Alan Towe - A Look Back In Time - 1st July 2007
Congratulations to Tamworth Winning Post, who with a total of 122 points have won the Warwickshire Men’s 2006-2007 Super League title. Nearest rivals and runners up to Winning Post were Leamington who had 111 points, just two ahead of third in the table Birmingham Hall Green.
The highest finish of the season was 161 which was achieved by no fewer than three players, Rob Hawker, Nigel Heydon and Kevin Dowling. The least darts of eleven went to Tony Brown and Dave Harris, while Rob Hawker recorded the best average of the season 33.98.
The Sheldon and District Winter League singles trophy has been won by Olton RBL representative Bob Nixon. To clinch the title Bob defeated Banbury Club’s Neil Parsonage in the final. Losing semi finalists were Tony Randell (Saltley Amateur Gardeners) and Andy Hutchings (Olton RBL).
League headquarters, Lea Hall Sports and Social was the setting for the doubles competition which saw Olton RBL duo Bob Nixon and John Sidwell emerge as winners with a final result over Phil Randell and Ian McLean from Saltley Amateur Gardeners. Losing semi finalists were Mick Hicks and Paul Sunner (Sheldon Dukes) Warren Taylor and Mark Kirwan from Mackadown Sports and Social.
With Bob Nixon adding the doubles title to his singles win he became the first person this decade to lift both trophies in the same season. Twelve months ago in the 2005-2006 season Mark Wall was singles runner up and doubles winner, in 2004-2005 Martyn Heaven won the singles knockout and was runner up in the doubles and in the previous season Tony Randell won the singles and finished runner up in the doubles.
In the quarter finals of the league’s Denis Houlders Trophy reigning champions Saltley Amateur Gardeners made their exit from this year’s competition when they finished on the wrong side of a 3-2 scoreline against Brook Meadow ’A’. Brook Meadow’s Mark Birch had a 160 break and team mate Robbie Earl recording a 160 finish.
Other teams to win through to the semi finals were Mackadown Social, Sheldon Heath Villans and Small Heath Amateur Gardeners ’A’.
The semi finals of the Punch Bowl saw last seasons beaten finalists Saltley Amateur Gardeners gain a convincing 7-2 win over Sheldon Heath Social, while Brook Meadow were involved in a repeat of last years semi final against Fordbridge Social. Brook Meadow gaines sweet revenge when they beat the reigning champions 5-4, Mark Birch on form again hitting a maximum.
The final was basically a one sided affair Saltley racing into a commanding 4-0 lead and going on to repeat their last four scoreline of 7-2 to lift the title.
The Sheldon Shield semi’s both finished 6-3 with Kinghurst Labour Club and Iron Horse getting the better of their respective opponents Millhouse and Hen and Chickens. Kinghurst won the final with a close 5-4 verdict.
The Knockout Cup was on the fixture list for the Harborne and District Winter League and the twelve participating teams played off at the Midland Red. In the quarter finals third placed division one team George, had a surprisingly easy 5-0 win over Midland Red, who were second in the table. The all second division clash also provided a surprise result when bottom but one team Hillyfields beat second placed Stonehouse 5-3.
The semi finals went as expected with division one leaders Smethwick Labour Club running out 5-3 winners over the Raven and George beating their division two opponents Hillyfields 5-1.
The evening had been full of shock results and the final was no exception when the George ran away with the title beating Smethwick Labour Club with a massive 5-1 scoreline.
A 6-2 home win over White Lion and with Dolphin only managing a 4-4 draw away to Red Lion ’A’, Globe have won the division one title in the Pip Club League on 20 points with Dolphin and Three Horse Shoes just one point behind them.
With just one game to play to complete the season, Glascote Club have secured the second division championship. A 7-1 away win at Two Gates Club giving them the title. Their two nearest rivals Two Gates Club and Boot Inn have both completed their programmes.
The league have played their division one cup down to the final. Winning through from the quarter finals were, White Lion, Globe, Dolphin and Red Lion ’A’. In the semi’s the Globe beat White Lion and in the final the Dolphin, who defeated Red Lion ’A’ will provide their opposition.
In the first round of the division two cup there were wins for Glascote Club, Red Lion ’B’ and Boot Inn against respective opponents Wigginton, Two Gates Club and Red Lion (Polesworth). Winning Post claimed their game against Royal Oak (Kingsbury). The last four play off saw Glascote beat Winning Post and to meet them in the final Red Lion ’B’ defeated Red Lion (Polesworth).
The committee for the newly formed Small Heath Darts League Charity team are, Derek Rivitt, John Hudson, Julian May and Sue John. The team will be accepting challenges a little later in the year. More information on how to arrange a fixture will be printed as soon as it is forthcoming.
The committee are also interested in any would be sponsors from local businesses, details on who to speak to will also be printed as and when it becomes available.
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