Warwickshire county player Scott Rand was the man collecting the top prize of £900 in the Midland Open this year. Playing at the Barras Social Club, Coventry, Rand became only the second Coventry player to win the event, the other being Steve Beaton in 1995.
Rand’s final win was a close 7-6 over Leicestershire’s Jamie Caven, who picked up £400 as runner up. Losing semi finalists Nigel Heydon and Johnny Haines each received £150 and there was £50 for Steve Hine, Matt Edgar, Gaz Cousins and Trevor Frost who all lost in the last eight.
Organiser Neil Pritchard was more than a little disappointed at the low attendance only 64 players turned out for the event.
———————————
The Four Oaks and District league got their new season underway with the preliminary round of their Coronation Shield and league newcomers Boldmere Oak began with a baptism of fire as they went out of the knockout losing 9-0 to Deer’s Leap Stags. There was no better fortune for the Beehive, another new team, as they lost 5-4 at The Nomads.
Drakes Drum, undefeated in last season’s campaign carried on the momentum by beating Old Oscott Arrows 6-3. Other teams to make it through to the next round were, Sutton Sports, Heartlands, Old Oscott WMC, Brookvale, Anvil Nomads, Fox Flights and Erdington Arrows.
———————————
There is still time to enter a team in the forthcoming season of the South Birmingham Winter League, which will get underway on the 22nd October.
The league would like to thank Roy Parry for all the hard work and time he put into running the league for the last 40 plus years, as he has now decided to retire and taking over at the reins will be Sue Kingdon and Brian Johnson
Anyone wishing to enter a team in the league should contact Sue on [email protected] leaving their contact details before the next league meeting, which is on the 14th October, and Sue will get back to them.
———————————
With only three games to play Wilson Hall have a four points lead at the top of the Rowley Monday Night League, their latest fixture seeing them beat Ex-Serviceman’s 6-3, Ex-Serviceman’s dropping from fourth to fifth in the table. Replacing them in fourth place is the Boat who won 7-2 away to Spring Meadow. Gate Hangs Well, after handing out a 9-0 whitewash to Hunting Tree are in second place on 46 points.
———————————
Custard House have lost pole position and dropped to third place in division one of the Small Heath League after losing 7-2 to Scanlons, who have moved up to second place two points behind new leaders Emerald Club, who had a 6-3 win at Wagon and Horses.
Midland Darts Centre consolidated their number one spot in the second division with an 8-1 win away at the Clock. Second placed Redhill Tavern had a vital 7-2 win a Sheldon Marlborough Flights to put them two points ahead of their opponents.
This coming Sunday the league will be holding their AGM at the Emerald Club, Green Lane, Small Heath beginning at 11.45am. All teams, both old and new are invited to attend the meeting to form the league’s forthcoming winter season.
———————————
After completing the first three games of the new season in the Sheldon and District Winter League, Iron Horse, Saltley Amateur Gardeners, Crown at Olton, Kingshurst and District Labour Club and Riley’s Arrows all boast 100% win records.
Only three teams are unbeaten in division one and they are Shirley RBL Flights, Banbury Club and Yardley Arms, while in division two, as in the premier division there are five undefeated teams, Willclare Sports and Social, Meadway Sports and Social, Small Heath Amateur Gardeners, George V and Highwood ‘B’.
———————————
The division one title in the Forest of Arden Summer is going to the wire. Riley’s Flights, who had a convincing 7-0 win at Chelmsley Arrows are top on 16 points from 11 games and one to play, while their local and nearest rivals Riley’s Red Arrows are on 14 points and have two fixtures remaining. Old Bill and Bull are also on 14 points but are way behind on average.
It’s a different story in the second division where Highwood, on 22 points have already won the title as they are a massive eight points ahead of the rest of the field with one game to play.
———————————
The Pip Club League have come up with a fascinating new format whereby any team can actually win two divisional titles. The league has a main combined division and then two seeded divisions. The fixtures are such that every team will play each other, the points then going into the main division and their respective seeded division.
Leader of the main division after two games is the Dolphin, who also head division one, but division two leaders Belgrave Club are also third in the main division. Confusing!! Not really, a very interesting format that could easily catch on with other leagues.
———————————
The Tamworth League staged the opening two rounds of their Three Tuns Trophy and winning through were, Sports Bar ‘180’, Wigginton, Three Horse Shoes and Mile Oak Rovers.
———————————
Forgers 6-1 win over Devils Club in the Camp Hill League has seen them open up a huge ten point’s advantage over second in the table Scruffy Ringers and almost certainly guarantees them the title despite Ringers having a game in hand.
———————————