The new Riley’s BDO Inter County Championship season did not get off to a very good start for our local teams Warwickshire and West Midlands, both of them having tough curtain raisers.
Warwickshire, for the fourth consecutive season opened with a game against reigning premier division champions Yorkshire, an away fixture that was never going to be easy. There were mixed fortunes for the ladies as the ‘B’ side won 4-2, Louise Graham taking the match award with a very creditable 23.11 average, but the ‘A’ team went down by the same margin with Caroline Pike (16.98) their top player. The ‘A’ match produced one surprise that of Trina Gulliver suffering a rare defeat as she went down 3-1 to Lorraine Farlam.
The men’s ‘A’ after taking a 3-1 lead had to rely on three late wins from Tom Aldridge, Ian McFarlane and Matt Edgar to earn a share of the points in a 6-6 draw. Noel Grant took the man of the match award with his 27.80 average.
The men’s ‘B’ were trounced 11-1, there only winner coming in the tenth game when Tommy Ryan (28.26) beat Brian Hallas 4-3.
The 23-13 defeat leaves Warwickshire bottom of the promotional table, but there is a long way to go and eight more games to play.
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West Midlands despite home advantage were hosting Hampshire, who last season were a premier division outfit. The ladies ‘B’ looked all set to record their first win since last seasons opening tie with Surrey when they went 3-1 up, but finished having to share the points in a 3-3 draw. Lady of the match was Heather Wright (18.08). The ‘A’ team lost 4-2 with Sarah Thornbury (19.94) their top player.
The men’s ‘B’, who only lost two games all last season ended up on the wrong side of an 8-4 result, Glen Cullen (25.67) their top man. The ‘A’ side never went behind in there match and went into the final game leading 6-4, but unfortunately martin Angell was unable to overcome Gary Stafford losing 4-1 and the match ended all square at 6-6.
Man of the match Jamie Hughes was in superb form beating Andy Mitchell 4-0 in 18, 12, 13 and 18 darts for a magnificent 32.85 average.
The 21-15 defeat leaves West Midlands just two points above bottom team County Durham.
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Coventry Bishopsgate have got the new Warwickshire Men’s Super League off to a good start with three opening wins over Coventry Railway (5-3), Bishopsgate (5-3) and Birmingham Bartley Green (8-0). Other undefeated teams are, Rugby who won 6-2 at home to Birmingham Erdington and 7-1 away to Shirley Red Lion. Four Oaks and Castle Vale Riley’s have both only played one fixture which they have won.
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The Sheldon and District Summer League completed their league fixtures with two rearranged games in group two Custard House ‘B’ beat Highwood Flights 5-3 to leap above New Firs Flights to take the group title by two clear points from New Firs.
In group six George V ‘B’ missed out on winning the group title as they were surprisingly held to a 4-4 draw by Ivy Leaf ‘B’. George V ‘B’ finished on the same 15 points as group winners Ridgemere Arrows, but lost the title by two legs of average, a win would have put them two points above Ridgemere.
Both of the semi finals of the league’s Mrs F.Richman Cup finished with a close 4-3 result, with wins for Highwood ‘A’ and Crown at Olton over respective opponents George V ‘A’ and Riley’s – Castle Vale.
The final was more clear cut as Crown at Olton romped to a straight 4-0 win over Highwood ‘A’.
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There were big 7-0 wins for Roosters and Scruffy Ringers in the Camp Hill League, in turn beating Langley Ladies and Langley Lads. However, Forgers, who had a close 4-3 win away to Waggoners have now won the title on 30 points, a massive ten more than second placed Scruffy’s Ringers.
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Riley’s Red Arrows, after two consecutive defeats in division one of the Forest of Arden Summer League, got back into winning ways this week with a vital 5-2 home win over local rivals and second in the table Riley’s Flights. Red Arrows now have a two points lead over Flights, but have played one game more than their rivals.
In division two the top two teams Highwood and Greville Arms both won 6-1 against respective opponents Riley’s Wings and Ivy Leaf, Highwood remain six points ahead of the field. Ivy Leaf now take over at the foot of the table, former bottom team Chelmsley Flights winning 5-2 at home to Sheldon Flights.
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I division one of the Small Heath League it was top versus bottom as leaders Custard House hosted Wagon and Horses. Despite the huge gap between the two teams it was the visitors who found their doubles and record their shock first win of the season.
Emerald Club won 5-4 at the Mitre and are now level on the same eight points as Custard House.
In the second division leaders Midland Darts Centre chalked up a massive 8-1 win at home to Custard House Flights to keep them on top of the pile with 12 points, Redhill Tavern, who beat the Clock 7-2 and Sheldon Marlborough Flights, who had a 6-3 win at Cobs Bar are both two points behind Darts Centre.
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