The Sheldon and District League have been engaged in cup matches, first the semi finals of the Denis Houlders Trophy. In the first semi Three Horseshoes team, J.Pears, W.Mathews, C.Hall and P Stevens gained a convincing 5-0 victory over C.Thomas, E.O’Sullivan, M.O’Sullivan and J.Phipps, who represented the Great Western. The second semi was a closer affair with M.Birch, A.Caddick, K.Moloney and P.Henderson of E.B.A.H.A. ‘A’ just getting the 3-2 edge on Shard End Social ‘A’s J.Sabell, G.Clarke, B.Carter and D.Kirwan.
The final was another five games thriller with Three Horseshoes coming back from 2-1 down to win 3-2 thanks to two wins in the last two games by Craig Hall and Phil Stevens.
The Winter League will be holding their AGM on Sunday 27th June at the league’s headquarters Lea Hall RBL. All teams, old and new are invited to attend the meeting which will begin at 10-00am. Anyone requiring any further information should contact either Alan Blythe on 0121-748-7548 or Jim Tough on 0121-707-5422.
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The Sheldon Summer League have also been busy with cup games, the preliminary round of the Mrs F.Richman Trophy. Just one match was played and it saw Kinghurst L.C. win convincingly against Old Bill and Bull by 6-1. The draw for the first round, to be played on Thursday 24th June, now reads, Dovecote v Chestnuts, Hobs Meadow v Harvester, E.B.A.H.A v Chelmsley RBL, Mackadown Social v Shard End Social, Lea Hall RBL v Sheldon Heath Social, Three Horseshoes v Malt Shovel, Kinghurst L.C. v Heathway, Yardley Ex Colts v British Telecom, Shard End Social Flights v Sheldon Dukes, Banbury v Iron Horse, Glebe v Smiths Wood, Millhouse v Chelmsley C.C, Haymills Social v Gables, Stechford Social v Shard End RBL, Silver Wings v Tipsy Gent, Lyndon v Sheldon Shoes.
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The Harborne 401 Summer League staged the first round of their Knockout Cup. The Bell and Brook were involved in a high scoring affair which included no fewer than 42 tons or over with Brooks J.Cairns having a 160 break. However the 8-1 result went in favour of the Bell. 8-1 was also the margin by which Green Man and Ladywood Social defeated Raven Ladies and Harborne Stores, J.Martin breaking with 160 and M.Littleford producing a 157 checkout for Ladywood.
Biggest win of the round went to Bartley Green Social Club who with a 9-0 scoreline accounted for Bear and Staff. B.Haymes hit a 180 for Stonehouse, but unfortunately it was not enough to stop his team losing 6-3 to Hillyfields. Most surprising result went to Golden Cup who with a 6-3 result handed out Greenlands first defeat of the campaign.
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The Harborne and District Winter League were again a league to be involved in cup games, theirs being the quarter finals of the Skipp Cup. Bartley Green Social Club stormed into the semi’s with a powerful 11-4 win over the Plough thanks to a 152 break by M.Heskins. Bell Inn and the Raven had 9-6 victories over Red Lion and Quinborne respectively. Joining the three winners in the last four will be Midland Red.
In the Skipp Consolation Cup the Brook won 11-4 against Harborne Stores and Avenue Social progressed into the next round with a narrow 8-7 win over the Highlander.
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Selly Park continue to impress in the Irish Centre Four a Side Ladies League, their latest fixture producing a 13-8 win over Ward End to give them a total of 94 points. They now have a fourteen points advantage over their
nearest rivals Handsworth who thrashed bottom of the table Perry Barr 18-3. Northfield, thanks to their 13-8 win over Sheldon hold on to third spot with 75 points.
On form yet again for Selly Park was Lesley Newcombe, who for the third time this season, in only seven fixtures, hit another maximum, together with 8×100,121,135 and 140. That is certainly some throwing!!!
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Janet Dudley reduced the arrears on Joyce Webster in the Birmingham Ladies Double Top League by beating the leader 2-1 in the seventeenth fixture of the season. In the previous match Janet had recorded a 3-0 victory against Sheila Smith and Joyce a 2-1 success over Jeanette James. Angie Bourne kept the presssure on the leading pair with 2-1 wins over Vicky Edwards and Jeanette James. Pat Bradshaw, another contender for honours also had 2-1 wins in her games against Lucy Hart and Vicky Edwards, while obviously Vicky Edwards and Jeanette James both lost ground in the title race.
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What a difference a change of name and league can do for a team. Tyseley Staff played in the Acocks Green Winter League and won just one game throughout the season. The same team have joined the Acocks Green Summer League, changed their name to the Railway and won the opening two games of the season, the most recent win being 6-3 at the Brewers Arms. Karl Bunce (Langley Hall) chalked up a 133 finish and a nine darts game as his team went down 7-2 at home to Shirley Legion, while Tyseley WMC won 6-3 at Britannia Arrows.
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In division two of the South West Birmingham Clubs Summer League Irish Centre stormed into a 3-0 lead at Bournbrook. However the hosts fought back magnificently through V.Witherford, K.Ind, Colin Twigg and K.Crowe to snatch a dramatic 4-3 victory.
A.Wright, in division one hit a maximum as his team, Stirchley United WMC, won 5-2 at home to Selly Oak Flights.
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