Alan Towe's The Line
Not since the 2002 – 2003 season when West Midlands were in Division Four of the BDO Inter County Championships have they won their opening four games but now in Division One that is exactly what they have done.
With wins against Cambridgeshire, Staffordshire and Dorset already under their belt West Midlands fourth fixture was a home tie with Humberside and first on for the ladies ‘B’ was Sophie Singh. Sophie fell 1-0 and 2-1 behind to Beckie Huntley but with 22 and 19 darts legs not only won the game 3-2 but also clinched the lady of the match award for her 22.19 average.
Stella Sims (West Midlands) went one up against Sue Bilby but Humberside’s lady of the match bounced back to seal a 3-1 win and level the game. The visitors went ahead for the first time in game three when Cheryl McCloughlin won 3-0 against Shellbie Simmons and with a similar 3-0 result for Karen Helmore against Lynne Reynolds Humberside were within an ace of victory. The victory celebrations were delayed as Heather Wright reduced the arrears for the home side when she beat Bex Waterfall 3-1 but a 3-0 success for Jessica Shakesby over Claire Hobbs in the final game confirmed the away team as 4-2 winners.
With two wins and a draw the men’s ‘B’ side are enjoying a good start to the new campaign and that was made even more enjoyable when they stormed to a 4-0 lead against their Humberside opponents. Kick starting the quartet of wins was Justin Evans with his win over Leon Bailey who actually had leads of 1-0 and 2-1 before losing 4-3. Shane Price made it 2-0 with his 4-2 success against Trevor Holtby and with two further 4-3 wins from Mathew Moore and Dave Redding against respective opponents Lee Parish and Lewis McGuigan the four wins were on the board. Mathew Moore had to fight back from 1-0 and 3-1 down to Lee Parish and Dave Redding also trailed 2-0 in his tie with Lewis McGuigan.
The fifth game went to Humberside as their Robbie Smith won 4-1 against Gareth Johnston but by the midway point it was 5-1 to West Midlands as their man of the match Matthew Coleman added his straight 4-0 win over Michael York to their tally. Coleman began with an 18 darts leg and followed that with winning legs in 15 and 17 darts. He wrapped up his win in style as he chalked up scores of 100,140,180 and produced an 81 checkout for a great eleven darts leg to give him not only a fabulous average of 32.85 but the best ‘B’ team average of the weekend.
With game shots of 110 and 106 Trevor Brennon came from 1-0 down against James Janney to lead 2-1, he then went 3-2 down but in 18 and 21 darts won the encounter 4-3. Mark Rollinson put up the winning stripe when in game eight he beat Stuart Limbert 4-0. James Rollinson then made it 8-1 when he beat Andy Wheeler 4-1 and with a straight 4-0 win for Stephen Jones over Ricky Speroni West Midlands were in complete control leading 9-1.
The final score was taken to 9-3 as Humberside’s Sam Hewson beat Phil O’Brien 4-0 and Lee Smith won 4-2 against Adam Edgar.
Jacqueline Maiden set the pattern for the ladies ‘A’ team as she handed out a 3-0 whitewash to her counterpart Wendy Dearing. Doubling West Midlands lead was Sarah Roberts who came from 2-1 down against Melanie Robinson to win 3-2.
Cheryl Alcock confirmed at the worst a draw for her team mates as she chalked up a second 3-0 win as she accounted for Kim Fuller going 2-0 up in 24 and 23 darts and then rounding off her win and award winning average of 25.91 with a superb 14 darts leg hitting 100,140,60 and 135 before checking out on 66.
With the teams third 3-0 result Kath Jenkins defeated Michelle Britton to make it a game winning 4-0 lead but the West Midlands weren’t done there as Kat McLean added her 3-1 win over Valerie Skidmore and last on Gemma Barrett, with the fourth straight win of the game for the hosts beat Christine Readhead 3-0 for a clean sweep 6-0 victory.
After 8-4 wins in their first two fixtures of the new season the men’s ‘A’ side slipped to a 7-5 defeat in their last game at home to Dorset and after losing an opening lead they never regained that it again throughout their match with Humberside.
Daniel Nicholls was the man who gave them the opening lead as he beat Lee Blakey 4-1 with winning legs of 18,17,17 and 16 darts which earned him the team’s match award for his 27.99 average. Second on Neil Pointon won the first leg but then lost 4-2 to Reece Robinson. Giving Humberside the lead for the first time was Robbie Lickiss who accounted for Mark Craddock with a 4-1 scoreline. Trevor Brennon raced to 2-0 and 3-1 leads against Shaun Rutter but was unable to find another winning leg to seal his victory and with Danny Coyle losing 4-1 to Gavin Lewis the visitors were 4-1 up.
The half ended on a high as Shaun Carroll added West Midlands second win when he beat Mike Atkinson 4-2 to put the score at 4-2 to the away team.
West Midlands long serving player Ian Jones began the second half and although he fought all the way against Craig Owens coming from two down to level at 2-2, then 3-2 down and taking the game to a decider when he won the sixth, he eventually lost 4-3, left on 40 as Owens checked out on 50.
West Midlands had their best run of the match in the eighth and ninth as Paul Wells handed Trevor Carlill a 4-0 whitewash and Owen Maiden, who despite trailing 2-1 against Karl Corcoran went on to win 4-3 and reduce the deficit to a much closer 5-4.
A 4-2 win for Joshua Lowthorpe over Gavin Baker assured the visiting team of a share of the spoils before Mick Baker in the penultimate encounter kept West Midlands in with a chance of a draw when he won 4-1 against Daryn Gray. Sadly it was not to be as Humberside on the day kept their best till last as their final player David Ladley came up with a man of the match performance beating Glen McGrandle 4-0 in 17,12,18 a 18 darts to give him a 30.83 average and his team a 7-5 victory.
Despite the men’s ‘A’ losing the overall 22-14 result went to the West Midlands to consolidate their number one position in the promotion table and extending their lead to 15 points over Dorset who have moved up into the number two spot.
Full Results:Division One:West Midlands v Humberside (22-14):West Midlands names first):Men’s ‘A’:- Daniel Nicholls 4 Lee Blakey 1, Neil Pointon 2 Reece Robinson 4, Mark Craddock 1 Robbie Lickiss 4, Trevor Brennon 3 Shaun Rutter 4, Danny Coyle 1 Gavin Lewis 4, Shaun Carroll 4 Mike Atkinson 2, Ian Jones 3 Craig Owens 4, Paul Wells 4 Trevor Carlill 0, Owen Maiden 4 Karl Corcoran 3, Gavin Baker 2 Joshua Lowthorpe 4, Mick Baker 4 Daryn Gray 1, Glen McGrandle 0 David Ladley 4, Men’s ‘B’:- Justin Evans 4 Leon Bailey 3, Shane Price 4 Trevor Holtby 2, Mathew Moore 4 Lee Parish 3, Dave Redding 4 Lewis McGuigan 3, Gareth Johnston 1 Robbie Smith 4, Matthew Coleman 4 Michael York 0, Trevor Brennon 4 James Janney 3, Mark Rollinson 4 Stuart Limbert 0, Jamie Rollinson 4 Andy Wheeler 1, Stephen Jones 4 Ricky Speroni 0, Phil O’Brien 0 Sam Hewson 4, Adam Edgar 2 Lee Smith 4, Women’s ‘A’:- Jacqueline Maiden 3 Wendy Dearing 0, Sarah Roberts 3 Melanie Robinson 2, Cheryl Alcock 3 Kim Fuller 0, Kath Jenkins 3 Michelle Britton 0, Kat McLean 3 Valerie Skidmore 1, Gemma Barrett 3 Christine Readhead 0, Women’s ‘B’:- Sophie Singh 3 Beckie Huntley 2, Stella Sims 1 Sue Bilby 3, Shellbie Simmons 0 Cheryl McCloughlin 3, Lynne Reynolds 0 Karen Helmore 3, Heather Wright 3 Bex Waterfall 1, Claire Hobbs 0 Jessica Shakesby 3.
The 2019 Brandon Open as ever attracted lots of top county and super league players with quality darts thrown throughout the various rounds. The quarter finals produced some big wins for the semi-finals line-up as Tony Randell won 6-0 against Nick Jennings, there were 6-1 wins in turn for Luke Woodhouse and Nigel Heydon over Wayne Bowes and Jimmy Hill 6-1 and Ian McFarlane took out Richard Hosey with a 6-2 scoreline. Once again the semis produced big wins as they both finished with a 6-1 margin with wins for Luke Woodhouse and Ian McFarlane who defeated respective opponents Nigel Heydon and Tony Randell. In 14 and 17 darts Luke Woodhouse opened up a 2-0 lead in the best of eleven legs final only to see Ian McFarlane reply with two 21 darts legs to square the game. With 15 darts and a 108 finish in the fifth Woodhouse forged ahead again but the resilient McFarlane drew level for a second time with a 20 darts leg. For a third time Luke Woodhouse took the lead when in the seventh leg he checked out in 17 darts but never-say-die McFarlane hit back once again with scores of 140,180,100 and 49 then a 32 finish to make it 4-4 in just 14 darts. For his fourth lead of the game Woodhouse with an 85 game shot went 5-4 up and although his opponent left double ten off 114 it was Woodhouse in 18 darts that won the tenth leg and then wrapped up a 7-4 win in the final leg which took him just sixteen darts. As champions Luke Woodhouse received £360 with runner-up Ian McFarlane picking up £160. There was £80 each for losing semi-finalists Nigel Heydon and Tony Randell while the players going out in the quarter-finals Wayne Bowes, Jimmy Hill, Nick Jennings and Richard Hosey had £40 each plus there was a further £10 to players losing in the last sixteen Dave Crombie, Jason Melly, Willie Burksfield, Peter Wright, Martin Hancox, Noel Grant, Steve Hine and Ian Jones. Results:Last 64:Group One:- Dave Crombie 5 Johnny Adair 3, Kevin Bambrick 3 Wayne Bowes 5, Luke Woodhouse 5 Dave Pallett 1, Matt Meddoms 0 Steve Hine 5, Nigel Heydon 5 Martin Tonks 1, Steve Rowe 3 Jason Melly 5, James Woodhouse 2 Noel Grant 5, Mark Tennant 2 Jimmy Hill 5, Group Two:- Kev Wragg 1 Tony Randell 5, Craig Russell 5 Michael Lambert 0, Hayden Porter 5 Kev Woodward 3, Kevin Smith 5 Colin Osborne 3, Peter Wright 5 Chris Berry 1, Richard Hosey 5 Alan Thompson 0, Andre Louis 3 Michael Spencer 5, Mark Carter 5 Chloe McKivett 0, Last 32:Group One:- Jason Mulligan 2 Dave Crombie 5, Wayne Bowes 5 Charlie Symons 1, Mark Craddock 4 Luke Woodhouse 5, Steve Hine 5 Matt Crowley 1, Graham Hall 2 Nigel Heydon 5, Jason Melly 5 Brian Jones 0, Martin Shaw 1 Noel Grant 5, Jimmy Hill 5 Steve Blewitt 4, Nigel Heydon 5 Jason Melly 1, Noel Grant 4 Jimmy Hill 5, Group Two:- Lee Golding 0 Tony Randell 5, Craig Russell 1 Willie Burksfield 5, Nick Jennings 5 Hayden Porter 3, Kevin Smith 3 Martin Hancox 5, Rich Franklin 4 Peter Wright 5, Richard Hosey 5 Rich Reading 0, Ian McFarlane 5 Michael Spencer 0, Mark Carter 4 Ian Jones 5, Last 16:Group One:- Dave Crombie 2 Wayne Bowes 5, Luke Woodhouse 5 Steve Hine 4, Group Two:- Tony Randell 5 Willie Burksfield 4, Nick Jennings 5 Martin Hancox 0, Peter Wright 1 Richard Hosey 5, Ian McFarlane 5 Ian Jones 4, Quarter Finals:- Wayne Bowes 1 Luke Woodhouse 6, Nigel Heydon 6 Jimmy Hill 1, Tony Randell 6 Nick Jennings 0, Richard Hosey 2 Ian McFarlane 6, Semi Finals:- Luke Woodhouse 6 Nigel Heydon 1, Tony Randell 1 Ian McFarlane 6, Final:- Luke Woodhouse 7 Ian McFarlane 4.
On the local league scene The South Birmingham League staged the finals of their Edna Meek Memorial Cup and Rose Bowl Cup. The final of the Edna Meek Cup brought together the bottom two teams in Group One with Smithswood Social getting the 4-1 verdict over bottom placed C’s Arrows. The Rose Bowl final saw Group Two champions C’s Top Guns put on a terrific display to win 4-3 against Centurion who finished the season as runners-up in Group One.
A 5-4 win over White Horse confirmed Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club champions of the Netherton Thursday Night League, the win taking the Ex Serviceman’s Club to 69 points from 25 games with two more to play. A rearranged fixture saw Bulls Head win 6-3 against White Horse to overtake second placed Riddins Tavern and clinch the runners-up spot with still one more game to play, a tough one against league champions Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club
The Brierley Hill Monday Night League staged their Singles Knockout with three of the last four games resulting in 2-0 scorelines, Justine Moss, Rob Rubery and John Colley in turn defeating Chris Smith, Howard Wakefield and Joe Poole. The other last four game went to a decider with Bob Weatherall beating Richard Jones 2-1. The semi-finals saw Rubery once again win in straight legs as he took out Justine Moss while Bob Weatherall had a closer 2-1 success against John Colley. Rob Rubery continued his fine form in the final going on to lift the winner’s silverware when he beat Bob Weatherall 3-1. The Doubles Knockout title went to Dwayne Claridge and Reece Colley who defeated Phil Tonks and Darren Brown 3-1 in the final.
The Rowley Monday Night League were engaged in their Singles Knockouts, first the Top Half event which saw Richie Lenton (Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’) claim the winners silverware when he defeated Mathew Tedstone (George) in the final. The Shadow League winner was Dan Bourne (Three Diamonds) with Steve Hadley (Loyal Lodge) runner-up. In the league title race Bell became champions going one better than last season when they were runners-up. They ended on a high with an 8-1 success over Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’ who finished fourth some sixteen points fewer than the top team. Last season’s winners George had to be satisfied with the runners-up spot this season, their final 8-1 win at Cottage leaving them six points short of Bell and taking the number two spot on average from Cradley Sports and Social who had the same 52 points after their 7-2 win at Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘B’. The final of the league’s Bill Bishop brought together the league’s top two teams, champions The Bell and runners-up The George and that’s how the final finished with Bell the winners and George once again the bridesmaids. The Challenge Cup title went to Three Diamonds who had a final win over Spring Meadow Club.
The Hilltop Friendly Tuesday Night League played off their Singles Knockout and taking the crown with a final win over Brad Martin was Rye McCarthy in what was a somewhat one-sided final. Losing semi-finalists were Lee Sherwood, Dale Lancett with S.Norman, W.Hobday, T.Kennedy and T.Whitehouse all making their exits in the last eight. The league also played off their Doubles Knockout and winning the title with a final win over Tipton Sports representatives Ray Messer and Mark Zambra were Mark Ashton and Scott King from league leaders The Vine.
The winning trio for the Cradley Tuesday Night League’s 3 A-Side Knockout were Colin Bowen, Greig Billingham and Keith Morris who beat Netherton Sports and Social Club team mates Carl Davies, Steven Tipper and Jason Southall in the final. In the league annual Christmas Knockout Steven Tipper (Netherton Sports and Social ‘A’) was the winner after beating team-mate Keith Morris in the final, losing semi-finalists were Abdul Galib (Roost) and Mitch Jeffreys also from the Roost.
BDO Inter County Championships Premier Division:Lincolnshire v Warwickshire For the last couple of seasons in the Premier Division of the BDO Inter County Championships Lincolnshire have been something of a “Bogey” team for Warwickshire and Saturday’s games didn’t appear to be changing that as the ladies quickly found themselves trailing 5-0. Julie Lambie was first on for the home side and got the ball rolling with a 3-1 win over Melanie Jones. With a similar 3-1 result Layla Bontoft doubled Lincolnshire’s lead when she defeated Chloe McKivett. Taking the advantage to an unbeatable 3-0 was Heather Draper who won 3-2 against Kat Spanswick, Kat coming from 1-0 down to lead 2-1 before losing the last two legs. Lincolnshire’s second Heather, this time Lodge took the result beyond Warwickshire’s reach and confirmed their win with her 3-1 success over Denise Keyte before Dawn Armstrong made it 5-0 with a fourth 3-1 win, this time against Rosie O’Connor who was making her county debut for Warwickshire. The final game went to Warwickshire, Nina Bolt who won the first leg against Rosie Pilkington then lost the next two, however she bounced back to win the last two legs and the game 3-2. Nina being the sole winner took the match award for her 15.90 average. First on for Warwickshire’s men’s ‘B’ side was Gareth Braham who lost the opening leg to Jonathon Bywater but then went 3-1 up checking out on 109 in the fourth leg. Bywater came fighting back to win the following two legs to square the game at 3-3 but it was Braham who won the decider in eighteen darts for his close 4-3 victory and then doubling the visitors lead was Matty Washbrooke who beat Marty Richards 4-2. Dave Hill (Warwickshire) went one up against Adam Smith-Neale in 16 darts only to see the home player level with a 128 outshot then go 2-1 up in the third. Hill levelled in the fourth with scores of 100,100,121,140 and 40 game shot for a super 14 darts leg, unfortunately that was to be his last win as Smith-Neale won the next two legs to take the 4-2 result. Carl Green in 22 and 17 went two up against Dave Garner but a 118 finish in the third plus a win in the fourth saw Garner level the score. Green went ahead again in the fifth in 17 darts but it was Garner who got the close 4-3 win after both players had had throws at finishing doubles. For a second time Warwickshire took the lead when in the fifth encounter Jack Wareing after trailing 1-0 and 2-1 to Adam Ward went on to win 4-2 but by the halfway point it was all square once again as Lincolnshire’s Ross Twell came from 1-0 and 3-2 down against Mark Strong to win 4-3. For the first time in the game the home team went ahead as the second half got underway, Richard Selby winning 4-1 against Mark Carter but the lead was short lived as James Hykin handed his opponent Adam McQueen a similar 4-1 defeat to take the score to 4-4. For a second time Lincolnshire went ahead, this time it was thanks to Michael Taylor who beat Tom McGlone 4-1, however once again the lead didn’t last as a man of the match performance from Wayne Mynard levelled the score. Mynard in 21,14 and 20 darts stormed to a 3-0 lead over Colin Hopkins and although he lost the fourth leg in 21 darts he won the fifth in 16 for a 4-1 win and an award winning average of 26.88. A draw was assured for the away team when Rob Comben came from 1-0 and 3-2 down against Mick Connerton to go on and win 4-3 and a draw was how the game finished as Dave Wilson beat Ashley Hykin 4-1 in the last game of the day to give a result of 6-6. Sue Gulliver gave Warwickshire the best possible start to the ladies ‘A’ game when despite being pegged back to level terms twice by Laura Tye went on to win 3-2, her 19.72 average earning her the lady of the match award for a third successive game. Former long term Warwickshire player Trina Gulliver MBE was on second for Lincolnshire but playing against an in-form Natalie Gilbert she lost in three straight legs to see the visitors go 2-0 up. Taking the score nicely along to 3-0 was Donna Pinch who won 3-1 against Shelley Bontoft-Gash before the tide turned. A 3-1 win for Paula Jacklin against Caroline Pike reduced the arrears for the home team and with two further 3-1 wins for Mandy Smith and Julie Lambie against respective counterparts Wendy Adams and Angela Jones the final score was taken to 3-3. With two wins and a draw in the first three fixtures the men’s ‘A’ team are enjoying a good start to the campaign and that was about to get even better. Tom Aldridge began a winning run of three games when he opened up with a 4-3 victory over Tony Hill after Hill had gone 2-0 and 3-2 up. Prakash Jiwa made it 2-0 when he added his 4-1 win over Neil Ward, Ward having gone 1-0 up, then taking the score to 3-0 was Jamie Atkins who beat Shane Lowe 4-1. Former West Midlands player Nick Fullwell made a successful start for his new team Lincolnshire as he in a ding dong battle with Ian Shaw won 4-3. Fullwell won the first leg in 11 darts, he then trailed 3-1 after Shaw had won in 16,15 and 16 darts. Fullwell then drew level with two tremendous 13 and 11 darts legs before sealing his very close win in 16 darts giving him a tremendous 33.70 average for not only his team’s match award but also the top average of the weekend for any men’s ‘A’ team game. A thought should be spared for Ian Shaw who despite losing had the highest average in his team 30.12. Steve Giddings was the man to put Warwickshire back on the winning trail as he won 4-3 against Allan Edwards in another very tight battle which saw Edwards go 1-0 up then come back to draw 2-2, level again at 4-4 then lose the final leg as Giddings won it in 16 darts with a 101 game shot. At the break Warwickshire had opened up a 5-1 lead Antony Allen completing the half with his 4-3 win over Gary Blades, Blades having gone from one down to 3-1 up then losing the last three legs. Kevin Leadenham began the second half for Lincolnshire going 2-0 up against Ian McFarlane but McFarlane’s reply was wining legs of 19,18,18 and 17 darts to clinch a 4-2 win and at the same time guarantee his team of a draw. Game number eight was another seven legs thriller with Steve Hine going one up against Jack Watt with a 102 finish, Watt then levelled in the second only to go 3-1 down. The home player won the fifth and sixth legs but the all-important decider went to Steve Hine in 18 darts to confirm a win for Warwickshire as they were then 7-1 up. Noel Grant added his 4-2 win over Callum Wilson to Warwickshire’s account, Wilson having won the first and fifth legs before man of the match for the visitors Jamie Hughes made it 9-1 when he defeated Lloyd Pennell 4-2. Pennell with two 17 darts legs went 2-0 up but Hughes responded in 18 and 15 darts to level the game and then went on to win it in 13 and 18 darts to give him a superb 30.05 average. The penultimate game of the weekend saw Kevin Dowling with a 4-1 result and 29.18 average beat Dave Wilson 4-1 and with a straight 4-0 win and 29.91 average for Nigel Heydon over Simon Stainton the final score was an outstanding 11-1 win for Warwickshire men’s ‘A’ their biggest win since they beat Kent in October 2003 by the same margin. The weekend’s overall 21-15 win sees Warwickshire move up two places in the table to a very creditable fourth position on 78 points just three short of third placed Glamorgan. Full Results:Premier Division:Lincolnshire v Warwickshire (15-21):Lincolnshire names first):Men’s ‘A’:- Tony Hill 3 Tom Aldridge 4, Neil Ward 1 Prakash Jiwa 4, Shane Lowe 1 Jamie Atkins 4, Nick Fullwell 4 Ian Shaw 3, Allan Edwards 3 Steve Giddings 4, Gary Blades 3 Antony Allen 4, Kevin Leadenham 2 Ian McFarlane 4, Jock Watt 3 Steve Hine 4, Callum Wilson 2 Noel Grant 4, Lloyd Pennell 2 Jamie Hughes 4, Dave Wilson 1 Kevin Dowling 4, Simon Stainton 0 Nigel Heydon 4, Men’s ‘B’:- Jonathon Bywater 3 Gareth Braham 4, Marty Richards 2 Matty Washbrooke 4, Adam Smith-Neale 4 Dave Hill 2, Dave Garner 4 Carl Green 3, Adam Ward 2 Jack Wareing 4, Ross Twell 4 Mark Strong 3, Richard Selby 4 Mark Carter 1, Adam McQueen 1 James Hykin 4, Michael Taylor 4 Tom McGlone 1, Colin Hopkins 1 Wayne Mynard 4, Mick Connerton 3 Rob Comben 4, Dave Wilson 4 Ashley Hykin 1, Women’s ‘A’:- Laura Tye 2 Sue Gulliver 3, Trina Gulliver MBE 0 Natalie Giibert 3, Shelley Bontoft-Gash 1 Donna Pinch 3, Paula Jacklin 3 Caroline Pike 1, Mandy Smith 3 Wendy Adams 1, Julie Lambie 3 Angela Jones 1, Women’s ‘B’:- Julie Lambie 3 Melanie Jones 1, Layla Bontoft 3 Chloe McKivett 1, Heather Draper 3 Kat Spanswick 2, Heather Lodge 3 Denise Keyte 1, Dawn Armstrong 3 Rosie O’Connor 1, Rosie Pilkington 2 Nina Bolt 3.
Division Three:Montgomery and Radnor v Derbyshire Derbyshire’s third fixture of the season in Division Three of the BDO Inter County Championships was an away tie against Montgomery and Radnor a game they won 19-17 at home last season. The weekend got off to a cracking start for the visitors as Sara-Jane Harrison, Marie Leahy and Rosemary Mort in turn all won 3-1 against Lisa Husbands, Val Davies and Louise Davies to guarantee them at least a draw after only the first three games. A straight 3-0 win for Nicola Fletcher over Rachael Williams turned that possible draw into a definite win before Emily Jones turned on a lady of the match performance when she beat namesake Jane Jones in straight legs with a 19.03 average. The final game went to the home team as Claire Boyle won 3-2 against Jennifer McCormick after McCormick had gone 1-0 and 2-1 up. The final score 5-1 to Derbyshire ladies ‘B’, their first win of the campaign. Unlike the ladies ‘B’ the men’s ‘B’ didn’t have such a good start as Adam Joseph gave Montgomery and Radnor the first win when he defeated Dean Allsopp 3-0 and another Adam for the hosts, this time Thackray won 3-1 against Dan Ford. It was game number three before Derbyshire got their first stripe on the board and it was provided by Matt Faulkner, a 3-1 success over David Boyle who had levelled the game in the second. Lee Arkwright was the man to restore parity as he handed out a straight 3-0 defeat to Mark Emberton and then despite Paul Williams twice being pegged back to level terms he won 3-2 against Jamie Kynaston to give the away team the lead for the first time in the game. In the last game of the first half James Parkin added his 3-0 win over Paul Simister to give Derbyshire a 4-2 lead at the break. As the second half got underway Dan Jones momentarily reduced the arrears for the hosts as he chalked up a 3-1 win over Stephen Paling but the visitors two games buffer was restored when in-form man Ryan O’Connor beat Robin Shingler 3-0 in 14,16 and 16 darts for a man of the match average of 32.67, on the day the best average for any men’s ‘B’ team player. Moving the score along to 6-3 was John Elliott who got the better of Tony Lloyd with Derbyshire’s fourth straight 3-0 victory. David Richards began what was the home team’s best run of the match, three wins in a row as he came from one down against Andrew Houghton to win 3-2 then Gwion Pughe won 3-1 against Lee Cropper and finally Roger Williams beat Colin Rich 3-0 to snatch a 6-6 draw from what appeared to be the jaws of defeat. The women’s ‘A’ were seeking their first win in three and they couldn’t have asked for a better start as Rebecca Hoyland kicked them off with a lady of the match win over Kelly Butler. After going one up Rebecca had her lead cancelled out but then won the next two legs for a 3-1 victory plus the match award for her 16.64 average. Katie Bellerby with a 3-0 win over Rachel Ayres cancelled out Derbyshire’s lead and although Sally Urwin lost the first leg to Jane Densley and was pegged back to level terms in the fourth she won the final leg for a close 3-2 victory. Sarah Louise Williams made it a 3-1 advantage to the home side when she came from 2-0 down against Jackie Sweet and although Terri Bellamy (Derbyshire) lost the first leg to Claire Boyle and went on to win 3-1 a similar 3-1 win for Evonne Taylor against Rachel Bird in the last game gave Montgomery and Radnor a 4-2 win. Long serving Derbyshire stalwart Gary Fenn gave the ‘A’ side the early lead when he opened up with a 4-1 win over Roger Williams. Adding to Gary’s success was Richard Hanson who despite going one down to Daniel Petty bounced back to go on and win 4-1. Taking the score along to 3-0 was Connor Hodgkinson who was made to fight all the way for his 4-3 win by Mitchell Butler as he went 1-0 then 3-1 up before Butler won the fifth and sixth to force a deciding leg which went to Hodgkinson. From 3-0 up it all then went a little pear-shaped for Derbyshire as Steve Price beat Steve Thompson 4-1, Jim Williams won 4-0 against Lee Stanley, there was a 4-1 win for John Williams-Jones over Benjamin Holmes followed by two 4-3 wins from Mark Bellerby and Edward Price over respective opponents Ian Allcock and Andy Cass to put the hosts 5-3 up. Keeping Derbyshire in the hunt was Michael Ryall, three times he had his lead cancelled out by Ben Bevan before he won the seventh and deciding leg in 16 darts. In 19 darts Henry Coates went one up against Jon Mansell only then to go 2-1down. Coates with a 105 outshot squared the game but with wins in the next two legs it was Mansell who got the 4-2 verdict to take Montgomery’s lead to 6-4. Adam Joseph (Montgomery and Radnor) won the first two legs against Sean Lambert and although Lambert won the next two to level the score Joseph went ahead again in the fifth. Now not only staring his own but also his team’s defeat in the face Lambert pulled out all of the stops to win the last two legs and the game 4-3 with his opponent unable to reach a finishing double in either leg to leave the result hinging on the final game of the weekend. For Derbyshire their anchor man Nigel Daniels was in superb form as he went 1-0 up in 21 darts then with further winning legs of 14 and 15 darts he wrapped up his 4-0 win over Andy Baugh with his second 14 darts leg for a fantastic 31.31 average to clinch the match award and a share of the spoils in a 6-6 draw plus an overall 19-17 victory for his team. Despite their second consecutive win Derbyshire remain at the foot of the division three promotion table on 57 points, however it’s not as bad as it first looks as the five teams above them have all played one game more than them and County Durham who are some four places above them are only 14 points to the good. Full Results:Division Three:Montgomery and Radnor v Derbyshire (17-19):Montgomery and Radnor names first):Men’s ‘A’:- Roger Williams 1 Gary Fenn 4, Daniel Petty 1 Richard Hanson 4, Mitchell Butler 3 Connor Hodgkinson 4, Steve Price 4 Steve Thompson 1, Jim Williams 4 Lee Stanley 0, John Williams-Jones 4 Benjamin Holmes 1, Mark Bellerby 4 Ian Allcock 3, Edward Price 4 Andy Cass 3, Ben Bevan 3 Michael Ryall 4, Jon Mansell 4 Henry Coates 2, Adam Joseph 3 Sean Lambert 4, Andy Baugh 0 Nigel Daniels 4, Men’s ‘B’:- Adam Joseph 3 Dean Allsopp 0, Adam Thackray 3 Dan Ford 1, David Boyle 1 Matt Faulkner 3, Mark Emberton 0 Lee Arkwright 3, Jamie Kynaston 2 Paul Williams 3, Paul Simister 0 James Parkin 3, Dan Jones 3 Stephen Paling 1, Robin Shingler 0 Ryan O’Connor 3, Tony Lloyd 0 John Elliott 3, David Richards 3 Andrew Houghton 2, Gwion Pughe 3 Lee Cropper 1, Roger Williams 3 Colin Rich 0, Women’s ‘A’:- Kelly Butler 1 Rebecca Hoyland 3, Katie Bellerby 3 Rachel Ayres 0, Sally Urwin 3 Jane Densley 2, Sarah Louise Williams 3 Jackie Sweet 2, Claire Boyle 1 Terri Bellamy 3, Evonne Taylor 3 Rachel Bird 1, Women’s ‘B’:- Lisa Husbands 1 Sara-Jane Harrison 3, Val Davies 1 Marie Leahy 3, Louise Davies 1 Rosemary Mort 3, Rachael Williams 0 Nicola Fletcher 3, Jane Jones 0 Emily Jones 3, Claire Boyle 3 Jennifer McCormick 2.
Division Four:Pembrokeshire v Shropshire With two wins under their belt from the opening three games in Division Four of the BDO Inter County Championships Shropshire were lying sixth in the promotional table on 62 points only ten short of leaders Leicestershire. The latest and final fixture of the year was an away tie with Pembrokeshire who were two places below and 18 points short of Shropshire. The host’s ladies ‘B’ side got the better start as Ruth Bailey-Harris opened up with a 3-0 win over Caroline Powell that lead doubled when Tina Phillips beat Cheryl Owen 3-2 in a very close game. Shropshire pulled one back in the third with a 3-1 win for lady of the match Rachael Mooney who won 3-1 against Lorraine James with a 15.29 average. Parity was restored in the fourth as Sophie Fawcett beat namesake Sophie Davies in a game that swayed one way then the other as Sophie Fawcett went one up then Sophie Davies took a 2-1 lead. The final two legs went to Shropshire’s Sophie for her 3-2 win. Eirwen Lewis took Pembrokeshire within an ace of victory when she beat Helen Walmsley 3-1 but the final score was a 3-3 draw when Allison Gallagher handed out a straight 3-0 defeat to Avril Evans. The men’s ‘B’ were fresh off the back of a convincing 10-2 win over Gloucestershire but like the ladies ‘B’ didn’t have a very good start as Pembrokeshire with wins from Gareth John, Steve Castle, John Phillips and Paul Gardiner over respective opponents Paul Bromley (3-2), John Simms (3-0), Jon Blakemore (3-2) and Paul Harrison (3-0) opened up a 4-0 lead. Mike Hampson momentarily stopped the home team’s charge as he came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 against Jay Picton but by the midway point of the match Pembrokeshire had gone 5-1 up with a further 3-1 win from Cellan Jones who with a 144 game shot in the third beat Brian Hickman. Richard Bowen with an award winning average of 25.68 gave Shropshire their second win when he kicked off the second half with a 3-1 success over Mark Allchin but it was only a brief intermission for the visitors as Ben Farr and Andrew Smith in turn won 3-1 against Andy Vellender and Phil Mayo to take the score beyond Shropshire’s reach as the home side then had a 7-2 lead. Kian Davies went 2-0 up against Simon Pritchard and although Pritchard pulled back to level terms it was Davies who won the final leg. Now with an 8-2 advantage home player Daniel Castle looked all set to make it 9-2 when he went 2-0 up against Will Roberts but in 26,19 and 20 darts it was Roberts who got the 3-2 result and making the final score a little more respectable at 8-4 was Sam Aitkens (Shropshire) who handed Peter Wilcox a straight 3-0 defeat. It turned out to be a bad day at the office for the ladies ‘A’ side as they suffered their biggest defeat of the season so far 6-0. Tracey Marie-Davies began the rout as she won 3-0 against Michele Pritchard. Deana Sheldon made Rhian Evans fight all the way for her victory as she cancelled out her lead twice and took her to a decider before she won 3-2. Tracey Hawkins-Green took the score along to 3-0 with her 3-1 win against Sue Lane who had won the first leg then with a similar 3-1 result Julie Gore put the score beyond Shropshire’s reach when she accounted for Marie Riggs. The final two games both ended with 3-0 scorelines as in turn Hayley Francis-Owens and Angharad Bessant-Bert defeated Jenna Ball and Stephanie Clarke, one to just put behind you ladies and look to the next game. The home team got the better start once again in the men’s ‘A’ match as Les Morgan won 4-2 against Martin Price and Nathan Burdett beat Richard Bowen 4-3 after Bowen had opened up a 3-1 lead. Jamie Barrowman reduced the arrears when he won 4-1 against Jeffery Maynard and with John Speed coming from 2-0 down to Rhys Jones and going on to win 4-2 the score was back to level terms at two each. Pembrokeshire’s lead was restored in the fifth when Phil Gooch won 4-0 against Andi Chatter but a similar 4-1 win for Shropshire’s Richard Parker against Rory Jolly made it all square at the halfway point. For the first time in the game the away side took the lead in the seventh, a 4-1 result over Wayne Evans saw Chris Williams give Shropshire a 4-3 advantage and with a 4-2 win for Martin Riggs over Jason Davies the visitors had a two games buffer. The two games advantage disappeared as quickly as it had been chalked up as Huw Williams came from one down to Nik Bloor to win 4-1 and Stuart Davies after leading 1-0 and then trailing 2-1 to Chris Fox went on to win 4-2 to take the score to 5-5 with just two to play. Iwan Morgan in 24 and 22 darts opened up a 2-0 lead over Andy Jervis in the penultimate encounter but with two eighteen darts legs which included a 121 game shot in the fourth Jervis drew level. The away player then went ahead in the fifth with a 21 darts leg and rounded off his 4-2 win in the sixth to leave the men’s ‘A’ result now all dependant on the final game of the weekend. On for Pembrokeshire at number twelve was Mikey Rees and anchor man for Shropshire Dan Astbury. Rees began with a win in 17 darts and was quick to add an 18 and then a 16 darts leg to put him 3-0 up requiring just one more leg for a win and a draw for his team mates. Like Rees, Astbury’s first win was in seventeen darts, he then added a second in 23 darts before producing an excellent leg of darts in which he had scores of 100,140,140 and 81 to leave double twenty which he put to bed with aplomb with his thirteenth dart to draw level at 3-3. The final leg of the game, day and weekend could have gone to either player as both had a throw at a double but it was Dan Astbury with a 20 outshot that won it in 24 darts giving him 4-3 win and the man of the match award for his 27.24 average. Astbury’s win took the final score to 7-5 in favour of Shropshire’s men’s ‘A’, but the overall 22-14 result went to the hosts Pembrokeshire. Despite the defeat Shropshire can be encouraged insomuch as they actually moved up one place in the table to fifth with 76 points just one short of fourth placed Northumberland and only seven behind third in the table Breconshire. Full Results:Division Four:Pembrokeshire v Shropshire (22-14):Pembrokeshire names first):Men’s ‘A’:- Les Morgan 4 Martin Price 2, Nathan Burdett 4 Richard Bowen 3, Jeffery Maynard 1 Jamie Barrowman 4, Rhys Jones 2 John Speed 4, Phil Gooch 4 Andi Chatter 0 Rory Jolly 1 Richard Parker 4, Wayne Evans 1 Chris Williams 4, Jason Davies 2 Martin Rigg 4, Huw Williams 4 Nik Bloor 1, Stuart Davies 4 Chris Fox 2, Iwan Morgan 2 Andy Jervis 4, Mikey Rees 3 Dan Astbury 4, Men’s ‘B’:- Gareth John 3 Paul Bromley 2, Steve Castle 3 John Simms 0, John Phillips 3 Jon Blakemore 2, Paul Gardiner 3 Paul Harrison 0, Jay Picton 2 Mike Hampton 3, Cellan Jones 3 Brian Hickman 1, Mark Allchin 1 Richard Bowen 3, Ben Farr 3 Andy Vellender 1, Andrew Smith 3 Phil Mayo 1, Kian Davies 3 Simon Pritchard 2, Daniel Castle 2 Will Roberts 3, Peter Wilcox 0 Sam Aitkens 3, Women’s ‘A’:- Tracey Marie-Davies 3 Michele Pritchard 0, Rhian Evans 3 Deana Sheldon 2, Tracey Hawkins-Green 3 Sue Lane 1, Julie Gore 3 Marie Riggs 1, Hayley Francis-Owens 3 Jenna Ball 0, Angharad Bessant-Bert 3 Stephanie Clarke 0, Women’s ‘B’:- Ruth Bailey-Harris 3 Caroline Powell 0, Tina Phillips 3 Cheryl Owen 2, Lorraine James 1 Rachael Mooney 3, Sophie Davies 2 Sophie Fawcett 3, Eirwen Lewis 3 Helen Walmsley 1, Avril Evans 0 Allison Gallagher 3.
By Alan Towe Website: www.alantowedarts.co.uk
The 2019 Brandon Open as ever attracted lots of top county and super league players with quality darts thrown throughout the various rounds. The quarter finals produced some big wins for the semi-finals line-up as Tony Randell won 6-0 against Nick Jennings, there were 6-1 wins in turn for Luke Woodhouse and Nigel Heydon over Wayne Bowes and Jimmy Hill 6-1 and Ian McFarlane took out Richard Hosey with a 6-2 scoreline. Once again the semis produced big wins as they both finished with a 6-1 margin with wins for Luke Woodhouse and Ian McFarlane who defeated respective opponents Nigel Heydon and Tony Randell. In 14 and 17 darts Luke Woodhouse opened up a 2-0 lead in the best of eleven legs final only to see Ian McFarlane reply with two 21 darts legs to square the game. With 15 darts and a 108 finish in the fifth Woodhouse forged ahead again but the resilient McFarlane drew level for a second time with a 20 darts leg. For a third time Luke Woodhouse took the lead when in the seventh leg he checked out in 17 darts but never-say-die McFarlane hit back once again with scores of 140,180,100 and 49 then a 32 finish to make it 4-4 in just 14 darts. For his fourth lead of the game Woodhouse with an 85 game shot went 5-4 up and although his opponent left double ten off 114 it was Woodhouse in 18 darts that won the tenth leg and then wrapped up a 7-4 win in the final leg which took him just sixteen darts. As champions Luke Woodhouse received £360 with runner-up Ian McFarlane picking up £160. There was £80 each for losing semi-finalists Nigel Heydon and Tony Randell while the players going out in the quarter-finals Wayne Bowes, Jimmy Hill, Nick Jennings and Richard Hosey had £40 each plus there was a further £10 to players losing in the last sixteen Dave Crombie, Jason Melly, Willie Burksfield, Peter Wright, Martin Hancox, Noel Grant, Steve Hine and Ian Jones. Results:Last 64:Group One:- Dave Crombie 5 Johnny Adair 3, Kevin Bambrick 3 Wayne Bowes 5, Luke Woodhouse 5 Dave Pallett 1, Matt Meddoms 0 Steve Hine 5, Nigel Heydon 5 Martin Tonks 1, Steve Rowe 3 Jason Melly 5, James Woodhouse 2 Noel Grant 5, Mark Tennant 2 Jimmy Hill 5, Group Two:- Kev Wragg 1 Tony Randell 5, Craig Russell 5 Michael Lambert 0, Hayden Porter 5 Kev Woodward 3, Kevin Smith 5 Colin Osborne 3, Peter Wright 5 Chris Berry 1, Richard Hosey 5 Alan Thompson 0, Andre Louis 3 Michael Spencer 5, Mark Carter 5 Chloe McKivett 0, Last 32:Group One:- Jason Mulligan 2 Dave Crombie 5, Wayne Bowes 5 Charlie Symons 1, Mark Craddock 4 Luke Woodhouse 5, Steve Hine 5 Matt Crowley 1, Graham Hall 2 Nigel Heydon 5, Jason Melly 5 Brian Jones 0, Martin Shaw 1 Noel Grant 5, Jimmy Hill 5 Steve Blewitt 4, Nigel Heydon 5 Jason Melly 1, Noel Grant 4 Jimmy Hill 5, Group Two:- Lee Golding 0 Tony Randell 5, Craig Russell 1 Willie Burksfield 5, Nick Jennings 5 Hayden Porter 3, Kevin Smith 3 Martin Hancox 5, Rich Franklin 4 Peter Wright 5, Richard Hosey 5 Rich Reading 0, Ian McFarlane 5 Michael Spencer 0, Mark Carter 4 Ian Jones 5, Last 16:Group One:- Dave Crombie 2 Wayne Bowes 5, Luke Woodhouse 5 Steve Hine 4, Group Two:- Tony Randell 5 Willie Burksfield 4, Nick Jennings 5 Martin Hancox 0, Peter Wright 1 Richard Hosey 5, Ian McFarlane 5 Ian Jones 4, Quarter Finals:- Wayne Bowes 1 Luke Woodhouse 6, Nigel Heydon 6 Jimmy Hill 1, Tony Randell 6 Nick Jennings 0, Richard Hosey 2 Ian McFarlane 6, Semi Finals:- Luke Woodhouse 6 Nigel Heydon 1, Tony Randell 1 Ian McFarlane 6, Final:- Luke Woodhouse 7 Ian McFarlane 4.
On the local league scene The South Birmingham League staged the finals of their Edna Meek Memorial Cup and Rose Bowl Cup. The final of the Edna Meek Cup brought together the bottom two teams in Group One with Smithswood Social getting the 4-1 verdict over bottom placed C’s Arrows. The Rose Bowl final saw Group Two champions C’s Top Guns put on a terrific display to win 4-3 against Centurion who finished the season as runners-up in Group One.
A 5-4 win over White Horse confirmed Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club champions of the Netherton Thursday Night League, the win taking the Ex Serviceman’s Club to 69 points from 25 games with two more to play. A rearranged fixture saw Bulls Head win 6-3 against White Horse to overtake second placed Riddins Tavern and clinch the runners-up spot with still one more game to play, a tough one against league champions Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club
The Brierley Hill Monday Night League staged their Singles Knockout with three of the last four games resulting in 2-0 scorelines, Justine Moss, Rob Rubery and John Colley in turn defeating Chris Smith, Howard Wakefield and Joe Poole. The other last four game went to a decider with Bob Weatherall beating Richard Jones 2-1. The semi-finals saw Rubery once again win in straight legs as he took out Justine Moss while Bob Weatherall had a closer 2-1 success against John Colley. Rob Rubery continued his fine form in the final going on to lift the winner’s silverware when he beat Bob Weatherall 3-1. The Doubles Knockout title went to Dwayne Claridge and Reece Colley who defeated Phil Tonks and Darren Brown 3-1 in the final.
The Rowley Monday Night League were engaged in their Singles Knockouts, first the Top Half event which saw Richie Lenton (Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’) claim the winners silverware when he defeated Mathew Tedstone (George) in the final. The Shadow League winner was Dan Bourne (Three Diamonds) with Steve Hadley (Loyal Lodge) runner-up. In the league title race Bell became champions going one better than last season when they were runners-up. They ended on a high with an 8-1 success over Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’ who finished fourth some sixteen points fewer than the top team. Last season’s winners George had to be satisfied with the runners-up spot this season, their final 8-1 win at Cottage leaving them six points short of Bell and taking the number two spot on average from Cradley Sports and Social who had the same 52 points after their 7-2 win at Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘B’. The final of the league’s Bill Bishop brought together the league’s top two teams, champions The Bell and runners-up The George and that’s how the final finished with Bell the winners and George once again the bridesmaids. The Challenge Cup title went to Three Diamonds who had a final win over Spring Meadow Club.
The Hilltop Friendly Tuesday Night League played off their Singles Knockout and taking the crown with a final win over Brad Martin was Rye McCarthy in what was a somewhat one-sided final. Losing semi-finalists were Lee Sherwood, Dale Lancett with S.Norman, W.Hobday, T.Kennedy and T.Whitehouse all making their exits in the last eight. The league also played off their Doubles Knockout and winning the title with a final win over Tipton Sports representatives Ray Messer and Mark Zambra were Mark Ashton and Scott King from league leaders The Vine.
The winning trio for the Cradley Tuesday Night League’s 3 A-Side Knockout were Colin Bowen, Greig Billingham and Keith Morris who beat Netherton Sports and Social Club team mates Carl Davies, Steven Tipper and Jason Southall in the final. In the league annual Christmas Knockout Steven Tipper (Netherton Sports and Social ‘A’) was the winner after beating team-mate Keith Morris in the final, losing semi-finalists were Abdul Galib (Roost) and Mitch Jeffreys also from the Roost.
BDO Inter County Championships Premier Division:Lincolnshire v Warwickshire For the last couple of seasons in the Premier Division of the BDO Inter County Championships Lincolnshire have been something of a “Bogey” team for Warwickshire and Saturday’s games didn’t appear to be changing that as the ladies quickly found themselves trailing 5-0. Julie Lambie was first on for the home side and got the ball rolling with a 3-1 win over Melanie Jones. With a similar 3-1 result Layla Bontoft doubled Lincolnshire’s lead when she defeated Chloe McKivett. Taking the advantage to an unbeatable 3-0 was Heather Draper who won 3-2 against Kat Spanswick, Kat coming from 1-0 down to lead 2-1 before losing the last two legs. Lincolnshire’s second Heather, this time Lodge took the result beyond Warwickshire’s reach and confirmed their win with her 3-1 success over Denise Keyte before Dawn Armstrong made it 5-0 with a fourth 3-1 win, this time against Rosie O’Connor who was making her county debut for Warwickshire. The final game went to Warwickshire, Nina Bolt who won the first leg against Rosie Pilkington then lost the next two, however she bounced back to win the last two legs and the game 3-2. Nina being the sole winner took the match award for her 15.90 average. First on for Warwickshire’s men’s ‘B’ side was Gareth Braham who lost the opening leg to Jonathon Bywater but then went 3-1 up checking out on 109 in the fourth leg. Bywater came fighting back to win the following two legs to square the game at 3-3 but it was Braham who won the decider in eighteen darts for his close 4-3 victory and then doubling the visitors lead was Matty Washbrooke who beat Marty Richards 4-2. Dave Hill (Warwickshire) went one up against Adam Smith-Neale in 16 darts only to see the home player level with a 128 outshot then go 2-1 up in the third. Hill levelled in the fourth with scores of 100,100,121,140 and 40 game shot for a super 14 darts leg, unfortunately that was to be his last win as Smith-Neale won the next two legs to take the 4-2 result. Carl Green in 22 and 17 went two up against Dave Garner but a 118 finish in the third plus a win in the fourth saw Garner level the score. Green went ahead again in the fifth in 17 darts but it was Garner who got the close 4-3 win after both players had had throws at finishing doubles. For a second time Warwickshire took the lead when in the fifth encounter Jack Wareing after trailing 1-0 and 2-1 to Adam Ward went on to win 4-2 but by the halfway point it was all square once again as Lincolnshire’s Ross Twell came from 1-0 and 3-2 down against Mark Strong to win 4-3. For the first time in the game the home team went ahead as the second half got underway, Richard Selby winning 4-1 against Mark Carter but the lead was short lived as James Hykin handed his opponent Adam McQueen a similar 4-1 defeat to take the score to 4-4. For a second time Lincolnshire went ahead, this time it was thanks to Michael Taylor who beat Tom McGlone 4-1, however once again the lead didn’t last as a man of the match performance from Wayne Mynard levelled the score. Mynard in 21,14 and 20 darts stormed to a 3-0 lead over Colin Hopkins and although he lost the fourth leg in 21 darts he won the fifth in 16 for a 4-1 win and an award winning average of 26.88. A draw was assured for the away team when Rob Comben came from 1-0 and 3-2 down against Mick Connerton to go on and win 4-3 and a draw was how the game finished as Dave Wilson beat Ashley Hykin 4-1 in the last game of the day to give a result of 6-6. Sue Gulliver gave Warwickshire the best possible start to the ladies ‘A’ game when despite being pegged back to level terms twice by Laura Tye went on to win 3-2, her 19.72 average earning her the lady of the match award for a third successive game. Former long term Warwickshire player Trina Gulliver MBE was on second for Lincolnshire but playing against an in-form Natalie Gilbert she lost in three straight legs to see the visitors go 2-0 up. Taking the score nicely along to 3-0 was Donna Pinch who won 3-1 against Shelley Bontoft-Gash before the tide turned. A 3-1 win for Paula Jacklin against Caroline Pike reduced the arrears for the home team and with two further 3-1 wins for Mandy Smith and Julie Lambie against respective counterparts Wendy Adams and Angela Jones the final score was taken to 3-3. With two wins and a draw in the first three fixtures the men’s ‘A’ team are enjoying a good start to the campaign and that was about to get even better. Tom Aldridge began a winning run of three games when he opened up with a 4-3 victory over Tony Hill after Hill had gone 2-0 and 3-2 up. Prakash Jiwa made it 2-0 when he added his 4-1 win over Neil Ward, Ward having gone 1-0 up, then taking the score to 3-0 was Jamie Atkins who beat Shane Lowe 4-1. Former West Midlands player Nick Fullwell made a successful start for his new team Lincolnshire as he in a ding dong battle with Ian Shaw won 4-3. Fullwell won the first leg in 11 darts, he then trailed 3-1 after Shaw had won in 16,15 and 16 darts. Fullwell then drew level with two tremendous 13 and 11 darts legs before sealing his very close win in 16 darts giving him a tremendous 33.70 average for not only his team’s match award but also the top average of the weekend for any men’s ‘A’ team game. A thought should be spared for Ian Shaw who despite losing had the highest average in his team 30.12. Steve Giddings was the man to put Warwickshire back on the winning trail as he won 4-3 against Allan Edwards in another very tight battle which saw Edwards go 1-0 up then come back to draw 2-2, level again at 4-4 then lose the final leg as Giddings won it in 16 darts with a 101 game shot. At the break Warwickshire had opened up a 5-1 lead Antony Allen completing the half with his 4-3 win over Gary Blades, Blades having gone from one down to 3-1 up then losing the last three legs. Kevin Leadenham began the second half for Lincolnshire going 2-0 up against Ian McFarlane but McFarlane’s reply was wining legs of 19,18,18 and 17 darts to clinch a 4-2 win and at the same time guarantee his team of a draw. Game number eight was another seven legs thriller with Steve Hine going one up against Jack Watt with a 102 finish, Watt then levelled in the second only to go 3-1 down. The home player won the fifth and sixth legs but the all-important decider went to Steve Hine in 18 darts to confirm a win for Warwickshire as they were then 7-1 up. Noel Grant added his 4-2 win over Callum Wilson to Warwickshire’s account, Wilson having won the first and fifth legs before man of the match for the visitors Jamie Hughes made it 9-1 when he defeated Lloyd Pennell 4-2. Pennell with two 17 darts legs went 2-0 up but Hughes responded in 18 and 15 darts to level the game and then went on to win it in 13 and 18 darts to give him a superb 30.05 average. The penultimate game of the weekend saw Kevin Dowling with a 4-1 result and 29.18 average beat Dave Wilson 4-1 and with a straight 4-0 win and 29.91 average for Nigel Heydon over Simon Stainton the final score was an outstanding 11-1 win for Warwickshire men’s ‘A’ their biggest win since they beat Kent in October 2003 by the same margin. The weekend’s overall 21-15 win sees Warwickshire move up two places in the table to a very creditable fourth position on 78 points just three short of third placed Glamorgan. Full Results:Premier Division:Lincolnshire v Warwickshire (15-21):Lincolnshire names first):Men’s ‘A’:- Tony Hill 3 Tom Aldridge 4, Neil Ward 1 Prakash Jiwa 4, Shane Lowe 1 Jamie Atkins 4, Nick Fullwell 4 Ian Shaw 3, Allan Edwards 3 Steve Giddings 4, Gary Blades 3 Antony Allen 4, Kevin Leadenham 2 Ian McFarlane 4, Jock Watt 3 Steve Hine 4, Callum Wilson 2 Noel Grant 4, Lloyd Pennell 2 Jamie Hughes 4, Dave Wilson 1 Kevin Dowling 4, Simon Stainton 0 Nigel Heydon 4, Men’s ‘B’:- Jonathon Bywater 3 Gareth Braham 4, Marty Richards 2 Matty Washbrooke 4, Adam Smith-Neale 4 Dave Hill 2, Dave Garner 4 Carl Green 3, Adam Ward 2 Jack Wareing 4, Ross Twell 4 Mark Strong 3, Richard Selby 4 Mark Carter 1, Adam McQueen 1 James Hykin 4, Michael Taylor 4 Tom McGlone 1, Colin Hopkins 1 Wayne Mynard 4, Mick Connerton 3 Rob Comben 4, Dave Wilson 4 Ashley Hykin 1, Women’s ‘A’:- Laura Tye 2 Sue Gulliver 3, Trina Gulliver MBE 0 Natalie Giibert 3, Shelley Bontoft-Gash 1 Donna Pinch 3, Paula Jacklin 3 Caroline Pike 1, Mandy Smith 3 Wendy Adams 1, Julie Lambie 3 Angela Jones 1, Women’s ‘B’:- Julie Lambie 3 Melanie Jones 1, Layla Bontoft 3 Chloe McKivett 1, Heather Draper 3 Kat Spanswick 2, Heather Lodge 3 Denise Keyte 1, Dawn Armstrong 3 Rosie O’Connor 1, Rosie Pilkington 2 Nina Bolt 3.
Division Three:Montgomery and Radnor v Derbyshire Derbyshire’s third fixture of the season in Division Three of the BDO Inter County Championships was an away tie against Montgomery and Radnor a game they won 19-17 at home last season. The weekend got off to a cracking start for the visitors as Sara-Jane Harrison, Marie Leahy and Rosemary Mort in turn all won 3-1 against Lisa Husbands, Val Davies and Louise Davies to guarantee them at least a draw after only the first three games. A straight 3-0 win for Nicola Fletcher over Rachael Williams turned that possible draw into a definite win before Emily Jones turned on a lady of the match performance when she beat namesake Jane Jones in straight legs with a 19.03 average. The final game went to the home team as Claire Boyle won 3-2 against Jennifer McCormick after McCormick had gone 1-0 and 2-1 up. The final score 5-1 to Derbyshire ladies ‘B’, their first win of the campaign. Unlike the ladies ‘B’ the men’s ‘B’ didn’t have such a good start as Adam Joseph gave Montgomery and Radnor the first win when he defeated Dean Allsopp 3-0 and another Adam for the hosts, this time Thackray won 3-1 against Dan Ford. It was game number three before Derbyshire got their first stripe on the board and it was provided by Matt Faulkner, a 3-1 success over David Boyle who had levelled the game in the second. Lee Arkwright was the man to restore parity as he handed out a straight 3-0 defeat to Mark Emberton and then despite Paul Williams twice being pegged back to level terms he won 3-2 against Jamie Kynaston to give the away team the lead for the first time in the game. In the last game of the first half James Parkin added his 3-0 win over Paul Simister to give Derbyshire a 4-2 lead at the break. As the second half got underway Dan Jones momentarily reduced the arrears for the hosts as he chalked up a 3-1 win over Stephen Paling but the visitors two games buffer was restored when in-form man Ryan O’Connor beat Robin Shingler 3-0 in 14,16 and 16 darts for a man of the match average of 32.67, on the day the best average for any men’s ‘B’ team player. Moving the score along to 6-3 was John Elliott who got the better of Tony Lloyd with Derbyshire’s fourth straight 3-0 victory. David Richards began what was the home team’s best run of the match, three wins in a row as he came from one down against Andrew Houghton to win 3-2 then Gwion Pughe won 3-1 against Lee Cropper and finally Roger Williams beat Colin Rich 3-0 to snatch a 6-6 draw from what appeared to be the jaws of defeat. The women’s ‘A’ were seeking their first win in three and they couldn’t have asked for a better start as Rebecca Hoyland kicked them off with a lady of the match win over Kelly Butler. After going one up Rebecca had her lead cancelled out but then won the next two legs for a 3-1 victory plus the match award for her 16.64 average. Katie Bellerby with a 3-0 win over Rachel Ayres cancelled out Derbyshire’s lead and although Sally Urwin lost the first leg to Jane Densley and was pegged back to level terms in the fourth she won the final leg for a close 3-2 victory. Sarah Louise Williams made it a 3-1 advantage to the home side when she came from 2-0 down against Jackie Sweet and although Terri Bellamy (Derbyshire) lost the first leg to Claire Boyle and went on to win 3-1 a similar 3-1 win for Evonne Taylor against Rachel Bird in the last game gave Montgomery and Radnor a 4-2 win. Long serving Derbyshire stalwart Gary Fenn gave the ‘A’ side the early lead when he opened up with a 4-1 win over Roger Williams. Adding to Gary’s success was Richard Hanson who despite going one down to Daniel Petty bounced back to go on and win 4-1. Taking the score along to 3-0 was Connor Hodgkinson who was made to fight all the way for his 4-3 win by Mitchell Butler as he went 1-0 then 3-1 up before Butler won the fifth and sixth to force a deciding leg which went to Hodgkinson. From 3-0 up it all then went a little pear-shaped for Derbyshire as Steve Price beat Steve Thompson 4-1, Jim Williams won 4-0 against Lee Stanley, there was a 4-1 win for John Williams-Jones over Benjamin Holmes followed by two 4-3 wins from Mark Bellerby and Edward Price over respective opponents Ian Allcock and Andy Cass to put the hosts 5-3 up. Keeping Derbyshire in the hunt was Michael Ryall, three times he had his lead cancelled out by Ben Bevan before he won the seventh and deciding leg in 16 darts. In 19 darts Henry Coates went one up against Jon Mansell only then to go 2-1down. Coates with a 105 outshot squared the game but with wins in the next two legs it was Mansell who got the 4-2 verdict to take Montgomery’s lead to 6-4. Adam Joseph (Montgomery and Radnor) won the first two legs against Sean Lambert and although Lambert won the next two to level the score Joseph went ahead again in the fifth. Now not only staring his own but also his team’s defeat in the face Lambert pulled out all of the stops to win the last two legs and the game 4-3 with his opponent unable to reach a finishing double in either leg to leave the result hinging on the final game of the weekend. For Derbyshire their anchor man Nigel Daniels was in superb form as he went 1-0 up in 21 darts then with further winning legs of 14 and 15 darts he wrapped up his 4-0 win over Andy Baugh with his second 14 darts leg for a fantastic 31.31 average to clinch the match award and a share of the spoils in a 6-6 draw plus an overall 19-17 victory for his team. Despite their second consecutive win Derbyshire remain at the foot of the division three promotion table on 57 points, however it’s not as bad as it first looks as the five teams above them have all played one game more than them and County Durham who are some four places above them are only 14 points to the good. Full Results:Division Three:Montgomery and Radnor v Derbyshire (17-19):Montgomery and Radnor names first):Men’s ‘A’:- Roger Williams 1 Gary Fenn 4, Daniel Petty 1 Richard Hanson 4, Mitchell Butler 3 Connor Hodgkinson 4, Steve Price 4 Steve Thompson 1, Jim Williams 4 Lee Stanley 0, John Williams-Jones 4 Benjamin Holmes 1, Mark Bellerby 4 Ian Allcock 3, Edward Price 4 Andy Cass 3, Ben Bevan 3 Michael Ryall 4, Jon Mansell 4 Henry Coates 2, Adam Joseph 3 Sean Lambert 4, Andy Baugh 0 Nigel Daniels 4, Men’s ‘B’:- Adam Joseph 3 Dean Allsopp 0, Adam Thackray 3 Dan Ford 1, David Boyle 1 Matt Faulkner 3, Mark Emberton 0 Lee Arkwright 3, Jamie Kynaston 2 Paul Williams 3, Paul Simister 0 James Parkin 3, Dan Jones 3 Stephen Paling 1, Robin Shingler 0 Ryan O’Connor 3, Tony Lloyd 0 John Elliott 3, David Richards 3 Andrew Houghton 2, Gwion Pughe 3 Lee Cropper 1, Roger Williams 3 Colin Rich 0, Women’s ‘A’:- Kelly Butler 1 Rebecca Hoyland 3, Katie Bellerby 3 Rachel Ayres 0, Sally Urwin 3 Jane Densley 2, Sarah Louise Williams 3 Jackie Sweet 2, Claire Boyle 1 Terri Bellamy 3, Evonne Taylor 3 Rachel Bird 1, Women’s ‘B’:- Lisa Husbands 1 Sara-Jane Harrison 3, Val Davies 1 Marie Leahy 3, Louise Davies 1 Rosemary Mort 3, Rachael Williams 0 Nicola Fletcher 3, Jane Jones 0 Emily Jones 3, Claire Boyle 3 Jennifer McCormick 2.
Division Four:Pembrokeshire v Shropshire With two wins under their belt from the opening three games in Division Four of the BDO Inter County Championships Shropshire were lying sixth in the promotional table on 62 points only ten short of leaders Leicestershire. The latest and final fixture of the year was an away tie with Pembrokeshire who were two places below and 18 points short of Shropshire. The host’s ladies ‘B’ side got the better start as Ruth Bailey-Harris opened up with a 3-0 win over Caroline Powell that lead doubled when Tina Phillips beat Cheryl Owen 3-2 in a very close game. Shropshire pulled one back in the third with a 3-1 win for lady of the match Rachael Mooney who won 3-1 against Lorraine James with a 15.29 average. Parity was restored in the fourth as Sophie Fawcett beat namesake Sophie Davies in a game that swayed one way then the other as Sophie Fawcett went one up then Sophie Davies took a 2-1 lead. The final two legs went to Shropshire’s Sophie for her 3-2 win. Eirwen Lewis took Pembrokeshire within an ace of victory when she beat Helen Walmsley 3-1 but the final score was a 3-3 draw when Allison Gallagher handed out a straight 3-0 defeat to Avril Evans. The men’s ‘B’ were fresh off the back of a convincing 10-2 win over Gloucestershire but like the ladies ‘B’ didn’t have a very good start as Pembrokeshire with wins from Gareth John, Steve Castle, John Phillips and Paul Gardiner over respective opponents Paul Bromley (3-2), John Simms (3-0), Jon Blakemore (3-2) and Paul Harrison (3-0) opened up a 4-0 lead. Mike Hampson momentarily stopped the home team’s charge as he came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 against Jay Picton but by the midway point of the match Pembrokeshire had gone 5-1 up with a further 3-1 win from Cellan Jones who with a 144 game shot in the third beat Brian Hickman. Richard Bowen with an award winning average of 25.68 gave Shropshire their second win when he kicked off the second half with a 3-1 success over Mark Allchin but it was only a brief intermission for the visitors as Ben Farr and Andrew Smith in turn won 3-1 against Andy Vellender and Phil Mayo to take the score beyond Shropshire’s reach as the home side then had a 7-2 lead. Kian Davies went 2-0 up against Simon Pritchard and although Pritchard pulled back to level terms it was Davies who won the final leg. Now with an 8-2 advantage home player Daniel Castle looked all set to make it 9-2 when he went 2-0 up against Will Roberts but in 26,19 and 20 darts it was Roberts who got the 3-2 result and making the final score a little more respectable at 8-4 was Sam Aitkens (Shropshire) who handed Peter Wilcox a straight 3-0 defeat. It turned out to be a bad day at the office for the ladies ‘A’ side as they suffered their biggest defeat of the season so far 6-0. Tracey Marie-Davies began the rout as she won 3-0 against Michele Pritchard. Deana Sheldon made Rhian Evans fight all the way for her victory as she cancelled out her lead twice and took her to a decider before she won 3-2. Tracey Hawkins-Green took the score along to 3-0 with her 3-1 win against Sue Lane who had won the first leg then with a similar 3-1 result Julie Gore put the score beyond Shropshire’s reach when she accounted for Marie Riggs. The final two games both ended with 3-0 scorelines as in turn Hayley Francis-Owens and Angharad Bessant-Bert defeated Jenna Ball and Stephanie Clarke, one to just put behind you ladies and look to the next game. The home team got the better start once again in the men’s ‘A’ match as Les Morgan won 4-2 against Martin Price and Nathan Burdett beat Richard Bowen 4-3 after Bowen had opened up a 3-1 lead. Jamie Barrowman reduced the arrears when he won 4-1 against Jeffery Maynard and with John Speed coming from 2-0 down to Rhys Jones and going on to win 4-2 the score was back to level terms at two each. Pembrokeshire’s lead was restored in the fifth when Phil Gooch won 4-0 against Andi Chatter but a similar 4-1 win for Shropshire’s Richard Parker against Rory Jolly made it all square at the halfway point. For the first time in the game the away side took the lead in the seventh, a 4-1 result over Wayne Evans saw Chris Williams give Shropshire a 4-3 advantage and with a 4-2 win for Martin Riggs over Jason Davies the visitors had a two games buffer. The two games advantage disappeared as quickly as it had been chalked up as Huw Williams came from one down to Nik Bloor to win 4-1 and Stuart Davies after leading 1-0 and then trailing 2-1 to Chris Fox went on to win 4-2 to take the score to 5-5 with just two to play. Iwan Morgan in 24 and 22 darts opened up a 2-0 lead over Andy Jervis in the penultimate encounter but with two eighteen darts legs which included a 121 game shot in the fourth Jervis drew level. The away player then went ahead in the fifth with a 21 darts leg and rounded off his 4-2 win in the sixth to leave the men’s ‘A’ result now all dependant on the final game of the weekend. On for Pembrokeshire at number twelve was Mikey Rees and anchor man for Shropshire Dan Astbury. Rees began with a win in 17 darts and was quick to add an 18 and then a 16 darts leg to put him 3-0 up requiring just one more leg for a win and a draw for his team mates. Like Rees, Astbury’s first win was in seventeen darts, he then added a second in 23 darts before producing an excellent leg of darts in which he had scores of 100,140,140 and 81 to leave double twenty which he put to bed with aplomb with his thirteenth dart to draw level at 3-3. The final leg of the game, day and weekend could have gone to either player as both had a throw at a double but it was Dan Astbury with a 20 outshot that won it in 24 darts giving him 4-3 win and the man of the match award for his 27.24 average. Astbury’s win took the final score to 7-5 in favour of Shropshire’s men’s ‘A’, but the overall 22-14 result went to the hosts Pembrokeshire. Despite the defeat Shropshire can be encouraged insomuch as they actually moved up one place in the table to fifth with 76 points just one short of fourth placed Northumberland and only seven behind third in the table Breconshire. Full Results:Division Four:Pembrokeshire v Shropshire (22-14):Pembrokeshire names first):Men’s ‘A’:- Les Morgan 4 Martin Price 2, Nathan Burdett 4 Richard Bowen 3, Jeffery Maynard 1 Jamie Barrowman 4, Rhys Jones 2 John Speed 4, Phil Gooch 4 Andi Chatter 0 Rory Jolly 1 Richard Parker 4, Wayne Evans 1 Chris Williams 4, Jason Davies 2 Martin Rigg 4, Huw Williams 4 Nik Bloor 1, Stuart Davies 4 Chris Fox 2, Iwan Morgan 2 Andy Jervis 4, Mikey Rees 3 Dan Astbury 4, Men’s ‘B’:- Gareth John 3 Paul Bromley 2, Steve Castle 3 John Simms 0, John Phillips 3 Jon Blakemore 2, Paul Gardiner 3 Paul Harrison 0, Jay Picton 2 Mike Hampton 3, Cellan Jones 3 Brian Hickman 1, Mark Allchin 1 Richard Bowen 3, Ben Farr 3 Andy Vellender 1, Andrew Smith 3 Phil Mayo 1, Kian Davies 3 Simon Pritchard 2, Daniel Castle 2 Will Roberts 3, Peter Wilcox 0 Sam Aitkens 3, Women’s ‘A’:- Tracey Marie-Davies 3 Michele Pritchard 0, Rhian Evans 3 Deana Sheldon 2, Tracey Hawkins-Green 3 Sue Lane 1, Julie Gore 3 Marie Riggs 1, Hayley Francis-Owens 3 Jenna Ball 0, Angharad Bessant-Bert 3 Stephanie Clarke 0, Women’s ‘B’:- Ruth Bailey-Harris 3 Caroline Powell 0, Tina Phillips 3 Cheryl Owen 2, Lorraine James 1 Rachael Mooney 3, Sophie Davies 2 Sophie Fawcett 3, Eirwen Lewis 3 Helen Walmsley 1, Avril Evans 0 Allison Gallagher 3.
By Alan Towe Website: www.alantowedarts.co.uk