Darts enthusiasts across the West Midlands are in for a treat as local leagues heat up with fierce competition, impressive streaks, and nail-biting finishes. This week’s round-up reveals Warwickshire’s highly anticipated national league debut, Northfield’s formidable seven-game winning streak in the Kings Norton League, and Ashwood’s incredible comeback to snatch the Andy Bastable Trophy. From top-of-the-table clashes to individual brilliance, the darts scene is buzzing with action.
Warwickshire Bears Set for National League Debut
Warwickshire’s Premier Division fixture in the UKDA National League, originally postponed, is now scheduled for this coming weekend. The Warwickshire Bears will host Yorkshire at the Hen Lane Social Club in Coventry, aiming for a strong start to their new campaign.
Team Line-ups for the Big Clash:
- Men’s ‘A’: Danny Lauby, Dom Taylor, Jamie Hughes, Jason Prince, Lloyd Jackson, Mark Carter, Matty Washbrooke, Nigel Heydon, Ryan Jackson, Steve Hine, Wayne Mynard, Zac Prince.
- Men’s ‘B’: Ian McFarlane, Ian Shaw, Jack Wareing, Jamie Hughes, Jason Meek, Karl Reynolds, Keith Deeley, Lee Miller, Mark Martin, Mark Strong, Matty Washbrooke.
- Men’s Reserves: Gareth Braham, Adam Hancock, Jnr Joyce, Tom Martin.
- Women’s ‘A’: Caroline Pike, Courtney Hine, Kirsty Hinchliffe, Marian Conway, Wendy Adams.
- Women’s ‘B’: Clare Greenwood, Donna Pinch, Hannah Meek, Jodie Rigg, Lucy Shepherd, Nina Bolt.
- Women’s Reserves: Macy Gibbons, Natalie Gilbert.
Kings Norton League: Northfield Dominates
Northfield continues its impressive run in the Kings Norton League, extending their undefeated streak to seven games with a decisive 7-0 home victory against Longbridge. This win keeps them two points clear at the top.
Close behind are Bournbrook and Perfection, who both secured wins, maintaining their chase for the top spot. Bournbrook defeated Old Court 5-2 at home, while Perfection triumphed 6-1 away at E57.
A cluster of five teams – Bournville, Cock Inn, Stirchley, Greenlands, and Dingle – are all tied on ten points. Notably, L.Fox and R.Allcott of Cock Inn both hit a maximum (180) in their team’s narrow 4-3 home win over Bournville.
South West Birmingham Clubs League: Title Races Heating Up
Division One
Stirchley United is firmly on track for the Division One title, opening up a two-point lead after a 6-1 home win against Perfection. Second-placed Northfield Darts Club, despite a maximum from L.Fowler, suffered a 4-3 defeat to Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club, who now sit third.
Division Two
The top of Division Two is incredibly tight, with only two points separating the top three teams. E57 leads with twenty-two points following a 5-2 home win over Cue Club. Northfield Conservative Club ‘A’ is second after a 4-3 home victory, holding a narrow two-legs-of-average lead over Kings Norton Arrows, who are level on points after a dominant 6-1 away win at Bartley Green FC, featuring a maximum from M.Hanley.
Doubles Leagues
- Division One Pre-Match Doubles: Northfield Darts Club leads by eleven points.
- Division Two Pre-Match Doubles: E57 holds a nine-point advantage over Kings Norton Arrows and Longbridge Warriors.
Sheldon and District Winter League: Early Leaders Emerge
Premier League
Only two teams remain with a perfect 100% win record after three weeks: Langley Arrows and Sheldon Marlborough Arrows. Langley Arrows lead the pack after a 5-4 away win, while Sheldon Marlborough Arrows secured a 6-3 home victory.
This week saw five maximums across the league, including outstanding scores from Lee Hodges (RAFA), Dave Reid (RAFA Arrows), Liam Walker (Family Tree), Will Naylor (Raven Arrows), and Neil Comerford (Moseley Rugby Club).
Division One
Lyndon Old Boys top Division One with a flawless six points from three games. Hollywood Social Club is close behind with four points. Sheldon Marlborough Ridge, Langley Flights, and Langley Pints have all won their single games played so far.
Division Two
Both Arran Way Arrows and Shirley Misfits maintain perfect records after three games, securing 5-4 and 6-3 wins respectively. Hunters Moon suffered their first loss of the season, falling 5-4 to Raven Flights.
Four Oaks and District League: New Season Kicks Off
The Four Oaks and District League has started its new season with twenty-five teams across two divisions. In Division One, Bishop Vesey leads the table after an emphatic 8-1 win against Charley’s Flights.
Individual highlights included a 180 from M.Duda (Great Barr Social) and 160 breaks from W.Cadby (Charley’s Flights) and M.Wild (Bishop Vesey).
In Division Two, Deer’s Leap and Minworth Bulls share the top spot after both securing 7-2 victories. D.Shingler of Sutton Sharks also hit a maximum (180), and S.Wright (Rosey Mac’s) recorded a 160 break.
Camp Hill League: Wakefield Warriors Undefeated
Wakefield Warriors extended their winning streak to seven consecutive games with a 6-1 victory over Wakefield Terriers, maintaining a four-point lead at the top. Big Bulls Wanderers are in second place after a 4-3 win against third-placed GGSB.
Netherton 501 Thursday Night League: Ashwood’s Epic Comeback
The final of the Andy Bastable Trophy delivered high drama. Despite a maximum from Grant Jackson, Bulls Head lost 5-4 to Ashwood. Ashwood staged a fantastic fight-back from a 4-1 deficit to clinch the title, with Joe Poole and Daryl Hand both scoring maximums for the victors.
Rowley Monday Night League: Singles Knockout Champions Crowned
The Divisional Singles Knockouts saw two champions emerge:
- Division One Winner: B.Gillies (Bell), who defeated teammate L.Dabbs in the final.
- Division Two Winner: M.Preedy (Vine), who triumphed over C.Hardy (Huntingtree).
Stourbridge and District Monday Night League: Cup Finalists Decided
The League Cup semi-finals both ended in 5-2 scorelines, setting up a thrilling final. League leaders Old Liberal Club defeated Cross, while second-placed Gornal British Legion beat Mount Pleasant ‘B’. The final will be a clash of the league’s top two teams.
Silver End Sunday Morning League: High Acres ‘A’ Pulls Ahead
High Acres ‘A’ increased their lead at the top to three points with a 5-3 home win over Old Star ‘B’. Second-placed Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘B’ were held to a 4-4 draw, but have a game in hand. Third-placed Old Star ‘A’ secured a commanding 8-0 win, also with a game in hand.
Stourbridge and District Wednesday Night League: Top Two Dominate
The top two teams, Raven and Chop House, both secured 6-1 wins this week. Raven remains at the top with twenty-two points, followed by Chop House on twenty. Old Liberal Club ‘A’ and Ashwood are also on twenty points with a game in hand, making for a tight race at the summit.
Black Country Ladies Team Super League: Allen’s Bar ‘B’ Holds Strong
Allen’s Bar ‘B’ continues to lead the league with forty points. Despite a 3-2 loss to second-placed Allen’s Bar ‘A’ in their second game of the week, they maintain a ten-point advantage.
Black Country Men’s Super League: A Tie at the Top
After four games, Cue and Brew and Hot Shots are tied for the top spot, both with thirty-eight points from eight wins in nine games. Both teams secured emphatic 5-0 victories this week. Samba Darts Academy ‘A’ and New Inn follow closely in third and fourth place.
West Midlands Ladies Super League: Unbeaten Stars Shine
Gemma Barrett and Evonne Taylor remain the only undefeated players in the West Midlands Ladies Super League. Barrett leads the table with twenty-four points from six wins, while Taylor has won all four of her games. Kat McLean also has twenty-four points but has played more games.
West Midlands Men’s Super League: Staffordshire Knot Leads the Charge
Staffordshire Knot holds a fourteen-point lead at the top with 172 points from thirty-five games. Second-placed Kings Head won 4-1 and has a game in hand. Dog and Partridge, despite also having a game in hand, trail the leaders by twenty-six points after a 4-1 loss.
Amblecote RBL Premier League: Wells Climbs the Ranks
Paul Wells was the only top-four player in action this week, securing a 6-1 win against Craig Slater and a 4-3 victory over Jake Shipley. These results propelled him to 286 points. Jason Lowe maintains his lead with 352 points, followed by Ian Townsend and Nick Fullwell.
Gilbert’s Bar Monday Night Singles League: New Leaders
Division One
Simon Pritchard has taken the number one spot with 208 points after a 5-3 win against Chris Manoila, replacing Scott Baker who didn’t play this week. Pritchard has four games left, while Baker has eleven games remaining and is eleven points behind.
Division Two
Leader Wayne Barratt extended his tally to 244 points, despite a 4-4 draw with second-placed Neville Quinton. Quinton is now just three points behind Barratt with four games to play, while Barratt has seven games remaining.
Wolverhampton Tuesday Night League: Unbeaten Streaks Continue
Singles League
Three teams boast perfect win records: Junction ‘B’, New Gate Inn, and Dog and Partridge. Junction ‘B’ leads the table after a dominant 7-0 win, with New Gate Inn and Dog and Partridge close behind with 5-2 and 6-1 victories respectively.
Doubles League
In the Doubles League, only two teams remain unbeaten: Junction ‘B’ and Dog and Partridge, with Junction ‘B’ holding a slight advantage.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
