The Sheldon and District Winter League has been involved in divisional League Cup games and in the Premier Division it was a case of the top half of the current league table playing the bottom half. The result was a win for all top half teams Langley Arrows, Sheldon Marlborough Arrows, Highwood Gerry’s Boys and Dunky’s Boys who in turn won against Iron Horse Flights (7-2), Mackadwon Social (6-3), Hobs Meadow (5-4)and Hornet (7-2). The biggest surprise was the close margin by which third in the division Highwood Gerry’s Boys were held to a 5-4 result by bottom of the division Hobs Meadow.
Hollywood Social are third in Division One, they hosted second in the division Sheldon Dukes and lost 5-4 while leaders Kingshurst Labour Club won their home tie with Meadway Sports and Social 8-1. As yet no results have been received for the games Maggies v Irish Centre and Yardley Ex Colts v Shirley Misfits.
The top two teams in Division Two played each other, leaders Langley Flights travelling to take on their nearest rivals in the league Journeys End. The result was a close 5-4 win for Langley Flights. Third and fourth placed teams were also drawn against each other as Willclare Sports and Social took on third in the table Sheldon Marlborough Ridge. Once again it was a close affair with Willclare getting the 5-4 verdict. The other two games in the division finished with 6-3 scorelines, wins in turn for Lyndon Old Boys and Raven over Hampton and Solihull CC and Small Heath Gardeners.
Full Results:League Cup:Quarter Finals:Premier Division:- Highwood Gerry’s Boys 5 Hobs Meadow 4, Iron Horse Flights 2 Langley Arrows 7, Hornet 2 (Craig Coates 121f) Dunky’s Boys 7, Sheldon Marlborough Arrows 6 (Paul Wallace 180, Tom White 9 darts game) Mackadown Social 3, Division One:- Kingshurst Labour Club 8 Meadway Sports and Social 1, Hollywood Social 4 (Tony Colley 116f) Sheldon Dukes 5, no results for Maggies v Irish Centre and Yardley Ex Colts v Shirley Misfits, Division Two:- Willclare Sports and Social 5 Sheldon Marlborough Ridge 4, Journeys End 4 Langley Flights 5, Lyndon Old Boys 6 Hampton and Solihull CC 3 (Kevin Hull 112f), Small Heath Gardeners 3 Raven 6.
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In the first round of the Four Oaks and District League’s Brian Goodman Cup there was an outstanding performance from A.Cooksey who, with top scores of 2×100,132 and 133 saved Walmley WSC Flights from a whitewash as he was the sole winner in an 8-1 defeat by a dominant Boldmere St Mikes who lead division one.
In the only other fixture, division one side Oscott Social Club had a comfortable 6-3 win over second divisions Sutton Sharks.
In the two games played in the Ken Rust Cup second division leaders Heartlands beat fellow division two side Deer’s Leap 8-1, while Charley’s Flights, another second division team, had an impressive 7-2 win against first division opponents Pint Pot Flights.
Full Results:Brian Goodman Cup:Round One:- Sutton Sharks 3 (C.Gardener 134, C.Baldwin 101b,100, F.Davies 125) Oscott Social Club 6 (P.Graham 100, T.Purcell 100, D.Shannon 106f, G.Bushell 120b,121), Walmley CSC Flights 1 (A.Cooksey 2×100,132,133, J.Kavanagh 100b) Boldmere St Mikes 8 (C.Millward jnr 140, B.Linnecor 101, M.Ashton 100b, J.Liggins 101, M.McFall 152b,100, M.Wild 101b,140), Ken Rust Cup:Round One:- Heartlands 8 (S.McCormack 115,137, C.Austin 120b, Jim Frost 100, S.Cain 100, Matthew Cain 140,100) Deers Leap 1 (R.Batham 100, T.Ross 137, T.Pedley 100, T.Kelly 100b,100,105, Ant Kimberley 140, S.Kelly 100b,100), Pint Pot Flights 2 (M.Pearson Bagnall 120b, P.Smith 160b, S.Robbins 100) Charley’s Flights 7 (R.Barritt 100, J.Burdett 112b).
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The Camp Hill League staged their Doubles Knockout at Sheldon Marlborough which attracted an encouraging 36 entries with 26 turning out on the night. Throughout the evening a total of 47 tons or more were recorded with James Hinkley (Tyseley WMC) nothing the only maximum.
Making their exit in the semi-finals were Fred Naylor and Simon Edwards) Aston Inn Nomads) and James Hinkley and Craig Plester (Tyseley WMC).
Taking the title were Dave Heighway and Anthony Daley from Tyseley Newbies who won the final against Matt Cooper and Neil Parsonage (Roost Rebels).
Full Results:Doubles Knockout:Losing Semi-Finalists:- Fred Naylor and Simon Edwards (Aston Inn Nomads), James Hinkley and Craig Plester (Tyseley WMC), Runners-up:- Matt Cooper and Neil Parsonage (Roost Rebels), Winners:- Dave Heighway and Anthony Daley (Tyseley Newbies).
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There is no change at the top of the Kings Norton League with all of the top three teams winning in game number eight. Leaders Copper Fox won their home tie against bottom team Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club 7-0 to keep them ahead on average of second in the table Rubery Legion who got to the same 14 points as Copper Fox with a rather close 4-3 home win against Grant Arms who are next to bottom of the table. Third placed E57 also had a narrow 4-3 win in their game at Toby Jug they are on 12 points, two fewer than the two teams above them but with a game in hand.
Thurlestone are placed fourth on the same 12 points as E57 but have played one game more than them, their latest fixture saw them win 5-2 at Rubery Social Club.
With a 4-3 home win over Northfield, Bournebrook swapped places with their opponents and moved up to fifth while Northfield dropped to sixth, two points behind their victors with a game in hand.
Full Results:Game 8:- Rubery Social Club 2 (A.Bailles 2×100, L.Pearce 120,2×140, G.Bailles 100) Thurlestone 5 (J.Downer 100, A.Deeley 100, R.Waldron 3×100,134, T.Garfield 100,180, D.Garfield 100,2×140, N.Watts 2×100, B.Andrews 119, T.Garfield 106f), Copper Fox 7 (E.Simpson 2×100,120,125, D.McConomy 105,145, D.Marsh 2×140, C.Whitehouse 2×100,137,140, T.Hamilton 100,123,140, R.Mann 2×100) Kings Norton Ex Servieman’s Club 0 (T.Shaw 140, C.Davenport 100), Rubery Legion 4 (J.Higgins 100, R.Higgins 100, C.Guest 5×100,123, A.Faulkner 100, K.Manger 5×100,140, J.O’Neill 3×100,140, J.Ford 134,126,129, J.Higgins 119f) Grant Arms 3 (P.Taylor 100,101,140, S.Campbell 117, D.Campbell 140, P.Smith 115, Donna Campbell 100,125, M.Davies 121,127, S.Hale 129, N.Smith 100), Cock Inn 7 (P.Vaughan 100,140, P.Hughes 3×100, L.Fox 3×140, A.Harvey 100,140, A.Vaughan 3×100, K.Vaughan 2×100) Kings Heath 0 (N.Pearce 100, D.Parish 123, M.Marshall 3×100, S.Morris 100), Bournebrook 4 (T.Jeffs 100, L.Arnold 100, K.Mason 3×100,180, T.Cullen 2×140, M.Bathurst 111, R.Orton 100) Northfield 3 (L.Preece 119, M.Lloyd 140, L.Allen 100, P.Draper 139, J.Taylor 100,125), Toby Jug 3 (R.Packer 132, B.Heath 4×100,2×140,114f, A.Aindow 100, S.Jacques 100,140, M.Mooney 140, A.Phillips 118, D.Johnson 100,140) E57 4 (D.Logan 122,140, N.Porter 100,180, T.Roberts 140, A.Mutch 3×100).
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Despite a late result for the Bears versus Dunky’ Boys in division one of the Shirley and District Monday Night League Dunky’s hold on to pole position with a superior average over both Tippetts Bar and Lodge. Tippetts moved up to second place with 12 points from eight games after a convincing 8-1 home win over Saracens Swords while Lodge drop one place to third and stay on 12 points following a somewhat surprising 5-4 home defeat by fifth placed Cider House who are some six points behind Lodge.
Wharf moved off the foot of the table with their second win in eight as they beat Saracens Misfits 6-3, Misfits drop to the bottom of the division behind Wharf on average as both teams have four points.
A 6-3 win away to fourth in the table Solihull Municipal keeps Highwood top with a two point’s advantage in division two. Second placed Wythall Legion had a 7-2 home win over HSCC and are level on 12 points with a better average than third in the division Vikings after their 7-2 win at Sharmans Cross.
Full Results:Game 8:Division One:- Tippets Bar 8 (J.Buckingham 150b) Saracens Swords 1, Lodge 4 (J.Hinkley 100b) Cider House 5, Saracens Misfits 3 (J.Barrows 14 & 18 darts games) Wharf 6, Bears v Dunky’s Boys – no result, Division Two:- Legion Royals 3 Saracens Slingers 6, Sharmans Cross 2 (D.Allbones 180, S.Dixon 105f) Vikings 7, Solihull Municipal 3 (W.Clarke 110b, J.Stait 160f) Highwood 6, Wythall Legion 7 HSCC 2.
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Bugle Horn kept their 100% win record intact in game number eight of the Harborne and District League with an 8-1 home win over Northfield Conservative Club. Bugle Horn with a perfect 16 points have a two points lead over their nearest rivals Copper Fox who also won 8-1 playing away against Weoley Castle WMC.
Northfield Town are just two legs of average behind Copper Fox, they are in third place and made it 8-1 wins for the top three teams as they accounted for their opponents Monarch.
Smethwick CC and Northfield Conservative Club are placed fourth and fifth, both teams having 10 points, Smethwick the biggest winners of the week beating Cock Inn 9-0.
Full Results:Game 8:- Bugle Horn 8 Northfield Conservative Club 1, Weoley Castle WMC 1 Copper Fox 8, Weoley Castle Pub 7 Monarch 2, Northfield Town 8 Quinton RBL 1, Smethwick Cricket Club 9 Cock Inn 0, Avenue Social had a bye.
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Glasscutters ‘A’ are top of the Stourbridge and District Monday Night League but in their seventh fixture they were held to an unexpectedly narrow 4-3 win by next to bottom of the league Fox Inn (Lye). Nevertheless they remain in pole position on 12 points, two to the good on Quarry Bank Liberal Club, Britannia and Gate Hangs Well.
Quarry Bank Liberal Club moved up one place to second after winning 5-2 at Ten Arches and although two points off the top have two games in hand. Britannia, like the Liberal Club move up one place and are currently third, they also won 5-2 in their game at Seven Stars. Gate Hangs Well, who were previously placed second drop to fourth as a result of having a bye this week.
Full Results:Game 7:- Woodman 6 Lion, Stourbridge 1, Glasscutters ‘A’ 4 Fox Inn (Lye) 3, Bird in Hand 3 Glasscutters ‘B’ 4, Seven Stars 2 Britannia 5, Hare and Hounds ‘A’ 3 Crestwood 4, Ten Arches 2 Quarry Bank Liberal Club 5, Rose and Crown 3 Church Tavern 4, Gate Hangs Well had a bye.
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With the Netherton Thursday Night League game between leaders Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club and Fairfield cancelled due to the club already booked for a function the chasing teams had the opportunity to reduce the arrears and second in the league Townsend Social Club did exactly that as they handed their hosts Netherton Conservative Club a 9-0 whitewash. The win takes Townsend’s points tally to 21, still six short of the Ex Serviceman’s Club and now having played one game more than them.
Old Hill Cricket Club also took their number of points to 21 as they won 6-3 at Bulls Head, the Cricket Club are one single leg of average short of Townsend.
Full Results:Game 11:- Spring Meadow Social Club 3 Netherton Sports and Social Club 6, Bulls Head 3 Old Hill Crickst Club 6, Netherton Conservative Club 0 Townsend Social Club 9, Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club versus Fairfield had to be cancelled due to the club already booked for a function.
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In the Hilltop Friendly Tuesday Night League the Vine had a convincing 6-1 home win over Hayes Social which has effectively given them a two point’s lead at the top of the table as second placed Dewdrop suffered a 4-3 defeat playing away to third in the league Waggon and Horses who are now on the same 20 points as Dewdrop, level on average and share the number two spot.
At the other end of the table to the two bottom teams squared up to each other with next to bottom Albion playing hosts to bottom placed Tamebridge. The outcome was a 4-3 win for Albion putting them on four points and leaving Tamebridge still seeking their first points of the campaign.
Full Results:Game 12:- The Vine 6 Hayes Social 1, Horseley Tavern 4 Miners Arms 3, Albion 4 Tamebridge 3, Waggon and Horses 4 Dewdrop 3.
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The Sedgley and Gornal Tuesday Night League are up to game eleven and Old Bulls Head made it eleven straight wins when they added a 7-2 win over Gornal Labour Club to their account which saw the Labour Club drop from second to third in the table and Old Bulls Head open up a four points lead over the rest of the field as New Inn with their 5-4 success over Griffin took over the number two spot.
Bottom of the table Pensnett Liberal Club doubled their number of wins when they made it two in eleven games by beating Five Ways who are two places above them 5-4. Despite the win the Liberal Club remain rooted at the foot of the table but only average short of the team above them Meadow Lark after they added a massive 9-0 win over Lamp Tavern to their account.
Full Results:Game 11:- Old Bulls Head 7 Gornal Labour Club 2, New Inn 5 Griffin 4, Pensnett Liberal Club 5 Five Ways 4, Jolly Crispin 2 Seven Stars 7, Meadow Lark 9 Lamp Tavern 0, Red Cow 5 Chainyard 4.
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Ashwood are just two places off the foot of the Stourbridge and District Wednesday Night League table however that position did not deter them when in their latest fixture they played away against league leaders Bird in Hand ‘E’ and beat them 4-3, this being Bird’s first defeat in six and only Ashwood’s second win of the season.
Although Bird in Hand ‘E’ lost they remain in the number one position with 10 points, two more than second and third placed Glasscutters ‘A’ and Ten Arches ‘B’ who both have a game in hand on the leaders. Glasscutters ‘A’, like Bird ‘E’ also lost for the first time as they went down by the same 4-3 margin away to Ten Arches ‘B’.
Full Results:Game 6:- Bird in Hand ‘E’ 3 Ashwood 4, Fox Inn (Lye) 4 Bird in Hand ‘A’ 3, Glasscutters ‘B’ 1 Ten Arches ‘A’ 6, White Horse 6 Raven 1 (T.Stockton 155f), Ten Arches ‘B’ 4 Glasscutters ‘A’ 3.
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Railway Tavern consolidated their pole position in the Black Country Super League when they beat White Swan 4-1 to take their number of points to 82 and give them a four point’s advantage over second in the table Yeltz Bar ‘A’ who had a closer 3-2 win over Old Hill Cricket Club. Third in the league Allens Bar ‘C’ are a further six points adrift despite their 4-1 win at home over bottom of the league Rowley Bar and Grill and making it wins for the top four teams was High Acres ‘A’ who won 3-2 against Allens Bar ‘B’.
Full Results:Game 14:- High Acres ‘B’ 4 Horse and Jockey 1, Allens Bar ‘C’ 4 Rowley Bar and Grill 1, High Acres ‘A’ 3 Allens Bar ‘B’ 2, Yeltz Bar ‘A’ 3 Old Hill Cricket Club 2, Railway Tavern 4 White Swan 1, Yeltz Bar ‘B’ 3 Allens Bar ‘A’ 2.
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The Gilbert’s Bar Monday Night League is fast drawing to an end and it was in game 31 that Neil Wild suffered his first reversal of the season when he lost 7-1 to current leader Ben Johnson. Johnson then added another 7-1 to his tally when he beat Billy Robbins taking his number of points to 213, four more than second placed Steve Jones who had an 8-0 win over Jamie Aplin followed by a 5-3 success against Luke Wildman and although he trails Johnson by the four points he still has two games to play.
Full Results:Game 31:Board 1:- Jan Zeman 4 Lee Quarry 4, Jamie Aplin 0 Steve Jones 8, Steve Lynch 2 Billy Robbins 6, Ben Johnson 7 Neil Wild 1, Board 2:- Shane Price 4 Luke Wildman 4, Ben Johnson 7 Billy Robbins 1, Jamie Aplin 2 Jon Blakemore 6, Steve Lynch 8 Joe Bartolo 0, Board 3:- Jan Zeman 8 Joe Bartolo 0, Paul Vaughan 0 Neil Wild 8, Simon Mountford 1 Alex Howells 7, Luke Wildman 3 Steve Jones 5, Martin Price 3 Shane Price 5.
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