Local counties Warwickshire and West Midlands have been in action again in the latest round of fixtures in the Kaliber BDO Inter Counties Championships. Warwickshire, in division one travelled to take on Gwent but for the third consecutive game they finished as the losing side. The hosts were the overall 19-17 winners with the men’s ’A’ the only shining light for Warwickshire as they chalked up their second win of the season, 8-4 with Mick Gorst (29.18) their top player. The ’B’ team lost 7-5 and both the ladies teams finished on the wrong side of a 4-2 result. Match awards went to Mark Carter (‘B’ 29.33), Trina Gulliver (’A’ 23.48) and Denise Burke (’B’ 16.81).
In division two West Midlands also played away taking on Northumberland. Their journey was rewarded with a fine 21.15 victory to take them top of the promotional table, level on the same 134 points as Derbyshire but with a superior average. With a 7-5 verdict the men’s ‘A’ made it four wins and two draws in six outings, the ‘B’ side also won 7-5 and have the same stats as the ‘A’. The ladies ‘A’ shared the points in a 3-3 draw and the ’B’ won 4-2.
The match award winners were, ’A’ Ian Jones (34.16), Leanne Jennings (21.28), ’B’ Martin Angell (29.88) and Claire Ford (18.33).
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Week six and there is a new leader in the Brook Meadow Individual Double Top League. Reigning champion and Trevor Frost did not play this week and Ross Macken took full advantage beating Ian McFarlane 3-0 and John Burdett 2-1 to give him a total point’s of 42 and pole position. Nearest rival to Macken is currently Jason Evans who had a 3-0 win against Jay Murray and followed that with a 2-1 success over Keith Kelly. Frost had dropped into fourth place but is only four points behind Macken with a game in hand.
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While Midland Red, leaders of division one of the Four Oaks and District League had a bye this week their nearest rivals Boldmere Sports just edged out Boot Flights with a close 5-4 result to hang on to second place but remain four points behind the Red‘s. Sportsmans Rest continue to climb the table and their 6-3 win over Hill Social sees them move up to third place, just two points adrift of second place with a game in hand.
In the second division top team Cross Keys had a comfortable 7-2 win over Red Lion Arrows to give them a total of 18 points, two more than Anvil Nomads who recorded a convincing 8-1 win at home to Cross Keys PPA.
Hitting maximums were T.Kelly (Sportsmans Rest) and T.Gough (Cross Keys).
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No change at the top of division one of the Harborne and District Winter League as current leaders Pheasant retained their two point’s advantage when they won their home tie against Quinton Members Club 6-3 and second placed Smethwick Labour Club handed out a 9-0 whitewash to Stonehouse.
Woodpecker lead the field in division two, their latest 5-4 win over Quinton Members Club Flights putting them four points ahead of Quinborne who had a bye this week and now have a game in hand.
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A final reminder that this coming Saturday there is a choice of competitions to enter, first at the Nags Head, Brierley Hill is the annual John Westwood Memorial Knockout. Entry is £5.00 per player with registrations being accepted up to 2.30pm on the day.
For more information contact either S.Breeze on 07790-929283 or J.Pearson on 07732-546824.
Then there is the Wolverhampton Darts Open at Wolverhampton Sports Arena. For an entry of £8.00 (£10.00 on the day) the first prize is £500, runner up £200, £100 semis and £25 quarters.
The man to contact for any further details is Paul Walters on 07814-665509.
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Over the 30 plus years I have been writing this column for the Evening Mail I have unfortunately had to write quite a number of articles regarding players and officials who have died. Sadly this latest one is very personal it is of my own father Albert Towe, who passed away suddenly on Sunday 3rd February at Russells Hall Hospital. Although never a darts player he was a licensee for many years and was always keen to promote darts in both of the pubs he had. He will be greatly missed by all his family and his many, many friends.
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