The West Midlands darts scene was buzzing with activity last week, featuring high-stakes cup competitions, thrilling knockouts, and crucial league fixtures. From Sutton’s intense Doubles Knockout qualifiers to Sheldon’s fierce league title battles and Kings Norton’s dramatic Cup quarter-finals, players showcased exceptional skill. We saw new leaders emerge in the Black Country Ladies Super League, while dominant teams like Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’ maintained their unbeaten streaks. Individual brilliance shone through with numerous 180s and impressive finishes, making it a memorable week for grassroots darts across the region.
Sutton and District League: Doubles Knockout Drama
The Sutton and District League hosted its highly anticipated Doubles Knockout across four venues. The competition was fierce, with the top two pairs from each venue securing their spot in the grand finals night scheduled for September 1st.
Qualifying Pairs for Finals Night:
- I.Hebberts and C.Green (Great Barr Social)
- P.Locke and D.Parsons (Old Oscott Arrows)
- H.Riddell and T.Cuplovic (Nomads @ Hollyfields)
- A.Jones and T.Rubery (Bishop Vesey)
- T.Bryant and J.Bryant (Oscott Social Club)
- C.Sammons and S.Abbott (Bishop Vesey)
- T.Colley and J.Grainger (Nomads @ Holyfields)
- T.Vickers and J.Collins (St Thomas Lions)
These sixteen pairs fought through preliminary, first, quarter, and semi-final rounds at their respective venues to earn their place in the ultimate showdown.
Sheldon and District Winter League: Title Races Heat Up
The Sheldon and District Winter League saw significant shifts and nail-biting finishes across its divisions.
Premier League: Highwood’s Challenge
Highwood, despite a 7-2 away loss to Sheldon Marlborough Arrows, managed to retain their top spot with 24 points from 15 games. However, their lead is now vulnerable. Sheldon Marlborough Arrows, with 20 points and three games in hand, are hot on their heels. Meanwhile, Langley Arrows, after a dominant 8-1 home win against Smithswood Social Club, are just two points behind Highwood with two games in hand, setting the stage for an exciting title race.
Division One: Banbury Club Holds On
Banbury Club continues to lead Division One, securing an 8-1 victory over Trident Spears. They are tied on 24 points with nearest rivals RAFA Arrows, who won 5-4 against Station Inn, but Banbury leads on average, having played one more game. Sheldon Marlborough Ridge is four points off the top in third, with a game in hand.
Division Two: Langley Pints Extend Lead
Langley Pints took another stride towards the Division Two title with a 7-2 win at Shirley Misfits. They now enjoy a six-point cushion over both Hollywood Social Club and Maggies. Hollywood secured an 8-1 win, but has played an extra game compared to Pints. Maggies also won 8-1 and have a game in hand on Pints, making their pursuit a keen one.
Individual Highlights: Maximums and Finishes
The week also celebrated some outstanding individual performances:
- Eric Wadlow (Sheldon Marlborough Arrows) – 180
- Tom Garfield (Langley Arrows) – 180
- Gary Fleetwood (Banbury Club) – 180
- Dean Harrison (Sheldon Marlborough Ridge) – 180
- Rob Condon (Raven Flights) – 180
- Nigel Davies (Sheldon Marlborough Arrows) – 10-dart game
- Micky Clayton (Dog Inn Nomads) – 104 finish
- Kristian Green (Banbury Club) – 10-dart game
- James Manners (Lyndon Old Boys) – 146 finish
- Craig Stansfield (Lyndon Old Boys) – 10-dart game
- Dean Grainger (Raven) – 10-dart game
- Ryan Monoghan (Langley Pints) – 123 finish
- Charlie Condon (Raven Flights) – 12-dart game
Kings Norton League: League Cup Quarter-Finals
The Kings Norton League’s League Cup quarter-finals delivered a mix of dominant victories and nail-biting finishes.
- League leaders Northfield demonstrated their prowess with the round’s biggest win, a commanding 6-1 victory over Bourneville.
- The other three matches were incredibly close, all ending with a 4-3 scoreline. Greenlands overcame Kings Norton Flights, Stirchley defeated Bournebrook, and Longbridge edged out Dingle to advance.
South West Birmingham Clubs League: Percy Hinton Trophy Semi-Finals
The Percy Hinton Trophy semi-finals saw Division One leaders Northfield Darts Club triumph 6-3 over Bournbrook. In another close encounter, fellow Division One side Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club secured a 5-4 win against Division Two leaders E57, booking their place in the final. A notable highlight was A.Sutton from Northfield Darts Club hitting a maximum 180.
In a rearranged Division Two fixture, Longbridge Arrows secured a 5-4 win against Cue Club, moving them up to sixth place.
Stourbridge and District Monday Night League: League Cup Kicks Off
The preliminary round of the League Cup saw teams performing true to form. Bull and Bladder and Gornal British Legion both recorded impressive 6-1 victories over Glasscutters ‘B’ and Mount Pleasant respectively. Swan and Netherton Conservative Club ‘A’ each clinched 5-2 wins, while Raven narrowly progressed with a 4-3 win against Gate Hangs Well.
Silver End Sunday Morning League: Doubles Champions Crowned
The Doubles Knockout finals saw Carl Hadlington and Stuart Gough from Old Liberal Club emerge as champions, defeating Ben Watts and Jim Billingham of High Acres in a thrilling final match.
Brierley Hill Monday Night League: Tight at the Top
With most teams having completed 25 games, the top of the Brierley Hill Monday Night League table is incredibly tight. Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’ leads on average after a 6-3 win, but are tied on 44 points with Bridge, who secured a 7-2 victory. Crucially, Bridge has a game in hand. Lamp Tavern sits just two points behind in third place after a 7-2 win.
Stourbridge and District Wednesday Night League: Chop House Secures Lead
A crucial top-of-the-table clash saw leaders Chop House secure a narrow 4-3 away win against second-placed New Inns. This victory extends Chop House’s lead to six points, almost guaranteeing them the title. Hollybush, with a 6-1 win, has now overtaken New Inns for second place.
Sedgley and Gornal Tuesday Night League: Quarry Bank Maintains Lead
Quarry Bank Liberal Club held onto their four-point lead at the top of the Sedgley and Gornal Tuesday Night League with a solid 7-2 away win. Second-placed Red Cow ‘1’ delivered a dominant 9-0 home whitewash. A six-point gap now separates Red Cow ‘1’ from third-placed Gornal British Legion.
Netherton Thursday Night 501 League: Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’ Unstoppable
Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’ extended their remarkable undefeated run to ten games, delivering a commanding 9-0 whitewash to Rose and Crown. This impressive performance keeps them six points clear of both Old Liberal Club and British Oak, who have both won all eight of their games.
Maximums Hit:
- Mark Allen (Haden Cross) – 180
- Abdul Galeb (Townsend Social Club) – 180
- Will Cairns (Townsend Social Club) – 180
Rowley Monday Night League: League Cup Round One
The League Cup Round One saw some huge wins. Bostin Darts ‘A’ delivered a resounding 9-0 whitewash against Star Valley, while Romsley Cricket Club secured an 8-1 victory. Six other teams – Tividale FC, Snooks, Loyal Lodge, Tividale Sports, Bell, and Wheatsheaf – all recorded strong 7-2 wins. The remaining four matches were tight 5-4 contests, with Shelter, Bostin Darts ‘B’, Gate Hangs Well, and Hasbury advancing.
Black Country Ladies Team Super League: New Leaders Emerge
A significant change at the top saw Allen’s Bar ‘B’ take over the lead in the Black Country Ladies Team Super League after a clear-cut 5-0 win over their ‘D’ team. Former leaders Allen’s Bar ‘A’ dropped to second place after a 4-1 loss to their ‘C’ team, now trailing by four points.
Black Country Men’s Super League: Allen’s Bar ‘A’ Dominates
Allen’s Bar ‘A’ continues its dominant run in the Black Country Men’s Super League, maintaining a thirteen-point lead at the top after a 4-1 home win. Quarry Bank Liberal Club moved into second place by defeating Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club 3-2, pushing them down to third.
Amblecote RBL Premier League: Individual Race Tightens
Week seven saw the individual standings remain incredibly close. Ian Townsend leads with 131 points from 20 games, securing 6-1 and 7-0 wins. Just one point behind is Jason Lowe with 130 points from two fewer games, also achieving impressive 7-0 and 6-1 victories. Spike Green climbed to third with 123 points, while Andy Vellender made a significant jump of six places to sixth.
Gilbert’s Bar Monday Night Singles League: Leaders Hold On
In Division One, Simon Pritchard maintained his lead despite a 6-2 loss, holding 80 points from 11 games. He leads second-placed Chris Manoila by 14 points, though Manoila has two games in hand. In Division Two, Neville Quinton solidified his top spot with a 6-2 win, establishing a five-point lead over Michele Pritchard.
Wolverhampton Tuesday Night League: Shifting Dynamics
Singles League: Junction ‘B’ Stays Top
The top four spots in the singles league remained unchanged, with leaders Junction ‘B’ securing a convincing 7-0 away win. Dog and Partridge ‘B’ held onto second, despite a 5-2 loss, while Gilbert’s Bar ‘B’ sits third.
Doubles League: Gilbert’s Bar ‘B’ Takes Lead
In a dramatic turn, Junction ‘B’ lost their top spot in the doubles league, dropping to fourth. Gilbert’s Bar ‘B’ now leads with 44 points after a 2-1 win, tied on points with second-placed Golden Lion ‘A’ and third-placed New Gate Inn, making for an incredibly tight finish to the season.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
