The latest results for the Sheldon and District Winter League provided a shock for premier division reigning champions Saltley Amateur Gardeners as they lost 6-3 to current leaders Crown at Shard End. Crown at Shard End are now the only unbeaten team in the premier division and have a two points lead over both Saltley and Mackadown Social, plus a further advantage with their superior average.
Yardley Ex Colts dropped from second to fourth in division one after a 5-4 defeat away to Baldwin Bears, who move up one place to second. Baldwin, Holy Souls and Ex Colts are all two points adrift of leaders Banbury Club, who still boast a 100% win record.
Division two could not be any closer as the top two teams Crown-Forget-Me-Not and Sheldon Marlborough Flights have both won all four of their games and in turn defeated Meadway Sports and Social and Langley Hall Sports and Social Flights 7-2 to keep them also level on average.
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It was cup week in the Four Oaks and District League as they staged the preliminary round of their Challenge Cup. The local derby between division two’s Golden Hind and division one’s Golden Hind Arrows saw the former race to an unassailable 5-1 lead before running out 6-3 winners, Golden Hind’s D.Keatley capping a fine night of darts with two maximums and narrowly missing out on a third.
The Beehive were too strong for third division leaders Anvil Nomads, as the division one side roared to a 7-2 victory. Two other first division teams beat third division opponents by the same 7-2 margin, Brookvale Social and Red Lion accounting in turn for Erdington Arrows and Bishop Vesey. Third division The Fox won 7-2 against Erdington Stars, who are currently bottom of division two, while Old Oscott Arrows (div 1) beat Plough and Arrows (div 2) by the same scoreline.
Boldmere Oak, bottom of division three had a monumental task playing away to division one leaders Sutton Sports, who won the opening eight games, C.Hagans and P.Bromley winning the final doubles game 2-1 for Boldmere to put the final score at 8-1.
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Back in June I wrote about a charity night at Riley’s, Castle Vale in aid of Vinnie Whitehead, who requires sensory lighting as he suffers from Menkes Disease. Vinnie has no funding whatsoever and the cash raised from that evening all went towards his cause.
This coming Friday another evening is planned to raise further money for Vinnie’s cause at St John’s Club, Smiths Wood at around 7.00 to 8.00pm. This is a no ticket event however there will be a donation box with a minimum £2 donation for entry. There will also be loom bands on sale, various raffles including a signed Wayne Rooney boot.
Steve Whatmore will be looking for donations as he will be having his blue hair cut off by Sue Kingdon, plus in addition to this the winners from the June competition will be taking on the professionals.
Why not turn up and support a very worthy cause.
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The Andy Bastable Trophy quarter finals were the order of the day for the Netherton Thursday Night League. There were no shocks from the round and making their way into the last four were Rose and Crown, Bulls Head, Riddins Tavern and Springfield Social Club.
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Wagon and Horses took their unbeaten run to four games in the Small Heath League when they won 6-3 away to league newcomers Warwick Arms. Gulp Tribe are the only other team to remain unbeaten, they won 7-2 away to Emerald Flights to leave them two points behind the leaders with a game in hand. All of the other games finished with a 7-2 margin, Emerald Club, Cobs Bar and Sheldon Marlborough Flights beating respective counterparts Clock Inn, The Lions and Mitre.
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An emphatic 8-1 win by Blue Brick ‘C’ over Dog and Lamppost took their points tally in the Brierley Hill Monday Night League to 72 from 38 games. Dog and Lamppost were the only losers in the top eight teams as seventh placed Roebuck had a bye. Second placed Dudley Sports ‘B’ hold on to second place with a 6-3 win against Ivy House (Dudley), but are only ahead of Bulls Head (Netherton) on average as they also have 58 points after a 5-4 home win over The Griffin.
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It was cup week for the Brierley Hill Friday Night League, the semi finals of their League Cup. In the first leg of the home and away competition Miners (Wollescote) chalked up a useful 7-2 lead to take into the return away game at Pensnett Welfare Club, while Bridge ‘A’ face a tough return game at Dudley Sports ‘B’ as they take into it a very narrow 5-4 lead.
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Ashwood handed out the first defeat of the season to Britannia when they beat them 6-3 and at the same time replaced them at the top of the table in the Stourbridge and District Monday Night League. Ashwood are now, after eleven games the only team in the league with a 100% win record and are followed by both Britannia and Ten Arches, who have both lost one, Ten Arches latest result being a 7-2 home win over Kingswinford Conservative Club.
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Ten Arches ‘A’ lost for the first time in sixteen games in the Stourbridge and District Wednesday Night League going down 4-3 at Ashwood ‘B’, who are third in the table and four points off the top. Ashwood ‘A’ are second their 6-1 win away to fourth placed Wombourne Cricket Club keeping them just ahead of the ‘B’ team on average.
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The Black Country Premier league played the preliminary round of their Mr X Shield. In the two games played The Gate beat The Devil Drivers 5-3 and Britannia ‘A’ won 5-0 against Team Bathams.
Just one rearranged league fixture was played which saw leaders Hasbury Monks take on third in the table Black Country Belters. In a real nail biter of a match the Monks ran out the close 9-7 winners despite 180’s for the Belters from Alf Turley and Thomas Stockton and a 120 break also for Stockton.
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With only two fixtures remaining in the Cradley Tuesday Night League the title is still up for grabs for the top two teams. Maybe nerves are getting to long time leaders Crown ‘A’ as they lost for only the third time in 34 games when fifth placed Gate (Darby End) beat them 5-4 on their own board. Nevertheless Crown ‘A remain two points ahead of Chainmakers ‘B’ and have the better average despite an 8-1 win by Chainmakers ‘B’ at Netherton Sports and Social ‘B’.
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The Aston League staged round one of their Nine-a-Side Cup and winning through to the next round were, Castle Vale Club, Kingstanding Ex Serviceman’s Club and Aston Flights.
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The Roy Parry Cup was on the fixture card for the South Birmingham League and going into the hat for the draw for the next round will be St John’s, Kingfisher, The Crown, Toby Jug, Crown-Forget-Me-Not, Mackadown Social, The Raven and The Dog, who had a bye.
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In division one of the Forest of Arden Winter League Olton Crown made it three straight wins when they won their home tie with Harvester 5-4 to move into pole position and see their opponents drop two places to fourth.
Highwood ‘C’ are the only unbeaten team in division two, their latest success being a 7-2 home win over Greville Arms.
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The Open Cup was this week’s fixture for the Pip Club League Two Gates Club after defeating Globe ‘B’ in the preliminary round went out to Birchmoor Club in round one. Other winners from round one were, Bulls Head ‘A’ (Polesworth), Tamworth Motor Spares, Sports Bar ‘180’, J W Belgrave, Bull (Two Gates), Wigginton and Old Liberal.
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The Tamworth League have played the first two rounds of their League Cup, winners from round one were, Three Tuns ‘B’ (Fazeley), Belgrave Club, Dolphin ‘A’, Globe Inn and Dolphin ‘B’. Winning through round two were, Three Tuns ‘A’ (Fazeley), Sports Bar ‘180’, Fox and Dogs and Globe Inn.
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The Rowley Monday Night League fixtures brought together the top two teams, second placed Springfield Social Club hosting leaders Crown. Crown, undefeated in 28 games made it 29 with a close 5-4 result to put them six points ahead of Springfield.
There were rare wins for Plough and Harrow, Victoria Inn and Hunting Tree, Plough and Harrow winning 6-3 at Haden Cross, who are bottom of the table, while the other two teams both won 5-4, Victoria Inn at home to sixth in the table Allens Sports Bar and Hunting Tree winning at Whiteheath Tavern.
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With one fixture remaining in the Wolverhampton Tuesday Night League both divisional titles are still yet to be decided. In division one Otter and Vixen are top with 44 points and have a final game at home to Village ‘B’, who are seventh in the table. Riley’s ‘C’ are second also on 44 points and they have a much tougher fixture to bring down their curtain, again a home fixture but against third placed Victoria.
In division two Wednesfield Legion ‘A’ are top with 50 points, the same number as their nearest rivals Chillington Club. Both teams will play away in their final games, Wednesfield will travel to ninth in the table Riley’s ‘B’, while Chillington will play against Boat ‘A’, who are fifth, should be a nail biting finish for both divisions.
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