Darts News – A West Midlands Round Up
The Sheldon and District Summer League played off the preliminary round of their League Cup in which there were five maximums scored, two of them coming in the fixture between Langley Arrows, who are second in group one and Trident Flights, who are bottom of group four. The result was a 7-0 win for Langley Flights with their Bobby Nixon scoring a maximum and Connor Cupkovic emulating that for Trident Flights. Another group one side to hand out a 7-0 whitewash was Highwood who accounted for group two outfit EBAHA. The only other group one team to play in the round was Brian’s Flights who had a close 4-3 success away to Hornet who are bottom of group two. Banbury Club (group two) with a 180 and 13 darts game from their Gary Fleetwood won 5-2 at Shirley Misfits (group three), Steve Wells checking out in fourteen darts for Misfits. Despite a maximum from Chris Darby and a twelve darts leg from Adam Sanders their team, Yardley Ex Colts lost 4-3 to fellow group two opponents Trident Spears who top the group. Kingshurst Labour Club (group two) won 4-3 at Lyndon Old Boys who are in group four. Old Salts Darts top group three and they moved into the next round with a 4-3 win over fellow group three side Smithswood Social Club whose Kevin Lapper hit a maximum and Tom Franklin had a 137 game shot. The only other game played produced something of a shock result. It was an all group four affair which saw the group leaders Raven go down 4-3 at home to Langley Stems who are third in the group.
Full Results:League Cup:Preliminary Round:- Old Salts Darts 4 Smithswood Social Club 3 (Kevin Lapper 180, Tom Franklin 137f), Shirley Misfits 2 (Steve Wells 14 darts game) The Banbury Club 5 (Gary Fleetwood 180,13 darts game), Langley Arrows 7 (Bobby Nixon 180) Trident Flights 0 (Connor Cupkovic 180), Highwood 7 EBAHA 0, The Raven 3 Langley Stems 4, Lyndon Old Boys 3 Kingshurst Labour Club 4, Hornet 3 Brian’s Flights 4, Yardley Ex Colts 3 (Chris Darby 180, Adam Sanders 12 darts game) Trident Spears 4.
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Although there was no result for Copper Fox this week in the Kings Norton League they remain in pole position with thirty-two points from eighteen games and have a two points lead plus two games in hand on their nearest rivals Thurlestone and Bournebrook who have both played twenty games and are on thirty points. The latest fixtures saw Bournebrook play hosts to Thurlestone and draw level on points with them as they won 4-3, they now only trail their opponents by one leg of average. Third placed Northfield had a 6-1 win at Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club to put them on twenty-eight points, just two short of Thurlstone and Bournebrook but with two games in hand.
There was just the one maximum to report for the league this week and that was from Coppice player S.Jacques as his team lost 4-3 at home to Kings Norton Flights.
Full Results:Game 20:- Coppice 3 (R.Packer 100, B.Heath 114,116b, A.Chidley 2×100, S.Jacques 156,180) Kings Norton Flights 4 (A.Fenton 109,140, A.Reynolds 100, R.Foxhall 100, M.Fisher 100), Dingle 5 (O.Fallon 101, K.Tummey 100, N.Edwards 100) Longbridge 2 (R.Broadhurst 121,171, J.Taylor 131, J.Wood 2×100, M.Malone 100), Kingts Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club 1 (D.Witcombe 100,101, S.Corbett 100) Northfield 6 (M.Lloyd 123,14 darts game, R.Hitchmough 100b, N.Steventon 140, J.Evetts 140,13 darts game), Bournebrook 4 (D.Collins 109b,140, K.Mason 100,100b, T.Jeffs 100, M.Bathurst 100b,104, R.Chambers 103, K.Webb 140) Thurlestone 3 (T.Garfield 100,100b,137, N.Harris 100,100f, J.Downer 140, N.Watts 100,100b, R.Waldron 100,140, R.Docker 100), Cock Inn 4 (N.Hurst 100, R.Allcott 100b,120f) Stirchley 3 (L.Rooney 114,125, S.Lilley 119, L.Little 120b), Bourneville 4 (M.Collins 100, G.Carver 106b, A.Deeley 140, P.Smith 140, P.Garvey 100, A.Bailles 118, A.Bailles 105f) Perfection 3 (N.Smith 100,102, P.Taylor 100,125, S.Hale 123, M.Davies 135).
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Northfield Conservative Club march on in the Harborne and District League making it sixteen straight wins when they won their home tie with third in the league Northfield Town 7-2 to keep them six points to the good on their opponents and four ahead of second placed Copper Fox ‘R’ who had a close 5-4 win away to fourth in the table Smethwick Cricket Club who are now on twenty-two points, ten fewer than leaders Northfield Conservative Club.
It was a very high scoring week in the league with no less than nine players finding the three treble twenties. Topping the 180’s chart this week was Smethwick Cricket Club man M.Perkins who hit two maximums, his team mate A.Bomber hitting one. Other players to record the top score were J.Hykin (Copper Fox ‘R’), D.Kent (Copper Fox ‘M’), D.McConomy (Lion Bar), R.Hosey and T.Garfield (Northfield Conservative Club) plus J.Needham (Northfield Town).
Full Results:Game 16:- Smethwick Cricket Club 4 (F.Johnson 100, A.Bomber 2×100,138,140,180,14 darts game, M.Collins 100, P.Brookes 3×100, V.Gould 100,140, M.Perkins 4×100, M.Smith 100,131, M.Perkins 2×180, A.Johnson 2×100,125) Copper Fox ‘R’ 5 (E.Simpson 122,140, J.Hykin 100,104,121,2×125,140,180, A.Hykin 2×100,134,2×140, T.Hamilton 121,125,138, N.Porter 2×100,140, R.Mann 2×100,140, T.Hykin 140, J.Good 100), Copper Fox ‘M’ 8 (K.Jukes 2×100, D.Kent 100,180, J.Downer 100,140, G.Dews 2×100,100f, K.Bedder 2×100,2×140, M.Davies 2×100, J.Loughran 100) Lion Bar 1 (D.Windsor 100, D.McConomy 2×100,140,180), Cock Inn 6 (N.Hurst 2×100,140, L.Fox 2×100,120, Joe Fox 115,135, A.Vaughan 140, S.Denton 3×100,116, R.Allcott 100,128) Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club 3 (A.Reynolds 140, N.Reynolds 100, A.Fenton 3×100), Northfield Conservative Club 7 (R.Hosey 2×100,140,2×180, T.Garfield 100,134,2×140,180,102f, D.Hill 3×100,135,140, M.Lloyd 123,140, T.Shipley 100, S.Cartwright 100,125,140, W.Marshall 100,115) Northfield Town 2 (L.Allen 100,125,134, L.Fowler 100,118,118f,136,15 darts game, N.Steventon 2×100,140, A.Faulkner 2×140, R.Needham 100,123, J.Evetts 100,120, J.Needham 100,2×134,180, N.Proctor 100), Windsor 0 (S.Hopkins 101) Avenue Social 9 (A.Girling 125, M.Gilliland 100,110, E.Spencer 140, V.Gilliland 100,125, J.Taylor 100, S.Gilliland 100,119f, C.Morgan 100, P.Gilliland 112), The Mill 6 (D.Davy 100,120, A.Beagrie 100,125,135,140,18 darts game, T.Goulding 140, J.Goulding 2×100,120) Weoley Castle WMC 3 (S.Joyce 100,121, M.Warr 2×100,140, A.Heath 120, M.Bolton 3×100,140, D.Cornwell 100,101).
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The Beehive made it a fantastic double when after winning the division one title in the Four Oaks and District League they added the Coronation Shield title when in the final they won 11-4 against fellow division one side Old Horns Lions. For the winners Zac Prince hit a maximum while his father Jason Prince had a 148 checkout. Barrie Linnecor chalked up a maximum for Old Horns Lions.
The final of the Norman Day Cup was an all division two affair with divisional champions Heartlands winning 12-3 against The Rise Club who finished the season placed fourth, four points short of their final opponents.
Full Results:Coronation Shield:Final:- Old Horns Lions 4 (Barrie Linnecor 180) The Beehive 11 (Jason Prince 148f, Zac Prince 180), Norman Day Cup:Final:- The Rise Club 3 Heartlands 12).
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With two thirds of the fixtures completed in the Stourbridge and District Monday Night League leaders Old Liberal Club made it twenty-four wins in twenty-four games when they handed their visitors Raven ‘B’ a 7-0 whitewash. In top form for Old Liberal Club was J.Batham who not only recorded two maximums but also a superb 154 finish. Second placed Princess had two players finding the three treble twenties S.Blewitt and S.Aitkens in their 6-1 home win over sixth in the league Netherton Conservative Club ‘A’, the win still leaving Princess eight points behind the leaders as are third placed Gate Hangs Well ‘B’ who had a bye this week and now have a game in hand on the two teams above them.
In the Shadow League the three top teams are all on six points, Rose and Crown ‘A’ leading the trio on average with Mount Pleasant second and Gate Hangs Well ‘A’ third.
Full Results:Game 25:- Mount Pleasant 5 Queens Head 2, Old Liberal Club 7 (J.Batham 2×180,154f) Raven ‘B’ 0, Raven ‘A’ 0 Five Ways 7, Gate Hangs Well ‘A’ 5 Cresteood 2, Princess 6 (S.Blewitt 180, S.Aitkens 180) Netherton Conservative Club ‘A’ 1, Rose and Crown ‘A’ 4 Glasscutters ‘A’ 3, Fox Inn (Lye) 1 Bird in Hand 6, Netherton Conservative Club ‘B’ 6 Rose and Crown ‘B’ 1, Glasscutters ‘B’ 1 Seven Stars 6, Gate Hangs Well ‘B’ had a bye.
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The Netherton Thursday Night League is up to game twenty-four and the results from those game had no effect on the top four places as leaders Old Liberal Club with a maximum from Dave Edwards, handed their hosts Olde Queens Head a 9-0 whitewash to keep them six points ahead with a game in hand on second in the league Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’ who suffered a setback to their title aspirations as they went down 5-4 away to Plough and Harrow who are still some fifteen points and three places behind them with a game in hand. Third in the table Bulls Head won 7-2 at home against Hare and Hounds, Grant Jackson notching a maximum for the winners. Making up the top four is Townsend Social Club who also had their player Abdul Galeb hit a 180 in their 7-2 home win over Old Glasshouse to leave them fifteen points off the top of the table and from having played one game more than Old Liberal Club.
Just the one more top shot of 180 this week and that came from Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘B’ player Harry Williams in his team’s 6-3 win over Netherton Sports and Social Club.
Full Results:Game 24:- Spring Meadow Social 2 Spring Meadow Pub 7 (Dan Ferney 116f), Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘B’ 6 (Harry Williams 180) Netherton Sports and Social Club 3, Plough and Harrow 5 Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’ 4, Townsend Social Club 7 (Abdul Galeb 180) Old Glasshouse 2, Bulls Head 7 (Grant Jackson 180) Hare and Hounds 2, Olde Queens Head 0 Old Liberal Club 9 (Dave Edwards 180) Hill and Cakemore Ex Serviceman’s Club had a bye.
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A 5-2 home win over Tamebridge has seen Vine ‘’A’ hold on to the number one spot in the Hilltop Friendly Tuesday Night League but their visitors defeat saw them drop one place to third on the same twenty-six points as Allen’s Bar who have replaced them in second place. Both Allen’s and Tamebridge are six points behind Vine ‘A’, Allen’s ahead of Tamebridge on average after adding their latest resounding 7-0 home win over Sow and Pigs to their account.
Full Results:Game 17:- Vine ‘A’ 5 Tamebridge 2 , King Arthur 3 Waggon and Horses 4, Allen’s Bar 7 Sow and Pigs 0, Three Horseshoes 5 Cottage Spring 2, Ivy Bush 2 Albion 5, Horseley Tavern ‘B’ 3 Vine ‘B’ 4, Horse and Jockey 2 Horseley Tavern ‘A’ 5.
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As a result of a 5-3 win at Mount Pleasant by Dudley Sports ‘A’ and the fact that Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club were held to a 4-4 draw, Dudley Sports ‘A’ have extended their lead at the top of the Silver End Sunday Morning League table to five points. The draw by Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club was something unexpected as they were playing away against next to bottom of the table Pensnett Liberal Club, bottom of the table Raven also pulling one out of the hat as they also had a 4-4 draw playing at home against sixth in the league Tenth Lock. Third in the league Old Star’s 6-2 win at New Talbot ‘B’ has now put them within two points of Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club and seven ahead of fourth placed Mount Pleasant after their defeat.
Full Results:Game 18:- Pensnett Liberal Club 4 Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club 4, New Talbot ‘B’ 2 Old Star 6, High Acres ‘B’ 2 Church Tavern 6, Mount Pleasant 3 Dudley Sports ‘A’ 5, Raven 4 Tenth Lock 4, Dudley Sports ‘B’ 5 High Acres ‘C’ 3, Brier Rose 1 High Acres ‘A’ 7, Old Liberal Club 6 New Talbot ‘A’ 2, Old Cat Inn 2 Rose and Crown 6, Brickmakers Arms had a bye.
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After completing the opening nineteen fixtures in the Rowley Monday Night League just two points separate the top two teams. Reigning champions Bell lead the field once again with thirty-six points, their latest fixture seeing them win 6-3 at home against Rowley Labour Club with Bell’s S.Price recording two 152 breaks. Plough and Harrow are currently second, they added a 7-2 win at Hawthorns ‘B’ to their tally, their thirty-four points four more than third placed Hawthorns who won 8-1 at Huntingtree.
Individual performance worthy of note this week are T.Price and G.Edwards (Romsley Cricket Club) who both hit a maximum, I.Grigg and R.Grigg (White Swan) who also both found the three treble twenties and Tividale FC player M.Smart who was another player to hit the top score.
Full Results:Game 18:- Spring Meadow 5 Huntingtree 4, Romsley Cricket Club 6 Rowley Bar and Grill 3, White Swan 5 Loyal Lodge 4, Tividale FC 4 Whiteheath Tavern 5, Plough and Harrow 6 Snooks 3, Rowley Labour Club 8 Hawthorns ‘B’ 1, Gate Hangs Well 4 Bell 5, Hawthorns 6 Tividale Sports 3, Game 19:- Loyal Lodge 4 Romsley Cricket Club 5 (T.Pike 180, G.Edwards 180), Rowley Bar and Grill 4 Spring Meadow 5, Tividale Sports 3 Gate Hangs Well 6 (S.Davis 152b), Bell 6 (S.Price 2x152b) Rowley Labour Club 3, Hawthorns ‘B’ 2 Plough and Harrow 7, Snooks 3 Tividale FC 6 (M.Smart 180) (H.Kainthal 160b,9 darts game), Whiteheath Tavern 5 White Swan 4 (I.Grigg 180, R.Grigg 180), Huntingtree 1 Hawthorns 8.
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On Saturday 3rd August, Stirchley United WMC, Hazelwell Lane, Stirchley, Birmingham, B30 2PR will be staging their Stirchley United Darts Tournament 2024 which will carry a prize pot of up to £1,000 based on sixty-four entrants. Advance registration will cost £10 and on the day £12. Doors will open on the day at 11.00am with registrations being accepted up to 11.45am, for any further information contact either Sam or Matt on 07913-695232 / 0121-438-3383.
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The current new season of the Brierley Hill Monday Night League attracted a super twenty-four teams with twenty-three of them participating in the league. The league has completed the opening nine fixtures and of the twenty-three teams playing only one, Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club is able to boast a 100% win record. With a perfect eighteen points Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club have a four points lead on their nearest rivals, second placed Maverick who in turn have a two points lead on no fewer than seven teams Raven, Bridge, Old Bush, Roebuck ‘A’, Mount Pleasant, Roebuck ‘B’ and Glasshouse ‘A’. Old Bush and Mount Pleasant have played the same nine games as the top two team, all of the other five teams have only played eight games. At the other end of the table Pensnett Liberal Club ‘A’ and Tommy Turners ‘B’ are the only two teams without a win so far.
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Dan Nicholls continues to impress in the Amblecote RBL Premier League adding another three wins to his tally this week as he won 6-1 against Shane Passey, following that up with a somewhat closer 4-3 win against Shane Sheridan and then rounding off his evening with another 6-1 victory, this time with Rob Pierce on the receiving end. The three wins take Nicholls points to 251 from forty-six games and give him a lead of twelve over reigning champion Nick Fullwell who in his latest fixtures won 7-0 against Stephen Cartwright and 4-3 against Michael Harding. Third in the league Gavin Smith is twenty-three points shy of Nicholls and eleven short of Fullwell but he has two games in hand on both players after this week’s 7-0 win over Howard Pritchard and 4-3 success against Dave Simpson.
Full Results:Week 28:- Cayden Smith 6 Neil Murphy 1, Rob Pierce 4 Ryan Green 3, Andy Vellender 5 Steve Gillam 2, Matt Davies 4 Carl Hipkiss 3, Tom Bissell 7 Craig Lowin 0, Gavin Smith 7 Howard Pritchard 0, Neil Murphy 4 Jake Robinson 3, Michael Harding 4 Andy Vellender 3, Sam Page 4 Shane Passey 3, Mitch Pickett 5 Joe Poole 2, Nick Fullwell 7 Stephen Cartwright 0, Ian Townsend 7 Craig Lowin 0, Matt Davies 4 Howard Pritchard 3, Tom Bissell 6 Jon Underhill 1, Sam Page 5 Dave Simpson 2, Ryan Green 4 John Green 3, Rob Pierce 5 Jake Robinson 2, Shane Sheridan 4 Steve Gillam 3, Jake Shipley 7 Stephen Cartwright 0, Dan Nicholls 6 Shane Passey 1, Gavin Smith 4 Dave Simpson 3, Cayden Smith 4 Jake Shipley 3, John Green 5 Carl Hipkiss 2, Nick Fullwell 4 Michael Harding 3, Mitch Pickett 5 Jon Underhill 2, Dan Nicholls 4 Shane Sheridan 3, Ian Townsend 5 Joe Poole 2, Shane Sheridan 4 Neil Murphy 3, Cayden Smith 4 Tom Bissell 3, Dan Nicholls 6 Rob Pierce 1.
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Current leader of the West Midlands Ladies Super League Gemma Barrett suffered a little setback this week as she began her evening with a close 3-2 defeat at the hands of her nearest rival Shellbie Simmons. Despite the defeat Gemma holds on to pole position with forty-nine points from nineteen games while Shellbie then faltered as she lost 3-1 to fifth in the league Tara Simmons-Fullwood. Shellbie’s thirty-eight points is from seventeen games while third placed Jackie Trott is only one point behind her and has four games in hand and fourth placed Jacqueline Maiden, who is also on thirty-seven points has three games in hand on Shellbie Simmons.
Full Results:Week 18:- Shellbie Simmons 3 Gemma Barrett 2, Sarah Barrett 3 Crysta Davies-Wilcox 2, Tara Simmons-Fullwood 3 Sarah Maybury 0, Tara Simmons-Fullwood 3 Shellbie Simmons 1, Sarah Barrett 3 Jacqui Simmons 0, Sarah Maybury 3 Claire Hobbs 2, Crysta Davies-Wilcox 3 Sam Rowley 0.
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Scott Baker kept hit division one title hopes on course this week in the Gilbert’s Bar Monday Night Singles League when he won 6-2 against Clark Cook and 5-3 against Steve Lynch to take his points from twenty-four games to 178 giving him a lead of thirty-one over second in the division Dean Simmons-Fullwood who had a 7-1 win over Jon Blakemore leaving him with three games in hand on Baker.
In division two the top two players Kurt Wright and Allan Davies didn’t play this week, nevertheless Wright holds on to pole position with 161 points from twenty games but Davies drops one place to third with 128 points from the same twenty games. Taking over in second place is Alan Melling who after finishing all-square at 4-4 with Robert Harris then won 6-2 against Michael Franks to take his points from twenty-one games to 140.
Leader of division three is the very impressive Dave Thackeray who made it twenty-one straight wins when he beat Andy Poole 7-1 giving him a total of 194 points from his twenty-one games and a lead of twenty-two plus two games in hand on second in the division Thomas Hollowood who in his latest fixture was held to a 4-4 draw by Gareth Walsh.
Full Results:Game 24:- Andrew Jervis 6 Simon Pritchard 2, Steve Lynch 3 Darren Williams 5, Clark Cook 2 Scott Baker 6, Stewart Pryce 4 Chris Evans 4, Clayton Edge 3 Tony Singh 5, Steve Lynch 3 Scott Baker 5, Dean Simmons-Fullwood 7 Jon Blakemore 1, Game 26:- Artur Lubkowski 4 Malcolm Pugh 4, Jack Rollinson 3 Keith Hollowood 5, Alan Melling 4 Robert Harris 4, Jon Williams 3 Reece Cook Lucas 5, Richard Brown 3 Kevin Bate 5, Michael Franks 2 Alan Melling 6, Jack Rollinson 3 Jon Williams 5, Sandra Beardsmore 4 Jacqui Simmons 4, Warren Bower 8 Eddie Gripton 0, Joe Bartolo 7 Keogh Bate 1, Gareth Walsh 4 Thomas Hollowood 4, Lauren Kempson 4 Alex Bryant 4, Robert Bradley 4 Michele Pritchard 4, Andy Poole 1 Dave Thackeray 7, Dave Akers 5 Claire Hobbs 3, Jenni Seedhouse 3 Keogh Bate 5.
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