This week’s West Midlands darts action saw thrilling contests and dominant performances across multiple leagues. In the UKDA National League, a highly anticipated derby between Warwickshire and West Midlands is on the horizon, while Black Country aims to climb to the top in Division Two. Local leagues like Sheldon & District, Kings Norton, and Camp Hill witnessed leaders extending their unbeaten runs, with Northfield Darts Club and Wakefield Warriors showcasing remarkable consistency. Cup semi-finals concluded in Stourbridge, setting up exciting finals, and champions were crowned in the Amblecote RBL Premier League where Jason Lowe secured his second consecutive title. Meanwhile, the Super Leagues for Men and Ladies saw top contenders maintaining their grip, and the Gilbert’s Bar and Wolverhampton leagues continued to deliver intense singles and doubles battles.
UKDA National League: High Stakes and Rivalries
Premier Division: Warwickshire vs. West Midlands Showdown
An electrifying Premier Division clash awaits this weekend as Warwickshire journeys to Gilbert’s Bar to face local rivals West Midlands. This will be only Warwickshire’s second game of the season, their opener having been postponed. West Midlands, however, has already made its mark, securing a 23-13 away win against Suffolk and an 18-18 home draw with Glamorgan. These results place them second in the league with 45 points, just ten points shy of leaders Yorkshire. Warwickshire currently sits eighth with 17 points from their single fixture.
Warwickshire will be fielding a formidable lineup in hopes of securing their first win:
- Men’s ‘A’ Team: Danny Lauby, Dom Taylor, Gareth Braham, Jack Wareing, Jamie Hughes, Lloyd Jackson, Mark Carter, Matty Washbrooke, Nigel Heydon, Ryan Jackson, Steve Hine, Wayne Mynard
- Men’s ‘B’ Team: Ian Shaw, Jason Meek, Jason Prince, Karl Reynolds, Keith Deeley, Lee Miller, Mark Martin, Mark Strong, Taylor McGuckian, Tom Martin, Will Naylor, Zac Prince. Reserves: Adam Hancock, Paul Hughes
- Women’s ‘A’ Team: Caroline Pike, Courtney Hine, Kirsty Hinchliffe, Lucy Shepherd, Marian Conway, Wendy Adams
- Women’s ‘B’ Team: Clare Greenwood, Donna Pinch, Hannah Meek, Jodie Rigg, Lucy Shepherd, Nina Bolt. Reserve: Roxy Bennett
Division Two: Black Country Eyes Top Spot
In Division Two, Black Country hosts Clwyd in a critical encounter. Black Country is currently third with 48 points, while Clwyd is just above them in second with 51 points. A victory for the home side could see Black Country leapfrog into at least second place, with a strong possibility of even claiming the top spot if leaders Somerset (also on 51 points) falter in their home game against fourth-placed Devon. This promises to be a very tight contest.
Sheldon and District Winter League: Leadership Changes and Close Calls
Premier League Drama
The Premier League saw a significant shift as Langley Arrows lost their top spot due to a postponed away fixture. New leaders, Sheldon Marlborough Arrows, seized the opportunity with a dominant 7-2 home win over bottom-placed RAFA, achieving a perfect ten points from five games. Langley Arrows, with four wins from four games, now have a game in hand and sit in second. Elsewhere, Banbury Club secured a 6-3 win at Kingshurst Labour Club, highlighted by a maximum (180) from Kristian Green.
Division One & Two Highlights
- Division One: Langley Pints maintain pole position with eight points after a 7-2 home win against CBMC-A. Lyndon Old Boys remain second despite a bye.
- Division Two: Shirley Misfits hold onto the top spot, despite a bye, with a narrow average lead over second-placed Arran Way Arrows, who won 6-3 at Raven Flights. Both top teams have perfect records after four games.
Key Results from Game 5
Notable performances included a 10-dart game from Lee Harris for Langley Flights in Division One, and Ashley Kavanagh’s 10-dart game for Mackadown Sports and Social Club in the Premier League. Liam Walker also hit a 121 finish for Family Tree.
Kings Norton League: Northfield Darts Club’s Unstoppable Run
Game ten brought no changes to the top five in the Kings Norton League. Leaders Northfield Darts Club continued their flawless season with a commanding 7-0 whitewash at home against Kings Norton Arrows, marking their tenth consecutive win. This gives them a two-point lead over second-placed Bournbrook, who secured a 6-1 win at E57. Bournville holds third after a 5-2 victory at Longbridge.
Maximums
The league saw two maximums this week: K.Foxhall (Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club) and T.Moore (Perfection).
Notable Finishes & Highlights (Game 10)
In a high-scoring week, N.Smith (E57) hit a 108 finish, while K.Mason (Bournbrook) achieved a 100 finish and a 15-dart game. Several players also recorded impressive scores, including multiple 140s and 125s.
Camp Hill League: Wakefield Warriors Dominate
After just nine games, Wakefield Warriors have established a significant six-point lead in the Camp Hill League, thanks to their ninth consecutive win – a 5-2 victory at Bull Ring Tavern. Second and third-placed GGSB and Wakefield Terriers are both on twelve points, each securing narrow 4-3 wins. Big Bulls Wanderers and Moseley Arms are tied for fourth with ten points.
Four Oaks and District League: Prestridge Shield Preliminary Round
The Prestridge Shield preliminary round saw some decisive victories:
- Biggest Wins (8-1): Erdington Arrows (away at Walmley CSC Flights) and Plough and Arrows (home against Beggars Bush).
- Seven 7-2 Winners: Charley’s Flights, Kingstanding Inn Lions, Old Oscott Arrows, Rosey Mac’s Bar, and St Thomas Lions.
- Other Results: Bishop Vesey and Old Horns Lions both won 6-3. Boldmere Flyers and Minworth Bulls secured narrow 5-4 victories. Heartlands received a 9-0 walkover.
Sedgley and Gornal Tuesday Night League: Perfect Records Hold
Division One: Unbeaten Streaks
In Division One, only two teams maintain a perfect 100% win record after seven games: Chapel House ‘A’ and Old Liberal Club. Chapel House ‘A’ secured a commanding 9-0 win at Parkes Hall, while Old Liberal Club achieved a 6-3 home victory over Wheatsheaf, leaving both teams level on fourteen points. Lamp Tavern and Stump are close behind, both on twelve points.
Division Two: Rising Sun Leads
Rising Sun holds the top spot in Division Two with ten points from six games, following a narrow 5-4 win at Mill. They have a slight average lead over second-placed Swan, who won 7-2 at Chapel House ‘B’. Three teams are tied on eight points: Fountain Inn, White Lion, and Gospel Oak.
Silver End Sunday Morning League: Battle for the Top Spot
After seventeen games, only average separates the top two teams in the Silver End Sunday Morning League. Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘B’ leads the table, their 7-2 home win over Red Cow giving them a twenty-leg average advantage over second-placed High Acres ‘A’ (who had a bye). Both teams have played seventeen games. Third-placed Old Star ‘A’ won their local derby 6-2 against their ‘B’ side.
Stourbridge and District Wednesday Night League: Cup Finals Decided
The League Cup and Shadow Cup semi-finals concluded, setting the stage for exciting finals.
- League Cup Final: Swan will face Raven after Swan secured a 5-2 victory over Chop House.
- Shadow Cup Final: Netherton Conservative Club will play Wheatsheaf, following Wheatsheaf’s 5-2 win against Fox Inn (Lye).
Black Country Men’s Super League: 8 Ball and Arrows Unstoppable
8 Ball and Arrows continue their dominant run in the Black Country Men’s Super League, achieving their tenth win in eleven games with a stylish 5-0 whitewash of Samba Darts Academy ‘B’. This extends their lead to 47 points, six clear of second-placed Hot Shots, who had a narrow 3-2 home win. Allen’s Bar also secured a 5-0 victory, staying within three points of Hot Shots. Notably, Samba Darts Academy ‘B’ remains the only team without a win so far.
West Midlands Ladies Super League: Barrett Maintains Lead
Gemma Barrett holds onto pole position in the West Midlands Ladies Super League with 42 points from thirteen games, thanks to two 3-0 wins over Kerry Dutton and Kelly Aston-Fletcher. Second-placed Evonne Taylor (3-0 win) is six points behind with four games in hand. Kat McLean is tied with Taylor on 36 points from more games, while Hannah Davies is just one point behind.
West Midlands Men’s Super League: Leaders Extend Advantage
The top two teams in the West Midlands Men’s Super League both secured wins. Leaders Staffordshire Knot won 4-0 at home against Junction ‘B’, while second-placed Kings Head achieved a 5-0 whitewash against Hot Shots, leaving them six points adrift. Third-placed Dog and Partridge lost further ground, now 32 points behind the leaders after a 3-2 away loss to fourth-placed Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club.
Amblecote RBL Premier League: Jason Lowe Crowned Champion
Despite a few outstanding fixtures, the top placings in the Amblecote RBL Premier League are settled. Jason Lowe has won the title for a second consecutive season with an impressive 360 points. Nick Fullwell finished as runner-up with 320 points, while Ian Townsend and Paul Wells tied for third with 313 points each.
Key Results
Highlights from the final rounds included dominant 7-0 wins for Nick Fullwell against Daz Hand and Stephen Cartwright, and a 7-0 win for Andy Vellender against Joe Woodhouse. Craig Lowin also had a strong week with a 7-0 and 5-2 win.
Gilbert’s Bar Monday Night Singles League: Titles in Sight
Division One: Scott Baker Nears Title
Scott Baker moved closer to the Division One title, despite a 4-4 draw with fourth-placed Olly Garratt. He now has 219 points with eight games remaining, while second-placed Simon Pritchard, on 216 points, has only three fixtures left, making the final stretch incredibly tense.
Division Two: Wayne Barrett Leads, Matt Ford Surges
Wayne Barrett leads Division Two with 264 points after a 6-2 win over Tanya Dolman, with four games still to play. Neville Quinton is just one point behind but has completed all his thirty-eight games. Matt Ford surged to 231 points with a 6-2 win over Lawley Daniel, and with five games remaining, he has a strong chance to finish in the top two.
Wolverhampton Tuesday Night League: Junction ‘B’ Dominates Both Leagues
Singles League: Perfect Run for Junction ‘B’
Junction ‘B’ continues its perfect run in the Singles League, securing a commanding 7-0 whitewash against Wheatsheaf. They now boast a perfect sixteen points from eight games. Second-placed Dog and Partridge also remain undefeated with a 5-2 home win, trailing Junction ‘B’ by nine legs on average. Gilbert’s Bar ‘A’ is third with fourteen points.
Doubles League: Junction ‘B’ Also Unbeaten
Mirroring their singles success, Junction ‘B’ also leads the Doubles League with a perfect sixteen points, having won all eight of their games, including a 3-0 victory over Wheatsheaf. Dog and Partridge are also unbeaten, sitting in second after their own 3-0 home win. Gilbert’s Bar ‘B’, Red Lion ‘B’, and Golden Lion are tied for third with twelve points.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
