The West Midlands darts scene is buzzing as winter leagues kick off! From the Sheldon & District League’s 33 teams battling across three divisions to the Harborne & District League’s nail-biting title race between Copper Fox ‘R’ and Northfield Darts Club, the action is intense. Northfield Darts Club also dominates the Kings Norton League with a perfect record, while Matthew Cain secures the Heartlands Sugardarts M&E Co Double Top League title. Dramatic upsets, perfect 180s, and cup final triumphs are setting the stage for an unforgettable season.
Sheldon & District Winter League: A Thrilling Start
The Sheldon and District Winter League has kicked off its new season with a bang, featuring thirty-three teams competing across three exciting divisions. Our local darts reporter, Alan Towe, is keeping a close eye on all the action.
Premier Division: Langley Arrows Take Early Lead
- Langley Arrows are the early frontrunners, securing a strong 6-3 away victory against Raven Arrows.
- A host of teams saw tight 5-4 wins: Family Tree (vs. Banbury Club), Highwood (vs. RAFA), Mackadown Sports and Social Club (vs. Kingshurst Labour Club), Sheldon Marlborough (vs. Dog Inn Nomads), and Trident Spears (vs. RAFA Arrows).
- Preston Cupkovic and Terry Clay both hit maximums (180s) for Trident Spears, showcasing top-tier darts!
Division One: Lyndon Old Boys Set the Pace
- Lyndon Old Boys are at the top of Division One, thanks to an impressive 7-2 win at Moseley Rugby Club.
- They are closely pursued by Hollywood Social Club, Langley Flights, and Smithswood Social Club, all of whom notched 6-3 victories against their respective opponents.
Division Two: Digby Dominates Early
- Digby leads Division Two after an emphatic 8-1 home win over CBMC-Flights, giving them a slight advantage.
- Arran Way Arrows and Hunters Moon are hot on their heels, both achieving 7-2 wins.
- Rob Condon hit a maximum (180) for Raven Flights in their 6-3 home win, while Shirley Misfits also secured a narrow 5-4 away victory.
Harborne & District League: Title Race Intensifies
With most fixtures completed, the Harborne and District League title is still fiercely contested between the top two teams, Copper Fox ‘R’ and Northfield Darts Club, both with three games left to play.
- Current leaders Copper Fox ‘R’ solidified their position with a dominant 9-0 whitewash against Harborne Social.
- Second-placed Northfield Darts Club secured a 7-2 home win against Thimble Mill, putting them just two points behind Copper Fox ‘R’.
- Northfield Conservative Club sits in third with the same points as Northfield Darts Club but has only one game remaining.
This week saw five players achieve the coveted maximum (180): H.Hopton (Smethwick Cricket Club), A.Fenton (Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club), A.Harvey (Thimble Mill), E.Simpson (Copper Fox ‘R’), and C.Steadman (Northfield Conservative Club).
Kings Norton League: Northfield Darts Club Maintains Perfect Record
Only six fixtures into the season, Northfield Darts Club stands out with a flawless 100% win record from five games in the Kings Norton League. Their latest triumph was a commanding 7-0 home victory over bottom-placed Old Court.
- Perfection holds second place with a 6-1 win at Longbridge, though they’ve played one more game than the leaders.
- A cluster of five teams – Dingle, Bournville, Bournbrook, Cock Inn, and Stirchley – are all tied on eight points, making for a competitive mid-table.
- This week’s action featured two maximums (180s) from K.Shaw (Longbridge) and J.Moore (Perfection).
South West Birmingham Clubs League: Top Teams Hold Strong
The top three teams in Division One of the South West Birmingham Clubs League have maintained their positions, setting a steady pace for the season.
Division One Highlights:
- Stirchley United remains in the top spot with a narrow one-leg average lead after a 5-2 away win at Bournbrook.
- Northfield Darts Club holds second place, also securing a 5-2 home victory against West Heath CEM.
- Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club is third, winning 5-2 away at Perfection, four points behind the leaders.
- Fourth-placed Northfield Conservative Club ‘B’ also had a 5-2 win and has a game in hand.
Division Two Highlights:
- E57 leads Division Two with twenty points after a 5-2 win at Longbridge Arrows.
- Northfield Conservative Club ‘A’ and Kings Norton Arrows are tied for second, both securing important wins.
In the pre-match doubles league, Northfield Darts Club leads Division One, while E57 tops Division Two.
Heartlands Sugardarts M&E Co Double Top League: Cain Claims Title
With two games still to play, Matthew Cain has clinched the Heartlands Sugardarts M&E Co Double Top League title! His consistent performance led to a 3-0 win over Adam Rogers, bringing his total to 155 points from sixty games.
- Martin Cooper is in second place, fourteen points behind, having secured wins against Gemma Whatley (3-0) and Andrew Richmond (2-1).
- Steve Cain is in third, also fourteen points behind Cooper, with both players having three games left.
- John Burdett hit the night’s only maximum (180) during his 2-1 victory over Ellis Gundy.
Stourbridge & District Monday Night League: Leaders Fall, Title Race Explodes
In a shock upset, Old Liberal Club suffered their first defeat in twenty-four games in the Stourbridge and District Monday Night League. Their conquerors were hosts Gornal British Legion, who now draw level on points, trailing only on average, making the title race incredibly tight.
- Third-placed Cross delivered a dominant 7-0 away win over Queens Head, moving within six points of the top with a game in hand.
- Five Ways and Bird in Hand are also on forty points, both securing close 4-3 victories in their respective matches.
Silver End Sunday Morning League: High Acres’ Unbeaten Run Ends
The Silver End Sunday Morning League saw a major upset as leaders High Acres ‘A’ experienced their first defeat in fourteen games, suffering a crushing 8-0 loss to second-placed Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘B’. This result slashes High Acres’ lead to just one point.
- Third-placed Old Star ‘A’ had a bye but remains a strong contender with two games in hand on the leaders.
- At the bottom, Red Cow endured their thirteenth consecutive defeat, losing 7-1 at Tenth Lock, and remains the only winless team in the league.
Stourbridge & District Wednesday Night League: Raven Soars
Raven has strengthened its hold on the Stourbridge and District Wednesday Night League, delivering a commanding 7-0 whitewash to visitors Bird in Hand ‘E’.
- Second-placed Chop House secured a tighter 4-3 away win, staying two points behind Raven with the same number of games played.
- Stourbridge FC ‘A’, Old Liberal Club ‘A’, and Ashwood are all tied on eighteen points, ensuring a competitive chase for the top spots with their recent victories.
Black Country Ladies Team Super League: Allen’s Bar Dominates
The standings remain unchanged in the Black Country Ladies Team Super League, with Allen’s Bar ‘B’ maintaining their leadership after a 4-1 win against Allen’s Bar ‘D’.
- Allen’s Bar ‘A’ also secured a 4-1 victory against Allen’s ‘C’, holding firm in second place.
- The top two teams, Allen’s ‘B’ (34 points) and Allen’s ‘A’ (27 points), are setting the pace.
West Midlands Men’s Super League: Staffordshire Knot Holds Firm
The latest results in the West Midlands Men’s Super League saw no changes at the top of the table. Staffordshire Knot continues to lead with 165 points, following their 4-1 home win over Gilbert’s Bar ‘A’.
- Kings Head and Dog and Partridge are tied for second with 138 points each, twenty-seven points behind the leaders but with a game in hand.
- Both teams also hold a significant twenty-one-point advantage over fourth-placed Junction ‘A’.
John Edwards Thursday Night League: Bostin Darts ‘B’ Lifts Cup
The John Edwards Thursday Night League recently held the final of its prestigious 301 Cup, with Bostin Darts ‘B’ emerging victorious after a thrilling 5-4 win against Blackheath Liberal Club.
A couple of rearranged league fixtures were also played, but did not impact the overall league standings: Whiteheath Tavern won 8-1 against Red Cow, and Ivy Bush beat Club 99 5-4.
Rowley Monday Night League: Doubles Knockout Champions Crowned
The Rowley Monday Night League celebrated the finals of its divisional doubles knockouts, crowning two new sets of champions:
- Division One Winners: T.Brennan and B.Gillies (Bell), who defeated T.Dore and A.Bennett (Romsley Cricket Club).
- Division Two Winners: J.Moore and K.Williams (Double Tops Micro Bar), triumphing over M.Preedy and R.Bishop (Vine).
Blackheath Sunday Morning League: Shipley Crowned Singles Champion
In the Blackheath Sunday Morning League singles final, Jake Shipley emerged as the champion, defeating Matt Tedstone in a competitive match.
Amblecote RBL Premier League: Fullwell Dominates Grand Prix Knockout
The Amblecote RBL Premier League hosted its Grand Prix Knockout, delivering intense darts action.
- In the semi-finals, Paul Wells narrowly defeated Andy Vellender 4-3, while Nick Fullwell showcased dominant form with a 4-0 win over Caden Marsh.
- The final saw Nick Fullwell continue his impressive run, beating Paul Wells 4-1 to claim the Grand Prix title.
Gilbert’s Bar Monday Night Singles League: Baker Leads the Pack
In the Gilbert’s Bar Monday Night Singles League, Scott Baker is dominating Division One with twenty-two wins from twenty-three games, accumulating 197 points.
- Second-placed Simon Pritchard secured a 7-1 win, putting him on 193 points, just four behind Baker, though he has played five more games.
- Chris Manoila is in third with 183 points and a game in hand on Pritchard.
In Division Two, Wayne Barratt leads comfortably with 229 points from twenty-nine games after a 7-1 win. His closest rival, Neville Quinton, is nine points behind after an 8-0 victory but has played one more game.
Wolverhampton Tuesday Night League: Unbeaten Streaks Continue
After only three weeks, the Wolverhampton Tuesday Night League is already showcasing strong contenders, with six teams maintaining a perfect 100% win record in the singles league.
Singles League:
- Junction ‘B’ and New Gate Inn share the top spot, both level on points and average. Junction ‘B’ won 5-3, and New Gate Inn achieved a decisive 7-0 victory.
- Dog and Partridge and Gilbert’s Bar ‘B’ are tied for third, both securing 6-1 home wins.
- Ashmore and Red Lion ‘B’ complete the top six, maintaining their unbeaten starts.
Doubles League:
- Five teams remain unbeaten, with Dog and Partridge and Junction ‘B’ sharing the lead after both secured 2-1 wins.
- Angel, Garden Bar, and Red Lion ‘B’ are all close behind, also maintaining strong unbeaten records.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
