What a difference a win makes, that is certainly true for Warwickshire in the premier division of the Riley’s BDO Inter County Championships. After fighting off possible relegation for the season a win in their home game against Glamorgan, plus a further 20-16 victory again at home against Essex has seen them rocket up the table to third place.
Saturday’s games saw the ladies finish all square at 3-3 with Tracey Edgecombe (18.80) lady of the match and the men with a final game win by Dave Atkins snatch a 7-5 victory. Matt Edgar was the top player with a 26.72 average.
In Sunday’s games the ladies suffered a massive 5-1 defeat, the biggest shock being the 3-2 reversal for Trina Gulliver at the hands of Carol Pinfold. The last time Trina lost for the county was way back in January 2011 when she again lost by the odd leg, 3-2 to Olive Byamukama (Lancashire) and since then has won eleven consecutive lady of the match awards. Taking the match award against Essex was the sole winner Angela Jones (21.68).
The men’s ‘A’ from a position of 3-3 went on to record a terrific 9-3 win, Nigel Heydon registering a blistering 32.32 average in his straight 4-0 success against Alan Collins.
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In division one it was not such good news for the West Midlands. Playing away against Dorset, West Midlands were in desperate need of points to stave off any fears of relegation. Unfortunately the result was a 19-17 victory for the hosts and saw the Midlands side slump to next to bottom in the table, 34 points above bottom team Bedfordshire, but more reassuringly just one point behind the team directly above them, London. The final fixture of the season is a home tie with Derbyshire, who are only six points ahead of them. This is most certainly a winnable match and a win looks to be the only result that will see West Midlands retain their division one status.
The Dorset game saw both ladies teams lose, the ‘A’ 4-2, with Lisa Astbury (17.48) lady of the match and the ‘B’ 5-1 Shelbie Simmons (17.05) the only winner.
For the men Jake Jones (28.23) took the ‘A’ side’s award in a 6-6 draw, while John Platt was the man in form for the ‘B’ as he chalked up a tremendous 30.67 average in their 8-4 win.
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At week 17 in the Sheldon and District Winter League, Olton RBL have won the premier division title with 28 points from 16 games, Saltley Amateur Gardeners, their nearest rivals have a game in hand but are four points adrift.
In division one New Firs Flights have taken over pole position on average only from Pavilions, both teams have 18 points and have played 13 games. Ridgemere Social head the division two table with 29 points from 16 games, with Castle Vale Residents Association just one point behind them, but the “Residents” have played one game more.
Shirley RBL Flights have 24 points and are four points to the good at the top of the division three table, with both George V and Langley Hall Sports and Social on 20 points and having a game in hand on them.
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Played sixteen, won sixteen that’s the record for Three Horse Shoes in the Tamworth Sports Bar League, their latest fixture seeing them beat Dolphin Inn 6-1 to give them a massive 30 points lead plus a game in hand on second in the table Sports Bar “180”.
In the players league Trevor Barrs (Sports Bar “180”) has a six points lead over his nearest rival Mark Tomlinson (Three Horse Shoes), but Tomlinson has played one game fewer and a win in that game could make for a very interesting run in to the end of the season.
The league’s recent Andrew Evans Memorial Cup raised £70 for charity.
On Friday 27th April the league are staging a 24 hours Dart-a-thon at the Dolphin Inn, New Street, Glascote in aid of McMillan Cancer Support and SSAFA.
Anyone interested in taking part or making a donation should contact Keith Smith on 07580-789740 or e-mail [email protected]
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The Four Oaks and District League played off their Derek Masters Trophy, sponsored by Central Container Services this week at the Red Lion, Erdington. In the quarter finals, despite recording two maximums and an eight darts game S.Andrews (Red Lion Flights) lost out 2-1 to M.Archer Plough and Arrows). Other winners form the round were C.Turnbull (Deer’s Leap), R.Hawker (Sutton Sports) and reigning champion K.Shepherd (Fox Inn).
In the last four, like the previous round all games finished with 2-1 scorelines, the winners being M.Archer and R.Hawker. Hawker went on to win the final 3-1 after beating K.Shepherd in the semi’s.
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The Forest of Arden Winter League men’s doubles knockout was won by S.Darby and D.Wright, with R.Gwilliam and P.Holmes taking the women’s title.
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The top two teams in the Rowley Monday Night League, Wilson Hall and the Boat met on the formers board this week and it was the hosts who lost out 7-2. This was Wilson Hall’s second defeat in eleven games, nevertheless they hold on to pole position, but now only on average as now another four teams have joined them on the same 18 points, Boat, Ex-Serviceman’s, Ivy Bush ‘A’ and Gate Hangs Well. Wilson Hall’s defeat has certainly opened up the league title race.
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It’s as you were at the top of the Small Heath League with all of the top three teams winning again this week. Leaders Mitre had a comfortable 7-2 home win over lowly Redhill Tavern, while second placed Scanlons 401 returned from Midland Darts Centre with a similar winning margin.
Third placed Custard House were the biggest winners of the week, an 8-1 home success against Sheldon Marlborough Flights who have now taken over at the foot of the table after Cobs Bar followed up last week’s 5-4 win over Wagon and Horses with a 5-4 win against Emerald Club to move above Sheldon with a better average.
As the end of the season is fast approaching the league are on the lookout for new teams to join them in the forthcoming season. Anyone interested in entering a team in the Small Heath league or requiring any further information should contact Paul Brown on 07748-754548.
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In division two of the Pip Club League Sports Bar “180” lost their home tie with Travellers 9-7 and as a result dropped from pole position to third in the table, Travellers moved up one place to second. Pip Club have taken over the number one spot, a 9-7 win over Two Gates Club giving them 14 points, one more than Travellers and two more than Sports Bar “180”.
The best division one leaders Bulls Head (Polesworth) could manage in their home game with third place Progressive Club was an 8-8 draw, both teams remain in the same league positions. Second placed Red Lion had their game with J.W.Belgrave Club cancelled and are now on 12 points, just one behind Bulls Head with a game in hand.
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