In their recent Riley’s BDO Inter Counties Championships premier division fixture Warwickshire travelled to take on Hampshire, a team like Warwickshire fighting off possible relegation. However, after a terrific win against second placed Lancashire this latest result was not a good one as the 19-17 verdict went in favour of the home team. The men’s ‘A’ made it three wins in a row winning 8-4 with Noel Grant (31.31) their top player, while the ‘B’ side finished all square at six each with Scott Rand (27.16) taking the match award.
Both the ladies teams are still seeking their first win as the ‘A’ side lost 4-2 with Trina Gulliver (27.05) the lady of the match and the ‘B’ went down 5-1, Lynne Arnold (17.15) the sole winner.
Warwickshire just stay out of the relegation area on 102 points, two more than both Gwent and bottom team Cambridgeshire.
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In division two West Midlands played hosts to Sussex and came from 14-10 down to snatch a 19-17 victory. Similar to Warwickshire both ladies teams lost Diane Tolley (19.14) took the ‘A’ award and Kim Fellows (15.39) the ‘B’ as their teams both lost 4-2.
The men’s ‘A had a cracking 9-3 win with long time servant Ian Jones (30.68) their award winner, Neil Pointon (25.52) won the ‘B’ teams award as they ended level at 6-6.
West Midlands have moved back into second place in the promotion table, 27 points behind leaders London and one ahead of Lincolnshire and Devon.
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A new double top league has got underway in our area, the thisisdarts.co.uk Individual League, thanks to sponsorship from thisisdarts.co.uk and the Yardley and District Rugby Club. The early pacesetter after completing three fixtures is Tom Fitzpatrick on 13 points, two more than Ross Macken in second place, but with a very encouraging 26 members there is a long way to go.
Just one maximum was recorded in the opening week of the season and that was hit by Robbie Earle in his 2-1 win over Steve Cousins. The quickest leg of the night went to Matt Gallett, an eight darts leg in a 2-1 win against Steve Williams.
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In division one of the Four Oaks and District League the top two teams Sutton Sports and Sportsmans Rest had 6-3 wins against respective opponents Cross Keys PPA and Old Oscott Arrows. Despite being short of players Red Lion Flights also won 6-3 in their away game at White Lion.
Division two leaders the Fox made it 13 consecutive wins, extending their unbeaten record with a 7-2 win at Deer’s Leap Stags.
Division three leaders Drakes Drum maintained their 100% record with a narrow 5-4 win at home to third placed Royal Oak. Second in the table Safe Harbour had a 6-3 win away to Reddicap Tavern giving them the same 18 points as Royal Oak with a better average, but they have played one more game than their rivals.
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A 6-3 win at Highwood ‘A’ has given Rileys Red Arrows a maximum 22 points from 11 games in division one of the Forest of Arden Winter League and puts them a massive eight points clear of both Old Bill and Bull and Olton RBL, although both teams do have one game in hand on Rileys.
In division two leaders Harvester played away against their nearest rivals Rileys Flights and lost 6-3, however, they still have a four points advantage with Rileys having a game in hand.
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The League Singles Knockout was on the fixture card for the Gulp League played off at Redhill Tavern and taking the title was Tribe representative P.Yardley. Yardley’s final win was over fellow Tribe member M.Cooper.
Losing semi finalists were J.Phipps (Tribe) and T.Constable (Lions).
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Hillyfields ‘B’ impressive season continued in the Harborne 401 League as they handed out a 9-0 whitewash to their hosts Avenue Social. Hillyfields unbeaten in 20 games are ten points ahead of Smethwick Labour Club, who are second and have played two games fewer than the leaders.
The Bell Inn ‘B’ had a 6-3 home win over Old Crown with no fewer than three of their players, J.Meredith, T.Bishop and K.Bambrick breaking with 160.
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The Mitre have played their rearranged fixture against Wagon and Horses in the Small Heath League and come out of it with a 7-2 to take them back to the top of the table on 20 points, two more than second placed Beaufort Social Club.
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In division two of the Sheldon and District Winter League Forget-Me-Not have been ousted from the number one spot after losing 5-4 at Yardley Arms, their rivals for the title. Yardley now have a two points lead over Forget-Me-Not who have 24 points and then come four teams on 20 points Custard House, Ridgemere Social Club, Glebe Community Association and Yardley and District Darts Team.
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