2012-02-01

The Bishopsgate Club, Coventry was the setting for what was a cracking day of darts when they staged the Coventry Christmas Open just after Christmas. With competitions for both men and women the event is fast becoming one the best and most popular Christmas time open’s.
A total of £750 prize money was paid out on a day that lived up to all expectations with the participants producing some top class throwing in both of the events.
Lifting the men’s title was Kirk Shepherd, who with a 5-2 result accounted for Nigel Heydon in the final. Losing semi finalists were, Matt Edgar and Kevin Dowling, with Peter Hughes, Stuart White, Ian Jones and Andy Brown all making their exits in the quarter finals.
Taking the ladies crown was Louise Graham, who had a final 5-2 victory over Warwickshire team mate Donna Pinch. Going out in the last four were, Sheryl Rowley and Edwina Holdsworth.
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After completing seven fixtures and reaching the midway point of the season in the West Midlands Super League, once again, has it has been for many, many seasons before, Tipton head the men’s table, they have a 100% win record, amassing a total of 63 points, 17 more than their nearest rivals Dudley and Cannock, who both have a game in hand on Tipton. Still a lot of fixtures to be played, but is there anyone who would bet against Tipton retaining their title for yet another campaign.
In the ladies league it’s Wolverhampton who lead the way on 39 points, ten more than second in the table Great Wyrley.
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Rugby finished 2011 at the top of the Warwickshire Men’s Super League with a total of 79 points from twelve games. Nearest team to the leaders is Leamington, who are just one point behind but do have the advantage of two games in hand.
The best personal performances at this the midway point of the season has seen four players, Mark McGeeney, Prakash Jiwa, Nigel Heydon and Noel Grant all record an eleven darts leg. Three of theses players, McGeeney, Jiwa and Heydon share the best game average of 34.16, while Barry Sheasby has the highest finish of 160.
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On the local league front, the Sheldon and District Winter League have completed the quarter finals of their League Cup. In the premier division games there were wins for Sheldon Dukes, Olton RBL, Saltley Amateur Gardeners and Old Bill and Bull had a walkover against Crown.
The division one ties saw three of the four games finish with a 6-3 scoreline, New Firs Flights, Forget-Me-Not and EBAHA in turn beating Holy Souls, Yardley Arms and Yardley Ex Colts, Pavilions progressed with a 7-2 win over Shard End Social.
Round one of the Punch Bowl produced three “Giant Killing” shocks, all of them being supplied by division three teams. Two of the teams, Shirley RBL Flights and George V in turn beat division one opponents Shard End Social and Forget-Me-Not 5-4. The other surprise result was another close 5-4 verdict going in favour of Centurion in their tie with Glebe Community Association from division two.
Other teams to win through to round two were, EBAHA, Olton RBL, Old Bill and Bull, Iron Horse, New Firs Flights, Crown, Highwood ‘B’, Kingshurst and District Labour Club, Riley’s, Saltley Amateur Gardeners and Ivy Leaf Flights.
The game between Yardley Arms and Pavilions saw both teams with only eight players, and inevitably the result was a 4-4 draw. Who goes through to the next round is still to be decided at the time of going into print.
In the league Olton RBL, with an unbeaten nine games in the premier division have a total of 18 points, four more than their nearest rivals Saltley Amateur Gardeners and Crown. In division one, two teams, New Firs Flights and Yardley Ex Colts are locked together on 12 points, New Firs having the slightly better average to give them pole position.
Ridgemere Social are in the number one spot in division two, leading second placed Castle Vale Residents Association by just one point, while George V have a four points lead in division three, Shirley RBL Flights and Langley Hall Sports and Social are the chasing two teams, with the former having a game in hand on both of their rivals.
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Presentation night for the Small Heath League was also the setting for their annual knockout. The night was held at the Emerald Club and taking the honours was Neil Parsonage, who had a final victory over Peter Yardley. Losing semi finalists were Brendan Lysaght and John O’Connor, with Chris Reed, John Cawley, Mark Kane and Mik Fowle all making their exits in the quarter finals.
Top score of 180 was hit by four players on the night, Mark Kane, Neil Parsonage, Paul Brown and Peter Yardley.
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As the Four Oaks and District League moves into the second half of the season Plough and Arrows are setting the pace in division one with an unbeaten nine games and 18 points. Two teams attempting to keep pace with the leaders but four points adrift are Deer’s Leap and Sutton Sports.
It’s a much closer affair in division two with Red Lion Flights and Pint Pot Nomads both having lost one of their eight matches, the former slightly ahead on average. White Lion, who have played one game fewer than the top two are six points behind on 8 points.
Drakes Drum have played eight won eight in the third division and have a four points advantage over second in the table Erdington Arrows, however, Arrows do have a game in hand and a win would put them within two points of the leaders.
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