A West Midlands Round Up By Alan Towe
With everyone still feeling the effects of Christmas it was encouraging to see that there were 84 entries to the Bishopsgate Christmas Open singles and 41 for the doubles knockouts with both events producing some top class darts throughout. Two of the singles quarter finals matched Warwickshire players with Nigel Heydon beating Mike McFall 4-0 and in form Ted Evetts winning 4-2 against Jamie Hughes. The other quarter finals games saw Andre Luis beat Kevin Painter 4-3 and West Midlands player Mark Craddock account for Andy Kent with a 4-1 scoreline. Both of the semi-finals finished with straight 4-0 wins for Mark Craddock and Ted Evetts who in turn took out Andre Luis and Nigel Heydon. The best of nine legs final went the full distance with Evetts getting the very close 5-4 verdict to earn him the title and the top prize of £400 with Craddock receiving £200 as runner up.
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At the halfway point of the Four Oaks and District Winter League The Boat stay two points clear at the top of the first division after winning 6-3 away to Pint Pot Flights, a match that produced 31 tons plus a 180 from Flights N.Robbins. Second in the table Old Oscott Arrows had to wait until the final leg of the last game to secure their 5-4 win against Golden Hind putting them two points clear of third placed Boldmere St Mikes who beat The Boot 6-3. Leaders of division two The Fox had a bye in week seven but hold on to the top spot with ten points. Second and third in the table St Thomas’s Social Club and Erdington Arrows also had a bye and they have now been joined on eight points by Bishop Vesey after their 7-2 win at Boldmere Tap. In the third division Oscott Sports were 4-1 down against Sutton Sports and Social Club and had to take the final four games to keep their unbeaten record intact, their 5-4 win keeping them two points clear of second in the table Rosey Mac’s who were 6-3 winners at Lad in the Lane.. N.Hawkley recorded a maximum for Oscott Sports but there’s a special mention for Oscott Social’s J.Morris snr as his 170 finish breaks a record in the leagues 74 year history as never before have two 170 finishes been recorded in a same season. Full Results:Game 7:Division One:- Golden Hind 4 (T.O’Kereke 102b,125, W.Naylor 112b,140,100, D.Pickering 160b,100,125, T.Vickers 100, S. Pritchett 140,135) Old Oscott Arrows 5 (B.Hoare 100b,120,137, D.Page 140,2x100, D.Parsons 112b,140,100, A.Lea 100, E.Atkins 120,100), Boldmere St Mikes 6 (M.Wild 100b,129,100, M.Ashton 160b,4x100, A.Kimberley 105,100b,140,100, S.Edwards 100) The Boot 3 (J.Kavanagh 160b,105f,100, G.Gaughan 112b,100, I.Taylor 148f), Pint Pot Flights 3 (R.Mercer 2x100, A.Clarke 125, 102, N.Robbins 140,100,120b,180,140, P.Robbins 102b,100,121, M.Bagnall 140,3x100) The Boat 6 (C.O’Neil 133, J.Prince 2x109b, N.Clarke 120b,2x100, W.Mynard 120b,100,109, S.Harvey 140,100, K.Reynolds 140, M.Archer 108b,124, K.Deeley 108b), Division Two:- Boldmere Tap 2 (A.Gough 152b, P.Bromley 100, N.Garbett 100b,121,100f,15 darts game, K.Gow 100, R.Davies 140,100,15 darts game, J.O’Connor 100) Bishop Vesey 7 (D.Walton 100, N.Smallwood 2x100,129, C.Sammons 139f, V.Kaloudis 100, M.Hall 2x100,107, S.Abbott 113, N.Sammons 140, M.Downer 104), The Oscott Social 3 (R.Graham 100, A.Whitehouse 110b,2x100,2x121, J.Morris snr 170f, P.Graham 2x100,140, G.Bushell 2x117b, D.Shannon 105,137, D.Hodgkins 116) Drakes Drum 6 (J.Clarke 2x100,140,125, J.Verschoyle 135, N.Goldie 105b, A.Day 2x100,102f, M.Deathridge 140), Division Three:- Oscott Sports 5 (J.Tolley 100, C.Hawkley 112b,2x100, P.Burgess 109b, N.Hawkley 180,2x100, M.Bowles 100, C.Farley 140) Sutton Sports and Social Club 4 (D.Clarke 101,100, D.Carter 100, R.Hinett 100, T.Clarke 100, D.Panjanaden 120), The Digby 8 (D.Thompson 105b,100, K.Tooze 100, H.Saddler 2x100, G.Wood 100b,2x100,105f, T.Streeter 140, R.Liennard 100) The Towers 1 (J.Lowe 113, D.Stride 100, A.Poyner 140, G.Stevenson 112), Lad In The Lane 3 (M.Clarke 140, P.Ellis 120b,100,121, G.Averill 121) Rosey Mac’s 6 (A.Poole 100, R.Lloyd 152b,121, F.Harris 100, E.Groves 138, S.Wright 2x100, J.Cox snr 4x100), The Fox 5 Erdington Arrows 4, Red Lion, St Thomas’s Social Club and St Thomas’s Arrows all had a bye.
The Bears were the only losers in the top six teams in the Shirley and District Monday Night League in week 22 as they finished on the wrong side of a 6-3 result against sixth in the table The Lodge who are now just one point behind their opponents. No such problem for the leading duo Highwood and The Wharf as leaders Highwood won their home tie with Blue Bell 8-1 to keep them two points clear with a game in hand on second placed Wharf who won their home game against Saracens Jesters 7-2. The Red Lion held on to third spot winning 6-3 at the Cider House and leaving them six points off the top. Full Results:Week 22:- The Wharf 7 Saracens Jesters 2, The Bears 3 The Lodge 6, Cider House 3 Red Lion 6, The Highwood (Terry Constable 160f, Andy Foulkes 117f) 8 Blue Bell 1, Saracens Misfits 6 Sharmans Cross 3, Shirley Spartac 2 Legionnaires 7, Legion Flights (Wayne Clarke 180, Gary Cleverley 180) 8 Plume of Feathers 1, Legion Royals had a bye.
In the latest round of fixtures in the ECC Sports and Social Club Thursday Night Champions League Chris Fox with a 6-1 win over Jordan Ward (in which he hit a maximum) he followed that with two maximums and a 7-0 result over Gemma Barrett to hold pole position with 67 points from 16 games. Second in the table Robert Pierce had a notable 4-3 win over reigning champion Michael Baker and then added a 5-2 success against Chris Manoila to give him 65 points from 17 games, Manoila in third place is on 63 points and has played 15 games. Four times champion Michael Baker has only recently joined the current campaign but has lost two of his first three games as after losing to Robert Pierce he then beat Sam Aitkens 6-1 but lost his third against Chris Williams 4-3. Could there be a new champion this season? Full Results:- Chris Wiliams 6 Gemma Barrett (180) 1, Robert Pierce 4 Michael Baker 3, Chris Fox (180) 6 Jordan Ward 1, Sam Aitkens 4 Chris Manoila (180) 3, Chris Fox (2x180) 7 Gemma Barrett 0, Robert Pierce 5 Chris Manoila 2, Sam Aitkens 1 Michael Baker 6, Jordan Ward 2 Chris Williams (180) 5, Chris Williams (3x180) 4 Michael Baker 3.
The Camp Hill League ended the season with their Captains and Secretaries knockouts. In the Captains Cup final Pete Yardley of the Journeys End Lions beat Nathan Prentice from Tyseley WMC. Simon Edwards (Journeys End Lions) took the Secretaries Cup title with a final win over Joe Fox from the Emerald Club.
After the opening seven games of the new season in the Shirley Premier League only three points separate the top six players. Ken Hopton began the New Year in style with 4-0 wins over Chris Thomas jnr and Dave Fisher and then added a 3-1 success against Tony Daly to his tally to give him 40 points and take him from ninth to top of the table with a slender one point lead over both Mark Henderson and Thomas Bent, Henderson winning 3-1 against Tony Daly and Thomas Bent after Bent had beaten Jack Barrows 3-1 in his first game. After the top three come three players all on 37 points Gary Cleverley, Mark Gwalchmai and Sam Hicks, Cleverley having dropped from second to fourth, Gwalchmai moving up from tenth to fifth and Hicks remaining in sixth place. Full Results:Week 7:- Steve Harper 3 Lee Holtham 1, Dave Fisher 4 Lee Lattimer 0, Tony Daly 1 Mark Henderson (180) 3, Thomas Bent (16 darts game) 3 Jack Barrows 1, Dave Barrows 0 John O’Sullivan (17 darts game) 4, Chris Thomas snr 1 Jordan Ottley 3, Chris Thomas jnr 0 Ken Hopton 4, Paul Harper 4 Lee Holtham 0, Kevin Graver 1 Steve Harper 3, Sam Hicks (109f) 3 Mick Bown 1, Dave Heighway 2 Gary Cleverley (17 darts game) 2, Colin Geens 0 Mark Gwalchmai 4, Derek Harper 0 Sean Talbot 4, John Smyth 0 Antony Daly 4, Steve Sidwell 3 Sam Hicks 1, Ken Hopton 4 Dave Fisher 0, Lee Holtham 2 Derek Harper 2, Jack Barrows 3 Dave Barrows 1, Lee Lattimer (180) 0 Mick Bown 4, Dave Heighway (116f) 2 Tony Daly 2, Chris Thomas jnr 2 John O’Sullivan 2, Sean Talbot 1 Steve Sidwell 3, Steve Harper 1 Colin Geens 3, Mark Henderson (112f) 3 Thomas Bent 1, Mark Gwalchmai (16 & 17 darts games) 4 Chris Thomas snr 0, Kevin Graver 2 Jordan Ottley (17 darts game) 2, Paul Harper 1 Antony Daly 3, Gary Cleverley 1 John Smyth 3, Dave Fisher 0 Jack Barrows 4, Tony Daly 1 Ken Hopton 3, Steve Sidwell 3 Chris Thomas snr 1, Jordan Ottley 4 Chris Thomas jnr 0, Sean Talbot 1 Paul Harper 3, Kevin Graver 3 Dave Barrows 1.
As the second half of the Small Heath League’s season got underway leaders East Birmingham Allotment Holders Association had a bye but they hold on to their number one spot with an unbeaten 24 points. Second in the table Heartlands Club took full advantage to reduce the arrears to just two points with a 7-2 home win over Cob’s Bar but they have now played one game more than E.B.A.H.A. After the top two teams comes a huge gap of ten points with Sheldon Marlborough Arrows and Cob’s Bar both on 12 points, Arrows losing 5-4 away to Emerald Club. Full Results:Week 15:- Heartlands Club 7 (D.Bond 100,135, Jim Frost 100b,121,160b, S.McCormack 121, I.Jones 100, G.McCormack 140) Cob’s Bar 2 (M.Turner 105b, R.Pikey 100, A.Lattimer 2x100,120), Emerald Club 5 (D.Willis 100,120b, A.Fisher 100,140, G.Daly 100) Sheldon Marlborough Arrows 4 (K.Hobbins 116, M.O’Sullivan 100b, M.Tilley 100, J.Phipps 127,100,101), Sheldon Marlborough Flights 5 (R.McGuigan 100,124,126, Julie McGuigan 105, Jordan McGuigan 100, D.Humphries 6x100) Wagon and Horses 4 (C.Murphy 125, A.Pearson 100, A.Cheshire 140,125).
The Stourbridge and District Wednesday Night League staged a Christmas Knockout with the winner Robert Pierce picking up a cool £100 after beating Matthew Davis 4-2 in the final. In the last four games Pierce won against J.Ward while Davis beat R.Bowen. On the league front the lattest fixtures saw leaders Ashwood ‘A’ have a bye but at the end of the first half of the season they remain in pole position with an unbeaten 38 points two more than second placed Swan who added a 6-1 win at Ten Arches ‘B’ to their account. A further two points behind on 34 is Ashwood ‘B’ who won 5-2 away to Netherton Cricket Club. Biggest winners of the week were Wombourne Cricket Club and King Arthur who in turn won 7-0 against High Acres and Brickmakers Arms ‘B’. Full Results:Game 21:- Bell ‘B’ 1 Ten Arches ‘A’ 6, Ten Arches ‘B’ 1 Swan 6, Brickmakers Arms ‘B’ 0 King Arthur 7, Netherton Cricket Club 2 Ashwood ‘B’ 5, Holly Bush ‘B’ 1 Fox Inn (Lye) 6, Gate Hangs Well 2 Glasscutters 5, Wombourne Cricket Club 7 High Acres 0, Gignill 2 Brickmakers Arms ‘A’ 5, Holly Bush ‘A’ 1 Bell ‘A’ 6, Wilson Hall and Ashwood ‘’ had a bye, Christmas Knockout:Preliminary Round:- S.Quarry beat J.Jasper, A.Galeb beat C.Clewes, R.Pitt beat V.Mitchell, P.Chandler beat A.Vellender, M.Rowley beat M.Frost, Last 32:- M.Bayliss beat S.Quarry, S.Skidmore beat A.Galeb, R.Pitt beat M.Rowley, R.Bowen beat P.Chandler, A.Colley beat M.Cullis, M.Foxall beat C.Taylor, J.Ward beat D.Harris, L.Wheeler beat C.Williams, D.Edwards beat A.Smith, R.Harris beat J.Barrowman, C.Pickett beat C.Fox, R.Pierce beat A.Kennedy, S.Aitkens beat S.G.Skidmore, M.Davis beat M.Halliday, J.Pickett beat M.Roberts, C.Nicholls beat A.Roberts, Last 16:- S.Skidmore beat M.Bayliss, R.Bowen beat R.Pitt, M.Davis beat S.Aitkens, C.Nicholls beat J.Pickett, D.Edwards beat R.Harris, R.Pierce beat C.Pickett, A.Colley beat M.Foxall, J.Ward beat L.Wheeler, Quarter Finals:- R.Bowen beat S.Skidmore, M.Davis beat C.Nicholls, R.Pierce beat D.Edwards, J.Ward beat A.Colley, Semi-Finals:- M.Davis beat R.Bowen, R.Pierce beat J.Ward, Final:- R.Pierce 4 M.Davis 2.
The South Birmingham League have been involved in their Knockout Cup and providing the biggest win was C’s flights who are currently bottom of division two, they handed out a 9-0 whitewash to to their visiting team Punchbowl who are bottom of division one. In the other games leaders of division two, The Dog beat their nearest rivals in the division Toby Jug 5-2 and in the all division two contest there was a 7-2 win for C’s Hot Shots over The Trident. Full Results: Knockout Cup:- C's Fights 9 Punchbowl 0, The Dog 5 (G.Taylor 2x100,104, J.Boylan 160, M.Blackborrow 105, M.Clayton 100) Toby Jug 2 (I.Beattie 156,109,100,101, M.Blair 100b, P.Round 112b), C's Hot Shots 7 (D.White 100, C.Marshall 100, K.White 100, W.Cooper 100,117, S.Moran 2x100, J.Masfield 2x100,112b) The Trident 2 (P.Millerchip 125,140, T.Blakemore 129, L.Vann 100).
The Brierley Hill Friday Night League ended their season with the final of their League Cup with the title going to Ashwood after beating Netherton Cricket Club ‘A’ 4-1 in the ultimate game. Full Results:League Cup:Final:- Ashwood 4 Netherton Cricket Club ‘A’ 1.
After completing the opening three fixtures in the Henley and District Winter League three teams are level at the top of the table on a perfect six points. Reigning champions Studley Cricket Club have replaced Studley Conservative Club at the top of the table following their 9-0 win over Beausale and the Conservative Club’s close 4-3 win at Wootton Bears, the difference between the two teams just one leg of average. Third in the table Dorridge made it three wins in as many games when they won 5-4 at Wythall RBL to leave them six legs of average off the top of the table. Full Results:Game 3:- Studley Cricket Club 9 Beausale 0, Village Inn 4 Wythall Legion 5, Wooton Bears 3 Studley Conservative Club 4, Wythall RBL 4 Dorridge 5.
Queens Head march on in the Pip Club League, they made it played five and won five when they handed out a first defeat to their nearest rivals Belgrave Sports and Social Club, a 6-3 win opening up a two points advantage over their second placed opponents. Third in the Main table Birchmoor Club are now just two points behind Belgrave Sports and Social Club after their 6-3 win at Sports Bar ‘180’ and have a game in hand on the team just above them. The league played the early rounds of their Open and Memorial Cups and in the former there were wins for Belgrave Sports and Social Club, Old Liberal House, Queens Head and Belgrave Club at the expense in turn of Pip Club, Dolphin, Dolphin Wanderers and Progressive Club. Going into the next round of the Memorial Cup are Kettlebrook Club, Globe (Wilnecote), Birchmoor Club and Bulls Head who had respective wins against Gate (Amington), Glascote Club, Wigginton Arms and Sports Bar ‘180’. Full Results:Open Cup:- Belgrave Sports and Social Club (Gary Podmore 180) beat Pip Club, Dolphin lost to Old Liberal House, Dolphin Wanderers (Leighton Massey 140,100) lost to Queens Head (Mick Smith 180, Sam Whittaker 132b,180,12 darts game), Belgrave Club (Joe Wilson 100b) beat Progressive Club (Mick Hunter 132b, Duncan Campbell 120b), Memorial Cup:- Gate (Amington, Danny Nicholls 150b) lost to Kettlebrook Club, Glascote Club (Steve Philpotts 116b, Wayne Macken 134f, Amy Beste 100) lost to Globe (Wilnecote, Mark Faulkner 100f), Wigginton Arms (Cliff O’Connor 146f, Rosie O’Connor 140) lost to Birchmoor Club (Phil Jones 180, Mark Young 120b, Paul Vyse 106b, Syd Kirkham 102b), Sports Bar ‘180’ (Emily Jones 121,2x100,113f) lost to Bulls Head (Zac Stringer 180, Nathan Atkins 140,3x100), League Game 9:- Wigginton Arms 5 (Rosie O’Connor 100) Old Liberal House 4, Kettlebrook Club 1 (Jeannette Blount 121) Pip Club 8 (Liam Ferguson 119), Sports Bar ‘180’ 3 (Emily Jones 116,100, Martin Watts 171) Birchmoor Club 6, Belgrave Club 6 Dolphin 3, Queens Head 6 (Mick Smith 180) Belgrave Sports and Social 3 (Martin Edwards 13 darts game), Bulls Head 4 Globe (Wilnecote) 5, Progressive Club 5 (Duncan Campbell 180) Gate (Amington, Lydia Faulkner 120) 4, Dolphin Wanderers 8 (Daz Massey 180, Leighton Massey 100) Glascote Club 1 (Dylan McCloughlin 100).
British Oak drop one place to sixth and were the only losers in the top five of the Stourbridge and District Monday Night League when they lost 5-4 at home to Ashwood who move up two places to fifth in the table. Top of the table Brickmakers Arms made it 28 consecutive wins with an undefeated 56 points when they handed out a 9-0 whitewash to their hosts Crestwood, however despite their fantastic record they only have a two points advantage over second in the table Ten Arches ‘A’ whose latest fixture saw them win 7-2 against Hop House. A further four points adrift on 50 points come Ashwood ‘B’ who kept in touch with the leading duo when they won 9-0 away to eighth in the table Gate Hangs Well. Full Results:Game 28:- Hare and Hounds ‘B’ 3 Fox Inn (Lye) 6, Ten Arches ‘A’ 7 Hop House 2, Britannia 8 Bird (Stourbridge) 1, Old Cat (Wordsley) 4 Stourbridge RBL 5, Church Tavern 4 Kingswinford Conservative Club ‘A’ 5, Crestwood 0 Brickmakers Arms 9, Kingswinford Conservative Club ‘B’ 2 Glasscutters 7, Garibaldi 8 Hare and Hounds ‘A’ 1, Bird (Wordsley) 5 Swan 4, British Oak 4 Ashwood 5, Gate Hangs Well 0 Ten Arches ‘B’ 9.
Full Results:C’s Club Double Top Wednesday Night League:Week 10:- Mitchell Mann 3 Gavin Davidson 0, Jay Meigh 0 Simon Edwards 3, Luke Beale 1 Richard Meigh 2, Jack Sidwell 0 Gary Groves 3, Richard Hopkins 1 Sean Healy 2, Brian Anderton 3 Louise Beale 0, Chris Cooke 2 Frank Dixon 1, Mick Noonan 2 Jay Pitts 1, Connor Marshall 0 Bob Nixon (2x180) 3, Steve Sidwell 1 Dave Field 2, Adam Gallett 3 Dan White 0, Jamie Carter 3 Melissa Beale 0, Keith Geary 2 Neil McCrave 1, Lee Walker 2 Chris Meigh 1, Ryan Beale 2 Wayne Cooper 1, Steve Groves 1 Steve Beale 2, Charlie Kingdon 2 Phil Ashford 1, Steve Groves 0 Chris Cooke 3, Neil McCrave 0 Jack Sidwell 3, Connor Marshall 1 Gary Groves 2, Melissa Beale 0 Charlie Kingdon 3, Mitchell Mann 2 Steve Beale 1, Richard Meigh 0 Dan White 3, Gavin Davidson 0 Bob Nixon (180) 3, Phil Ashford 3 Ryan Beale 0, Chris Meigh 3 Jay Meigh 0, Adam Gallett 0 Simon Edwards 3, Richard Hopkins 1 Brian Anderton 2, Jamie Carter 2 Louise Beale 1, Jay Pitts 3 Wayne Cooper 0, Mick Noonan 2 Dave Field 1, Luke Beale 1 Lee Walker 2, Adam Gallett 3 Melissa Beale 0, Adam Gallett 2 Frank Dixon 1, Keith Geary 0 Simon Edwards 3, Steve Sidwell 0 Sean Healy 3, Week 11:- Mitchell Mann (180) 2 Richard Mills 1, Luke Beale 1 Jay Meigh 2, Charlie Kingdon 0 Bob Nixon 3, Pete Kingdon 0 Dan White 3, Phil Ashford 2 Keith Geary (180) 1, Richard Hopkins 2 Richard Meigh 1, Brian Anderton 1 Steve Beale 2, Mick Noonan (180) 3 Lee Walker 0, Ryan Beale 1 Melissa Beale 2, Connor Marshall 1 Richard Hopkins 2, Chris Meigh 2 Neil McCrave 1, Sean Healy 2 Chris Cooke 1, Gary Groves 2 Louise Beale 1, Dave Field 1 Frank Dixon 2, Gordon Clinton 2 Gavin Davidson 1, Charlie Kingdon 3 Ryan Beale 0, Chris Cooke 2 Steve Beale 1, Luke Beale 1 Connor Marshall 2, Phil Ashford 3 Neil McCrave 0, Louise Beale 0 Keith Geary 3, Dave Field 0 Gordon Clinton 3, Pete Kingdon 1 Richard Hopkins 2, Brian Anderton 0 Dan White 3, Richard Mills 3 Melissa Beale 0, Mick Noonan 3 Chris Meigh 0, Lee Walker 2 Jay Meigh 1, Sean Healy 0 Mitchell Mann 3, Frank Dixon 2 Gavin Davidson 1, Gary Groves 3 Richard Meigh 0, Mick Noonan 0 Bob Nixon 3.
By Alan Towe Website: www.alantowedarts.co.uk