Darts News – A West Midlands Round Up

The Sheldon and District Winter League have got their new season underway and the good news is that they have once again increased their number of entrants, despite losing a few of the previous teams, they have been replaced and their numbers increased to twenty-seven which is two more than last season. The league is made up of three divisions with nine teams in the Premier League, ten in division one and eight in division two.

Topping the Premier League with a 6-3 home win over Yardley Ex Colts is The Dingle with three teams, Sheldon Marlborough Arrows, Sheldon Dukes and Langley Arrows all sharing the number two spot after they in turn won 5-4 against Raven Arrows, The Banbury Club and Highwood, Gary Fleetwood notched a maximum for Banbury Club.

An 8-1 win at Hollywood Social Club puts Trident Spears top of division one with Shirley Misfits not far behind following their 7-1 home win over Maggies. After the top two, a trio of teams Willclare Sports and Social, Brian’s Flights and Kingshurst Labour Club all had respective 5-4 wins over Bell Inn, Iron Horse Rebels and Smithswood Social Club with Dean Young hitting a maximum for Brian’s Flights.

Three games were played in division two with all three finishing with a 5-4 scoreline to put Castle Bromwich WMC, Sheldon Marlborough Ridge and Hornet all sharing the top spot after defeating in turn Lyndon Old Boys, Raven and Moseley Rugby Club, Elliott Astley recording a 160 break for Castle Bromwich WMC.

Full Results:Week 1:Premier League:- Langley Arrows 5 (Richard Mills 130f, Jake Webster 9 darts game, Paul Nixon 9 darts game) Highwood 4, Sheldon Dukes 5 The Banbury Club 4 (Gary Fleetwood 180), Sheldon Marlborough Arrows 5 Raven Arrows 4, The Dingle 6 Yardley Ex Colts 3, Langley Flights had a bye, Division One:- Shirley Misfits 7 Maggies 2, Hollywood Social Club 1 Trident Spears 8 (Jay Vaughan 12 darts game), Kingshurst Labour Club 5 Smithswood Social Club 4 (Owen Judd 126f), Brian’s Flights 5 (Dean Young 180) Iron Horse Rebels 4, The Bell Inn 4 Willclare Sports and Social 5, Division Two:- Castle Bromwich WMC 5 (Elliott Astley 160b) Lyndon Old Boys 4, Moseley Rugby Club 4 The Hornet 5, The Raven 4 Sheldon Marlborough Ridge 5, Sheldon Marlborough Flights and The College Arms Flights had a bye.

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It is so close at the top of the Kings Norton League that a 4-3 win at Coppice was not enough to keep Northfield top of the table as they slipped to second behind Copper Fox whose 6-1 home win over Longbridge put them on the same thirty-eight points as Northfield but with a slender three legs of average advantage plus they also have a game in hand. Third placed Bourneville were also 6-1 winners in their home tie with Thurlestone but despite the convincing win they are still some six points short of the top two teams.

There were no fewer than seven scores of 180 this week with E.Simpson (Copper Fox) and N.Steventon (Northfield) both recording two. Northfield’s M.Lloyd and M.Hopkins had one each and there was also one for Thurlestone’s J.Downer.

Full Results:Game 22:- Bournebrook 5 (T.Cullen 100, T.Jeffs 121,140, K.Mason 3×100,135, D.Collins 100,123, P.Nevin 100,125,140, C.Ryan 109, T.Cullen 120f) Grant Arms 2 (A.McGowan 2×100, S.Hale 126, A.Dewsbury 2×100,112f,120, P.Taylor 121, Donna Campbell 114,135, M.Ellis 114), Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club 2 (M.Bandy 120, T.Shaw 132, S.Brown 100, S.Corbett 100,135,140, J.Howell 120, P.Fisher 111) Kings Norton Flights 5 (P.Lilley 3×100, M.Hanley 100, R.Fisher 2×100,122,125,140, G.Lee 100), Rubery Social Club 4 (J.Grainger 4×100, J.Higgins 2×100,125, A.Faulkner 2×100, R.Higgins 100,140, M.Cormell 140, J.O’Neill 2×100,140, T.Davies 100) Cock Inn 3 (P.Hughes 100,140, L.Fox 120, A.Vaughan 3×100, Joe Fox 2×100, S.Cartwright 100), Copper Fox 6 (E.Simpson 100,2×180, D.Marsh 100,2×140, G.Dews 4×100, T.Hamilton 100, D.McConomy 2×100, M.Hamilton 3×100, M.Collins 135,140, R.Mann 100) Longbridge 1 (C.Evans 100,119,121,136, J.Trott 100,121, L.Adams 100, A.Burbridge 100, S.Hockall 100), Coppice 3 (D.Hill 2×100,140, B.Heath 100,121, A.Aindow 121, M.Mooney 100, R.Packer 100,121) Northfield 4 (R.Hitchmough 2×100, L.Allen 2×100, M.Lloyd 2×100,180,17 darts game, M.Hopkins 100,180, N.Steventon 2×100,180), Bourneville 6 (M.James 4×100,110f, P.Smith 2×100,121,140, M.Collins 100,121,140, G.Carver 100,135,17 darts game, A.Deeley 2×100,108,140, G.Bailes 100, M.Ferriday 100, N.Kinnear 100) Thurlestone 1 (N.Watts 100, T.Garfield 3×100, R.Waldron 3×100,133,135,140, J.Downer 100, C.Taylor 100, J.Downer 180).

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The top two teams in the Camp Hill League squared up to each other in game number seven with leaders Tyseley WMC taking their undefeated run to six games with a 4-3 win over Erdington Nomads to open up a four points lead for the working men’s club over the chasing pack of three teams Erdington Nomads, Clumsy Swan and Cotterills Lane EBAHA Club. Clumsy Swan won their home game with Moseley Arms 6-1 while Cotterills Lane EBAHA Club had a closer 4-3 home win over Tyseley Bears who drop two places in the table to fifth, now six points adrift of the leaders.

Full Results:Game 7:- Tyseley WMC 4 Erdington Nomads 3, Clumsy Swan 6 Moseley Arms 1, Cottereills Lane EBAHA Club 4 Tyseley Bears 3, Peaky Blinder 5 Sedgemere Devil’s 2.

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It’s as-you-were for the top six teams in the singles division of the South West Birmingham Clubs League with top of the table Longbridge United winning 6-1 away to bottom of the table Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club to keep them four points to the good on second placed West Heath CEM who won their home tie with Northfield Conservative Club 5-2. Third placed Bournebrook are a further four points behind after they lost 5-2 at Avenue Social who are sixth in the table on twenty-two points, sixteen fewer than Longbridge United. Fourth and fifth placed Stirchley United and Northfield Town are now both on the same twenty-six points after Stirchley United lost 4-3 at Northfield Town.

After completing twenty-one games in the Pre-Match Doubles division, Longbridge United have increased their lead to a huge twenty-two points over their nearest rivals West Heath CEM who in turn are fifty-nine points ahead of third placed Bournebrook.

Full Results:Week 21:- Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club 1 (R.Fisher 100,100b, M.Hanley 120b) Longbridge United 6 (A.Sutton 2×100,105b, T.Garfield 140,100, C.Eacock 121,136, P.Hughes 120b,101b,100,140, M.Lloyd 125,100, T.Shipley 2×100,140), Avenue Social 5 (A.Harvey 100, R.Higgins 100, K.Jones 100, A.Faulkner 2×100) Bournbrook 2 (T.Jeffs 100, J.Warman 100, D.Collins 2×100, P.Nevin 100,125), Perfection 3 (L.Rooney 100, C.Dickinson 100) Northfield Town 4 (M.Mooney 100, A.Chidley 100, A.Cotter 100), Quarry Club 4 (A.Vaughan 130,125, L.Fox 120) Stirchley United 3 (A.Cullen 123, C.Ryan 100, M.Carmell 100f,100, M.Bathurst 140, M.Welsh 100,101b), Stirchley Flights 3 (G.Williamson 125,100,137) Moseley All Services 4 (L.Bandy 100, R.Jackson 112, S.Corbett 2×100) West Heath CEM 5 (G.Carver 2×100, A.Deeley 3×100, N.Watts 100, K.Webb 140b, S.Deeley 100b,100) Northfield Conservative Club 2 (J.Awome 2x100b, B.Simkiss 100).

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In division one of the Sutton and District Summer League leaders Highcroft Hotdogs added a close 5-4 win away to fifth placed Old Horns Lions to their account to keep them two points better off than second placed Bishop Vesey who also had a close 5-4 win, but their narrow victory was a little more surprising as they were playing away against next to bottom of the division Aston Manor Cricket Club Flights. Walmley CSC Flights lost 6-3 at home to Old Horns Arrows, this being Old Horns Arrows first win in eleven games, but despite the win they remain rooted at the foot of the table. The only highlight for Walmley CSC Flights was the 160 break by their Jamie Meredith.

In division two Scott Armers continue to lead the field adding a 7-2 home win over St Tom Cats to their tally keep in place their two points lead on second in the division Charley’s Flights who had a narrow 5-4 win at Pint Pot Flights.

Full Results:Game 11:Division One:- Old Horns Lions 4 (J.Cusack 114,105, J.Greaves 138, Barry Stephens 2×100, Paul Seadon 125, Barrie Linnecor 140,127f) Highcroft Hotdogs 5 (Karl Neale 100, Leigh Dells 135,133, Jack Alexander 105, Simon Shorthouse 2×100, Sid Pritchett 100), Walmley CSC Flights 3 (Jamie Meredith 160b, Ian Taylor 102,112b, Greg Gaughan 100, Ben Liggins 140,100, Kriss Green 140,104,2×100) Old Horns Arrows 6 (James Clarke 100,104, Clove Matthews 100,123, Alan Lilleu 100, Jack Mahon 108b, Matt Deathridge 121,100,100b,139), Red Lion 4 (Tim Vickers 125,101b, Lee Vickers 125, Ryan Lowe 108b,120, Brian Hughes 121, Jimmy Collins 2×100,108b, Dane Vickers 125) The Nomads 5 (S.Gardiner 100, Carl Winters 137,100,152b,127, Tony Colley 100,100b, C.Martin 100, Nathan Fields 102, Brendan Lysaght 100), Aston Manor CC Flights 4 (Alan Whitehouse 2×100) Bishop Vesey 5 (Chris Sammons 123, Nigel Smallwood 115b,100b, Stuart Abbott 140, Nick Sammons 100, Mark Wild 118, Dave Walton 2×100,103,107b), Old Oscott Arrows 3 (Dave Page 100, Phil Locke 120b, B.Trayhern 122) Heartlands 6 (Ryan Cain 100, Steve Cain 140, Heydon Valovec 111b,116b, Gerry McCormack 115b, Alex Downes 112b), Division Two:- Pint Pot Flights 4 (Pete Smith 105b,100b, Mick Bagnall 2×100, Joe Taroni 122, Martin Phillips 2×100, Joolz Fountain 140) Charley’s Flights 5 (Ray Franks 100b, Clive Austin 100b, Paul Nicholls 112b, Dean G Bond 120b,100,140,9 darts game, Kevin Hewings 100, Martin Mills 100), Erdington Arrows 4 (John West 100, Matt Yate 100) Sutton Sharks 5 (Jack Harris 121, Michael Taylor 130b,100, Jonathan Boden 100,100b, Chris Gardener 100,100f), Rosey Mac’s 5 (Derek Sargent 126, John Cox snr 100,152b, Steven Wintle 100) Rosey Mac’s Bar 4 (Russell Hiett 132), The Scott Armers 7 (Lee Gumbley 127, John Parry 100, Jamie Sabin 121, Ollie Day 2×100,121, Mark Felkin 100,100b, Luke Parry 100) St Tom Cats 2 (Chris Vann 100b,105,116, Dean Wakelam 112b),

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The Stourbridge and District Monday Night League had the finals of their singles knockout on the fixture card. There were only three games played in the quarter-finals with all three being straight 2-0 results as I.Kelly (Bird in Hand), T.Cunningham (Ten Arches) and K.Safe (Ten Arches) in turn took out S.Smith (Church Tavern), B.Fitzgerald (Cross, Oldswinford) and C.Hart (Old Liberal Club), D.Moreton (Princess) had a bye. The 2-0 trend continued into the semi-finals with I.Kelly beating T.Cunningham and D.Moreton losing to K.Safe. Yet again in the final the straight win sequence continued with I.Kelly winning 3-0 against K.Safe to lift the winner’s trophy.

Full Results:Singles Knockout:Quarter-Finals:- I.Kelly (Bird in Hand) 2 S.Smith (Church Tavern) 0, B.Fitzgerald (Cross, Oldswinford) 0 T.Cunningham (Ten Arches) 2, C.Hart (Old Liberal Club) 0 K.Safe (Ten Arches) 2, D.Moreton (Princess) had a bye, Semi-Finals:- I.Kelly 2 T.Cunningham 0, D.Moreton 0 K.Safe 2, Final:- I.Kelly 3 K.Safe 0.

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The Netherton Thursday Night League are another league to see their new season numbers increase as they added a further four teams to take their starting line-up to twelve teams. Last season Hill and Cakemore Ex Serviceman’s Club finished fourth but have got their new campaign off to the best of possible start by handing their visitors new to the league, Olde Queens Head a 9-0 whitewash to put them top of the table with reigning champions Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club placed joint second after their 8-1 home win over Bulls Head and Townsend Social Club’s similar 8-1 win at Netherton Sports and Social Club ‘B’. Newcomers Old Glasshouse are third, they had a 7-2 success at home against another new addition to the league Hare and Hounds.

On the individual scene T.Johnson (Hill and Cakemore Ex Serviceman’s Club) hit a maximum as did H.Williams (Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘B’) as well as recording a 120 break and a 141 finish.

Full Results:Game 1:- Hill and Cakemore Ex Serviceman’s Club 9 (T.Johnson 180) Olde Queens Head 0, Spring Meadow Pub 5 Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘B’ 4 (H.Williams 180,120b,141f), Old Liberal Club 5 (B.Watts 116f) Netherton Sports and Social Club ‘A’ 4, Netherton Sports and Social Club ‘B’ 1 Townsend Social Club 8 (R.Thompson 116f), Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’ 8 (P.Tonks 15 darts game) Bulls Head 1, Old Glasshouse 7 Hare and Hounds 2.

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With the majority of teams still having eight more fixtures to play in the Stourbridge and District Wednesday Night League leaders Old Liberal Club ‘A’ consolidated their pole position with a 7-0 home win over Wheatsheaf to keep intact their eight points lead over the chasing pack of three, Bird in Hand ‘E’, Hollybush and Cottage and their possible title win. Bird in Hand ‘E’ won 5-2 against Dudley Sports, Hollybush won by the same 5-2 margin against Brickmakers Arms while Cottage had a slightly closer 4-3 win over Fox Inn, Lye.

Full Results:Game 20:- Ashwood 5 Netherton Conservative Club 2, Kings Head 5 Old Liberal Club ‘B’ 2, Stourbridge FC 5 Garibaldi 2, Bird in Hand ‘E’ 5 Dudley Sports 2, Cottage 4 Fox Inn (Lye) 3, Old Liberal Club ‘A’ 7 Wheatsheaf 0, Hollybush 5 Brickmakers Arms 2, Shovel had a bye.

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There are only four remaining fixtures in the Rowley Monday Night League and top of the table Bell maintained their four points lead and moved another step nearer the title with an 8-1 win over Loyal Lodge with Paul Bishop chalking up a maximum for the winners. White Swan are second, they had a narrow 5-4 win at Whiteheath Tavern who are sixth in the league and some sixteen points short of their opponents, but they stay on track for the runners-up spot as they also have a four points advantage over their nearest rivals Gate Hangs Well who were 7-2 winners at Wonder.

Rowley Labour Club’s Rich Lenton and Hill and Cakemore Ex Serviceman’s Club player Kurt Wright also found the three treble twenties with Rowley Bar and Grill’s A.Bonehill having a 160 break.

Full Results:Week 26:- Huntingtree 3 Tividale FC 6, Wonder 2 Gate Hangs Well 7, Whiteheath Tavern 4 White Swan 5, Romsley Cricket Club 5 Plough and Harrow 4, Waterfall 3 Rowley Labour Club 6 (Rich Lenton 180), Windmills End 3 Hill and Cakemore Ex Servicemen’s Club 6 (Kurt Wright 180), Bell 8 (Paul Bishop 180) Loyal Lodge 1, Rowley Bar and Grill 5 (A.Bonehill 160b) Spring Meadow 4.

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As the Sedgley and Gornal Tuesday Night League get up to game five only two of the starting line-up of thirteen teams are able to boast a 100% win record and they are leaders Gornal Labour Club and second placed Old Bulls Head who have only played four games compared to the labour Club’s five. Gornal Labour had a 7-2 win at The Cabin while Old Bulls Head won their home game with fourth in the league New Inn 6-3. Baggeridge WM are currently third in the league on the same eight points as Old Bulls Head but from five games, they lost ground as they suffered their first defeat of the season a somewhat surprising 5-4 reversal at Britannia.

Full Results:Game 5:- Red Cow 5 Seven Stars 4, Britannia 5 Baggeridge WM 4, The Cabin 2 Gornal Labour Club 7, Old Bulls Head 6 New Inn 3, Meadow Lark 1 Netherton Sports and Social Club 8, Gornal British Legion 5 White Horse 4, Jolly Crispin had a bye.

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Despite already having won the Hilltop Friendly Tuesday Night League title Allen’s ‘A’ still keep adding to their account as they finished their season with a 4-3 win against runners-up in the league Vine ‘A’ who ended their campaign a massive twelve points behind their opponents as did third placed Horseley Tavern who finished on the right side of the 4-3 result in their final game at Tamebridge.

Full Results:Week 29:- Tamebridge 3 Waggon and Horses 4, Ivy Bush 4 Horseley Tavern 3, Allen’s ‘A’ 4 Vine ‘A’ 3, Sow and Pigs 2 Cottage Spring 5, Vine ‘B’ 7 Allen’s ‘B’ 0, Albion had a bye.

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With the majority of teams having played seventeen games in the Black Country Men’s Super League Gilbert’s Bar ‘B’ top the table with sixty-four points, four more than their nearest rivals Allen’s Bar ‘C’ who in turn have a four points lead on third placed Pensnett Liberal Club. There was a rare win this week for Soccer Zone, their 3-2 home win over Horse and Jockey only their third in seventeen games.

Full Results:Game 20:- Allen’s Bar ‘A’ 2 Gilbert’s Bar ‘B’ 2, Whiteheath Tavern 4 Quarry Bank Liberal Club 1, Pensnett Liberal Club 4 The Vine 1, Blackheath 1, Townsend Social Club 3 Townsend ‘A’ 2, Old Bulls Head 3 Allen’s Bar ‘C’ 2, Halesowen Cricket Club 3 White Swan 2, Soccer Zone 3 Horse and Jockey 2.

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The West Midlands Men’s Super League played off their Doubles Knockout which brought together Ryan O’Connor & Dan Nicholls against Ben Johnson & Rob Thompson in the final.

On their path to the final O’Connor (117f) and Nicholls beat Neville Quinton & Doug Cotton 4-0, they then with a 170 finish and a twelve darts leg, after going 2-0 down won 4-2 against Owen Maiden & Mark Maiden.  O’Connor (120f) & Nicholls then booked their last four place with a close 4-3 win over Kieron O’Mahoney & Dave Carnall before reaching the final with a 4-0 success against  Martin East & Craig Capewell.

From the other side of the draw Ben Johnson & Rob Thompson beat Reece Cooke Lucas & Simon Pritchard 4-0, Ian Jones & Mark Craddock 4-2 and Luke Griffiths & Jack Aldridge 4-3.

With a 106 checkout from Ryan O’Connor, he and his partner Dan Nicholls lifted the winners trophy with a final 4-2 win against Ben Johnson & Rob Thompson.

Full Results:Doubles Knockout:Ryan O’Connor (117f) & Dan Nicholls 4 Neville Quinton & Doug Cotton 0, Ben Johnson & Rob Thompson had a bye, Last 16:- Ryan O’Connor & Dan Nicholls (170f,12 darts game) 4 Owen Maiden & Mark Maiden 2.  Neville Quinton & Doug Cotton 4 Reece Cooke Lucas & Simon Pritchard 0, Quarter-Finals:- Ryan O’Connor (120f) & Dan Nicholls 4 Kieron O’Mahoney & Dave Carnall 3, Ben Johnson & Rob Thompson 4 Ian Jones & Mark Craddock 2, Semi-Finals:- Ryan O’Connor & Dan Nicholls 4 Martin East & Craig Capewell 0, Ben Johnson & Rob Thompson 4 Luke Griffiths & Jack Aldridge 3, Final:- Ryan O’Connor (106f) & Dan Nicholls 4 Ben Johnson & Rob Thompson 2.

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The winners of the three division in the Gilbert’s Bar Monday Night Singles League have all now been decided as in division one Scott Baker with one more game to play is on 215 points and has a lead of 25 over second placed Martin Price who has two games to play.

The top four players in division two have all completed their fixtures with Jason Hough top of the pile with 203 points, he wins the division with Clark Cook runner-up on 196 points.

In division three Alan Melling has run away with the title, after playing 27 games he is on 234 points and with still three more fixtures to play he has a lead of eighteen points plus two games in hand on Robert Harris who will end his campaign as runner-up.

Full Results:Week 30:Division One:- Ben Hollowood 5 Reece Cook Lucas 3, Ian Stanton 6 Paul Price 2, Simon Pritchard 1 Wayne Willis 7, Steve Lynch 4 John Simms 4, Wayne Willis 6 Martin Angell 2, Ben Hollowood 8 Rushpal Bhogal 0, Simon Pritchard 3 Jon Blakemore 5, Jamie Webb 3 Steve Lynch 5, Jamie Webb 5 Simon Pritchard 3, Colin Wood 3 Tony Singh 5, Baljinder Gill 3 Chris Hill 5, Colin Wood 3 Jason Hough 5, Tony Singh 8 Baljinder Gill 0, Sandra Beardsmore 4 Gemma Barrett Jenkins 4, Sara Emma Jones 3 Robert Harris 5, Artur Lubkowski 8 Jacqui Simmons 0, Joe Bartolo 4 Warren Bowen 4, Sandra Beardsmore 4 Jamie Aplin 4, Andy Poole 2 Gemma Barrett Jenkins 6.

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The Singles League in the Wolverhampton Tuesday Night League could not have finished much closer with both of the top two teams ending on forty points. Champions Gilbert’s Bar ‘A’ won the title by eight legs of average despite surprisingly losing their final game 4-3 away to Wednesfield Legion who finished eighth on eighteen points, twenty-two fewer than their opponents. The runners-up spot went to ECC ‘A’ who had a better finish to their campaign winning 5-2 at home against Corpus Christi ‘B’.

Although they narrowly missed out on the Singles League title ECC ‘A’ did win the Doubles League title. With a final straight 3-0 win over Corpus Christi ‘B’ in the last game of the season ECC ‘A’ took their total points to forty, two more than runners-up Gilbert’s Bar ‘B’ who in their season end game won 2-1 at Wednesfield Legion.

Full Results:Game 20:Singles Division:- Corpus Christi ‘A’ 5 ECC ‘B’ 2, ECC ‘A’ 5 Corpus Christi ‘B’ 2, Gilbert’s Bar ‘A’ 6 Woodfield 1, Ring of Bells 2 Railway 5, Three Crowns 3 Dog and Partridge 4, Wednesfield Legion 4 Gilbert’s Bar ‘B’ 3, Doubles Division:- Corpus Christi ‘A’ 1 ECC ‘B’ 2, ECC ‘A’ 3 Corpus Christi ‘B’ 0, Gilbert’s Bar ‘A’ 3 Woodfield 0, Ring of Bells 1 Railway 2, Three Crowns 1 Dog and Partridge 2, Wednesfield Legion 1 Gilbert’s Bar ‘B’ 2.

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2023-10-18