Week four in the Sheldon and District Summer League saw group one team Highwood Arrows lose their first game, a 5-3 home defeat at the hands of leaders Riley’s – Castle Vale, who have now opened a two points lead a the top of the table. Highwood Arrows have dropped one place in the table to third and Crown at Olton have taken over the number two spot after their 6-2 home success against Sheldon Dukes. Iron Horse chalked up their first win of the season, a 5-3 win at home against bottom team Riley’s Arrows.
There was a top of the table clash in group two, leaders New Firs Flights travelling to take on their nearest rivals Custard House ‘B’. The match finished all square at 4-4 leaving New Firs in top spot on seven points with Custard House ‘B’ still second on six points. Old Bill and Bull recorded their first win of the campaign in style by handing out an 8-0 whitewash to bottom team Forget-Me-Not.
Ridgemere Flights, who were next to bottom in group three were also first time winners, recording a very surprising 5-3 home win over group leaders Shirley RBL Flights, this was Shirley’s first defeat, however they remain in pole position, Ridgemere move up the table to fourth place.
The top team in group four, Scanlons also suffered a surprise defeat as they went down 5-3 at Willclare Sports and Social, who have moved up into third spot.
It was certainly a week for top teams to lose as in group six Greville Arms lost their top place after losing 6-2 at home to Ridgemere Arrows, who have replaced Arms in the number one position, Meadway Sports and Social who also won 6-2 against Ivy Leaf Flights trail Ridgemere by average only.
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The Small Heath League got their summer season underway and although the trend is seeing league’s suffer with dwindling numbers they have bucked the trend by increasing their number from the previous summer league from seven to twelve teams and have now formed two divisions.
The opening games in division one saw last seasons top two teams Scanlons and Mitre battle it out on the latter’s board. The match was dominated by Scanlons but the all important 5-4 result went in favour of the hosts. Emerald Club started brightly at the Custard House, but it was the home team who got the 6-3 verdict. The match included two maximums, one for either side, B.Salter for the hosts and Joe Fox for Emerald.
Midland Darts Centre are the early pacesetters in division two following their 6-3 win at Sheldon Marlborough Flights, but hot on their heels are new team The Clock who beat Custard House Flights 5-4 and Cobs Bar who won by the same margin against Redhill Tavern.
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The Rowley Monday Night League had the first round of their Bill Bishop Cup on the fixture card. Winners going through to round two are, Springfield Social, Wilson Hall, The Boat, Ex-Serviceman’s, Rowley Olympic, Golden Cue, The Bell and Prince of Wales, who in turn defeated Ivy Bush ‘A’, Ivy Bush ‘Z’, Timbertree, Gate Hangs Well, Bulls Head, Spring Meadow, Fairfield and Hunting Tree.
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The Pip Club staged the finals of their Open Cup. In the semi finals Dolphin, who finished the season in fifth place in division one were the surprise package as they beat division one champions Red Lion. The other last four play off saw Travellers, from the second division lose out to first division opponents Progressive Club.
Dolphin pulled off another shock in the final by beating Progressive Club, who ended the season two places above them in third place.
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After most teams have completed three fixtures in the Forest of Arden Summer League Riley’s Red Arrows top division one, but only on average as there are six of the seven teams all on two points, Greville Arrows are the only team without a point as they have not played a game so far.
It’s a different story in the second division where Highwood have amassed a perfect six points from their three games. Highwood KB are also able to boast a 100% record as they have four points from the two games they have played.
The first round of the League Cup has been the latest item on the agenda and in the results so far the main shock was the 5-2 away defeat for division one team Chelmsley Arrows who lost out to Highwood from division two. No problem for division one leaders Riley’s Red Arrows as they strolled to a 5-2 win away to Chelmsley Flights (div 2).
In the other two all division two games Riley’s Wings and Highwood KB each won 4-3 against respective opponents Sheldon Flights and Greville Arms.
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