Warwickshire County Darts Organisation staged their Lakeside International Qualifiers play off at their headquarters Bishopsgate Club, Coventry, the event attracting 32 top class players all seeking a place in the finals to be held later in the year.
Powering his way through the field of opponents was Simon Power, who began his journey with a 3-2 win over Lee Martin he then had 3-1 wins over Jamie Atkins and Dean Sanders before beating Noel Grant in a close 3-2 semi final. Simon’s final opposition came in the form of Ian McFarlane who had taken out Mark Ashton (3-1), Mark Strong (3-2), Ted Evetts (3-1) and Antony Allen (3-2) who earlier in the competition with scores of 177 and 180 had put himself in with a chance of a possible nine darts game but alas it was not to be.
The final similar to the two semis went to the wire with Power just getting the edge on his fellow county player Ian McFarlane.
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Riley’s Solihull was the setting for a UK Open Tournament Qualifier and winning his way through was Graham Hall who face up to Robbie Green in the first round of the finals at Butlins, Minehead on the 6th – 8th March.
Hall had a straight 4-0 win over Neil Clark in the last eight and followed that with a 4-2 win against Ted Evetts before winning the final against Kevin Taylor 5-2.
Taylor had beaten Jimmy Hill 4-3 in the quarter finals and Matt Gallett 4-1 in the semis.
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The leaders of the three divisions in the Sheldon and District Winter League all have just a two point’s advantage. In the premier Crown at Olton are in pole position with 26 points from 14 games, Crown at Shard End and The Lyndon are both on 24 the former having played one game more than Olton and Lyndon.
Banbury Club lead the way in division one, however their lead looks very vulnerable as their nearest rivals Castle Vale Stadium have two games in hand and a superior average.
Crown-Forget-Me-Not are the division two leaders with Sheldon Marlborough Flights two points behind them and having played one game more.
Winners of round two of the Punchbowl are, Crown at Olton, The Pirates, Highwood Exiles, The Raven, The Lyndon, Saltley Amateur Gardeners, Banbury Club and Mackadown Social.
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In division one of the Four Oaks and District League top side The Beehive maintained their push for the title with a 7-2 win at Brookvale Social and with only two games to go and a four point’s lead on reigning champions and second placed Sutton Sports, look odds on to win the division. Sutton Sports lost the first two games in their home tie with bottom of the table Golden Hind Arrows but won the next six and went on to win 6-3.
After beating Golden Hind the previous week to draw level at the top of the second division Boldmere Sports lost the final two doubles and the match at Old Oscott WMC 6-3, D. Parsons and N. Hawkley hitting maximums for the home team. Meanwhile Golden Hind won the last two doubles to beat Erdington Stars by the same 6-3 to restore their two points lead at the top.
In division three Anvil Nomads stay top with a 7-2 victory at Erdington Arrows The Fox are second trailing by two points with a game in hand after a 6-3 win at Bishop Vesey. W. Naylor (Brookvale Social) recorded his fifth 180 of the season, R. Stanton (The Fox) his second.
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J W Belgrave, leaders in division two of the Pip Club League had a close 9-7 win away to third in the table Pip Club to hold on to their four points lead over their nearest rivals Sports Bar ‘180’ who won 11-5 at Royal Oak.
At the other end of the table the two bottom teams played each other the outcome was an 8-8 draw leaving Globe ‘B’ at the foot of the table on 4 points and Bulls Head ‘B’ (Polesworth) next to bottom with 8 points.
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The top four teams won this week in the Cradley Tuesday Night League, Chop House who were fifth drop down to eighth after losing 6-3 at Crown ‘B and now together with Brickmakers Arms, Members Club ‘A’, Crown ‘A’ and Crown ‘B’ are all on eight points four behind top of the table The Gate. White Horse and Wheatsheaf are second and third respectively both having ten points.
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Bulls Head suffered a massive 8-1 home defeat in the Netherton Thursday Night League with Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club their victors. The result sees Bulls Head drop two places to fifth in the table Ex Serviceman’s remain in fourth place level on 36 points with second and third in the table Brickmakers Arms ‘A’ and Netherton Sports and Social Club who in turn won 7-2 at home to White Swan and 5-4 away to White Horse, leaders Springfield Social Club were also 7-2 winners against Fairfield and stay twelve points ahead of the field.
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It’s as you were at the top of the Black Country Premier League with all five of the top teams winning. Hasbury Monks hold on to pole position with a 10-3 win over Wynall Lane Warriors, they are one point ahead of Blackheath Beechers who had a convincing 12-2 win at Round Oak Rebels, the same scoreline by which third placed Black Country Belters beat Team Bathams.
Fourth placed Lyde Green Flights had something of a scare when they trailed 6-1 to Gate R&R but fought back to secure a very close 7-6 victory. Britannia Bulldogs make up the top five they won 12-2 away to Park Lane Taverners.
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It was cup week in the Hilltop Friendly League, the Rickuss Cup which saw three of the four games finish with a 4-3 result. There were wins for Old Hop Pole, The Vine and Dewdrop against respective opponents Tipton Sports and Social, The Sportsman and Island Inn, Hayes Social had a more impressive 6-1 win against Horseley Tavern.
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It was doubles week in the South Birmingham League and the winners of the knockout were A.Caddick and M.Noonan who beat G.James and M.Heaven 2-1 in the final.
In the last four games the winners beat D.Young and A.Kavanagh, while James and Heaven won against R.Earl and J.Evans.
On the individual front there were maximums for W.Naylor, A.Aston, S.Whatmore and G.James, while M.Noonan recorded a 151 checkout.
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Dudley Sports ‘A’ dropped four places to sixth in the Brierley Hill Monday Night League following their 5-4 defeat at Roebuck who move up one place to second. Although sixth in the table Dudley Sports ‘A’ are level on points with their victors as are Dudley Sports ‘C’, High Acres, Blue Brick and Bridge ‘B’, all of them having 10 points four fewer than leaders Rose and Crown (Brierley Hill), whose latest fixture at The Portway saw them win 8-1.
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With just one fixture remaining in division one of the Forest of Arden Winter League Olton Crown’s 5-4 win at Journeys End has almost assured them of the title as their final game is a home tie against Chelmsley Town who are some 16 points behind them, however as seen time and time again nothing is guaranteed until the curtain comes down on the final game as second placed Highwood ‘A’ are just two points adrift of the leaders and have a superior average, but their final fixture is a tougher home game against third placed Journeys End.
In division two Iron Horse secured the title with a 7-2 win at Highwood KB and although they play second placed Highwood ‘C’ in their last game a 9-0 win would still leave their rivals draw level on points but still leave them trailing on average plus Iron Horse will be all out to complete the fourteen games season undefeated.
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Brickmakers Arms lost for the first time in six games in the Brierley Hill Friday Night League when they went down 5-4 at Netherton Cricket Club and as a result lose pole position. Taking over at the top of the table is Pensnett Welfare Club who had a convincing 8-1 win at Dudley Sports ‘A’ to give them ten points the same number as Brickmakers Arms, Miners (Wollescote) and Netherton Cricket Club.
Bulls Head (Netherton) chalked up their first win in five, a 6-3 home success against Pensnett Liberal Club who are two places off the bottom of the table.
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With the top five teams winning in the Stourbridge and District Monday Night League and sixth placed Church Tavern having a bye there was no change this week leaders Ashwood making it 22 consecutive wins with a 6-3 success away to Plough, second placed Ten Arches kept the pressure on the top team with a massive 8-1 win at Stourbridge RBL.
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Spring Meadow took their unbeaten run to four games in the Halesowen Monday Night Ladies League with a 4-3 win against Hare and Hounds, second placed Black Horse lost ground as they lost 4-3 at Park Lane Tavern who join Black Horse and Townsend on four points, Townsend beating Very Widders 4-3.
Black Horse also lost for the first time in the Captains Cup but hang on to the top spot with a two point’s advantage.
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Just two games played in the Small Heath League this week a rearranged league fixture which saw Wagon and Horses beat Warwick Arms 5-4 and the other game being a preliminary round game in the Upside Down Cup which saw top of the table Mitre beat bottom of the table Clock Inn 5-2.
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The Wolverhampton Tuesday Night League are two games into their new season and setting the pace in division one is Wednesfield FC who top the division on average from ECC, Dog and Partridge, Otter and Vixen and Wednesfield Legion ‘A’ all of whom have won their opening two fixtures.
Similarly in division two there are five teams at the top of the division having won both of their games and they are Whitmore Reans WMC, Fordhouses CC, Pheasant, Bull and Riley’s ‘A’.
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Just two teams remain undefeated in the Tettenhall Wednesday Night League after only four games, Village Inn head the table following their 6-1 win at home against Dog and Partridge and in second place is Riley’s ‘B’ who had a closer 4-3 home win over Claregate.
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