Warwickshire’s rounded off the year in the premier Division of the BDO Inter Counties Championship with a home fixture against Hampshire. Playing at the Belgrave Sports and Social Club, Tamworth, the ladies ‘B’ side, after trailing 3-0, staged a fabulous fight back to earn a well deserved draw. Terri Bellamy began the revival, further wins coming from Denise Jones (16.70 lady of the match) and Dawn Barnes. The men’s ‘B’ after opening up a 3-1 lead were made to wait for Ritchie Shenton to win the final game against Mark Eaton to salvage a 6-6 draw. Moe Whelan took the top player award with a 31.31 average.
The ladies ‘A’, like their ‘B’ team got off to a bad start. They lost the opening two games then came the insuppressible Trina Gulliver. Yet again Trina put on a match award winning performance, her thirteenth consecutive similar honour, an absolutely tremendous feat. In fact the last time Trina did not win the award was way back in April 1999 playing away to Middlesex, on that occasion Tammy Montgomery, with a 24.46 average was the lady of the match. Adding to Trina’s win were Debbie McPherson, Lesley Newcombe and Caroline Pike to give their team a 4-2 success.
The men’s ‘A’ were in fine form beating their counterparts 9-3, Tony Brown recording a superb 34.95 average in his 3-0 win over Steve Phipps, Brown winning in 13-16 and 14 darts.
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Top scores were the order of the day in the latest round of matches in the Bass Breweries sponsored Minworth Social Individual League. No fewer than 17 three figure scores were hit in the tie between Robbie Earl (2×140,7×100) and Steve Cain (8×100) with the latter getting the all important 2-1 result. Paul Spiers found Tony Randell too hot to handle as Randell, in his 3-0 win hit 2×180,140,137,135 and 2×100.Other players to find the three treble twenties were Steve Cain, Andy Smith, Paul Burnham, Steve Davis, Gordon Clinton and Derek Mountjoy. Tony Randell and Dave Shorthouse both recorded 14 darts legs.
A 3-0 win over Tony Whitehouse keeps Pat Koyce in pole position on 96 points, eleven more than second placed Dave Shorthouse.
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A 5-4 home win over Sheldon Heath Flights maintained a 100% record for the Custard House in the Small Heath League. Wins from C.Mortlock, T.Randell, K.Maloney, Tom Webster and P.Randell pushed the points tally to ten from the first five games. Black Horse keep in contention with a 6-3 win over Red Hill, who are still seeking their first point of the season. Black Horse are just two points adrift of the leaders.
In the other match played Saltley Flights beat the Nest 6-3 with S.Weir hitting a maximum for the winning team.
The winning numbers for the league’s “Dartto Game” are 1st £45 No 42 (Serial No AH732625), 2nd £26 No 104 (Serial No AH864265), 3rd £18 No 52 (Serial No AG213157).
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The Two Gates Club got their season, in division two of the Longwood Winter League, off to a good start when the defeated Royal Oak 7-1. Close behind were Railway and Willnecote Club who both won 6-2 against respective opponents Red Lion and R.A.F. Club. Red Lion (Willnecote) lost 5-3 at home to the Hopwas Club while the match between Jolly Sailor and Cue Sports finished all square at four each.
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