Playing in their sixth fixture of the season in the UKDA National League Cosmo Darts Premier Division Warwickshire made it three wins in a row when in their home tie with Glamorgan they won 25-11 to lift them up three places in the table to fourth on 122 points, fifteen behind third placed Cornwall but with a game in hand.
Saturday’s games got the local county off to a good start with the ladies ‘B’ winning 5-1 and men’s ‘B’ winning 9-3. For the ladies Angela Jones, Wendy Adams, Nina Bolt, Melanie Jones and Marian Conway put the ‘B’ team 5-0 up before Glamorgan’s Sue Hall got the visitors one and only win in the final game. Picking up the lady of the match award was Marian Conway for her 3-1 win over Sarah Teesdale and 18.04 average.
The men’s ‘B’ opened up a 3-0 lead thanks to Karl Reynolds, Adam Hancock and Dave Hill and although Liam Wigley pulled one back for the visitors in the fourth Warwickshire were 5-1 up by the break with further wins from man of the match William Naylor who beat Steven Inkpen 4-1 with a superb 31.37 average and Samuel Whittaker. With further wins from Mark Carter, Martin Tonks, Scott Hope and Noah Rose in the second half the hosts finished as 9-3 winners to give them a huge 14-4 lead to carry over to Sunday’s games.
The ladies ‘A’ finished all-square at 3-3 after going one down in the opening game. Supplying the wins were Hannah Meek, lady of the match Kirsty Hinchcliffe who won 3-2 against Sandy Quinn with a 19.78 average and Donna Pinch.
The men’s ‘A’ had a fine first half winning five of the six games thanks to wins from Wayne Mynard, Steve Hine, Jack Wareing, Noel Grant and Nigel Heydon and with further wins from Gareth Braham, Jamie Atkins and Jenson Walker in the second session they achieved an 8-4 victory. Man of the match for the men’s ‘A’ was Noel Grant who had a fine 30.51 average in his 4-2 win over James Richards.
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In the Andy Wheeler Fisheries Championship Division of the UKDA National League West Midlands were hoping for a win in their home game against Sussex to help lift them away from the relegation zone and a win is what they achieved. The ladies ‘B’ after leading 2-0 with wins from Kelly Dolman and Shellbie Simmons, had to be satisfied with a 3-3 draw at the end of the day, lady of the match Gemma Barrett salvaging the draw in the penultimate encounter when she beat Jill Russell 3-1 with an 18.51 average.
The men’s ‘B’ were in top form making it a clean sweep in the first half opening up a 6-0 lead all begun by man of the match Kevin Bambrick who won 4-2 against Dan Bradford and averaged 27.68. Adding to Bambrick’s win were Ian Stanton, Karl Hughes, Mark Craddock, Scott Baker and Daniel Hands. Chalking up the winning seventh game was Kieran O’Mahoney before Glamorgan got their first stripe on the board, Kevin Fishwick beating Paul Price 4-2. With wins from Ryan Locker, Glen McGrandle and Adam Teasdale the final score was 10-2 to the hosts.
Like their ‘B’ side the ladies ‘A’ shared the spoils in a 3-3 draw with all six games going in favour of the first throw advantage. Jacqueline Maiden lifted the lady of the match award for her straight 3-0 win over Ellie Williams and 17.68 average. Other winners for the West Midlands were Jodie Rowlands and Jacqueline Trott.
The men’s ‘A’ took the final overall score to 24-12 to the home side with their 8-4 win and chalking up those wins were Richard Platt, Dean Simmons-Fullwood, Ryan O’Connor, Rob Thompson, Michael Baker, Ash Khayat, Shaun Carroll and Gavin Baker, opener Richard Platt their top man with a 28.88 average and 4-1 win against Rod Hawkins.
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Black Country began their weekend in the L-Style Division One table placed sixth, thirty-six points short of leaders Suffolk and despite their 21-15 win away to Gwynedd finished the weekend still sixth in the division but forty-two points short of Suffolk who held on to pole position with a 25-11 win at Tyne and Wear.
The ladies ‘B’, after trailing 2-0 earned a 3-3 draw with wins from Doreen Hunt who collected the match award for her 3-2 win against Shereen Downs and 18.05 average, Grace Angel and Lacey Hughes. The men’s ‘B’ took four of the opening six games thanks to Mark Rollinson, Ian Townsend, Mark Jones and Al Smith. The second half saw them go one better by winning five of the six games with man of the match Cayden Smith rounding off the 9-3 win in the final game beating Barry Jones 3-0 with a 30.06 average. Other winners were John Green, Sam Bissell, Ryan Green and Ali Hickinbottom.
It was not a great start to Sunday’s games as the ladies ‘A’ slumped to a 5-1 defeat with Maxine Prosser their sole winner beating Jacky Blanks 3-2 and averaging 15.55.
With a 13-11 lead the men’s ‘A’ could lose 7-5 and Black Country would still have an overall draw for the weekend and those five games were achieved in the first half when Jamie Rollinson kicked off the proceedings with his 4-0 man of the match win over Stuart Butler and 30.83 average. Adding to Rollinson’s win were Martin Price, Tom Bissell, Trev Brennan and Jamie Barrowman. Now a win was definitely on the cards and with further second half wins from Gareth Johnston, Paul Wells and Alex Howells the final score was 8-4 to the away side giving them an overall 21-15 win for the weekend.
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Northfield Conservative Club took their unbeaten run to six games in the Harborne and District League with a convincing 7-2 win in a very high-scoring game over local rivals and fourth in the league Northfield Town. Second placed Copper Fox ‘R’ remain two points behind the leaders after they won 5-4 at Smethwick Cricket Club. After the top two teams comes Copper Fox ‘M’, Northfield Town and Cock Inn all on eight points from their six games, Copper Fox ‘M’ winning 8-1 at home against Lion Bar while Cock Inn had a 6-3 home win over Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club. Biggest win of the week went to Avenue Social who handed their hosts Windsor a 9-0 whitewash.
This week produced a feast of maximum scores, no fewer than ten with M.Perkins (Smethwick Cricket Club) and R.Hosey (Northfield Conservative Club both recording two. There was one each for A.Bomber (Smethwick Cricket Club), J.Hykin (Copper Fox ‘R’), D.Kent (Copper Fox ‘M’), D.McConomy (Lion Bar), T.Garfield (Northfield Conservative Club) and J.Needham ( Northfield Town).
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With eight of the scheduled twenty-six fixtures played in the Kings Norton League only average separates the top two teams, a 7-0 home win over Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club keeps Northfield top of the table with a four legs of average lead over second placed Copper Fox who had a 5-2 win away to Rubery Social Club. Third in the league Thurlestone are only two points behind the leading pair, they had a 6-1 win at Dingle to keep them two points to the good on Bournebrook, Coppice, Rubery Social Club, Stirchley and Cock Inn.
Top individual performances this week were supplied by M.Welsh (Stirchley) and J.Hykin (Copper Fox) who both hit a maximum while A.Busby (Northfield) hit two. Northfield’s N.Steventon had a 160 break.
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With fixtures now running out in the Sheldon and District Winter League Langley Arrows have what appears to be a possible title clinching lead of four points in the premier league over their nearest rivals Sheldon Marlborough Arrows. In the latest round of fixtures Langley Arrows won 5-4 against Langley Flights while Sheldon Marlborough Arrows were 6-3 winners at Sheldon Dukes. Dingle’s John Smyth hit a 180 in his team’s 5-4 win at Highwood.
Currently in division one the top two teams Brian’s Flights and Willclare Sports and Social are both on twenty-two points, however Brian’s Flights have two games in hand. Third placed Trident Spears won 7-2 against Iron Horse Rebels to leave them just two points short of Willclare with a game in hand.
There iis a similar situation at the top of division two with leaders Sheldon Marlborough Ridge and second placed Hornet both on sixteen points with Hornet having played one game more than Ridge.
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In the South West Birmingham Clubs League there were no fewer than seventeen scores of 100 or more in the game between leaders Longbridge United and Quarry Club with T.Shipley recoridng an eight darts game for the former and A.Vaughan having top scores of 140,125,100 plus a 120 break for the latter. The 5-3 result went to Longbridge. Second placed West Heath CEM came from 4-0 down to snatch a 4-4 draw at Bournbrook K.Webb hitting 2×140 and checking out on 100 in a nine darts game to even it up at 4-4 in the final leg.
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Bishop Vesey kept their title hopes on course in division one of the Four Oaks and District League and extended their undefeated run to five games with a 6-3 home win over Old Oscott Arrows. Second placed The Beehive won 5-4 at Beggars Bush to keep within two points of the leaders.
A 6-3 home defeat by Walmley CSC Flights has seen Heartlands lose top spot in division two and drop to third place on six points two short of the top two teams, new leaders leaders Red Lion who won 5-4 at home against Drakes Drum and their victors in second place Walmley CSC Flights.
Pint Pot Flights are going strong in division three taking their unbeaten run to five games with a 7-2 home win over Rosey Mac’s Bar to keep them two points ahead of second placed St Thomas Arrows who were convincing 8-1 winners at St Tom Cats.
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The Stourbridge and District Monday Night League played their singles knockout down to the last sixteen players and booking their place in finals night were C.Plant, A.Nicholls (Five Ways), B.Stevens (Seven Stars), L.Beatrup (Rose and Crown ‘A’), K.Safe, J.Gaskin, S.Johnson, L.Marson (Netherton Conservative Club ‘B’), G.Jones, C.R.Simpson (Raven ‘A’), D.Edwards, S.Blewitt, S.Ainkens (Princess), S.Hall (Old Liberal Club), I.Kelly (Bird in Hand), C.J.Smith (Glascutters).
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It was not a good week for reigning champions of the Netherton Thursday Night League Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’ as despite a 180 from their P.Tonks they lost 6-3 at Bulls Head who are second in the league two points ahead of them but from one extra game. Old Liberal Club top the table their 8-1 win at Plough and Harrow (J.Southall 180) giving them a two points advantage over Bulls Head.
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After the first seven games in the Rowley Monday Night League three teams are on 12 points at the top of the table. Romsley Cricket Club have the superior average after a 6-3 win against Hawthorns ‘B’ with second placed Bell adding a 7-2 win over White Swan to put them one leg of average ahead of Whiteheath Tavern despite an 8-1 home win over Huntingtree.
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Tenth Lock and Dudley Sports ‘A’ are the only two teams in the Silver End Sunday Morning League able to boast a 100% win record after only five games. Tenth Lock have a slender one leg of average lead over Dudley Sports ‘A’ after they won 6-2 at home against High Acres ‘A’ and their rivals won 5-3 at home against Three Crowns ‘A’. Third placed Church Tavern are two points behind the leading duo.
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It was singles knockout week in the Stourbridge and District Wednesday Night League with the league playing the event down to the last sixteen players and lining up on finals night will be Steve Hall 3 C.Slater 1, S.Tipper 0 I.Jones 3, A.Nicholls 3 J.Churchill 2, B.Capewell 3 W.Green 1, C.Snellus 3 T.Russell 0, S.Hillman 3.C.Powell 1, K.James 3 A.Floyd 2, K.Bambrick 3 S.G.Skidmore 1, Quarter Finals:- I.Jones 3 K.Bambrick 1, K.James 3 B.Capewell 0, S.Hillman 3 S.Hall 2, A.Nicholls 2 C.Snellus 3, Semi-Finals:- K.James 4 I.Jones 1, C.Snellus 3 S.Hillman 4, Final:- K.James 5 S.Hillman 1, Spring Meadow Social had a bye.
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A 6-1 home win over Waggon and Horses takes Vine ‘A’ to an undefeated five games in the Hilltop Friendly Tuesday Night League and gives them a two points buffer over Allen’s Bar, Ivy Bush and Tamebridge, Allen’s Bar beating formerly placed second in the league Cottage Spring 5-2, Ivy Bush winning 6-1 at home against Horseley Tavern ‘B’ and Tamebridge having a closer 4-3 win at Horse and Jockey.
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With Pensnett Liberal Club already proclaimed champions of the Black Country Men’s Super League there was just one rearranged fixture played this week which saw Ashwood win 3-2 at home against Allen’s Bar ‘B’.
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Nick Fullwell has taken his points tally to 155 from 29 games in the Amblecote RBL Premier League after adding 7-0 wins over Jon Underhill and Nick Wyer. Being as Dan Nicholls didn’t play this week he drops to third in the table on 141 points from 25 games and is replaced in the number two spot by Reece Colley who won 7-0 against Josh Hodgkins and 5-2 against Shane Passey to give him a total of 145 points from 26 games.
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Surprisingly Wayne Jones, leader of division one in the Gilbert’s bar Monday Night Singles League was held to a 4-4 draw by Steve Lynch was is currently eleventh in the division, however Jones still has an eight points cushion over second place Ian Stanton who won his game against Jamie Webb 6-2.
In division two Alan Melling won 5-3 against Robert Harris to keep him four points ahead of second placed Allan Davies who won by the same 5-3 margin against Keith Hollowood.
Although he didn’t play this week Dave Thackeray continues to lead division three with 81 points, he not only has a three points lead over his nearest rival Thomas Hollowood but also has a game in hand. Hollowood had a 6-2 win over Lauren Kempson.
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I received sad news this week of the passing of Scottish International Steve Parkes. Steve was a member of my Mitchells and Butlers Highgate Best (later Tennents Lager) exhibition team and we also played together in doubles knockouts. Steve was a member of the successful Tipton Super League team, winning numerous competitions on the way to his Scottish selection.
Steve Parkes a true gentleman on and off the board who will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
I offer my sincere condolences to Steve’s family.
Rest in Peace my dear friend, many thanks for all the great times and happy hours we spent on the dartboard together.
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