Warwickshire began life in the Premier Division of the newly founded UKDA National League with an outstanding performance playing away against the mighty Yorkshire and returning with a memorable 20-16 victory.
Both ladies teams finished with resounding 5-1 wins, the ‘A’ team’s win was supplied by Sue Gulliver, Angela Jones, Natalie Gilbert, Nina Bolt and Tammy Montgomery with Natalie Gilbert their top player with a superb 25.05 average in her straight 3-0 win over Rachel Brooks. For the ‘B’ team there were wins for Melanie Jones, Wendy Adams, Denise Keyte and Chloe McKivett before Marian Conway rounded off the 5-1 result with her lady of the match 3-0 win over Lyn Horne which giving her an award winning average of 18.33.
Saturday was not a good day at all with the men’s ‘B’ side losing out 8-4, Tom Martin taking the match award honours with his 4-1 victory over Paul Toulmin giving him a 27.35 average.
The men’s ‘A’ looked all set for victory as they romped to a huge 6-1 lead, only to see the hosts fight back and earn a 6-6 draw. Top player for the ‘A’ was Jamie Atkins, a 4-2 win over John Walton giving him a 29.41 average.
A promising start to the new season for the Bears, 20-16 away to Yorkshire is no mean feat.
Warwickshire have their next fixture this coming weekend, a home tie at Hen Lane Social Club, 6 Beacon Road, Coventry, CV6 4DS against Essex and lining up for the hosts are Men’s ‘A’:- Tommy Aldridge, Jamie Atkins, Kevin Dowling, Noel Grant, Nigel Heydon, Steve Hine, Jamie Hughes, Prakash Jiwa, Tom Martin, Ian McFarlane, Ian Shaw, Mark Strong, Men’s ‘B’:- Gareth Braham, Mark Carter, Simon Fairbrother, Steve Giddings, Carl Green, Dave Hill, Dave Honey, Wayne Mynard, Karl Reynolds, Martin Tonks, Jack Wareing, Matty Washbrooke, Reserves:- Luke Kennedy, Mark Martin, Tommy McGlone, Dean Stewart, Mark Tomlinson snr, Women’s ‘A’:- Nina Bolt, Natalie Gilbert, Sue Gulliver, Angela Jones, Tammy Montgomery, Donna Pinch, Women’s ‘B’:- Wendy Adams, Marian Conway, Melanie Jones, Denise Keyte, Chloe McKivett, Caroline Pike, Reserves:- Lucy Keyte, Rosie O’Connor.
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Newcomers to the county scene Black Country had an opening home tie against Gloucestershire in Division Three of the UKDA National League and stormed to the top of the table with 22-14 victory.
There were mixed results for the ladies as Saturday’s ‘B’ team lost by a huge 5-1 with Stella Sims their sole winner in the final game, a straight 3-0 success over Sharon Brewer while the ‘A’ team, who were never behind went on to win 3-2.
Both of the men’s teams recorded comfortable 9-3 wins to give an overall score of 22-14 and pole position in their division.
Full Results:Men’s ‘A’:- Trevor Brennon 0 James Hurrel 4, Dan Nicholls 4 Ashley Hurrel 1, Rob Smith 4 Joe Griffiths 2, Paul Wells 4 Dean Thomas 3, Shane Price 4 Josh Lewis 2, Gaz Johnson 4 Andy Reid 0, Owen Maiden 3 Mark Johncock 4, Jamie Barrowman 4 Matthew Kerry 1, Scott Baker 4 Harry Williams 0, Mat Tedstone 2 Mark Blandford 4, Reece Colley 4 Kieron Smith 2, Stephen Jones 4 John Raynsford 0, Men’s ‘B’:- Adam Edgar 3 Paul Lane 1, Matt Coleman 1 Rob Long 3, Liam Kelly 3 Steve Easton 0, Tom Bissell 3 Robert Comben 2, Rich Bowen 3 Ian Beasley 1, Mark Rollinson 3 Keith Lawrence 1, Jamie Rollinson 3 James Atkins 1, James Hykin 3 Sam Brough 1, Martin Price 3 Mark Turley 1, Chris Hickman 1 Mark Wellington 3, Shane Sheridan 3 Andy Hammond 1, Lewis Law 1 Darren Mitchell 3, Women’s ‘A’:- Chez Allcock 3 Wendy Booth 0, Debbie Williams 2 Maria Lock 3, Grace Angell 3 Kirsty Dixon 2, Steph Konya 3 Elaine Powell 0, Kerry Wilkinson 0 Karen Brown 3, Doreen Hunt 0 Carol Smith 3, Women’s ‘B’:- Angie Carroll 1 Sharon McNulty 3, Sarah Tromans 0 Lindsay Hawkins 3, Shannon Hall 1
Cath Brennan 3, Sophie Pinches 1 Tracey Dix 3, Heather Wright 0 Krystal Gibbins 3, Stella Sims 3 Sharon Brewer 0
Black Country will travel away this coming weekend to take on Shropshire and the provisional line up’s are Men’s ‘A’:- Scott Baker, Jamie Barrowman, Rob Smith, Reece Colley, Shane Price, Owen Maiden, Steve Gillam, Gaz Johnston, Dan Nicholls, Trevor Brennan, Paul Wells, Mat Tedstone, Men’s ‘B’:- Matt Coleman, Liam Kelly, Adam Edgar, James Hykin, Jamie Rollinson, Tom Bissell, Mark Rollinson, Chris Hickman, Rich Bowen, Shane Sheridan, Lewis Law, Steve Jones, Reserves:- Martyn Harper, Lee Shaw, Dan Haden, Mike Hampson, Matt Moore, Women’s ‘A’:- Chez Allcock, Steph Konya, Doreen Hunt, Grace Angell, Debbie Williams, Kerry Wilkinson, Women’s ‘B’:- Stella Sims, Sophie Pinches, Shannon Hall, Heather Wright, Sarah Tromans, Angie Carroll, Reserves:- Chelsea Millward, Marie Millward, Natalie Mansell.
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West Midlands opening fixture in the Championship Division of the UKDA National League was an away game against Gwent and one they would really like to forget as they slumped to a huge 27-9 defeat with all four teams losing.
In Saturday’s ‘B’ games the ladies went down 3-2 and the men suffered a massive 11-1 defeat with Adam Johnson their only winner as he beat Ricky Tonkin 4-3.
Sunday’s ‘A’ matches were not much better as the ladies replicated the ladies ‘B’ result losing 3-2, however the men’s ‘A’ did do a little better than their ‘B’ side but nevertheless still lost 8-4.
Full Results:Men’s ‘A’:- Jesse Heal 4 John Morris 2, Nick Kenny 4 Michael Baker 3, Nathan Tredgold 4 Ian Jones 0, Scott Ridler 2 Shaun Carroll 4, David Needs 4 Kevin Bambrick 1, Nathan Perry 4 Gavin Baker 1, Chris Jones 0 Ash Khyat 4, Liam Meek 4 Martin Angell 1, Paul Cossiett 2 Scott Hall 4, Alec Small 4 Glen McGrandle 2, Peter Johns 2 Adam Teasdale 4, Paul Linwood 4 Wayne Willis 0, Men’s ‘B’:- Kyle Macleod 4 Scott Hall 2, Mathew Kay 4 John Brindley 0, David Needs 4 Anthony Powell 0, Liam Meek 4 Colin Wood 0, Ieuan Halsall 4 Luke Griffiths 3, Ricky Tonkin 3 Adam Johnson 4, Craig Lloyd 4 Mike Hampson 3, Stephen Cake 4 Richard Platt 1, Dewi Beynon 4 Ian Stanton 2, Geraint Harbon 4 Paul Price 0, Ray Hardwick 4 Gareth Watts 2, Nick Kenny 4 Jonathan Platt 1, Women’s ‘A’:- Kimberley Lewis-Mitchcott 3 Gemma Barrett 1, Ceri Stephens 1 Kat McLean 3, Tracey Hickey 3 Sarah Maybury 2, Megan Vodden 1 Claire Hobbs 3, Rhian Griffiths 3 Katherine Jenkins 0, Jade Hickey 3 Jacqueline Maiden 1, Women’s ‘B’:- Kaye Paul 0 Kat McLean 3, Tracey Hickey 3 Jacqueline Simmons 1, Shannon Chappell 3 Kelly Doleman 0, Jackie Norman 0 Jacqueline Maiden 3, Ceri Stephens 3 Debbie Davies 0, Rachell Parnell 3 Shellbie Simmons 2.
At Gilbert’s Bar, Willenhall, West Midlands will play hosts to Humberside this coming weekend and lining up for the home teams will be Men’s ‘A’:- Ian Jones, John Morros, Mick Baker, Shaun Carroll, Kevin Bambrick, Gavin Baker, Ash Khayat, Martin Angell, Scott Hall, Adam Teasdale, Wayne Willis, Glen McGrandle, Men’s ‘B’:- Richard Platt, Luke Griffiths, Neil Pointon, Adam Johnson, Mike Hampson, Jon Platt, Darren Williams, Danny Coyle, Paul Price, Ian Stanton, Mark Craddock, John Brindley, Reserves:- Ant Powell, Matty Dicken, Colin Wood, Dave Lukas, Women’s ‘A’:- Kat McLean, Jacqueline Maiden, Claire Hobbs, Kath Jenkins, Gemma Barrett, Sarah Maybury, Women’s ‘B’Shellbie Simmons, Gacqui Simmons, Debbie Davies, Kelly Doleman, Darah Barrett, Crysta Wilcox.
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Allens Bar ‘C’, leaders of the Black Country Men’s Super League had a somewhat surprisingly close 3-2 win away to White Swan who are placed seventh in the table. No such problem for second placed Railway Tavern who handed out a 5-0 whitewash to their hosts Yeltz Bar ‘B’ to put them on 33 points just two short of Allens ‘C’.
Yeltz Bar ‘B’ may have lost 5-0 but their third placed ‘A’ team won 5-0 away to next to bottom of the table Horse and Jockey to give them 32 points.
There was a first win in six for Allens Bar ‘B’ as they returned from High Acres ‘B’ with a 3-2 victory High Acres are still some ten points to the good on their victors and three places above them.
Full Results:Game 6:- High Acres ‘B’ 2 Allens Bar ‘B’ 3 (Adam Edgar 3 Chris Hickman 4, Kevin Harris 4 Chris Glover 1, Ben Watts 3 Tim Baker 4, Lewis Law 2 Sean Bastable 4, Ali Hickinbottom 4 Lee Shaw 3), Yeltz Bar ‘B’ 0 Railway Tavern 5 (Kirk Harrison 1 Liam Kelly 4, Matt Moore 1 Reece Colley 4, Mart Greenwood 1 Mark Rollinson 4, Luke Jones 1 Tommy Bissell 4, Jamie Wrench 1 Jamie Rollinson 4), Rowley Bar and Grill 1 Old Hill Cricket Club 4 (Phil O’Brien 4 Rich Reed 1, Dean Yeomans 3 Tommy Johnson 4, Martin Crumpton 1 Mark Bayliss 4, C.Chandler-Allen 1 Chris Hall 4, Brett Tolley 3 Paul Hadley 4), Allens Bar ‘A’ 3 High Acres ‘A’ 2 (Shane Price 4 Comp Cartwright 0, Nick Fullwell 4 Andy Vellender 2, Alfie Jacques 0 Rich Bowen 4, Gaz Johnston 2 Mark Flatman 4, Scott Hall 4 Chris Fox 2), Horse and Jockey 0 Yeltz Bar ‘A’ 5 (Jason Gennard 1 Paul Wells 4, Ben Hollowood 1 Steve Gilliam 4, Shaun Hartopp 0 Dan Nicholls 4, Martin Price 2 Robert Smith 4, Alex Howells 2 Jason Lowe 4), White Swan 2 Allens Bar ‘C’ 3 (Dave Hill 1 Scott Baker 4, James Hykin 4 Jon Blakemore 1, Neil Steventon 0 Owen Maiden 4, Mat Tedstone 2 Steve Jones 4, Shane Sheridan 4 Mat Coleman 3).
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It was the first round of the League Cup for the Camp Hill and District League. League leaders Sheldon Marlborough were the surprise exit as they lost 4-3 at home against Meadwat Social who are fourth in the table and six points behind their hosts.
Peaky Blinder had a somewhat surprising win beating Tyseley WMC 4-3, while Roost Rebels recorded the biggest win of the round a 7-0 success away to bottom of the table Sedgemere Devils.
New Inn Lions won 5-2 against Moseley Arms and Aston Inn Nomads had a walkover as Tyseley Newbies continue to field a team due to work commitments.
Full Results:League Cup:Round One:- New Inn Lions 5 Moseley Arms 2, Sedgemere Devils 0 Roost Rebels 7, Peaky Blinder 4 Tyseley WMC 3, Sheldon Marlborough 3 Meadway Social 4, Aston Inn Nomads had a walkover against Tyseley Newbies.
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Netherton Thursday Night League were also involved in cup fixtures as they played the first leg of the first round of their Andy Bastable Trophy. Apart from a 6-3 win by Spring Meadow over Netherton Sports and Social Club the other three games played all ended with close 5-4 scorelines with wins for Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club, Townsend Social Club and Bulls Head who in turn accounted for Netherton Conservative Club, Fairfield and Old Hill Cricket Club.
Full Results:Andy Bastable Trophy:Round One First Leg:- Netherton Conservative Club 4 Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club 5, Townsend Social 5 Fairfield 4, Bulls Head 5 Old Hill Cricket Club 4, Spring Meadow 6 Netherton Sports and Social 3.
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Week two of the Shirley and District Monday Night League and in division one Wharf lost pole position and dropped to fourth as they lost 6-3 at home to Dunky’s Boys who hold on to second place. Tippetts Bar are the new leaders following their 7-2 success at the Bears, Tippetts are just one leg of average to the good on both Dunky’s and Lodge who won their home tie with Swords 6-3.
In division two all of last week’s top three teams lost. Former leaders Highwood lost 6-3 at Wythall Legion who after the first week’s games were next to bottom of the table. HSCC, who were second, suffered a 5-4 home loss at the hands of the Vikings and third placed Saracens Royals went down 7-2 at Solihull Municipal who were initially bottom of the table.
Vikings now lead the division with four points they are the only undefeated team in the division.
Full Results:Week 2:Division One:- Bears 2 Tippets Bar 7, Wharf 3 Dunky’s Boys 6, Saracens Misfits (Jack Barrows 103f,18 darts leg) 7 Cider House 2, Lodge 6 Saracens Swords 3, Division Two:- Wythall Legion (Roy Dockers 2×180) 6 Highwood 3, HSCC 4 Vikings (M.Hodgeson 100b) 5, Solihull Municipal 7 Saracens Royals 2, Sharmans Cross 6 v Saracens Slingers 3.
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Following COVID restrictions being eased the Harborne and District League have got their new season underway with no fewer than three teams sharing the number one spot. Cock Inn, Copper Fox and Quinton RBL were all 7-2 winners, in turn defeating Weoley Castle WMC, The Monarch and Avenue Social.
Bugle Horn are just one leg of average behind the top trio after they won 6-3 at home against Smethwick Cricket Club and one further leg of average adrift is Weoley Castle Pub who had a closer 5-4 success against Northfield Town.
Northfield Conservative Club had a bye.
Full Results:Week 1:- Copper Fox 7 The Monarch 2, Avenue Social 2 Quinton RBL 7, Weoley Castle WMC 2 The Cock 7, Bugle Horn 6 Smethwick Cricket Club 3, Weoley Castle Pub 5 Northfield Town 4, Northfield Conservative Club had a bye.
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It’s as you were for the top four teams in the Sedgley and Gornal Tuesday Night League as leaders Gornal Labour Club won 6-3 at home against Chainyard, second in the table Old Bulls Head had a 7-2 success away to Jolly Crispin, third in the table New Inn were 6-3 winners at Meadow Lark and fourth placed Seven Stars won 7-2 at Five Ways. All of the top four have won all three of their opening games of the season, moving up from seventh to fifth and within two points of the top four is Griffin who won 6-3 against Red Cow.
Full Results:Week 3:- Jolly Crispin 2 Old Bulls Head 7, Gornal Labour Club 6 Chainyard 3, Meadow Lark 3 New Inn 6, Griffin 6 Red Cow 3, Lamp Tavern 6 Pensnett Liberal Club 3, Five Ways 2 Seven Stars 7.
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Huge 7-1 and 8-0 wins in turn against Sarah Parker and Paul Vaughan have kept Steve Jones top of the pile in the Gilbert’s Bar Monday Night League. Jones has now got a total of 173 points from 21 games and has a lead of ten points plus a game in hand over second in the table Alex Howells whose latest game saw him beat Sophie Fawcett 8-0. Neil Wild after his 6-2 success against sixth in the table Simon Mountford is nine points short of Howells but he does have two games in hand on the number two.
Biggest climber of the week was Jamie Webb who with a 7-1 win over Joe Bartolo followed by a 6-2 success against Shaun Hartopp jumped up five places in the table from tenth to fifth.
Full Results:Week 23:Board 1:- Luke Wildman 6 Kris Jones 2, Steve Jones 7 Sarah Parker 1, Joe Bartolo 1 Jamie Webb 7, Board 2:- Neil Wild 6 Simon Mountford 2, Ant Dent 7 Sarah Parker 1, Arthur Lubkowski 3 Kris Jones 5, Board 3:- Alex Howells 8 Sophie Fawcett 0, Jon Blakemore 5 Reece Cook-Lucas 3, Michele Pritchard 4 Simon Pritchard 4, Paul Vaughan 8 Eddie Gripton 0, Board 4:- Steve Jones 8 Paul Vaughan 0, Jamie Webb 6 Shaun Hartopp 2, Shane Price 7 Tom Hollowood 1.
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