The League Cup took over this week in the Small Heath League and with Sheldon Marlborough Flights already relegated to the Upside Down Cup the rest of the teams were fighting for a semi final place.
In the local derby between Emerald Flights and Emerald Club it was the Flights who came out on top with an impressive 6-3 victory.
At the Clock Inn the visitors Cobs Bar were looking to maintain their current good form and this they did as they strolled to a 7-2 win, the same margin by which Wagon and Horses defeated Warwick Arms.
Second in the table Mitre played hosts to leaders Gulp and despite an even opening it was the Gulp who forged ahead with their sharper finishing and although the home team fought back to trail 3-2 the Gulp went on to win 5-4.
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In the Four Oaks and District League it was Boldmere Oak who are bottom of the third division that took the honours this week. Playing at home against top of the division The Fox they recorded not only a 5-4 win but their first win in the eight games played so far this season. Second placed Anvil Nomads missed the opportunity to go top of the third division when they also lost 5-4, losing the last two games to give Bishop Vesey the victory.
First division leaders The Beehive suffered a setback when the Red Lion at 2-1 down took the next four games to clinch a 5-4 win. Sutton Sports beat Old Oscott Arrows 5-4 to move within two points of The Beehive.
The top three teams in the second division all won 6-3. Golden Hind stay top with Boldmere Sports trailing by two points and Old Oscott WMC a further six points behind.
- Lysaght (Brookvale Social) hit his second maximum of the season, and T. Kelly (Golden Hind) his first.
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Hasbury Monks continue to lead the field in the Black Country Premier League, their 8-6 win over Britannia Bulldogs giving them 22 points from 11 games. Second placed Blackheath Beechers had a convincing 10-2 win at Wynall Lane Warriors to keep them just one point behind the leaders, but they have played one game more. Third in the table Black Country Belters handed out a 12-0 whitewash to their visitors Round Oak Rebels putting them on the same 21 points as Beechers but again they have played one game more than Beechers.
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The South Birmingham League had round two of their Roy Parry Cup on the agenda Crown-Forget-Me-Not recording the biggest win of the round a massive 9-0 against The Dog. St John’s move into the next round with a 6-3 win at The Raven, while Toby Jug were awarded a 9-0 win as Kingfisher cancelled.
In the Roy Parry Consolation Cup Coleshilll Social beat Smithswood Social 5-3 and joining them in the next round will be The Trident who won 7-2 against Poachers Pocket.
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Week four in the Brierley Hill Monday Night League saw Rose and Crown (Brierley Hill) go two points clear at the top of the table with a 6-3 home win over High Acres, this was Acres first defeat and sees them drop four places to sixth. Six teams are just two points behind Rose and Crown and they are Dudley Sports ‘C’, Blue Brick, Dudley Sports ‘A’, Bridge ‘A’, High Acres and Bridge ‘B’.
Dog and Lamppost ‘B’ chalked up their first win of the season a 5-4 home success against Black Horse who are still seeking their first points.
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A 7-2 win over Bulls Head (Netherton) has seen Brickmakers Arms take over pole position in the Brierley Hill Friday Night League, but only by one leg of average over The Bell and Pensnett Welfare Club, who in turn won 5-4 at The Bridge and 9-0 against Mitre.
Fourth placed Miners (Wollescote) lost their first one in three losing 6-3 at home to Roebuck who were previously without a win having lost their opening two games.
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The Forest of Arden Winter League played off the final stages of their Division One Cup. In the semi finals second in the table Olton Crown beat their nearest rivals Journeys End 7-2 and Riley’s Red Arrows won 5-4 against Greville Arrows.
The final was a somewhat surprising 5-4 win for Riley’s Red Arrows who in the league are ten points behind Olton Crown.
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A 5-2 defeat away to Scruffy Ringers has seen Holy Gulp lose pole position and drop to joint third in the Camp Hill League, Ringers move up from third to top. Cotterills Lane Club kept the pressure on Scruffy Ringers winning 4-3 against Wagon and trail on average only to the leaders.
Journeys End are the other team in joint third, they won 6-1 at bottom of the table Devil’s Club.
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Netherton Sports and Social Club lost ground in the race for the Netherton Thursday Night League as they lost their home game against mid table Rose and Crown 5-4. Leaders Springfield Social Club had a 7-2 win at Pensnett and Bromley giving them a huge twelve points lead at the top.
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As the Stourbridge and District Monday Night League near the midway point of their season leaders Ashwood maintained their 100% win record taking their tally to 20 wins with a 6-3 win at Brickmakers Arms who are fourth and ten points behind Ashwood.
Ten Arches provide the biggest threat to Ashwood, their 5-4 win at Bird ‘A’ (Stourbridge) keeping them within six points of the top.
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The Pip Club League had their Divisional Cups on their fixture card, in round one of the division one cup there were wins for Bulls Head ‘A’ (Polesworth), Tamworth Motor Spares and Prince of Wales who in turn defeated Wigginton, Two Gates Club and Birchmoor Club. Bull (Two Gates) had a bye.
Division two had a preliminary round in which Pip Club and Gate (Amington) had wins in turn over Old Liberal and Globe Inn ‘B’.
Going through to round two will be J W Belgrave, Progressive Club and Sports Bar ‘180’ at the expense of Royal Oak, Bulls Head ‘B’ (Polesworth) and Globe Inn ‘A’.
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The Halesowen Monday Night Ladies League got their new season underway and the early pacesetters are Black Horse who had a 5-2 win against The Widders. Close behind Black Horse are Haden Cross and Spring Meadow who both won 4-3 in their games with Townsend and Park Lane Tavern.
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With just one fixture remaining in the Rowley Monday Night League most issues have already been decided, Crown, who have already won the league title added a 6-3 win over Riddins Tavern to make it 37 straight wins giving them a six point’s lead over second placed Springfield Social Club. At the other end of the table Haden Cross went down 9-0 away to Springfield Social Club to leave them at the foot of the table with the wooden spoon.
A 5-4 win at Ivy Bush ‘A’ gives The Gate Hangs Well a total of 38 points and confirms them as Shadow League Champions.
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Fox and Dogs, reigning champions in the Tamworth League are well on course for retaining their title as they handed out a 7-0 defeat to their hosts Dolphin ‘B’ to give them a ten point’s lead at the top of the table over second placed Dolphin ‘A’ who lost ground as they went down 4-3 away to Old Liberal House, who despite winning drop into fourth place as Belgrave Club take over in the third spot with a 6-1 win at Wigginton.
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A message of sadness this week from the Camp Hill and Small Heath Leagues “It is with regret and sadness that we have to announce the death of Andrew “Andy” Bailey. Andy played darts from the Wagon & Horses Digbeth, Birmingham in both the Camp Hill and Small Heath League’s, he passed away after a heart attack on Friday evening on the 6th February 2015. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Rest in Peace Andy”
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Sunday 22nd February will see Riley’s Solihull stage the UK Open Qualifiers for the preliminary round to be held at Minehead. Entry to the qualifying round is £5 and players can enter either online at www.rileys.co.uk/tournament/pdc-ukopen-qualifiers or alternatively at the Solihull club in Hobs Moat Road, Solihull. Anyone requiring any further information can contact the club on 0121-742-6068.
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