Matt “The Lad” Gallett has been hitting the headlines once again, first winning the Riley’s Round Robin Knockout at Riley’s Erdington and the following day winning through to the finals of the Speedy Services UK Open, which will be played in June at Bolton.
In the final of the Erdington knockout Matt defeated Neil Wild, the losing semi finalists being Jason Hough and Chris McFall. The Speedy Services UK Open play off was staged at Wolverhampton’s Civic Hall and attracted more than 200 players, with the last eight going through to the televised final. Matt’s opponent in the last sixteen was the player he had beaten in the final the previous day, Neil Wild. The result was a straight 2-0 win for Matt, he plus Darrell Thorpe, Gavin Baker, Michael Musto, Robbie Singleton, Robbie Green, Jake Pennington and Dean Stewart all go through to the grand finals.
———————————
With just one scheduled fixture remaining in the Sheldon and District Winter League, any one of the top three teams in the premier division could take the title. Saltley Amateur Gardeners are top with 32 points and play an away game against fifth placed Highwood ‘A’ in their final fixture, Old Bill and Bull are second on 30 points with a final game away to next to bottom EBAHA and third, but not out of the reckoning are Crown at Shard End on 28 points. Crown have two games to play, the scheduled away game against lowly Riley’s Red Arrows and an outstanding fixture at home to Highwood ‘A’.
Despite losing 5-4 to their nearest rivals Shirley RBL Flights have won the division one title with 32 points, their victors, Banbury Club, who have now completed their fixtures are runners up on 30 points, Langley Hall Sports and Social, with 28 points are third but a win would still leave them trailing behind Banbury on average.
The second division title goes to George V, who are on 36 points, six more than runners up Willclare Sports and Social, who lost 5-4 at home this week to Small Heath Amateur Gardeners.
———————————
The Clock Inn moved off the foot of the Small Heath League table this week after winning 5-4 at the Wagon and Horses. Taking over in the bottom spot is Custard House Flights, who lost 7-2 against local rivals Custard House. Leaders Gulp Tribe march on taking their unbeaten run to 12 with a 7-2 win at Sheldon Marlborough Flights.
———————————
No change at the top of the Cradley Tuesday night League as the top six teams all record wins. Brickmakers remain in pole after a 5-2 win at Roost ‘A’, Quarry Bank Liberal Club, who are two points behind Brickmakers on 20 points had a 6-1 win at Bulls Head (Netherton). Then come three teams on 18 points, Jays Bar, Yeltz Bar and Swan, Jays and Yeltz in turn won 6-1 against Gate (Darby End) and Prince of Wales, while Swan had a closer 4-3 verdict at home to the Boat.
———————————
The Forest of Arden Winter League staged their singles and mixed doubles competitions. Winner of the men’s singles was J.Jennings (The Crane), while D.Derbyshire (Riley’s Wings) took the ladies title. The mixed doubles final was won by R.Gwylliam and T.Stansfield.
———————————
Riley’s Kings, leaders of division one of the South Birmingham League had a comfortable 7-2 win at home to next to bottom The Raven this week. The game included a maximum for A.Parvez (Riley’s Kings) and a 160 break for R.Earl (The Raven).
In division two Banbury Flights take over the top place after beating Yardley and District Rugby Club 6-3, and after former leaders Pavilions went down 5-4 away to third in the table Centurion.
———————————
Cup finals were on the agenda for the last night of the season in the Four Oaks and District League. The final of the Derek Masters Individual Singles was fought out between The Nomads team mates M.Archer and T.Frost. Archer opened up a 2-1 lead before Frost rallied and took the final two legs for a 3-2 victory.
The Nomads then took on league champions Sutton Sports in the final of the Brian Goodman Cup and completed a successful evening with a 6-3 win.
Division one runners up Old Oscott Arrows took on Bishop Vesey in the Ken Rust Cup final, the former proving to be too strong for their third division opponents winning five of the first six games, D.Sammons, Vesey’s only winner.
———————————
The Tamworth League staged their Charity Open Cup at the Dolphin Inn. The semi final results did not really turn out as expected. League leaders Three Horse Shoes lost 4-1 to fifth in the table Globe Inn, while second placed Old Liberal House went out by the same scoreline to Sports Bar ‘180’, who are fourth in the table.
The final went in order of league position as Sports Bar ‘180’ won 4-2, with Globe Inn runners up. The event raised £36 which together with all other charity monies raised throughout the season will, at the end of the campaign be donated to S.P.I.N. and Stroke Association.
———————————
For the first time in 22 fixtures, Brickmakers Arms ‘A’, leaders of the Netherton Thursday Night League, lost. Playing against third placed Victoria the top team lost 5-4. The defeat however does not cost Brickmakers the number one spot as they have a massive 15 points lead over second in the table Dudley Ex-Serviceman’s Club, who also surprisingly lost 5-4 at home to Fairfield, who are ninth in the table.
Nevertheless it was good news for Chainmakers ‘B’, who playing a local derby against Chainmakers ‘A’ won 5-4, this was their first win in their 21 game season so far. Despite the win Chainmakers ‘B’ remain rooted to the foot of the table, nine points adrift of the nearest team Pensnett and Bromley.
———————————
It was top half win and bottom half lose in the Camp Hill League. Leaders Midland Darts Centre made it a perfect twelve results beating Redhill Wanderers 5-2, Scruffy Ringers made sure the gap between them and the leaders got no worse than four points winning 6-1 at Custard House.
———————————
Wednesfield FC kept their title hopes in the Tettenhall Wednesday Night League on course with a 5-2 win at Stile. This was Wednesfield’s ninth undefeated fixture. However, they still only have a two points lead over the three following teams, Riley’s ‘B’, Riley’s ‘A’ and Moreton. The two Riley’s both chalked up 7-0 whitewashes, in turn the ‘A’ beating Otter and Vixen and the ‘B’ Wrottesley Arms. Moreton had a much closer 4-3 win at Royal Oak.
———————————
Quarry Bank, with a 4-2 result leap frogged their opponents Staffordshire Knot ‘A’ to move into second place behind Cleveland Arms in the Vic Lloyd Thursday Night League. Cleveland won 5-1 at Orange Tree, their 21 points being two more than both Quarry Bank and Staffordshire Knot ‘B’, who won 5-1 at Gilberts ‘B’. Staffordshire Knot ‘A’ are a further one point behind the leading three teams, their defeat was the first in eleven games.
———————————
It’s all Bull in the Rowley Monday Night League. Bull Terrier, who won 5-4 at York Road Sports and Social are top on 24 points, but only on average from Bulls Head (Rowley), who had a 6-3 home win over Ivy Bush ‘A’. The Bell won 7-2 at Allens Sports and Social Club they are also on 24 points, however they have played one game more than the two teams above them.
———————————
John McCaffrey (Devil’s Club) is a player who always attempts the unusual 170 break by throwing his first dart for the bull. For John this has paid off at least seven times over a couple of years in either the Small Heath league and charity matches. Becky Blakeman is a player who has watched John try for this maximum break and thought she would try it herself.
Playing at home for the Sheldon Marlborough Flights against Colin Walsh representing the Clock Inn, Becky not only attempted the feat but actually achieved it, a 170 break bull first dart followed by two treble twenties. She went on to win the leg but lost out finally 2-1 to Colin. Becky’s 170 break plus her teams 5-4 win were the two highlights of the evening.
———————————