Sheffield Franchise League - Aces Hold the Cards
Sheffield Darts Franchise League: Leadmill Premier Division
Sponsored by: The Leadmill
Red Dragon Darts
Projectdarts
Winmau Blade
In Association with: Sheffield Star
9th March 2017
Aces 4-2 Vulcans
Andy Umney 3-0 Steve Voyse
Neil Bradley 1-3 Mick Swift
Geoff Baker 1-3 Michael Donso
Trevor Tye 3-2 Jim Smith
Mick Smith 3-0 Phil Lambert
Dave Belfitt 3-0
[caption id="attachment_18530" align="alignleft" width="220"]
Andy Umney[/caption]
(Match 1) Andy Umney 3-0 Steve Voyse
The week started with Aces' Andy Umney in fine form kicking off with a 17 darter against the throw of Steve Voyse. Umney kept the pressure on hitting a maximum and taking the second leg in 16 darts and he finished off Voyse in the third leg to put the home side in the lead.
(Match 2) Neil Bradley 1-3 Mick Swift
Neil Bradley had the darts in the second game of the night against Mick Swift as he looked to double the home sides lead but things didn't go as he would have liked, Swift started the better and broke in the opener with a 17 dart leg. Swift followed that up taking the second leg to give him some breathing space. Bradley mustered a mini fightback in the third leg but Swift grabbed the victory in four as well as a 96 finish to equalise for the Vulcans.
(Match 3) Geoff Baker 1-3 Michael Donson
It was a level game after the first two played. Up next we had Michael Donson for the Vulcans facing Geoff Baker and it was Donson who took the lead. Baker had the throw in the following leg but that's when Donson managed a break to put Baker in all sorts of trouble. Donson had the darts to win the match in the third leg but it wasn't over yet as Baker managed a 20 darter out of nowhere to keep in the contest but it was too late as Donson wrapped up the win in four to put the Vulcans 2-1 up.
(Match 4) Trevor Tye 3-2 Jim Smith
Vulcans captain Jim Smith was fourth the player on with his team 2-1 up and one player short he had the chance to save a least a draw out of tonight against Trevor Tye. In the opener Tye held his throw to get off the mark, Smith replied with a hold of his own. Then in the third leg, in what looked like a game changer, it was the captain that broke the Tye throw to take the lead and give the Vulcans every chance. However, Tye changed the course of the game in the fourth leg with a break back and he then threw for the match to give himself a 3-2 win which made the fifth match the decider.
(Match 5) Mick Smith 3-0 Phil Lambert
In the decider Aces' Mick Smith threw some steady darts considering its the final game against Phil
Lambert. It all started when Smith broke throw in the opening leg which gave him a cushion early doors. Smith continued his pursuit in the second leg where he held to make it 2-0. He saved the best till last in the third leg, with Lambert looking for a comeback Smith hit a 15 darter, 116 outshot to win by three legs to nil to end the night on a high. This gave the Aces a 4-2 win to make it seven wins out of their last eight games.
Sausages 3-3 Academicals
Marc Ellis 3-2 Tom Hogg
Ben Dolman 3-0 Matt Royle
Pete Bell 1-3 Greg Batting
Matt Pryor 2-3 Tim Close
Stephen Ewington 3-2 Max Orange
Dawn Priestley 1-3 Brad Clowery
(Match 1) Marc Ellis 3-2 Tom Hogg
It was "Tiny" Marc Ellis to kick us off for the home side against Tom Hogg and it was Hogg who drew
first blood holding to go one up. Ellis responded with a leveller then breaking in the third leg to edge himself in front but the best was yet to come as Hogg broke back with a 19 dart leg to make it 2-2 and the game went into a final leg decider in the first match. Hogg had the throw which gave him a slight advantage but Ellis pulled out his best leg of the match when he needed it most, taking out a 21 darter in the decider to put his team one up.
[caption id="attachment_18532" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
The Cumberland Sausages[/caption]
(Match 2) Ben Dolman 3-0 Matt Royle
Matt Royle toed the oche in game two for the Academicals searching for an equaliser against Ben Dolman in a game which saw Dolman take control from the start, holding in the first leg. He then punished Royle on his opponents throw to make it 2-0. In the third leg Dolman sailed home taking out the winning double to make it two out of two for the home team.
(Match 3) Pete Bell 1-3 Greg Batting
The Cumberland landlord Pete Bell was third on for the Sausages, his opponent was Greg Batting. In the opening leg Batting managed a hold of throw as to which Bell replied in kind. The third leg saw Batting again take advantage of throwing first to get down to a double then finish it to make it 2-1 with Bell throwing to stay in the match. The pressure was on and Batting wasn't going to give him a chance as he secured the win in four to pull one back for the Academicals which kept them in the game.
(Match 4) Matt Pryor 2-3 Tim Close
With the Academicals on the comeback trail Tim Close was looking to equalise as he played Matt Pryor but the game didn't start well for him as Pryor raced into a 2-0 lead and looking certain for the win Close clawed his way back into the match after breaking straight back in the third leg he managed to hold in the fourth to make it a deciding leg with Pryor still favourite with the darts Close hit a 20 dart leg to win the match to make it two each with it all to play for in the final two matches.
[caption id="attachment_18533" align="alignright" width="176"]
Max Orange[/caption]
(Match 5) Stephen Ewington 3-2 Max Orange
We couldn't separate the two teams after four matches so it boiled down to the final two games of the night, Stephen Ewington for the Sausages faced Max Orange for the visitors in another close battle where every leg went against the darts. Ewington was the first to break throw in the first leg then it went back and forth like that all the way through the game where Max Orange also managed an 18 darter to make the game two each. It was Ewington that took the match in the deciding leg to guarantee at least a draw for the Sausages going into the final game.
(Match 6) Dawn Priestley 1-3 Brad Clowery
In an absolute battle between these two teams where three of the matches had a last leg shootout it went down to the final game for the Sausages to win it. Dawn Priestley faced Brad Clowery in a match that came down to doubles on every leg, that's how close the legs were! Clowery broke throw in the opening leg to lay down a marker for his opponent to follow. Clowery continued with the same standard in the second leg to hold and go two up, Priestley pulled a leg back to stand a chance but Clowery finished her off to win 3-1 and rescued a draw for the Academicals which extended the gap between them and the bottom three to nine points.
Warriors 0-6 Panthers
Sandra Webster 0-3 Russ Simons
Barry Brittle 1-3 Mark Gillen
Ian Webster 1-3 John Lieber
Nicola Warne 0-3 Brad Ellis
Paul Brittle 0-3 Lee Cushworth
Steve Newton 0-3 Mick Hulley
(Match 1) Sandra Webster 0-3 Russ Simons
In the opener Sandra Webster toed the oche for the Warriors taking on Russ Simons. Simons kicked off the night with a 21 darter to take the lead. In the second leg with Sandra having the darts Simons broke throw and from then on they was no way back for Sandra and Simons took out the winning double to kick off with a 3-0 win.
(Match 2) Barry Brittle 1-3 Mark Gillen
Mark Gillen was next up for the Panthers against Barry Brittle. Brittle started the better of the two and he took the first leg but from then on it was all Gillen. After equalising in the second leg, Gillen then stormed in front breaking the Brittle throw then finishing him off in the fourth leg to make it two out of two for the Panthers.
[caption id="attachment_18536" align="alignright" width="187"]
Russ Simons[/caption]
(Match 3) Ian Webster 1-3 John Lieber
Panthers captain was third up with his team in control of the match he was looking to keep the form going as he faced Ian Webster. Lieber started well holding throw then managing to break Webster in the second leg in what looked an easy win. Webster managed to break back to keep him in the match but Lieber won the game in the fourth leg to make it three nil at the halfway stage.
(Match 4) Nicola Warne 0-3 Brad Ellis
In game four Nicola Warne was looking to keep the Warriors in the game against Brad Ellis who sensed victory for the Panthers and the game started with Ellis breaking throw with a 21 darter. Warne was on the back-foot from then on as Ellis held in the second leg which made it two nil. Ellis was confident going into the third leg with Warne throwing first she needed good scores but it wasn't to be as Ellis threw the winning dart to seal the win for him and the Panthers with two to spare.
[caption id="attachment_18537" align="aligncenter" width="225"]
The Woodbourne Warriors[/caption]
(Match 5) Paul Brittle 0-3 Lee Cushworth
With the game wrapped up after four Warriors captain Paul Brittle was playing for pride as he faced "Cushy" Lee Cushworth. In the opening leg Cushworth eased himself into the the match taking it on throw. The next leg followed in a similar pattern as the darting demon put Brittle under pressure on his throw. He cracked and let Cushworth in to break his throw to make it 2-0. Lee wrapped up the win in the third leg on his own throw to sail his team into a 5-0 lead.
(Match 6) Steve Newton 0-3 Mick Hulley
In the sixth and final game of the night Mick Hulley was looking for a full house for the Panthers against "Hero" Steve Newton and it didn't take long for Hulley to get off the mark breaking Newton in the opener. Hulley followed it up in the next leg with a hold of throw. Newton tried all he could to stay in the battle but Hulley finished it off in the thrid leg to make it a clean sweep for the Panthers in a result which saw them leap above the Aces into third place in the table.
Wizards 1-5 Black Eagles
Ann Lofthouse 0-3 Trevor Burkhill
Ben Chivers 3-2 Jason Burkhill
Matt Hayes 0-3 Owen Cubitt
Andrew Spencer 0-3 Stephen Briggs
Matt Simmons 0-3 Pete Daffin
Mandy Slack 0-3 Micky Stocks
(Match 1) Ann Lofthouse 0-3 Trevor Burkhill
We kick off with "Turbo" Trevor Burkhill for the visitors taking on Ann Lofthouse. Lofthouse gave "Turbo" a fright in the opening leg of the night as she hit a ton and two 140's but "Turbo" finished the leg off in 21 to take the lead. Lofthouse wasn't going away as she continued to hit the big scores to keep Trev on his toes as he responded with a 20 darter against the darts to make it 2-0. By now Burkhill was in the ascendancy and he won the match in three finishing with his best leg of 15 darts to make it 1-0 to the leaders.
[caption id="attachment_18539" align="alignleft" width="139"]
Ben Chivers[/caption]
(Match 2) Ben Chivers 3-2 Jason Burkhill
Ben Chivers was looking to level for the Wizards as he faced opposition captain Jason Burkhill. Chivers started the game well taking the opener in 20 darts. In the second leg Burkhill had 12 darts to equalise but couldn't finish them as Chivers took full advantage and made it 2-0. Then Jay hit the comeback trail finally hitting a double to break back in the third leg then Chivers had a dart in the fourth to settle the contest but he couldn't hit it and Jay responded with a finish of his own to bring the game into a last leg shootout where it was nip/tuck all the way as both men were on a finish after 15 darts but it was Chivers who took out the deciding double to snatch a 3-2 victory and equalise for the Wizards.
(Match 3) Matt Hayes 0-3 Owen Cubitt
With the scores equal after two games, Owen "Ice" Cubitt was looking to put the Black Eagles back in front against Matt Hayes. Cubitt couldn't have started any better as he held throw with a 21 dart leg to go in front. "Ice" continued to punish the treble 20 bed as he hit a 180 to show what type of form he is in at the moment breaking the throw in the second leg to go two up and Owen coolly finished off the match in the third leg with darts of a confident player to put the Black Eagles 2-1 up.
(Match 4) Andrew Spencer 0-3 Stephen Briggs
Game four was the pivotal moment in the fixture as Andrew Spencer for the Wizards played Steve Briggs. Spencer started with the darts but he ran into an in form Briggs as shown with Briggs breaking with a 17 darter to go one up, he then followed that up in the second leg finishing in 19 darts to double his lead which set Briggs up nicely to secure the win against the darts in three to make it 3-1 to the leaders.
(Match 5) Matt Simmons 0-3 Pete Daffin
It was up to "Super Daff's" Pete Daffin to seal it for the Black Eagles in game five as he played Matt Simmons. Daffin set off steady with a hold of throw in the first leg, then Daffin really got into his stride in the second leg against the throw. He threw brilliantly to leave a finish after 12 darts, managing to finish it in 13 in his next visit with one dart. Simmons didn't have the answer to Daffin's scoring tonight as he finished off the game with a 19 darter to give the Black Eagles victory with one to play.
[caption id="attachment_18540" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Stocks & Burkhill[/caption]
(Match 6) Mandy Slack 0-3 Micky Stocks
In the final game Mandy Slack of the Wizards played Micky Stocks and Stocks wasn't going to relent even though the game was won as he broke Mandy in the opener with a tasty 15 dart leg. Stocks then cooly took out the second leg on throw. Then in the third and what was the final leg of the night, Stocks had 141 remaining with three darts in hand, he hit a 130 to leave him with just 11 left after 15 darts thrown, Stocks finished off the night with a two dart finish (3, double 4) to win it in 17 darts to give the Black Eagles a 5-1 win.
Wolves 2-4 Railwaymen
Chris Keane 0-3 Martin Scott
Sue Edwards 0-3 Tom Gurran
Simon Sawford 0-3 Mark Gurran
Chris Markham 3-2 Pete Bramley
Jon Smethurst 0-3 Steve Marfleet
Tom Sawford 3-1 Gav Pilling
(Match 1) Chris Keane 0-3 Martin Scott
"Keano" opened for the Wolves against Martin Scott, the match started with Scott managing a hold of throw, he then proceeding with hitting the treble 20's on Keane's throw finishing with a solid 14 dart leg to break. Keane was in all sorts of trouble as the third leg started he never really got going as Scott rallied to a 3-0 win to open the scoring for the Railwaymen.
(Match 2) Sue Edwards 0-3 Tom Gurran
Young gun Tom Gurran was next on for the visitors as he played Sue Edwards. "Sue, Sue, Sue" had the darts but couldn't make it count as Gurran quickly broke in the first leg. Gurran kept the pressure on taking out the second leg with a hold of throw. Edwards had the darts in the third to try and keep in the game but it wasn't to be as Gurran wrapped up the win in three finishing with a 21 darter to make it 2-0.
(Match 3) Simon Sawford 0-3 Mark Gurran
Railwaymen were in the rampage after two games, next up was Mark Gurran looking to add to the tally against Simon Sawford. Gurran kicked us off hitting a 21 dart leg to open proceedings, he then followed it by breaking Sawford in the second leg this time hitting a two dart finish to end the leg in 20 darts, Gurran weren't going to be denied as he wrapped up the win with a 113 high finish to put the Railwaymen three up with three to play.
(Match 4) Chris Markham 3-2 Pete Bramley
[caption id="attachment_18542" align="alignright" width="150"]
Chris Markham[/caption]
"The Marksman" Chris Markham was looking to keep up his good start for the Wolves against a good testing opponent in Pete "Perfect" Bramley. Markham started off with a hold of throw, Bramley hit back with a 20 dart leg to equalise, Bramley then continued where he left off in the next leg to break Markham's throw to go 2-1 up, but "The Marksman" wasn't finished as he broke straight back to level and force a decider in which he had the darts and took advantage of that by firing in the double to take a 3-2 win away with him to keep the Wolves in the match.
[caption id="attachment_18541" align="alignleft" width="153"]
Steve Marfleet[/caption]
(Match 5) Jon Smethurst 0-3 Steve Marfleet
After four games the Wolves were 3-1 down still needed a win to keep in the contest, next up was Jon Smethurst taking on Steve Marfleet. Marfleet started strong holding throw to take the lead. Smethurst needed to equalise on his throw but couldn't manage it as Marfleet broke him in the second and it was all Marfleet in the third leg as he stormed to victory without dropping a leg to give the Railwaymen the win with one game to spare.
(Match 6) Tom Sawford 3-1 Gav Pilling
With the game won after five matches Gav Pilling was looking to finish off the Wolves against youngster Tom "Shooter" Sawford, both men got off to a good start each holding throw, then "Shooter" fired in front with a third consecutive hold which put the pressure on Pilling. Fourth leg started with Sawford getting into his stride hitting a 180 then managing to take out a 19 dart leg to win the game 3-1, but the night belonged to the visitors winning overall by four games to two to consolidate second place.
Report by
Pat Finney (Projectdarts Reporter/Media)
Andy Umney[/caption]
(Match 1) Andy Umney 3-0 Steve Voyse
The week started with Aces' Andy Umney in fine form kicking off with a 17 darter against the throw of Steve Voyse. Umney kept the pressure on hitting a maximum and taking the second leg in 16 darts and he finished off Voyse in the third leg to put the home side in the lead.
(Match 2) Neil Bradley 1-3 Mick Swift
Neil Bradley had the darts in the second game of the night against Mick Swift as he looked to double the home sides lead but things didn't go as he would have liked, Swift started the better and broke in the opener with a 17 dart leg. Swift followed that up taking the second leg to give him some breathing space. Bradley mustered a mini fightback in the third leg but Swift grabbed the victory in four as well as a 96 finish to equalise for the Vulcans.
(Match 3) Geoff Baker 1-3 Michael Donson
It was a level game after the first two played. Up next we had Michael Donson for the Vulcans facing Geoff Baker and it was Donson who took the lead. Baker had the throw in the following leg but that's when Donson managed a break to put Baker in all sorts of trouble. Donson had the darts to win the match in the third leg but it wasn't over yet as Baker managed a 20 darter out of nowhere to keep in the contest but it was too late as Donson wrapped up the win in four to put the Vulcans 2-1 up.
(Match 4) Trevor Tye 3-2 Jim Smith
Vulcans captain Jim Smith was fourth the player on with his team 2-1 up and one player short he had the chance to save a least a draw out of tonight against Trevor Tye. In the opener Tye held his throw to get off the mark, Smith replied with a hold of his own. Then in the third leg, in what looked like a game changer, it was the captain that broke the Tye throw to take the lead and give the Vulcans every chance. However, Tye changed the course of the game in the fourth leg with a break back and he then threw for the match to give himself a 3-2 win which made the fifth match the decider.
(Match 5) Mick Smith 3-0 Phil Lambert
In the decider Aces' Mick Smith threw some steady darts considering its the final game against Phil
Lambert. It all started when Smith broke throw in the opening leg which gave him a cushion early doors. Smith continued his pursuit in the second leg where he held to make it 2-0. He saved the best till last in the third leg, with Lambert looking for a comeback Smith hit a 15 darter, 116 outshot to win by three legs to nil to end the night on a high. This gave the Aces a 4-2 win to make it seven wins out of their last eight games.
Sausages 3-3 Academicals
Marc Ellis 3-2 Tom Hogg
Ben Dolman 3-0 Matt Royle
Pete Bell 1-3 Greg Batting
Matt Pryor 2-3 Tim Close
Stephen Ewington 3-2 Max Orange
Dawn Priestley 1-3 Brad Clowery
(Match 1) Marc Ellis 3-2 Tom Hogg
It was "Tiny" Marc Ellis to kick us off for the home side against Tom Hogg and it was Hogg who drew
first blood holding to go one up. Ellis responded with a leveller then breaking in the third leg to edge himself in front but the best was yet to come as Hogg broke back with a 19 dart leg to make it 2-2 and the game went into a final leg decider in the first match. Hogg had the throw which gave him a slight advantage but Ellis pulled out his best leg of the match when he needed it most, taking out a 21 darter in the decider to put his team one up.
[caption id="attachment_18532" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The Cumberland Sausages[/caption]
(Match 2) Ben Dolman 3-0 Matt Royle
Matt Royle toed the oche in game two for the Academicals searching for an equaliser against Ben Dolman in a game which saw Dolman take control from the start, holding in the first leg. He then punished Royle on his opponents throw to make it 2-0. In the third leg Dolman sailed home taking out the winning double to make it two out of two for the home team.
(Match 3) Pete Bell 1-3 Greg Batting
The Cumberland landlord Pete Bell was third on for the Sausages, his opponent was Greg Batting. In the opening leg Batting managed a hold of throw as to which Bell replied in kind. The third leg saw Batting again take advantage of throwing first to get down to a double then finish it to make it 2-1 with Bell throwing to stay in the match. The pressure was on and Batting wasn't going to give him a chance as he secured the win in four to pull one back for the Academicals which kept them in the game.
(Match 4) Matt Pryor 2-3 Tim Close
With the Academicals on the comeback trail Tim Close was looking to equalise as he played Matt Pryor but the game didn't start well for him as Pryor raced into a 2-0 lead and looking certain for the win Close clawed his way back into the match after breaking straight back in the third leg he managed to hold in the fourth to make it a deciding leg with Pryor still favourite with the darts Close hit a 20 dart leg to win the match to make it two each with it all to play for in the final two matches.
[caption id="attachment_18533" align="alignright" width="176"] Max Orange[/caption]
(Match 5) Stephen Ewington 3-2 Max Orange
We couldn't separate the two teams after four matches so it boiled down to the final two games of the night, Stephen Ewington for the Sausages faced Max Orange for the visitors in another close battle where every leg went against the darts. Ewington was the first to break throw in the first leg then it went back and forth like that all the way through the game where Max Orange also managed an 18 darter to make the game two each. It was Ewington that took the match in the deciding leg to guarantee at least a draw for the Sausages going into the final game.
(Match 6) Dawn Priestley 1-3 Brad Clowery
In an absolute battle between these two teams where three of the matches had a last leg shootout it went down to the final game for the Sausages to win it. Dawn Priestley faced Brad Clowery in a match that came down to doubles on every leg, that's how close the legs were! Clowery broke throw in the opening leg to lay down a marker for his opponent to follow. Clowery continued with the same standard in the second leg to hold and go two up, Priestley pulled a leg back to stand a chance but Clowery finished her off to win 3-1 and rescued a draw for the Academicals which extended the gap between them and the bottom three to nine points.
Warriors 0-6 Panthers
Sandra Webster 0-3 Russ Simons
Barry Brittle 1-3 Mark Gillen
Ian Webster 1-3 John Lieber
Nicola Warne 0-3 Brad Ellis
Paul Brittle 0-3 Lee Cushworth
Steve Newton 0-3 Mick Hulley
(Match 1) Sandra Webster 0-3 Russ Simons
In the opener Sandra Webster toed the oche for the Warriors taking on Russ Simons. Simons kicked off the night with a 21 darter to take the lead. In the second leg with Sandra having the darts Simons broke throw and from then on they was no way back for Sandra and Simons took out the winning double to kick off with a 3-0 win.
(Match 2) Barry Brittle 1-3 Mark Gillen
Mark Gillen was next up for the Panthers against Barry Brittle. Brittle started the better of the two and he took the first leg but from then on it was all Gillen. After equalising in the second leg, Gillen then stormed in front breaking the Brittle throw then finishing him off in the fourth leg to make it two out of two for the Panthers.
[caption id="attachment_18536" align="alignright" width="187"] Russ Simons[/caption]
(Match 3) Ian Webster 1-3 John Lieber
Panthers captain was third up with his team in control of the match he was looking to keep the form going as he faced Ian Webster. Lieber started well holding throw then managing to break Webster in the second leg in what looked an easy win. Webster managed to break back to keep him in the match but Lieber won the game in the fourth leg to make it three nil at the halfway stage.
(Match 4) Nicola Warne 0-3 Brad Ellis
In game four Nicola Warne was looking to keep the Warriors in the game against Brad Ellis who sensed victory for the Panthers and the game started with Ellis breaking throw with a 21 darter. Warne was on the back-foot from then on as Ellis held in the second leg which made it two nil. Ellis was confident going into the third leg with Warne throwing first she needed good scores but it wasn't to be as Ellis threw the winning dart to seal the win for him and the Panthers with two to spare.
[caption id="attachment_18537" align="aligncenter" width="225"] The Woodbourne Warriors[/caption]
(Match 5) Paul Brittle 0-3 Lee Cushworth
With the game wrapped up after four Warriors captain Paul Brittle was playing for pride as he faced "Cushy" Lee Cushworth. In the opening leg Cushworth eased himself into the the match taking it on throw. The next leg followed in a similar pattern as the darting demon put Brittle under pressure on his throw. He cracked and let Cushworth in to break his throw to make it 2-0. Lee wrapped up the win in the third leg on his own throw to sail his team into a 5-0 lead.
(Match 6) Steve Newton 0-3 Mick Hulley
In the sixth and final game of the night Mick Hulley was looking for a full house for the Panthers against "Hero" Steve Newton and it didn't take long for Hulley to get off the mark breaking Newton in the opener. Hulley followed it up in the next leg with a hold of throw. Newton tried all he could to stay in the battle but Hulley finished it off in the thrid leg to make it a clean sweep for the Panthers in a result which saw them leap above the Aces into third place in the table.
Wizards 1-5 Black Eagles
Ann Lofthouse 0-3 Trevor Burkhill
Ben Chivers 3-2 Jason Burkhill
Matt Hayes 0-3 Owen Cubitt
Andrew Spencer 0-3 Stephen Briggs
Matt Simmons 0-3 Pete Daffin
Mandy Slack 0-3 Micky Stocks
(Match 1) Ann Lofthouse 0-3 Trevor Burkhill
We kick off with "Turbo" Trevor Burkhill for the visitors taking on Ann Lofthouse. Lofthouse gave "Turbo" a fright in the opening leg of the night as she hit a ton and two 140's but "Turbo" finished the leg off in 21 to take the lead. Lofthouse wasn't going away as she continued to hit the big scores to keep Trev on his toes as he responded with a 20 darter against the darts to make it 2-0. By now Burkhill was in the ascendancy and he won the match in three finishing with his best leg of 15 darts to make it 1-0 to the leaders.
[caption id="attachment_18539" align="alignleft" width="139"] Ben Chivers[/caption]
(Match 2) Ben Chivers 3-2 Jason Burkhill
Ben Chivers was looking to level for the Wizards as he faced opposition captain Jason Burkhill. Chivers started the game well taking the opener in 20 darts. In the second leg Burkhill had 12 darts to equalise but couldn't finish them as Chivers took full advantage and made it 2-0. Then Jay hit the comeback trail finally hitting a double to break back in the third leg then Chivers had a dart in the fourth to settle the contest but he couldn't hit it and Jay responded with a finish of his own to bring the game into a last leg shootout where it was nip/tuck all the way as both men were on a finish after 15 darts but it was Chivers who took out the deciding double to snatch a 3-2 victory and equalise for the Wizards.
(Match 3) Matt Hayes 0-3 Owen Cubitt
With the scores equal after two games, Owen "Ice" Cubitt was looking to put the Black Eagles back in front against Matt Hayes. Cubitt couldn't have started any better as he held throw with a 21 dart leg to go in front. "Ice" continued to punish the treble 20 bed as he hit a 180 to show what type of form he is in at the moment breaking the throw in the second leg to go two up and Owen coolly finished off the match in the third leg with darts of a confident player to put the Black Eagles 2-1 up.
(Match 4) Andrew Spencer 0-3 Stephen Briggs
Game four was the pivotal moment in the fixture as Andrew Spencer for the Wizards played Steve Briggs. Spencer started with the darts but he ran into an in form Briggs as shown with Briggs breaking with a 17 darter to go one up, he then followed that up in the second leg finishing in 19 darts to double his lead which set Briggs up nicely to secure the win against the darts in three to make it 3-1 to the leaders.
(Match 5) Matt Simmons 0-3 Pete Daffin
It was up to "Super Daff's" Pete Daffin to seal it for the Black Eagles in game five as he played Matt Simmons. Daffin set off steady with a hold of throw in the first leg, then Daffin really got into his stride in the second leg against the throw. He threw brilliantly to leave a finish after 12 darts, managing to finish it in 13 in his next visit with one dart. Simmons didn't have the answer to Daffin's scoring tonight as he finished off the game with a 19 darter to give the Black Eagles victory with one to play.
[caption id="attachment_18540" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Stocks & Burkhill[/caption]
(Match 6) Mandy Slack 0-3 Micky Stocks
In the final game Mandy Slack of the Wizards played Micky Stocks and Stocks wasn't going to relent even though the game was won as he broke Mandy in the opener with a tasty 15 dart leg. Stocks then cooly took out the second leg on throw. Then in the third and what was the final leg of the night, Stocks had 141 remaining with three darts in hand, he hit a 130 to leave him with just 11 left after 15 darts thrown, Stocks finished off the night with a two dart finish (3, double 4) to win it in 17 darts to give the Black Eagles a 5-1 win.
Wolves 2-4 Railwaymen
Chris Keane 0-3 Martin Scott
Sue Edwards 0-3 Tom Gurran
Simon Sawford 0-3 Mark Gurran
Chris Markham 3-2 Pete Bramley
Jon Smethurst 0-3 Steve Marfleet
Tom Sawford 3-1 Gav Pilling
(Match 1) Chris Keane 0-3 Martin Scott
"Keano" opened for the Wolves against Martin Scott, the match started with Scott managing a hold of throw, he then proceeding with hitting the treble 20's on Keane's throw finishing with a solid 14 dart leg to break. Keane was in all sorts of trouble as the third leg started he never really got going as Scott rallied to a 3-0 win to open the scoring for the Railwaymen.
(Match 2) Sue Edwards 0-3 Tom Gurran
Young gun Tom Gurran was next on for the visitors as he played Sue Edwards. "Sue, Sue, Sue" had the darts but couldn't make it count as Gurran quickly broke in the first leg. Gurran kept the pressure on taking out the second leg with a hold of throw. Edwards had the darts in the third to try and keep in the game but it wasn't to be as Gurran wrapped up the win in three finishing with a 21 darter to make it 2-0.
(Match 3) Simon Sawford 0-3 Mark Gurran
Railwaymen were in the rampage after two games, next up was Mark Gurran looking to add to the tally against Simon Sawford. Gurran kicked us off hitting a 21 dart leg to open proceedings, he then followed it by breaking Sawford in the second leg this time hitting a two dart finish to end the leg in 20 darts, Gurran weren't going to be denied as he wrapped up the win with a 113 high finish to put the Railwaymen three up with three to play.
(Match 4) Chris Markham 3-2 Pete Bramley
[caption id="attachment_18542" align="alignright" width="150"] Chris Markham[/caption]
"The Marksman" Chris Markham was looking to keep up his good start for the Wolves against a good testing opponent in Pete "Perfect" Bramley. Markham started off with a hold of throw, Bramley hit back with a 20 dart leg to equalise, Bramley then continued where he left off in the next leg to break Markham's throw to go 2-1 up, but "The Marksman" wasn't finished as he broke straight back to level and force a decider in which he had the darts and took advantage of that by firing in the double to take a 3-2 win away with him to keep the Wolves in the match.
[caption id="attachment_18541" align="alignleft" width="153"] Steve Marfleet[/caption]
(Match 5) Jon Smethurst 0-3 Steve Marfleet
After four games the Wolves were 3-1 down still needed a win to keep in the contest, next up was Jon Smethurst taking on Steve Marfleet. Marfleet started strong holding throw to take the lead. Smethurst needed to equalise on his throw but couldn't manage it as Marfleet broke him in the second and it was all Marfleet in the third leg as he stormed to victory without dropping a leg to give the Railwaymen the win with one game to spare.
(Match 6) Tom Sawford 3-1 Gav Pilling
With the game won after five matches Gav Pilling was looking to finish off the Wolves against youngster Tom "Shooter" Sawford, both men got off to a good start each holding throw, then "Shooter" fired in front with a third consecutive hold which put the pressure on Pilling. Fourth leg started with Sawford getting into his stride hitting a 180 then managing to take out a 19 dart leg to win the game 3-1, but the night belonged to the visitors winning overall by four games to two to consolidate second place.
Report by
Pat Finney (Projectdarts Reporter/Media)