It was not a good start to the year for Scanlons as they have been ousted from the number one spot in the Small Heath League after losing for the first time in seven games. Playing away against middle of the table Redhill Tavern, Scanlons surprisingly went down 5-4, losing pole position, on average to Mitre, who handed out a 9-0 whitewash in their home tie, to bottom of the table Sheldon Marlborough Flights.
Both of the top two teams are on 12 points with three teams just two points behind them, Custard House, Emerald Club and Midland Darts Centre, Custard House being the only one of the three to win, a 7-2 success at Emerald Club. Midland Darts Centre lost 5-4 away to Wagon and Horses.
———————————
The premier division of the Sheldon and District Winter League produced a top of the table clash between leaders Olton RBL and the Crown, who prior to the game were second. The close result of 5-4 went in favour of Olton to extend their unbeaten winning run to nine games and open up a four points lead over Saltley Amateur Gardeners who have taken over the second place from Crown, who have dropped to third. Saltley had a 7-2 win at Highwood ‘A’. Bottom team Riley’s chalked up their second win of the campaign, a 6-3 home win over Old Bill and Bull.
A 6-3 win over Shard End Social keeps New Firs Flights top of division one, but Pavilions dropped a place to third after losing 7-2 at Holy Souls. Yardley Ex Colts move into the second spot after a 6-3 win at Yardley Arms to draw level on points with New Firs.
Division three’[s Ivy Leaf Flights moved off the foot of the table following their tremendous 5-4 home win against third in the table Langley Hall Sports and Social. Greville Arms, who lost 6-3 at George V take over the bottom place.
———————————
Shock result of the week in the Four Oaks and District League must surely have been the 5-4 home defeat of second placed Sutton Sports at home to Sportsmans Rest, who are resting in the bottom half of the table. As a result Sutton have dropped to third place behind Deer’s Leap on average, both teams having 14 points. Deer’s Leap won 5-4 at Pint Pot Flights, while leaders Plough and Arrows won their home tie with Boldmere Sports 7-2 to maintain a four points lead.
There was also a shock in division two as the top team Red Lion Flights suffered their first defeat of the season a 6-3 reversal away to fifth in the table Old Oscott WMC. Despite losing Red Lion hang on to the number one position, but only on average from Pint Pot Nomads, who won 5-4 at Brookvale.
With Erdington Arrows postponing their third division fixture Drakes Drum opened up a four points lead with a 6-3 home win over Plough and Barrows.
No fewer than six maximums this week, provided by, A.Lea (Old Oscott Arrows), M.Gallett, C.Packer (Plough and Arrows), M.Wild (Sutton Sports), A.Pritchett (The Leopard) and J.Leydon (Oscott Social Clarets).
———————————
The preliminary round of the Presidents Cup was on the fixture card for the Forest of Arden Winter League and winning through to the first round proper were Sheldon Flights, Highwood, Riley’s Red Arrows and Old Bill and Bull, who in turn defeated Sheldon Arrows, Greville Arrows, Chelmsley Town and Highwood KB.
———————————
With the Three Horse Shoes having a bye this week in the Tamworth Sports Bar League second placed Sports Bar 180 took advantage to reduce the arrears by beating Globe ‘B’ 4-3 and move within five points of the Shoes, but they have now played one more game then Shoes.
In the players league leader Trevor Barrs (Sports Bar 180) beat Globe ‘B’ man Geggy Wright to open a nine points lead over his nearest rival Mark Tomlinson (Three Horse Shoes), but Tomlinson does have a game in hand.
———————————