There was good and bad news for our local counties Warwickshire and West Midlands in the BDO Inter Counties Championships. Both teams were playing away, Warwickshire, in the premier division took on Cheshire and returned on the wrong side of a 22-14 scoreline. Tony Brown (31.31) was the top ‘A’ team man as they went down 8-4 and Tom Dillon (24.22) took the honours in the ’B’ side’s 10-2 reversal. The two women’s teams won 4-2 with Trina Gulliver (23.86) and Denise Burke (19.66) taking the respective ’A’ and ’B’ match awards.
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In division four West Midlands finished their campaign in truly magnificent style. Going into their fixture they were in pole position taking on second placed Gwynedd. Defeat for either team could destroy their hopes of promotion. West Midlands chalked up a tremendous 24-12 victory to gain promotion as champions on 206 points. As a result of their defeat the home team finished the season in sixth place, losing out on promotion in the process. Three out of four wins gave West Midlands their victory, the only losers being the women’s ’A’ team. Taking the match awards were Peter Wyse (28.90) for the ’A’, Jamie Parsons (27.33), Claire Hobbs (17.57) for the ladies ’A’ and Sara Jukes (14.72).
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Highwood Arrows, champions of the Forest of Arden Winter League, brought forward their fixture with local rivals Highwood and suffered their second defeat in 24 matches as their opponents recorded a 5-4 victory. In another rearranged fixture Mackadown Social went down 7-2 at home to Stechford Social.
Also on the league’s agenda was the first of the semi finals of their Consolation Cup, which saw Hobs Meadow chalk up a 6-3 success against Old Bill and Bull to book their final spot. The second semi in which Harvester take on Cock and Hens will be played on the 28th May.
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Raven are the early pacesetters in division one of the Harborne and District Summer League. With two wins in their opening games they are top by one leg of average over Bartley Green. Raven’s latest success was a convincing 8-1 win over Highlander, despite a 180 from Highlander‘s J.Lacey. Midland Red opened their account with a 6-3 home win against Hillyfields.
In division two there were 7-2 wins for Smethwick Labour Club and Hobsons Choice over respective opponents Punchbowl and Travellers Rest, K.Pemberton hitting a maximum. Despite a 7-2 defeat at Highlander Flights, Bartley Green Flights still hold pole position in division three on two points together with W.C.WMC, Harborne Stores, Stonehouse and Coopers Arms.
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The Heartlands Club, Aston Church Road, Nechells, are staging the Heartlands UK Open 2003, in August comprising of a darting weekend with a doubles knockout on the Saturday and singles on the Sunday. A £1000 prize money pot is already being spoken of for a £6 entry to each of the competitions.
For further details telephone 0121-327-4156 or 07977-933030 and ask for Bill Morris.
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