Birmingham Mail - A West Midland Round-up by Alan Towe - 02.11.23
Darts News – A West Midlands Round Up
This coming weekend Warwickshire County Darts Organisation will be hoping to kick-start their season when they play their third fixture in the Premier Division of the Cosmo Darts UKDA National League. The opening two games of the season saw the Bears finish on the wrong side of 20-16 and 23-13 results against respective opponents Cornwall and Lancashire so a win at Blue's Club, 30 North St, Gainsborough. DN21 2HU against Lincolnshire would be just the tonic they need.
Lining up for Warwickshire will be Men’s ‘A’:- Jamie Atkins, Gareth Braham, Kevin Dowling, Noel Grant, Nigel Heydon, Steve Hine, Jamie Hughes, Mark McGeeney, Wayne Mynard, Samuel Price, Jack Wareing, Matty Washbrooke, Men’s ‘B’:- Mark Carter, Carl Green, Adam Hancock, Dave Hill, Scott Hope, Pete Hughes, Mark Martin, Lee Miller, Will Naylor, Karl Reynolds, Martin Tonks, Sam Whittaker, Reserves:- Prakash Jiwa, Kishan Jiwa, Dave Redding, Noah Rose, Ian Shaw, Mark Strong, Jenson Walker, Women’s ‘A’:- Wendy Adams, Marian Conway, Hannah Meek, Lucy Keyte, Donna Pinch, Caroline Pike, Women’s ‘B’:- Nina Bolt, Kirsty Hinchcliffe, Denise Keyte, Chloe McKivett-Saunders, Kris Meek, Kat Spanswick, Reserve:- Natalie Gilbert, Courtney Hine, Sue MacLennan.
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In the Andy Wheeler Fisheries Championship Division of the UKDA National League West Midlands, who had a bye on opening day will play their first home fixture of the season when this weekend Kent will be their opponents. After their first two games Kent are second in the division with forty-five points, five shy of leaders London and twenty-three to the good on their hosts who have played one game fewer than them. A win against Kent would almost certainly see West Midlands move up from their current eighth place in the table.
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Black Country will be hoping to make it three straight wins in their home game with Berkshire in the L-Style Division One of the UKDA National League this coming weekend, They are currently residing at the top of the table with a total of forty-eight points with their visitors fourth in the division on forty points. The hosts have a six points lead on their nearest rivals Gwent who have an away game against Somerset who are just above them in third place and have just one point more than them so a win for Black Country could well see them extend their advantage.
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The Sheldon and District Summer League have played off their final outstanding fixture, a group one game between Highwood and Raven Arrows which saw the former, with thirteen winning legs finish as 6-2 victors to put them level not only on fifteen points with top of the table Langley Arrows but the win also gave them the same average to see Highwod and Langley Arrows share the group one title. It could not have finished any closer, it must surely be somewhat of a unique event for the top two teams to finish level on points and average and share the winner’s podium.
Full Results:Rearranged Fixture:Group One:- Highwood 6 Raven Arrows 2.
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The Kings Norton League were another league to finish their season with an outstanding fixture and this one was between the top two teams Copper Fox and Northfield. Prior to the game Copper Fox topped the table with forty points with Northfield second two points behind them. Despite being out-tonned with thirteen tons plus a 100 finish for Northfield and twenty tons for Copper Fox plus maximums from their T.Hamilton and J.Hykin the outcome was a 5-2 win for Northfield which saw them leap-frog their opponents, finish on the same forty points but with a slender one leg of average majority. Yet another close finish to end the season.
Full Results:Rearranged Fixture:- Northfield 5 (R.Hitchmough 100,100f,131, L.Allen 100, A.Busby 121,140, M.Lloyd 2x100, D.Hopkins 100, M.Hopkins 115, N.Steventon 2x100,121, S.Busby 100) Copper Fox 2 (E.Simpson 3x100,140, D.Marsh 119, G.Dews 3x100,140, K.Bedder 2x100,131f, T.Hamilton 140,180, M.Hamilton 100,134, J.Hykin 4x100x4, J.Hykin 180.
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The South West Birmingham Clubs League played off the final of their League Cup in which the league’s top two teams squared up to each other. Longbridge United made it a fabulous treble adding the League Cup title to their singles and pre-match doubles titles when they beat West Heath CEM who ended their campaign with three runners-up titles.
In the semi-finals of the Consolation Cup Bournbrook had a 15-6 win over Stirchley Flights and meeting them in the final will be Northfield Conservative who won 14-7 against Perfection.
Full Results:League Cup:Final:- Longbridge United 12 West Heath CEM 9, Consolation Cup:Semi-Finals:- Bournbrook 15 Stirchley Flights 6, Northfield Conservative 14 Perfection 7.
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Game fourteen in the Harborne and District League produced no fewer than eight maximums supplied by D.Marsh (Copper Fox ‘R’), D.Hopkins (Northfield Town), J.Harris (The Mill), M.Bolton (Weoley Castle WMC), D.Hill and S.Jones (Northfield Conservative Club), K.Jukes and K.Bedder (Copper Fox ‘M’).
On the league scene leaders Northfield Conservative Club won their home game with Copper Fox ‘M’ 7-2 while second placed Smethwick Cricket Club slightly reduced the average arrears with their 8-1 success at The Mill to stay within two points of the top team and two ahead of third placed Northfield Town who won 6-3 at Copper Fox ‘R’).
Full Results:Game 14:- Copper Fox ‘R’ 3 (E.Simpson 2X100,140, J.Hykin 3x100,2x121,140, T.Hamilton 4x100,125, N.Porter 3x100, D.Marsh 4x100,125, D.Marsh 180, E.Simpson & D.Marsh 13 darts game) Northfield Town 6 (A.Busby 2x100,102,121,134,137, L.Allen 100,103, D.Hopkins 100,121,180, R.Needham 100,125, M.Hopkins 100,101, A.Faulkner 4x100,105,121, S.Busby 100), Cock Inn 6 (L.Fox 3x100, N.Hurst 2x100,125, A.Vaughan 100,140, Joe Fox 2x100,125) Quinton RBL 3 (D.McDermott 2x100, C.Millward 2x140, E.Scullion 130, D.Windsor 140), The Mill 1 (O.Gough 100, J.Goulding 3x100, T.Goulding 100, J.Harris 101,180, K.Pearsall 140) Smethwick Cricket Club 8 (A.Bomber 140, M.Collins 3x100, V.Gould 100, M.Smith 2x100, S.Sheridan 3x100,140, F.Johnson 2x100,130,140, C.Devonport 100, P.Brookes 2x100, P.Murphy 100,140), Weoley Castle WMC 6 (S.Joyce 106,112, M.Bolton 2x140,180, P.Coombes 100,140, G.Pagett 103) Avenue Social 3 (C.Morgan 100,125, M.Gilliland 100, T.Williams 120, A.Girling 100, L.Grant 2x118, V.Gilliland 100, T.Haper 112), Northfield Conservative Club 7 (R.Hosey 2x100,119,120,125,140,15 darts game, T.Shipley 100,132, T.Garfield 3x100, D.Hill 2x140,180, S.Jones 100,125,180, S.Cartwright 100, T.Garfield 114f, W.Marshall 100) Copper Fox ‘M’ 2 (K.Jukes 2x100,180, T.Collier 2x100,140, D.Kent 140, G.Dews 5x100, K.Bedder 100,120f,2x140,180).
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A 5-4 home defeat has cost The Dingle their third place in the premier league of the Sheldon and District Winter League they have dropped one place to fourth on two points, four behind leaders Langley Arrows but with a game in hand. Langley Arrows are the only unbeaten team in the premier winning their latest fixture away to second placed Sheldon Marlborough Arrows 7-2 to open up a two points gap between their hosts and third placed Sheldon Dukes who won their home tie with Highwood 5-4, Jason Jennings hit a maximum for Sheldon Marlborough Arrows.
In division one there is no change with the top two places Trident Spears are in pole position having a slender one leg of average lead on second placed Brian’s Flights, they were due to play each other this week but the game was postponed. Both of the top two teams are on a perfect four points from their opening two games, three other teams Bell Inn, Willclare Sports and Social Club and Hollywood Social Club are all also on four points but they have played three games. D.Carter (Maggies) hit a 180 in his team’s 5-4 defeat away to Hollywood Social Club.
Sheldon Marlborough Ridge and Hornet extended their winning run to three games in division two, Ridge topping the table on average after they won 8-1 at College Arms Flights while Hornet were 6-3 winners at Sheldon Marlborough Flights. Third placed Castle Bromwich WMC are two points off the top, their latest fixture seeing them win 7-2 at The Raven.
Full Results:Week 3:Premier League:- Sheldon Dukes 5 Highwood 4 (Dave Cherry 10 darts game), Sheldon Marlborough Arrows 2 (Jason Jennings 180) Langley Arrows 7 (Bobby Nixon 120f,10 darts game), The Dingle 4 The Banbury Club 5, Langley Flights 4 Raven Arrows 5, Yardley Ex Colts had a bye, Division One:- Hollywood Social Club 5 Maggies 4 (D.Carter 180), Kingshurst Labour Club 5 (Rick Richard 9 darts game) Shirley Misfits 4, Willclare Sports and Social 7 Smithswood Social Club 2, The Bell Inn 5 Iron Horse Rebels 4 (Robbie Earl 116f), Brian’s Flights v Trident Spears postponed, Division Two:- Moseley Rugby Club 3 Lyndon Old Boys 6, The Raven 2 (Alan Bateman 102f) Castle Bromwich WMC 7, Sheldon Marlborough Flights 3 The Hornet 6, The College Arms Flights 1 Sheldon Marlborough Ridge 8.
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Just a couple of results from rearranged fixture in the Camp Hill League which saw leaders Tyseley WMC win their home tie with sixth placed Moseley Arms 5-2 and second placed Erdington Nomads go one better with a 6-1 home win against fourth in the league Cotterills Lane EBAHA Club.
Full Results:Rearranged Fixtures:- Tyseley WMC 5 Moseley Arms 2, Erdington Nomads 6 Cotterills Lane EBAHA Club 1.
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It was cup semi-finals week in the Sutton and District League, first the Prestridge Shield in which division one leaders Highcroft Hotdogs won 5-4 against Red Lion who are fourth in the same division. The second semi saw division one side Old Horns Lions win 7-2 against Plough and Arrows from division two. Barry Stephens (Old Horns Lions) hit the only maximum of the round he also recorded a nine darts game.
In the last four games for the Roy Bird Shield Old Horns Arrows (division one) had a close 5-4 victory over division two leaders Scott Armers and meeting them in the final will be Old Oscott Arrows who won the all-division one fixture against Walmley CC Flights 7-2.
Full Results:Game 12:Late Result:Division Two:- Rosey Mac’s Bar 5 (Russell Hiett 123, Andrew Colley 100) Pint Pot Flights 4 (Pete Smith 137, Mick Bagnall 2x100), Prestridge Shield:Semi-Finals:- Red Lion 4 (Dane Vickers 100, Tim Vickers 100, Ryan Lowe 100,125, Brian Hughes 2x100,140) Highcroft Hotdogs 5 (Jack Alexander 152b, Scott Alexander 100, Simon Shorthouse 100, Kevin Shorthouse 100, Leigh Dells 135, Lee Shorthouse 100, Karl Neale 2x100, Dave Jarvis jnr 120b), Old Horns Lions 7 (Andy Kimberley 117b, Jordan Rogers 125,100,110f, Paul Seadon 100, Barrie Linnecor 100, Barry Stephens 180,9 darts game, Dave Pickering 123) Plough and Arrows 2 (Ricky Niner 140,117, Roxy Bennett 123, Nigel Robbins 100, Kieran Gow 2x100, Adam Humphriss 100, Steve Johnson 100,105b), Roy Bird Shield:Semi-Finals:- Old Horns Arrows 5 (Alan Lilley 140, Jack Mahon 133, James Clarke 100, Neil Goldie 100, Marc Pearce 121, Matt Deathridge 100, Clive Matthews 2x100) Scott Armers 4 (Luke Parry 100), Old Oscott Arrows 7 (Derek Parsons 2x100, Andy Lea 100, Andy Page 100, Phil Locke 137) Walmley CSC Flights 2 (Jamie Meredith 140, Billy Cadby 140, Ian Taylor 125).
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The Mighty Travels Heartlands Double Top League has kicked-off and with twenty players contesting the opening two weeks games the early pacesetter is Martin Cooper who has rattled off 3-0 wins over Charlie Rogers, John Burdett and Emma Cain to put him top of the table without dropping a single leg and giving him a perfect nine points. Second in the league John Frost has also won all of his three games beating Dean Bond 2-1, Hayden Valovec 2-1 and Clive Austin 3-0 to leave him two points adrift of Cooper. Third placed Gerry McCormack is also on seven points but he has played four games winning 2-1 against Steve Cain and 3-0 against Sue John but losing 2-1 to Clive Austin and George Drennan.
Dean Bond and Hayden Valovec were the only two players to find the three treble twenties in the opening two weeks games.
Full Results:Week 1:- Tony Pedley 1 Matthew Cain 2 (100,140, 11 darts game), Clive Austin 2 Gerry McCormack 1 (100), Ryan Barritt 2 (100) Steve Cain 1 (100,100b), John Frost 2 (140,100b) Alex Downes 1, Charlie Rogers 0 (140) Martin Cooper 3 (2x100,12 darts game), George Drennan 2 (100) Dean Bond 1 (180), Sue John 1 Ryan Cain 2 (100), Gerry McCormack 2 (100) Steve Cain 1 (2x100b), Sue John 1 Ryan Barritt 2 (100), Week 2:- George Drennan 2 Gerry McCormack 1 (100), Hayden Valovec 2 (100) Emma Cain 1, Martin Cooper 3 (100,112) John Burdett 0 (135), Dean Bond 3 Alex Downes 0, Tony Pedley 1 Charlie Rogers 2 (100,140), Sue John 0 (115) Gerry McCormack 3 (123,100), Chris Vann 3 (105) Marie Cummings 0, John Frost 2 (140) Hayden Valovec 1, Martin Cooper 3 (112b,140,122) Emma Cain 0, Jordan Rogers 2 (121) George Drennan 1 (2x100), John Burdett 2 (2x100) Dean Bond 1, Clive Austin 1 Tony Pedley 2 (100b), Alex Downes 3 Chris Vann 0, Steve Cain 2 (100) Sue John 1 (140), Hayden Valovec 1 (180,100) Jordan Rogers 2 (140), John Frost 3 Clive Austin 0 (100), Ryan Cain 3 (2x100) Marie Cummings 0 (100).
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The Stourbridge and District Wednesday Night League played their doubles knockout down to the final sixteen pairs and lining up for the next round will be D.Cooper & I.Hartland, I.Jones & K.Bambrick, J.Gennard & W.Shaw, C.Newton & M.Tibbetts, C.Slater & C.Smith, T.Pratt & I.Kelly, A.Floyd & K.James, L.Oakley & T.Russell, N.Lain & D.Hand, A.Nicholls & S.Gough, N.Cooper & J.Batham, M.Pearce & P.Holley, A.Galeb & M.Hadley, J.Churchill & A.Smith, M.Cullis & J.Poole, C.Penzer & D.Penzer.
Full Results:Doubles Knockout:Last Sixteen:- D.Cooper & I.Hartland, I.Jones & K.Bambrick, J.Gennard & W.Shaw, C.Newton & M.Tibbetts, C.Slater & C.Smith, T.Pratt & I.Kelly, A.Floyd & K.James, L.Oakley & T.Russell, N.Lain & D.Hand, A.Nicholls & S.Gough, N.Cooper & J.Batham, M.Pearce & P.Holley, A.Galeb & M.Hadley, J.Churchill & A.Smith, M.Cullis & J.Poole, C.Penzer & D.Penzer.
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Its only week three in the Netherton Thursday Night League and of the thirteen starters to the season only two are able to boast a 100% win record and they are reigning champions and current leaders Dudley Ex Serviceman’s ‘A’ and Spring Meadow Social. In the latest round of fixtures Dudley Ex Serviceman’s ‘A’ won 8-1 at Old Glasshouse while Spring Meadow Social in their home game beat Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘B’ 6-3 to leave them two points behind the leaders as they have only played two games. Also on the same four points as Spring Meadow Social but from three games are Hill and Cakemore Ex Serviceman’s Club, Townsend Social Club, Bulls Head, Plough and Harrow and Old Liberal Club.
B.Carr (Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ’A’), J.Southall (Plough and Harrow) and D.Haden (Hare and Hounds) all hit a maximum this week.
Full Results:Game 3:- Spring Meadow Social Club 6 Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘B’ 3, Hill and Cakemore Ex Serviceman’s Club 2 (D.Stanton 120f,15 darts game) Plough and Harrow 7 (J.Southall 180), Spring Meadow Pub 2 (K.Barnfield 105f) Townsend Social Club 7 (D.Richmond 14 darts game), Old Liberal Club 3 Bulls Head 6, Netherton Sports and Social Club 6 Hare and Hounds 3 (D.Haden 180,17 darts game), Old Glasshouse 1 Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’ 8 (B.Carr 180), Olde Queens Head had a bye.
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With a 7-2 win at Spring Meadow Bell continue to hold on to their four points lead at the top of the Rowley Monday Night League with second placed White Swan, whose Steve Gillam had a 160 break, won 6-3 against Wonder to keep them four points to the good on third in the league Gate Hangs Well who won 7-2 at home against bottom of the table Huntingtree.
In week twenty-seven there were 180’s for Matt Hadley (Rowley Labour Club) and G.Locke (Tividale FC).
Full Results:Week 27:- Loyal Lodge 6 Windmills End 3, Hill and Cakemore Ex Servicemen’s 7 Hill and Cakemore Ex Servicemen’s ‘W’ 2, Rowley Labour Club 5 (Matt Hadley 180) Romsley Cricket Club 4, Plough and Harrow 6 Whiteheath Tavern 3, White Swan 6 (Steve Gillam 160b,7 darts game) Wonder 3, Gate Hangs Well 7 Huntingtree 2, Spring Meadow 2 Bell 7, Tividale FC 8 (G.Locke 180) Rowley Bar and Grill 1.
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With Allen’s ‘A’ already having won the Hilltop Friendly Tuesday Night League title the battle is on for the runners-up spot which could go to any one of four teams Cottage Spring, Horseley Tavern, Vine ‘A’ or Waggon and Horses as Cottage Spring are on 40 points from 28 games, Horseley Tavern also have 40 points but from 29 games and both Vine ‘A’ and Waggon and Horses have 38 points from 28 games, should be quite a finish.
Full Results:Game 31:- Albion 2 Allen’s ‘A’ 5, Waggon and Horses 6 Sow and Pigs 1, Horseley Tavern 4 Vine ‘A’ 3, Vine ‘B’ 3 Tamebridge 4, Allen’s ‘B’ 0 Cottage Spring 7, Ivy Bush had a bye.
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Game seven in the Sedgley and Gornal Tuesday Night League brought together the top two teams as leaders Gornal Labour Club travelled to take-on second placed Old Bulls Head. The result was a close 5-4 win for the home team to see them go level on 12 points with their opponents and although they remain second in the table they do have a game in hand.
Full Results:Game 7:- New Inn 2 Baggeridge WM 7, Old Bulls Head 5 Gornal Labour Club 4, Britannia 7 Seven Stars 2, Red Cow 2 White Horse 7, The Cabin 2 Netherton Sports and Social Club 7, Meadow Lark 3 Jolly Crispin 6, Gornal British Legion had a bye.
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The top four teams in the Black Country Men’s Super League Gilbert’s Bar ‘B’, Pensnett Liberal Club, Allen’s Bar ‘C’ and Whiteheath Tavern all won 4-1 this week in turn accounting for Halesowen Cricket Club, Soccer Zone, White Swan and Vine, Blackheath. Gilbert’s ‘B’ top the table with 73 points, Pensnett and Allen’s ‘C’ are on 64 and Whiteheath have 63.
Full Results:Game 22:- Old Bulls Head 3 Gilbert’s Bar ‘A’ 2, Townsend Social 3 Horse and Jockey 2, Gilbert’s Bar ‘B’ 4 Halesowen Cricket Club 1, Allen’s Bar ‘C’ 4 White Swan 1, Whiteheath Tavern 4 The Vine, Blackheath 1, Pensnett Liberal Club 4 Soccer Zone 1, Townsend ‘A’ 3 Allen’s Bar ‘A’ 2, Quarry Bank Liberal Club 4 The Ashwood 1.
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West Midlands Men’s Super League leaders Dog and Partridge had a 3-2 home win over fourth in the league Bridgtown Social this week while second and third placed Gilbert’s ‘B’ and Kings Head ‘A’ won 4-1 against respective opponents Gilbert’s ‘C’ and Gilbert’s ‘A’.
Full Results:Week 32:- Dog and Partridge 3 Bridgtown Social 2, Gilbert’s Bar ‘B’ 4 Gilbert’s Bar ‘C’ 1, ECC 4 Kings Head ‘B’ 1, Corpus Christi 4 Three Crowns 1, Staffordshire Knot 3 Gilbert’s Bar ‘D’ 1, Kings Head ‘A’ 4 Gilbert’s Bar ‘A’ 1.
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The Gilbert’s Bar Monday Night Singles League are winding down their season with outstanding rearranged fixtures which will have no effect on the divisional title as all three have been decided. Scott Baker has won the division one title, Jason Hough division two and Alan Melling division three.
The league are now looking for entrants and sponsors for the forthcoming season so if you would like to be part of the biggest Individual Leagues in the Midlands, season four of the Gilberts Individual Monday Darts League which paid out in excess of £5,000 last season then Simon (Wookie Mon) Pritchard is the man to speak to he can be contacted on simonshropshiredarts@hotmail,com
Full Results:Rearranged Fixtures:- Ben Hollowood 7 Martin Angell 1, Steve Lynch 7 Rushpal Bhogal 1, Ian Stanton 7 Simon Pritchard 1, Wayne Willis 3 Martin Price 5, Ben Hollowood 3 Jon Blakemore 5, Steve Lynch 1 Wayne Willis 7, Ben Johnson 7 Simon Pritchard 1, Jason Lloyd 0 Max Law 8, Gemma Barrett Jenkins 4 Thomas Hollowood 4, Wayne Bower 3 Alan Melling 5, Eddie Gripton 8 Helen Sims 0, Helen Sims 0 Jacqui Simmons 8, Jamie Aplin 8 Eddie Gripton 0, Gemma Barrett Jenkins 3 Artur Lubkowski 5,
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No change in the top six places in the singles division of the Wolverhampton Tuesday Night League as leaders Gilbert’s Bar ‘A’ stay top on average from second placed ECC ‘A’ after winning 7-0 at Corpus Christi ‘B’ and ECC ‘A’ won 6-1 at Ring of Bells.
In the doubles division there’s no change in the top three with ECC ‘A’ holding on to their two points lead at the top of the table after winning 2-1 at Ring of Bells and second placed Gilbert’s Bar ‘A’ winning by the same margin at Corpus Christi ‘B’.
Full Results:Game 24:Singles Division:- Corpus Christi ‘B’ 0 Gilbert’s Bar ‘A’ 7, ECC ‘B’ 3 Dog and Partridge 4, Gilbert’s Bar ‘B’ 3 Corpus Christi ‘A’ 4, Railway 3 Wednesfield Legion 4, Ring of Bells 1 ECC ‘A’ 6, Woodfield 4 Three Crowns 3, Doubles Division:- Corpus Christi ‘B’ 1 Gilbert’s Bar ‘A’ 2, ECC ‘B’ 1 Dog and Partridge 2, Gilbert’s Bar ‘B’ 0 Corpus Christi ‘A’ 3, Railway 1 Wednesfield Legion 2, Ring of Bells 1 ECC ‘A’ 2, Woodfield 3 Three Crowns 0.
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