Darts News – A West Midlands Round Up
The Warwickshire Darts Organisation staged their annual Invitational Darts Classic at their county headquarters Hen Lane and District Social Club. 6 Beacon Road, Coventry, CV6 4DS. The event was made up of Internationals and county players plus up and coming stars of the future. The man to make his mark on the day was Hertfordshire’s Thomas Banks who throughout the competition hit an amazing twenty-three maximums and in the early group stages recorded a fantastic perfect nine dart s game against Warwickshire’s Noel Grant with an outstanding average of 130. Despite his superb efforts Banks made his exit in the semi-finals after taking out top Warwickshire players Nigel Heydon and Chris Wickenden before losing out in the last four to another Warwickshire County player Steve Hine who beat him 6-5.In the other semi-final Essex man Keegan Brown won 6-0 against Clwyd’s Adam Paxton.
The final outcome was not decided until the twelfth leg as Keegan Brown chalked up the all-important seventh winning leg to beat Steve Hine 7-5 and collect the winners £1400 with Hine receiving £700. Losing semi-finalists Thomas Banks and Adam Paxton each collected £350 with losing quarter-finalists Ryan O’Connor, Joe Croft, Chris Wickenden and George Killington picking up £250. Going out in the last sixteen and earning themselves £150 were Steve Heggerty, Dave Hill, Wayne Mynard, Charlie Symons, Thomas Garfield, Mark Martin, Nigel Heydon and Nick Fullwell.
Warwickshire Invitational Right Keegan Brown (Winner) with Neil Pritchard
Left Steve Hine (Runner-Up) with Neil Pritchard
Right Thomas Banks (Losing Semi-Finalist) with Neil Pritchard
Right Adam Paxton (Losing Semi-Finalist) with Neil Pritchard
Full Results:Last Sixteen:- Keegan Brown 6 Steve Heggerty 2, Ryan O’Connor 6 Dave Hill 3, Joe Croft 6 Wayne Mynard 5, Adam Paxton 6 Charlie Symons 4, Steve Hine 6 Thomas Garfield 3, Chris Wickenden 6 Mark Martin 5, Thomas Banks 6 Nigel Heydon 2, George Killington 6 Nick Fullwell 2, Quarter-Finals:- Keegan Brown 6 Ryan O’Connor 3, Adam Paxton 6 Joe Croft 4, Steve Hine 6 Chris Wickendedn 3, Thomas Banks 6 George Killington 2, Semi-Finals:- Keegan Brown 6 Adam Paxton 0, Steve Hine 6 Thomas Banks 5, Final:- Keegan Brown 7 Steve Hine 5.
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The Four Oaks and District League played off the finals of their Brian Goodman and Ken Rust Cups and in the former, division one champions The Beehive won 6-3 against Pint Pot Flights who won the division three title.
The Ken Rust Cup final was an all division two affair which produced a 7-2 win for Red Lion who ended their season third in the division, runners-up were Charley’s Flights who finished bottom of the division two table.
The Four Oaks and District League was established in 1945 and has played every year since It is one of the oldest leagues in the West Midlands, while the Sutton and District Darts League was established shortly afterwards. The two leagues which have been run as a summer league for the Four Oaks and winter league for Sutton are now merging into one league and it is provisionally being called the Sutton and Four Oaks and District Darts League.
Full Results:Brian Goodman Cup:Final:- Pint Pot Flights 3 (Pete Smith 108b,100, Andy Clarke 100, Neil Napier 126, Ervin Stambollin 132, Martin Phillips 100, Joe Taroni 108b) The Beehive 6 (Dave Mortiboys 140, Ben Lobbett 108b, Neil Clarke 140, Martin Partridge 140,101,100, Keith Deeley 140,108b, Dean Grainger 2×100,120, Jason Prince 2×100), Ken Rust Cup:Final:- Charley’s Flights 2 (Kevin Hewings 140, Ray Franks 100b, John Burdett 100, Dean Bond 100) Red Lion 7 (G.Oldfield 100,102b, R.Lowe 100,121, T.Vickers 100, D.Vickers 104,105).
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The top two teams in group one of the Sheldon and District Summer League squared up to each other in week four, the 5-3 result going to the away team Langley Arrows which saw them replace their hosts Raven Arrows in pole position with an unbeaten eight points, two more than their opponents who drop one place to second on the same six points as third in the group Highwood whose 7-1 win at Brian’s Flights leaves them three legs of average behind Raven Arrows.
No change in the top two places in group two with Trident Spears adding a 7-1 home win over EBAHA to their account to take them to six points with a small two legs of average lead over second placed Banbury Club who also had a home tie and won it 5-3 against Yardley Ex Colts who drop to fourth place on four points one short of Kingshurst Labour Club who replace them in the number three spot after winning 6-2 at Hornet who are bottom of the group.
Leaders of group three Old Salts Darts were held to a 4-4 draw playing away against Langley Flights who are fourth in the group with three points, the same number as third placed Smithswood Social Club who won 7-1 away to Shirley Misfits. Old Salts Darts are on six points and so have their nearest rivals Sheldon Marlborough Ridge after they won 5-3 at Maggies leaving them just two legs of average behind the leaders.
The top two teams in group four have swapped places, former leaders Raven losing 5-3 at Lyndon Old Boys to see them drop to second place, two points short of Moseley Rugby Club who moved up to the top of the table after winning 5-3 away to Langley Stems, however Raven have only played three fixtures and their game in hand on Moseley could see them return to the number one spot.
Full Results:Week 4:Group One:- Brian’s Flights 1 Highwood 7, Raven Arrows 3 Langley Arrows 5, RAFA 5 Mackadown Sports and Social Club 3, Group Two:- Trident Spears 7 EBAHA 1, Banbury Club 5 Yardley Ex Colts 3, Hornet 2 Kingshurst Labour Club 6, Group Three:- Langley Flights 4 Old Salts Darts 4, Shirley Misfits 1 Smithswood Social Club 7, Maggies 3 Sheldon Marlborough Ridge 5, Group Four:- Langley Stems 3 Moseley Rugby Club 5, Sheldon Marlborough Flights 5 Trident Flights 3, Lyndon Old Boys 5 Raven 3.
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The South West Birmingham Clubs Summer League have got their new season underway with two divisions, six teams in division one and five in division two. Kicking the season off in the best possible way in division one is Northfield Conservative Club who top the table after handing their hosts Perfection a 7-0 whitewash. Stirchley United are close behind the early leaders after they won 5-2 at home against Quarry Club and third in the division Bournbrook are only one more leg behind after they won 4-3 at Northfield Darts.
Two teams, Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club and Northfield Conservative Club ‘A’ share the number one spot in division two after they both won 5-2 against respective opponents E57 and Bartley Green FC with Gary Corbett notching a maximum for the Conservative Club.
Full Results:Game 1:Division One:- Northfield Darts 3 Bournbrook 4, Perfection 0 Northfield Conservative Club ‘B’ 7, Stirchley United 5 Quarry Club 2, Division Two:- Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club 5 E57 2, Northfield Conservative Club ‘A’ 5 (Gary Corbett 180) Bartley Green FC 2, Moseley All Services Club had a bye.
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Played twelve won twelve, that’s the record for Wakefield Warriors in the Camp Hill League after they added their latest 4-3 victory over third in the league Tyseley Bears to their account. With a perfect twenty-four points Wakefield have a four points advantage over second in the league Cotterills Lane EBAHA Club who had a convincing 7-0 home win over bottom of the league Roost.
On the individual scene James Hinkley (Wakefield Warriors) hit a 180 and recorded a nine darts game while Cotterills man Neil Parsonage had a 152 break.
Full Results:Game 12:- Wakefield Warriors 4 (James Hinkley 180,9 darts game) Tyseley Bears 3, Moseley Arms 6 Sedgemere Devil’s 1, Cotterills Lane EBAHA Club 7 (Neil Parsonage 152b) Roost 0, Clumsy Swan v Erdington Nomads was postponed.
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On the fixture card for the Netherton Thursday Night League was the finals of their doubles knockout which was held at the Bulls Head. Both semi-finals were won 2-0 with the winners being Jeff Batham and Nick Fullwell and Tommy Johnson and Mark Jones who in turn took out Abdul Galeb and Vance Handley and George Peters and Will Peters. The fnal was a closer run affair with Jeff Batham and Nick Fullwell just getting the 3-2 edge on Tommy Johnson and Mark Jones.
With the current season almost at its conclusion the league are once again looking for new or existing teams to join them for the new season.
If anyone is interested in entering a team in the league then please don’t hesitate to contact either Carl on 07898-299992 or Ron on 07970-694450.
Full Results:Doubles Knockout:Quarter-Finals:- Paul Hadley & Sam Thompson 0 Abdul Galeb & Vance Handley 2, Kevin Barnfield & Simon Purcell 1 George Peters & Will Peters 2, Chris Moreton & Dave Edwards 1 Jeff Batham & Nick Fullwell 2, Stuart Gough & Jess Archer 1 Tommy Johnson & Mark Jones 2, Semi-Finals:- Abdul Galeb & Vance Handley 0 Jeff Batham & Nick Fullwell 2, Tommy Johnson & Mark Jones 2 George Peters & Will Peters 0, Final:- Jeff Batham & Nick Fullwell 3 Tommy Johnson & Mark Jones 2.
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A 6-2 home win over bottom of the league Raven keeps Dudley Sports ‘A’ top of the Silver End Sunday Morning League with a total of forty-nine points, five more than their nearest rivals Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club who handed their visitors, New Talbot ‘B’ an 8-0 whitewash. Old Star’s 7-1 home win over High Acres ‘B’ keeps them in third place on forty-two points but Mount Pleasant, the only losers in the top ten teams this week, lost their number four spot and drop to sixth after going down 5-3 at Church Tavern who move up one place in the table to fourth with thirty-five points.
Full Results:Game 19:- New Talbot ‘A’ 8 Old Cat Inn 0 (walkover), High Acres ‘A’ 4 Old Liberal Club 4, High Acres ‘C’ 4 Brier Rose 4, Tenth Lock 6 Dudley Sports ‘B’ 2, Dudley Sports ‘A’ 6 Raven 2, Church Tavern 5 Mount Pleasant 3, Old Star 7 High Acres ‘B’ 1, Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club 8 New Talbot ‘B’ 0, Brickmakers Arms 5 Pensnett Liberal Club 3, Rose and Crown had a bye.
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No change in the top four places in the Stourbridge and District Wednesday Night League with leaders Five Ways ‘A’ adding a 7-0 win at Brickmakers Arms to their tally to give them an unbeaten total of eighteen points from their nine games and a lead of two over second placed Old Liberal Club ‘A’ who had a somewhat close 4-3 win away to Fox Inn (Lye) who are fifth in the league. Bird in Hand ‘E’ are third a further two points off the top of the table after having a bye this week. Five more teams are on the same twelve points as Bird in Hand ‘E’ and they are Plough, Fox Inn (Lye), Mount Pleasant, Hollybush and Wheatsheaf, however Plough, Fox Inn (Lye) and Wheatsheaf have all played ten games, one more than the other teams in the top eight places.
Full Results: Game 10:- Fox Inn (Lye) 3 Old Liberal Club ‘A’ 4, Brickmakers Arms 0 Five Ways ‘A’ 7, Wheatsheaf 6 Netherton Conservative Club 1, Garibaldi 0 Rose and Crown 7, Five Ways ‘B’ 4 Stourbridge FC 3, Plough 3 Hollybush 4, Old Liberal Club ‘B’ 3 White Horse 4, Mount Pleasant 2 Beech Tree Miners 5, Bird in Hand ‘E’ had a bye.
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Twenty-four teams did battle at four venues in the Hilltop Friendly Tuesday Night League to work down to the last four in the 5 A-Side Knockout. Teams qualifying for the semi-finals play-off on finals night were Tamebridge and Allen’s Bar plus two teams from the Three Horseshoes.
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It was cup week in the Rowley Monday Night League first the Bill Bishop Cup in which league leaders Bell suffered a shock as they made their exit after losing 5-4 away to Tividale FC who are five places and twelve points behind them in the league. The remainder of the results went pretty much to league form as Whiteheath Tavern lost 5-4 at home to Plough and Harrow, Snooks lost their home tie with Hawthorns 6-3 and Gate Hangs Well who again played at home went down 6-3 to Romsley Cricket Club.
There were no real surprises in the Challenge Cup as Hawthorns ‘B’ and Loyal Lodge in turn lost 5-4 to White Swan and Tividale Sports with R.Popescu hitting a maximum for Loyal Lodge. Huntingtree lost 6-0 to Rowley Labour Club and Rowley Bar and Grill were awarded a 9-0 walkover against Spring Meadow.
Full Results:Bill Bishop Cup:- Whiteheath Tavern 4 Plough and Harrow 5, Tividale FC 5 Bell 4, Snooks 3 Hawthorns 6, Gate Hangs Well 3 Romsley Cricket Club 6, Challenge Cup:- Hawthorns ‘B’ 4 White Swan 5, Tividale Sports 5 Loyal Lodge 4 (R.Popescu 180), Huntingtree 0 Rowley Labour Club 6, Rowley Bar and Grill 9 Spring Meadow 0 (walkover).
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It’s as you were for the top eight teams in the Stourbridge and District Monday Night League with leaders Old Liberal Club making it twenty-five straight wins when they added their latest 4-3 win playing away against fourth in the league Five Ways to their account. With a perfect score of fifty points the leaders are two to the good on second placed Princess who were 5-2 winners at Glasscutters ‘A’. Third in the league Gate Hangs Well ‘B’ had a 6-1 home win over Mount Pleasant and although level on 42 points with Princess they have a game in hand on both them and leader Old Liberal Club.
On the individual scene there were maximums for S.Aitkens (Princess), plus I.Bradley and K.Safe from Netherton Conservative Club ‘B’. There were 160 breaks for A.Nicholls (Five Ways) and D.Simmer (Crestwood).
Full Results:Game 26:- Gate Hangs Well ‘B’ 6 Mount Pleasant 1, Five Ways 3 (A.Nicholls 160b) Old Liberal Club 4, Crestwood 5 (D.Simmer 160b) Raven ‘A’ 2, Netherton Conservative Club ‘A’ 4 Gate Hangs Well ‘A’ 3, Glasscutters ‘A’ 2 Princess 5 (S.Aitkens 180), Fox Inn (Lye) 4 Rose and Crown ‘A’ 2, Queens Head 0 Netherton Conservative Club ‘B’ 7 (I.Bradley 180, K.Safe 180), Rose and Crown ‘B’ 3 Glasscutters ‘B’ 4, Bird in Hand 4 Seven Stars 3, Raven ‘B’ had a bye.
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Allen’s Bar took their winning run to six games in the Black Country Men’s Super League when they won 5-0 at home against Northfield Darts Club. The win puts Allen’s two points ahead of second place Townsend ‘A’ who beat Quarry Bank Liberal Club ‘B’ 4-1, the losers dropping one place to fourth behind Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club who take over third place following g their 3-2 home win over Pensnett Liberal Club ‘B’.
Full Results:Game 6:- Allen’s Bar ‘B’ 3 Halesowen Cricket Club 2, Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club 3 Pensnett Liberal Club ‘B’ 2, New Inn 4 Townsend Social 1, Allen’s Bar 5 Northfield Darts Club 0, Townsend ‘A’ 4 Quarry Bank Liberal Club ‘B’ 1, Pensnett Liberal Club ‘A’ 3 Quarry Bank Liberal Club 2.
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Kings Head ‘A’ made it sixteen wins in seventeen games in the West Midlands Men’s Super League when they won 4-1 at home against Cottage Spring. Dog and Partridge are second and only one point behind the leaders after they won 5-0 in their home tie with Chase Social. Third in the league Gilbert’s Bar ‘B’ also won 5-0 against Wednesbury British Legion but they are a further four points adrift on sixty points.
Full Results:Game 17:- Shepwell Green 5 Gilbert’s Bar ‘A’ 0, Kings Head ‘A’ 4 Cottage Spring 1, Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club 4 Junction ‘A’ 1, Dog and Partridge 5 Chase Social 0, Three Crowns 3 Junction ‘B’ 2, Gilbert’s Bar ‘B’ 5 Wednesbury British Legion 0, Kings Head ‘B’ 3 Landywood 2, Staffordshire Knot 5 Corpus Christi 0.
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Nick Fullwell played and won two fixtures in the Amblecote RBL Premier League this week as he won 5-2 against Jake Shipley and 6-1 against Carl Hipkiss, the two wins take his points to 250 from 48 games and leave him second in the league just one point behind leader Dan Nicholls who now has two games in hand on Fullwell.
Full Results:Week 29:- Reece Colley 7 Josh Hodgkins 0, Dave Simpson 6 Martyn Harper 1, Neil Murphy 6 Matt Davies 1, Jake Robinson 5 Carl Hipkiss 2, Tom Bissell 4 Reece Colley 3, Rob Pierce 4 Aaron Colley 3, Dave Simpson 4 Craig Lowin 3, Martyn Harper 7 Matt Halliday 0, Ian Townsend 5 Andy Vellender 2, Nick Fullwell 5 Jake Shipley 2, Gavin Smith 5 Cayden Smith 2, Tom Bissell 7 Mitch Pickett 0, Tom Bissell 6 Howard Pritchard 1, Aaron Colley 6 Josh Hodgkins 1, Reece Colley 5 Jake Shipley 2, Neil Murphy 6 Craig Lowin 1, Ian Townsend 7 Mitch Pickett 0, Gavin Smith 5 Matt Davies 2, Josh Hodgkins 4 Jon Underhill 3, Andy Vellender 4 Reece Colley 3, Jake Robinson 6 Howard Pritchard 1, Nick Fullwell 6 Carl Hipkiss 1, Cayden Smith 7 Matt Halliday 0, Dave Simpson 4 Rob Pierce 3, Reece Colley 4 Aaron Colley 3.
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Hotshots are the only undefeated team in the singles league of the Wolverhampton Tuesday Night League, their latest fixture seeing them win 4-3 at Golden Lion to keep them two points ahead of second and third placed Junction ‘B’ and Gilbert’s Bar ‘A’. Junction ‘B’ lost for the first time in ten games when they surprisingly lost 4-3 at home to Corpus Christi ‘B’ who are just three places off the foot of the table while Gilbert’s Bar ‘A’ had a 5-2 win away to Woodfield.
In the doubles league Junction ‘B’ lead the way making it ten straight wins when they won 3-0 against Corpus Christi ‘B’ to give them a two points advantage over second placed Hotshots who had a closer 2-1 win at Golden Lion.
Full Results:Game 10:Singles Division:- Corpus Christi ‘A’ 5 Harrowby Arms 2, Dog and Partridge 3 New Gate Inn ‘B’ 4, Gilbert’s Bar ‘B’ 5 Ring of Bells 2, Golden Lion 3 Hotshots 4, Junction ‘A’ 4 Junction ‘C’ 3, Junction ‘B’ 3 Corpus Christi ‘B’ 4, New Gate Inn ‘A’ 7 Milestone 0, Three Crowns 1 Wednesfield Legion 6, Woodfield 2 Gilbert’s Bar ‘A’ 5, Doubles Division:- Corpus Christi ‘A’ 3 Harrowby Arms 0, Dog and Partridge 1 New Gate Inn ‘B’ 2, Gilbert’s Bar ‘B’ 1 Ring of Bells 2, Golden Lion 1 Hotshots 2, Junction ‘A’ 2 Junction ‘C’ 1, Junction ‘B’ 3 Corpus Christi ‘B’ 0, New Gate Inn ‘A’ 3 Milestone 0, Three Crowns 1 Wednesfield Legion 2, Woodfield 0 Gilbert’s Bar ‘A’ 3.
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