Across various local darts leagues, the competition is heating up! Nick Fullwell maintains his lead in the Amblecote Premier League, while several teams like Copper Fox ‘R’ and Northfield continue impressive unbeaten streaks in their respective leagues. The week also saw a flurry of high scores, including numerous 180s, as champions defended their positions and challengers made their moves, setting the stage for thrilling future matchups.
Amblecote RBL Premier League: Fullwell Extends Lead
Dual code World Championship qualifier Nick Fullwell solidified his top position in the Amblecote RBL Premier League, boosting his total to seventy points. He achieved this with dominant wins: a 7-0 whitewash against Brandon Mallen and a 5-2 victory over Shane Sheridan.
Challenger Cayden Smith remains hot on Fullwell’s heels, just three points behind in second place after securing a 6-1 win against Joe Poole and a tight 4-3 triumph over Craig Slater.
Reigning champion Jason Lowe holds third place with sixty-five points. Crucially, Lowe has played one fewer game than the top two, suggesting he could still close the gap significantly.
Harborne and District League: Copper Fox ‘R’ Maintains Perfect Record
Week 12 in the Harborne and District League saw no shifts among the top six teams. Leaders Copper Fox ‘R’ continued their flawless run, securing their twelfth consecutive win with a 7-2 home victory against Crown. This keeps their two-point advantage intact over second-placed Northfield Conservative Club, who also enjoyed a 7-2 home win against Thimble Mill.
Third and fourth places are held by Northfield Darts Club and Smethwick Cricket Club, both on twenty points (four off the top). Northfield Darts Club won 6-3 at home against Copper Fox ‘M’, while Smethwick Cricket Club delivered an impressive 8-1 away win at Weoley Castle.
A Shower of Maximums!
This week was a high-scoring affair in the league, with a remarkable fourteen maximums (180s) recorded. Standout performances included:
- M. Lloyd (Northfield Darts Club): A phenomenal three 180s.
- C. Fowler (Copper Fox ‘M’): Two 180s.
- D. Hill (Northfield Conservative Club): Two 180s.
- Single 180s were also hit by K. Bedder (Copper Fox ‘M’), R. Foxhall (Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club), D. Knight and S. Hale (Weoley Castle WMC), A. Sutton (Northfield Conservative Club), D. Harper (Windsor Complex), and A. Hykin (Copper Fox ‘R’).
Kings Norton League: Northfield’s Unstoppable Run Continues
Northfield extended their undefeated streak in the Kings Norton League to thirteen games with a dominant 7-0 away win at Cock Inn. This victory gives them a comfortable four-point lead over second-placed Greenlands (whose result was not available this week).
Third-placed Bourneville lost crucial ground in the title race, suffering a 4-3 home defeat to Stirchley, leaving them eight points behind the leaders. At the bottom of the table, Cavalier is still searching for their first win after twelve games.
Individual Highlights:
- P. Garvey (Bourneville), Joe Fox (Cock Inn), and J. Evitts (Northfield) all hit maximums (180s).
- N. Reynolds (E57) and T. Jeffs (Bournebrook) recorded impressive 160 breaks.
- R. Higgins (Northfield) achieved an 11 and 12-dart game, while M. Hopkins (Northfield) hit a 10-dart game.
Sheldon and District Winter League: Highwood Dominates Premier Division
Week 13 brought no changes at the top of the Sheldon and District Winter League Premier League table. Highwood cemented their pole position with a 6-3 home win over second-placed Langley Arrows, extending their lead to four points.
Sheldon Marlborough Arrows, in third, missed an opportunity to move into second after a 6-3 home loss to fourth-placed RAFA. They now sit on the same sixteen points as Langley Arrows but trail on average.
In a turn of fortunes, Smithswood Social Club, previously at the bottom, secured their first win in ten games with a 5-4 away success against Brian’s Flights, bringing them level on points and average with their opponents.
Division One and Two Updates:
- Division One: Banbury Arrows lost their top spot after a surprising 5-4 home defeat to Raven. New leaders are RAFA Arrows, who won 5-4 against Lyndon Old Boys.
- Division Two: Langley Pints delivered a crushing 9-0 whitewash against Trident Flights, maintaining a four-point lead over CBMC-A and Maggies.
Maximums Across the Divisions:
Four 180s were recorded this week by:
- Adam Cooksey (Banbury Club)
- Preston Cupkovic (Trident Spears)
- Harry Penson (Castle Bromwich Spitfires)
- Stephen McKenzie (Maggies)
Heartlands Sugardarts M&E Co Double Top League: Cain Brothers Lead the Pack
Ryan Cain continues to hold the number one spot, accumulating twenty-three points after a 3-0 win over Brian Meer and a 2-1 success against John Burdett. Clive Austin remains in second, just one point behind Ryan, with wins against Steve McCormack (3-0) and Ramone Stevens (2-1).
A further point adrift, but with a game in hand, is third-placed Steve Cain, who beat Adam Rogers 3-0 and Jack Cox 2-1.
Young Sophie Cain, after a strong start, has slipped to ninth place following two 2-1 defeats this week to Alex Downes and Andrew Richmond. Alex Downes notched the only maximum (180) of the week in his 3-0 win over Matt Ryan.
Sutton and District League: Highcroft Hotdogs and Rise Club Maintain Leads
The top five teams in Division One of the Sutton and District League remain unchanged. Leaders Highcroft Hotdogs secured a 5-4 away win against Bishop Vesey, maintaining their four-point lead over second-placed Nomads @ Hollyfields.
Nomads @ Hollyfields also won 6-3 at home against Walmley CSC Flights, notably featuring a 160 break from K. Smith.
In Division Two, Rise Club leads with twenty-four points after a 7-2 home win over Beggars Bush, holding a five-point advantage over Plough and Arrows, who also won 7-2.
South West Birmingham Clubs League: Northfield Darts Club at the Summit
Northfield Darts Club secured a 5-3 home win over Stirchley United, keeping them at the top of Division One. This result pushed Stirchley United down to third. Second-placed Northfield Conservative Club ‘B’ were held to a 4-4 draw by Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club, leaving them two points behind the leaders.
In Division Two, the postponement of West Heath CEM’s fixture saw them drop from first to fourth. E57 now leads the division after a 4-4 draw at second-placed Bartley Green FC, giving E57 ten points to Bartley Green FC’s nine.
Sedgley and Gornal Tuesday Night League: Old Liberal Club Reigns Supreme
An emphatic 8-1 win at Wheatsheaf keeps Old Liberal Club at the top of the Sedgley and Gornal Tuesday Night League, enjoying a four-point lead. Second-placed Red Cow ‘1’ won 5-4 at Bulls Head.
Gornal British Legion sits third after a dominant 9-0 whitewash of Jolly Crispin. Netherton Sports and Social Club rounds out the top four, eight points off the pace.
Silver End Sunday Morning League: Old Star Crowned Champions
With the title already secured, Old Star continues its winning ways, delivering a 7-1 defeat to second-placed Dudley Sports ‘A’. Old Star is nine points clear of Dudley Sports ‘A’, who in turn are nine points ahead of third-placed High Acres ‘A’ (who won 5-3 at Portway).
Brierley Hill Monday Night League: Tight Race at the Top
After twenty-one fixtures, a mere two points separate the top three teams in the Brierley Hill Monday Night League. Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’ leads with thirty-eight points after an 8-1 win at Kingswinford British Legion.
Lamp Tavern and Raven are in second and third, respectively, both securing 6-3 wins. Crucially, fourth-placed Bridge, with a 6-3 win at Roebuck ‘B’, is only four points off the top but holds two games in hand on all three teams above them, making them a significant threat.
Stourbridge and District Wednesday Night League: Chop House Holds Strong
Chop House maintains its six-point lead at the top of the Stourbridge and District Wednesday Night League with a 5-2 home win over Plough ‘A’. Second-placed Hollybush also had a 5-2 away win at Ashwood, keeping them level on points and average with New Inns, who were 5-2 winners at Plough ‘B’.
Stourbridge and District Monday Night League: Shared Leadership
In Week 2, Cross now shares the top spot with Bird in Hand. Both teams are level on points and average after Cross won 6-1 at home against Queens Head (Wordsley) and Bird in Hand secured a dominant 7-0 home win against Bull and Bladder.
Out of ten teams that won their opening games, seven remain undefeated: Cross, Bird in Hand, Netherton Conservative Club ‘A’, Old Liberal Club, Five Ways, Gornal British Legion, and Raven.
Netherton Thursday Night 501 League: Andy Bastable Trophy Semi-Finalists & League Leaders
Round Two of the Andy Bastable Trophy saw four teams advance to the semi-finals:
- Bulls Head (7-2 win vs Haden Cross)
- British Oak (6-3 win vs Plough and Harrow)
- Furnace (7-2 win vs Townsend Social Club)
- Rose and Crown (received a bye)
Maximums in the Trophy:
- Reece Hodgetts and Martin Abbott (Plough and Harrow)
- Chris Moreton (British Oak)
- Will Cairns and Dougie Richmond (Townsend Social Club)
In a rearranged league fixture, Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’ climbed to the top of the table with an 8-1 home win over Netherton Sports and Social Club (Jamie Brookes hit a 180), putting them on eighteen points, three clear of Old Liberal Club, Bulls Head, and British Oak.
Rowley Monday Night League: New Season Kicks Off Strong
The Rowley Monday Night League has started its new season with an impressive twenty-three teams, five more than last season. The league is split into two divisions:
- Division One: Bell leads with a convincing 8-1 away win at Tividale Sports.
- Division Two: Bostin Darts ‘B’ tops the table with an identical 8-1 away win at the Vine.
Opening Week Maximums:
- S. Plant (Romsley Cricket Club)
- M. Preedy (Vine)
Black Country Ladies Super League: Allen’s Bar ‘A’ Maintains Top Spot
The top positions in the Black Country Ladies Super League remain unchanged. Leaders Allen’s Bar ‘A’ secured a 3-2 win against bottom-placed Allen’s Bar ‘D’. Second-placed Allen’s Bar ‘B’ also achieved a 3-2 victory against third-placed Allen’s Bar ‘C’, highlighting the close competition.
Black Country Men’s Super League: Allen’s Bar ‘A’ Creates Gap
Allen’s Bar ‘A’ achieved an important 3-2 home win against second-placed Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club. This victory opens up a significant thirteen-point gap between the two teams, although the Ex Serviceman’s Club still has two games in hand.
West Midlands Ladies Super League: Maiden Takes Commanding Lead
Jacqueline Maiden has opened up a four-point lead at the top of the West Midlands Ladies Super League with a straight 3-0 win over Jackie Trott. Her closest rival, Evonne Taylor, won 3-0 against Claire Hobbs but then surprisingly lost 3-0 to Hannah Davies, allowing Maiden to pull away.
West Midlands Men’s Super League: Kings Head Seizes Top Spot
Carrington Club has lost its pole position, dropping to third place with fourteen points, after a 3-2 away defeat to Gilbert’s Bar ‘B’. New leaders Kings Head surged to the top with a dominant 5-0 home win against Dog and Partridge.
Staffordshire Knot is now second on fifteen points, three behind Kings Head, following their 4-1 home win over Chase Social.
Gilbert’s Bar Monday Night Singles League: Pritchard and Quinton Lead Divisions
In Division One, Simon Pritchard holds onto the top spot with fifty-two points, despite a 4-4 draw with Allan Davies. He is nine points ahead of second-placed Chris Manoila, who won 6-2 against Richard Brown. Simon Mountford is third, one point further back with a game in hand, after beating Wayne Speed 7-1 and Dave Rich 6-2.
Division Two saw a change in leadership. Former leader Michele Pritchard dropped to fifth after a 6-2 loss to Kobi Holyhead. Neville Quinton is the new leader with thirty-eight points, thanks to a 6-2 win over Liam Davis. He also has a game in hand on his nearest rivals, Wayne Barratt (37 points) and Kobi Holyhead (34 points).
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
