Sheffield Darts Franchise League: Leadmill Premier Division
Sponsored by: The Leadmill
Red Dragon Darts
Projectdarts
Winmau Blade
In Association with: Sheffield Star
30th March 2017
Academicals 1-5 Wizards
Ed McCosh 2-3 Anne Lofthouse
Adam Warner 3-0 Ben Chivers
Ellis Turner 0-3 Lee Slack
Matt Royle 0-3 Chris Simmons
James Goodall 2-3 Sie Simmons
Sian Bradley 1-3 Michael Slack
(Match 1) Ed McCosh 2-3 Anne Lofthouse
Home side's Captain Ed McCosh opened the night against Anne Lofthouse and both players started with a break of throw. In the third leg Lofthouse edged in front with some solid darts but this time it was McCosh with the equaliser to bring the game into a last leg shootout to start the night with Lofthouse with the darts managed to make it count to put the the Wizards in the lead.
[caption id="attachment_18996" align="aligncenter" width="294"]
![Adam Warner, Red Dragon Darts, Sheffield Franchise League](https://www.reddragondarts.com/info/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/adamwarner2-294x300.png)
Adam Warner[/caption]
(Match 2) Adam Warner 3-0 Ben Chivers
With the Wizards in front Academicals team were looking for a response and they got that with Adam Warner up against Ben Chivers. Warner hit a 21 darter in the first leg which followed a break of throw to make it two, He then had the darts to finish off Chivers which he did with a good 19 dart leg to equalise for the Academicals.
[caption id="attachment_18022" align="aligncenter" width="190"]
![Lee Slack, Sheffield Franchise League](https://www.reddragondarts.com/info/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/lee-slack2.png)
Lee Slack[/caption]
(Match 3) Ellis Turner 0-3 Lee Slack
In game three with the scores level debutant Ellis Turner faced Wizards captain Lee Slack as she was hoping to put in a good performance but Slack opened with a hold of throw to start things off, Turner had the darts in the second to level but it was Slack who broke with a 61 finish taken out with an single 11 bull checkout which he then followed by taking the match with no problems to put his team back in front.
(Match 4) Matt Royle 0-3 Chris Simmons
Matt Royle was hoping to equalise again for the Academicals against Chris Simmons. In the first leg Simmons got off the mark against the throw which shook Royle. Second leg started the same as the first as Simmons held well to mask it two, Royle had another chance to get on the board in the third leg as he threw first again but Simmons was on form and he finished off Royle with a 3-0 victory.
![The Leadmill Premier Division, Red Dragon Darts, Project Darts, Sheffield Franchise League](https://www.reddragondarts.com/info/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/LEADMILL-PREMIER-DIVISION.png)
(Match 5) James Goodall 2-3 Sie Simmons
Match five saw Sie Simmons who was looking to seal it for the Wizards face James Goodall and he started brilliantly with a hold and a break of throw in the opening two legs to put him in what looked like a commanding lead. Goodall then managed to step it up and break back in the third leg which then proceeded with a hold in the fourth to force the match into an unlikely fifth leg. Simmons threw first in the decider with Goodall with his confidence up looked like stealing the game but Simmons held it together to seal the winning double to seal the win for the Wizards with a game to spare.
(Match 6) Sian Bradley 1-3 Michael Slack
Victory was assured for the away team by the time Sian Bradley and Michael went head to head but that didn't stop Bradley taking the first leg, Slack responded to levelled continued to hit good scores which saw him break Bradley in the third leg then finished off the night by taking the fourth to wrap up the match and give the Wizards a 5-1 win which closed the gap between them and the team directly above them the Wolves to just a single point.
Panthers 1-5 Aces
John Lieber 2-3 Andy Umney
Mick Hulley 0-3 Mick Smith
Mick Wood 1-3 Neil Bradley
Ryan Goffin 2-3 Ian Speed
John Schultz 2-3 Trevor Tye
Pat Meeson 3-0 Dave Belfitt
(Match 1) John Lieber 2-3 Andy Umney
We open the night with Panthers captain John Lieber in a good contest against Andy Umney which saw Umney kick off with a 21 darter which then lead to Umney breaking throw in the second leg to make it 2-0. Lieber then fought back in the third leg breaking back then levelling in the fourth leg with a 17 darter and a maximum thrown in for good measure but it wasn't enough as in the decider Umney had the darts and made it count as he smashed in a 19 dart leg to finish off a close encounter to give the Aces the lead.
(Match 2) Mick Hulley 0-3 Mick Smith
In the clash of the Mick's the Aces Smith took on Hulley. Smith broke early throwing in a 17 dart leg to lay down a marker for his opponent to follow. In the second leg Smith managed a hold of throw to make life even more difficult for Hulley and finally Smith took the match with an 18 darter to wrap it up in three and make it two out of two for the Aces.
![Newbold Aces, Sheffield Franchise League](https://www.reddragondarts.com/info/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/newboldaces.jpg)
(Match 3) Mick Wood 1-3 Neil Bradley
The travelling team was in full flow as we head to the third game of the evening as Neil Bradley faced Mick Wood of the Panthers, Wood set off well breaking throw to go one up but he didn't make it count as Bradley hit back with a leveller then he held throw in the third leg to put Wood under pressure to hold his throw in which he couldn't do as Bradley won it in four to put the Aces in command.
[caption id="attachment_18715" align="alignleft" width="202"]
![Ian Speed, Sheffield Franchise League, Red Dragon Darts](https://www.reddragondarts.com/info/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/ian-speed.png)
Ian Speed[/caption]
(Match 4) Ryan Goffin 2-3 Ian Speed
It was the turn of "the manic" Ryan Goffin looking to keep his team in the game facing Ian Speed who stepped up to win it early for the Aces. "The Manic" started off with a 19 dart leg to hold. Speed hit back with a leveller then breaking Goffin in the third leg with a 21 darter. Under pressure in the fourth leg "The Manic" equalised in 15 darts against throw finishing it with a ton checkout to force a decider in which he had the darts but couldn't take advantage as it was Speed who took the plaudits in a 3-2 win to give the Aces the early victory with two to spare.
(Match 5) John Schultz 2-3 Trevor Tye
In the fifth game Trevor Tye was looking for five out of five as he played John Schultz as both men got off the mark early each holding throw which made it one each. Schultz then broke to put him within one leg of victory and he had the darts for the match but Tye swung the game back in his favour by taking the fourth leg and he managed to hold out in the decider to make it five out five for the Aces.
[caption id="attachment_18349" align="aligncenter" width="185"]
![Patrick Meeson, Sheffield Franchise League, Project Darts](https://www.reddragondarts.com/info/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/patrick-meeson.jpg)
Pat Meeson[/caption]
(Match 6) Pat Meeson 3-0 Dave Belfitt
"The Landlord" Pat Meeson was last on for the Panthers as he was searching for a consolation point against Dave Belfitt who in turn was looking for the whitewash. Meeson started well opening with a hold of throw. Belfitt kicked off the second leg but Meeson was in no mood to let him in as he took the darts and broke Belfitt to make it two then to round off a poor night for the Panthers Meeson won the game in straight legs to grab a consolation but the night belonged to the Aces who now record 7 wins out of the last 9 games played.
Railwaymen 3-3 Black Eagles
Tom Gurran 1-3 John Walton
Steve Marfleet 2-3 Pete Daffin
Pete Bramley 2-3 Jelger Tuinstra
Martin Scott 3-1 Owen Cubitt
Gav Pilling 3-2 Charlie Stocks
Jordan Payne 3-1 Tom Briggs
(Match 1) Tom Gurran 1-3 John Walton
In an unforgettable night at the Station where the champions elect the Black Eagles put their 21 consecutive wins record on the line against the Railwaymen. We start with youngster Tom "Inferno" Gurran who took on former World Champion John "Boy" Walton and straightaway in a shock first leg "The Inferno" broke Walton with a 20 dart leg to open. John boy responded like a World Champion equalising with a 17 darter then holding in 16 to go 2-1 up. Gurran had another chance with the darts to force a decider but Walton finished it in four to put the leaders in front.
[caption id="attachment_18997" align="aligncenter" width="289"]
![John Walton, Red Dragon Darts, Sheffield Franchise League](https://www.reddragondarts.com/info/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/john-waltonx7-289x300.png)
John Walton[/caption]
(Match 2) Steve Marfleet 2-3 Pete Daffin
The next game saw a tightly fought fixture between "Super Daff's" Pete Daffin looking to double the lead against Steve Marfleet. In the opener Marfleet held his throw well to get off the mark, Daffin responded with a 13 dart leg to make it 1-1 but Marfleet once again showed his ability as he held in the third to go one away from a memorable win as Daffin hit a 20 darter to make it go to a decider in which Marfleet had the darts which made him slight favourite but in a nervy final leg experience shone through as Super Daff's took out a 21 dart leg to grab victory and made it two in two for the leaders.
(Match 3) Pete Bramley 2-3 Jelger Tuinstra
"Perfect" Pete Bramley was next up for the Railwaymen with his team two down he was looking to pull it back against the ever consistent Jelger Tuinstra as the opening legs showed as Jelger started with a 17 dart leg to take the lead. Bramley had the throw in the second leg but he couldn't capitalise as Jelger broke him with a 20 and a maximum to boot to make it two as he was looking to finish it early but Bramley showed grit grabbing the darts back in the third leg then equalising with an 18 dart leg finishing with a 114 checkout to force another decider in which Jelger managed to hold out and eventually win by three legs to two to make it three in three for the Black Eagles.
![Red Dragon, Darts that Deliver](https://www.reddragondarts.com/info/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Red-Dragon-Darts-that-deliver.jpg)
(Match 4) Martin Scott 3-1 Owen Cubitt
In the fourth match with the leaders three up but the scoreline not a fair reflection on the home side it was the youngster "Ice" Owen Cubitt looking to win it against Martin Scott as both men started with a hold each, which followed with Scott edging in front again 2-1 with Cubitt throwing to stay in the match Scott grabbed his chance and finished it in 20 darts to win the game 3-1 which brought the Railwaymen back in the game.
(Match 5) Gav Pilling 3-2 Charlie Stocks
The Railwaymen was on the comeback trail as Gav Pilling took on another youngster with a bright future in Charlie Stocks. Pilling set off breaking Stocks throw in the first leg then holding in the second with a 19 dart leg. Stocks showed character above his years taking the third leg on throw then breaking back Pilling in the fourth with a max finishing with the second 19 dart leg of the game which brought the scores level at two each with young Stocks throwing for the match, Pilling managed to keep with him dart for dart then he seized his opportunity and finished off the match to bring the scores to 3-2 with one to play.
[caption id="attachment_18717" align="aligncenter" width="158"]
![Jordan Payne, Sheffield Franchise League, Red Dragon Darts](https://www.reddragondarts.com/info/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Jordan-payne.png)
Jordan Payne[/caption]
(Match 6) Jordan Payne 3-1 Tom Briggs
In the final game of this pulsating battle and the Railwaymen with their confidence high two men with bags of potential faced off as Tom Briggs faced Jordan Payne. The opened leg saw a quick break of throw as Briggs nudged ahead. Payne hit back well levelling soon after then taking the first hold to make it 2-1. Briggs needed to hold to stand any chance of saving the Black Eagles winning record but Payne finished it off in the fourth leg against the darts to finish off the remarkable comeback and secure the draw which finally ends the Black Eagles 21 match winning streak and keeps the Railwaymen in second place.
Vulcans 5-1 Warriors
Michael Donson 3-1 Steve Newton
Paul Meehan 3-0 Nicola Warne
Mick Swift 3-0 Barry Brittle
Steve Voyce 3-0 Angie Brittle
Jim Smith 3-0 Jodie Bruce
Andrew Payling 0-3 Paul Brittle
(Match 1) Michael Donson 3-1 Steve Newton
The night kicked off with Michael Donson for the Vulcans facing "Hero" Steve Newton in a contest which saw Donson start off with a 18 darter with a 180 thrown in which broke Newton's throw early. Donson managed a hold in the second to mark it two as to which "Hero" managed to get off the mark in the third but Donson won it in the fourth leg to make it 1-0 to the Vulcans.
(Match 2) Paul Meehan 3-0 Nicola Warne
Nicola Warne was next up for the Warriors looking to equalise against an in from Paul Meehan which showed in his darts as he took the opener in 16. On the Warne throw Meehan managed a max to put her under pressure as to which he broke in 17 and he threw for the match in the third leg and confidently finished it in a 19 dart leg to give Warne no chance as the Vulcans went two up.
(Match 3) Mick Swift 3-0 Barry Brittle
In the third game of the evening Mick Swift for the home side played Barry Brittle who was trying to keep the Warriors in with a chance. Swift opened with a break of throw which him in the driving seat as he held it together in the second leg to make it two, Brittle was in all sorts of trouble as Swift finished it off with his best leg of the match hitting a 21 dart leg to secure the win which made it 3-0 to the home side.
(Match 4) Steve Voyce 3-0 Angie Brittle
At the halfway stage with the Vulcans flying it was the turn of Angie Brittle against Steve Voyce who went looking to finish of the game early and he started in good fashion holding to take the lead. On the Brittle throw Voyce broke her to make it 2-0 as Angie couldn't get to grips with the game Voyce finished it off in three to give the Vulcans victory early doors.
[caption id="attachment_18998" align="aligncenter" width="198"]
![Jim Smith, Sheffield Franchise League, Red Dragon Darts](https://www.reddragondarts.com/info/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/jimsmith-198x300.png)
Jim Smith[/caption]
(Match 5) Jim Smith 3-0 Jodie Bruce
Vulcans captain Jim Smith was fifth player up with his team already winners playing Jodie Bruce, Smith continued where his players left off by breaking throw in the opener, then holding to make it two in no time, Bruce had the throw to stay in the game but the captain solidly wrapped up the win to make it five in five for his team.
[caption id="attachment_18999" align="alignright" width="225"]
![Paul Brittle, Red Dragon Darts, Sheffield Franchise League](https://www.reddragondarts.com/info/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/paul-brittle-225x300.jpg)
Paul Brittle[/caption]
(Match 6) Andrew Payling 0-3 Paul Brittle
It was the turn of the opposition captain Paul Brittle in the sixth and final match of the night as he took on Andrew Payling, "The Undertaker" started with a break of throw to go one up, he then followed with a hold which made it two and put him on the brink with Payling throwing in the third leg to keep in the game "The Undertaker" finished him off in three to grab a consolation for the Warriors as the Vulcans ran out 5-1 winners.
Wolves 2-4 Sausages
Jon Smethurst 1-3 Ben Dolman
Chris Keane 0-3 Ben Beardmore
Simon Sawford 3-1 Pete Bell
Antonio Cruz 1-3 Marc Ellis
John Edwards 0-3 Steve Ewington
Tom Sawford 3-0 Dawn Priestley
(Match 1) Jon Smethurst 1-3 Ben Dolman
We start the night with the Wolves Jon Smethurst who was looking to to get the team off to a winning start against Ben Dolman. In the early legs Dolman punished every sloppy dart Smethurst threw which ultimately put him 2-0 ahead. Smethy managed to break back in the third leg to stay in the contest but it was all over in four as Dolman took out the winning double to put the Sausages in front.
![Cumberland Sausages](https://www.reddragondarts.com/info/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/cumberland-sausages-300x237.png)
(Match 2) Chris Keane 0-3 Ben Beardmore
It was Blade versus Boom in the second match as Chris Keane locked horns with Ben Beardmore, "Boom" showed consistency in this game as he broke in the opening leg, which led him to hold to go two up and in command. Keane was searching for the comeback but it wasn't to be on this occasion as Beardmore finished it in three to make it 2-0.
(Match 3) Simon Sawford 3-1 Pete Bell
In game three with the Sausages threatening to runaway with the tie it was the turn of "The Landlord" Pete Bell facing Simon "James" Sawford. Both men managed to hold throw in the opening couple of legs, it was the third leg where the tide turned in the favour of Sawford as he threw a 21 darter against throw to go 2-1 up and throw for the match. Bell was in all kinds of trouble in the fourth leg and Sawford got the win in four to give the Wolves a chance with three to play.
[caption id="attachment_19000" align="alignleft" width="276"]
![Marc Ellis, Red Dragon Darts, Sheffield Franchise League](https://www.reddragondarts.com/info/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/marcellis-276x300.png)
Marc Ellis[/caption]
(Match 4) Antonio Cruz 1-3 Marc Ellis
The game was on a knife-edge as we enter the fourth match with Antonio Cruz looking to level it up against "Tiny" Marc Ellis. Cruz kicked off with a hold to go in front, Ellis replied to even it up then the turning point in the game happened in the third leg when Ellis broke throw which meant he threw for the match in the fourth leg and he did in devastating fashion winning the contest hitting a max finishing in 14 darts to make it 3-1 to the Sausages with two to play.
(Match 5) John Edwards 0-3 Steve Ewington
It was up to the captain of the Wolves John Edwards to keep his team in it as he played Steve Ewington who went to finish the match off. The opener saw Ewington take the lead with a hold. Edwards set off the second leg looking to level but Ewington kept the pace keeping his opponent at bay as he broke in the second meaning he had two throws at winning the match and he only needed one as he finished off the captain in three to give the Sausages the victory with one to spare.
[caption id="attachment_18017" align="aligncenter" width="260"]
![Tom Sawford, Sheffield Franchise League](https://www.reddragondarts.com/info/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/tom-sawford-260x300.png)
Tom Sawford[/caption]
(Match 6) Tom Sawford 3-0 Dawn Priestley
In the last game of the night Dawn Priestley for the Sausages toed the oche against Tom "Shooter" Sawford. "Shooter" set off with an hold of throw in 18 darts. He quickly followed with a break to make it two. The youngster showed his capabilities by finishing the night off without dropping a leg to make the score more respectable for the home team as the Sausages won 4-2 overall to keep their position solid in mid-table.
![Sheffield Franchise League, Red Dragon Darts, League Table](https://www.reddragondarts.com/info/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/sflblue-300x150.png)
Report by
Pat Finney (Projectdarts Reporter/Media)