2002-10-01

The West Midlands County Darts Organisation kick off the new season with not only a new venue, Gilberts Bar and Restaurant, Field Street, Willenhall, but also a new press officer, Alan Jones.
Alan, a long standing friend, has been well known throughout West Midlands darts, County, Super League and local leagues for many years, probably more than he would like to admit to. Over the past few years he has not had the best of health and indeed has undergone three serious operations, which thankfully he has overcome and is now, after a fifteen years break is actually playing darts again. For several years Alan has run the Oldbury Sunday Morning, Warley Darts and the Club 99 Classic Individual League in addition to regular knockouts at the Club 99.
Due to his wealth of experience in darts there could be none more suited or equipped for the West Midlands press officer’s position and I wish him all the very best of luck both in health and darts.
Over the years Alan has lost nothing of his unique sense of humour. Recently when I telephoned him to give him my telephone and fax numbers, e-mail address and home address, he joked that he finds faxes and e-mail all too complicated. However, he went on to say that he does do smoke signals and jungle drums, that explains why he is a teacher!!!
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On the local league front, Peter Allen is well on the way to a unique double. Allen is currently top of the Minworth Social Individual League with 157 points from 36 games. His nearest rival is Mark Hollyoake, the current reigning champion. However, Hollyoake, despite having two games in hand is eighteen points adrift and looks as though he will have to settle for runners up spot.
Another league reaching the end of it’s season is the Sportsmans Rest Double Top League and top of that is again that man Peter Allen. With 153 points he has a three points lead over David Platt, but obviously the remaining few fixtures will pressurise both players and it is then when nerves get taut and mistakes happen and crucial points are dropped. Nevertheless, with a little luck and a lot of skill Allen could well walk away with both the Minworth Social Individual League and Sportsmans Rest Double Top league title, which would be an amazing feat.
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The Sheldon and District Summer League have completed their programme and taking the group one championship, despite losing 5-3 to Sheldon Heath Dukes in their final game, was the Three Horse Shoes. The title could not have more closely contested as Stechford Social finished on the same 14 points as Shoes, but with an inferior average, they were nine legs adrift.
Hobs Meadow were the league’s most convincing winners, taking the group three title with a six points advantage over their nearest rivals Sheldon Heath Social. Saltley Amateur Gardeners won group two, while the group four title went to Glebe Community Centre. Group’s five and six were won respectively by Plume of Feathers and Old Bill and Bull.
Saltley Amateur Gardeners won the league’s Mrs F. Richman Trophy this year. After a convincing 6-1 win over the Malt Shovel in the semi’s, Saltley took on Saltley Amateur Gardeners in the final. Once more Saltley romped to a 6-1 win thanks to Neil Clarke, Steve Winters, Alan Caddick, Tony Randell, Kevin Moloney and Phil Henderson. Carl Betteridge was the Residents only winner.
Iron Horse were the other losing semi finalists, going out 5-2 to Castle Vale.
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