make sure the event ran smoothly, recording scores and collecting cash to mention just two vital ingredients.
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The Small Heath Summer League have been rounding off their season with their many competitions. The Custard House won the league title and their Tony Randell the Singles Knockout.The Knockout Cup went to the Black Horse while the Upside Down Cup was won by the Bear.
Kevin Maloney and Tony Randell are the new Doubles champions, Alan Caddick and Lorraine Caddick the Mixed Doubles winners.
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Tom McGlone lifted the Harborne 401 Summer League Individual title with a magnificent night of darts. Tom crowned his performance with a 2-0 win over rival Peter Blades in the final.
The league’s Knockout Cup final between Bartley Green Social Club and the Midland Red produced no fewer than two maximums, one from D.Bourne (Midland Red) and for Bartley S.Riddick, plus 45 scores of a ton or more. The close 5-4 result went to the Midland Red.
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