Alan Towe Salopian Super League - Week 4
Dawley Social Club had a bye in week four of the Salopian Super League, both Salopian Star (Market Drayton) and Charles Darwin ‘A‘ (Shrewsbury) capitalized on Dawley’s lack of action and moved two points clear at the top with four wins in as many games. Salopian Star lead the way with their superior average, which was boosted by a third successive straight 6-0 win, the latest an away game at Inn on the Green ‘B’. Setting the standard for the Star was Stuart Alder (28.23) who recorded 16 and 17 darts legs. Team mate Pete Eley (23.44) had a 136 checkout whilst Joe Higgins (18.59) finished on 102. Back to back 6-0 defeats for the Inn on the Green ‘B’ sees them drop one place in the table to thirteenth.
Charles Darwin ‘A’ also enjoyed a fine away win although they had to come from behind after Matt Johnson put the Monkmoor one up. Jason Davies (23.07) levelled the tie for Darwin before Ash Hilditch (27.08) and Paul Rowley (26.72) both chalked up 16 dart legs in their respective 4-0 wins. Steve O’Callaghan (22.27) secured the victory for second in the table Darwin who together with Salopian Star have a two point lead at the top over the rest of the field. Monkmoor meanwhile slip into the bottom two.
It was double delight for the Charles Darwin as the ‘B’ team secured their first win of the season in the basement battle at home to Bulls Head (Whitchurch). Rob Paine (24.12, 180) gave the visitors the early lead but the hosts hit back with last leg wins for Wayne Evans and Colin Scott to forge ahead. Steve Davis won the following match for the Darwin and John O’Callaghan (19.24) secured the victory for the hosts with another last leg win that sees them climb three places to twelfth overall. Tony Lloyd (19.09) took the final game for the Bulls Head who are now find themselves at the foot of the table.
The Dickin’s fine start to the season continued as they returned to winning ways with a 4-2 home win against the Plough. Paul Ashworth (21.10) put the Wem side one up before James Carter (20.11) levelled for the Plough. That would be as good as it got for the visitors as the Dickin took the next three games with Matt Price (21.46) edging out Dave Bishop (21.08) in a decisive seven leg thriller. The win sees the Dickin move up three places to sixth whilst it’s a second 4-2 defeat in three for the Plough who drop four places to ninth.
It’s all change for the Inn on the Green, Wetnor and Bagley Club who swap places in the league after a 4-2 home win for the Wetnor outfit. Glyn Thomas (20.62) and Ben Bevan (23.75) gave the hosts the ideal start taking both games in the deciding legs before team mates Ben Morgan (23.07) and Eddie Price (21.78, 180) confirmed a second win of the season for the Inn on the Green. Bagley Club who had earlier seen Neil Southern fire a fourth maximum of the season and Paul Harris also hit a 180, claimed the final two games of the night through Paul Andrew (20.20) and Andy Kynaston (21.69, 102f), but alas its consecutive 4-2 defeats for the club who drop to Eleventh.
Perhaps it was inevitable that Griffin and Hop and Friar would share the spoils when they met in Oswestry with both teams having already drawn matches this season. Simon Brewin (21.24) had put the hosts ahead before the Hop and Friar responded taking the next three games through Evonne Taylor (19.57), Darren Lane (19.64) and John Roberts (25.69), Lane and Roberts both recording a 16 darts leg. Griffin hit back with Kacey Jones (22.63) firing a brilliant 12 dart leg that included a maximum plus a superb 141 checkout in what was a cracker of a match against Steve Ritchie (20.79, 110f) that went the full distance before the Steve Tomley (21.34, 180) levelled the match overall. There were further maximums for Jamie Kynaston. Mal Stone and Sarah Roberts, both teams are now on four points.
The final match of week four saw another draw in the all Shrewsbury encounter between the Compasses and Inn on the Green ‘A’. Paul Evans (19.25) had given the Inn on the Green d before Compasses Jon Mansell (27.48) levelled the score in what was the game of the night against Sacha Rothwell (26.16). The visitors regained the lead through James Mansell (23.08) and then extended their advantage through Phil Passant (18.30). However, Tony Middleton (22.31) and Ade Powell (18.91) claimed the final two games to preserve the Compasses unbeaten record. Andy Mullinder, Jon Mansell and Tony Middleton all found the three treble twenties.