The Midlands darts scene is buzzing with activity as leagues resume and cup competitions reach their thrilling conclusions. This week saw incredibly tight races at the top of several leagues, with some decided by mere points or even leg averages. Meanwhile, cup finals crowned new champions, and players across the region lit up the oche with a flurry of impressive maximums (180s) and high finishes, showcasing the vibrant health of amateur darts.
League Showdowns: The Battle for Top Spot
Harborne and District League: Four Teams Vie for Supremacy
The Harborne and District League is currently experiencing an incredibly close race for the top spot. With seven games remaining, an astonishing four teams are tied on forty points. Current leaders, Copper Fox ‘R’, secured a significant 7-2 victory over local rivals Copper Fox ‘M’, giving them a crucial average lead and two games in hand. Close behind, Northfield Darts Club, in second place, delivered an emphatic 8-1 win against Lion Bar. Third and fourth placed teams, Northfield Conservative Club and Smethwick Cricket Club, also notched up impressive 8-1 victories, keeping the pressure on. There’s a substantial eight-point gap to fifth place, highlighting the dominance of the top four.
This week’s action was marked by a flurry of high scores, with the league producing no fewer than eight maximums (180s). Four of these came from a single game between Northfield Darts Club and Lion Bar, with L.Fowler, L.Allen, and J.Corbett hitting 180s for the home side, and D.McConomy for Lion Bar. Other notable 180s were hit by K.Webb (Bourneville), D.Hill (Northfield Conservative Club), and P.Sitshebo (Harborne Social).
Sheldon and District Summer League: Group Leaders Face Challenges
The Sheldon and District Summer League saw shifts in leadership across its various groups:
- Group One: Raven Arrows climbed to the top with a 5-3 home win, displacing Langley Arrows who drew 4-4. Chris King of Highwood contributed a notable 180.
- Group Two: Kingshurst Labour Club maintains its lead on nine points, closely followed by Sheldon Marlborough Ridge, also on nine points but trailing on average. Kevin Richards (Kingshurst) hit a 180 and a 120 finish.
- Group Three: Despite a 5-3 loss, Lyndon Old Boys held onto the number one spot, boosted by a 180 from Dave Sheridan.
- Group Four: Station Inn moved into pole position after Maggies’ game was postponed. A.Malloy (Station Inn) contributed a 180 during their 4-4 draw.
- Group Five: Yardley District Amateur Darts Team took over the lead from Castle Bromwich Spitfires after a decisive 6-2 away victory. Both teams are on nine points, with Yardley leading by a narrow one leg average.
Heartlands Sugardarts M&E Co Double Top League: Leader Under Pressure
It was a challenging week for current leader Steve Cain, who suffered three defeats (3-0, 2-1, 2-1). Despite this, he remains at the top with 129 points, primarily because he has played significantly more games (58) than any other player. His nearest rivals, Matthew Cain (120 points from 46 games) and Martin Cooper (112 points from 47 games), both capitalized on the opportunity, securing 3-0 victories to close the gap.
Stourbridge and District Monday Night League: Unbeaten Run Continues
With only two games left until the season’s midway point, leaders Old Liberal Club extended their unbeaten run to an impressive eighteen games with a 5-2 win. However, they only hold a slim two-point advantage over second-placed Gornal British Legion, who also won 5-2. The league remains tightly contested at the top.
Netherton Thursday Night 501 League: Max Scores Galore!
Leaders Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’ continued their remarkable eighteen-game undefeated streak with a 6-3 home win, establishing a six-point lead. This week was particularly impressive for individual performances, with a total of seven maximums (180s) recorded across the league. Liam Homer hit two, his teammate James Wrench (Haden Cross) hit one, and others came from Nick Fullwell and George Willetts (Old Liberal Club), and Grant Jackson and Bobby Ratcliffe (Bulls Head).
Stourbridge and District Wednesday Night League: A Season Kicks Off Tight
The new season in the Stourbridge and District Wednesday Night League has started with incredibly close competition. After just five games, a mere two points separate the top fourteen teams. Six teams are tied on eight points, having lost only one game each, including Raven, Plough, Swan, Bird in Hand ‘E’, Old Liberal Club ‘A’, and Beech Tree Miners. Eight more teams follow with six points. Raven suffered their first defeat this week but still lead the table on leg average, closely pursued by Plough and Swan.
Rowley Monday Night League: Singles Knockout Progress
The Rowley Monday Night League has been focused on its singles knockout competitions:
- Division One Singles Knockout: Played down to the last sixteen players, with qualifiers including N.Simms, J.Lowe (Tividale FC), C.Allen, D.Homer, L.Horton, J.Allen (Gate Hangs Well), L.Dabbs, R.Kinsella, C.Dabbs, R.McCarthy, B.Gillies, A.Whitehouse (Bell), M.Archer (Hawthorns), S.Siviter (Wheatsheaf), D.Ogden, and M.Crumpton (Whiteheath Tavern).
- Division Two Singles Knockout: Reached the quarter-final stage, featuring L.Mouldridge, C.Armstrong (Double Tops Micro Bar), C.Bates (Bostin Darts ‘C’), L.Craig (Bostin Darts ‘B’), M.Preedy, A.Johnson (Vine), L.Poultney (Coombs Wood), and C.Hardy (Huntingtree).
In a rearranged league fixture, Star Valley secured a 6-3 away win against Double Tops Micro Bar.
Cup Glory: Champions Crowned Across the Midlands
Camp Hill League: Three New Champions
The Camp Hill League concluded its singles and doubles knockout competitions:
- Men’s Singles Knockout: The prestigious title went to Neil Parsonage, who defeated Ant Daly in the final.
- Men’s Doubles Knockout: Joel Evans and Shay Darby were crowned champions, triumphing over James Hinkley and Stu Ollerenshaw.
- Women’s Singles Knockout: Pamela Lea emerged as the winner, with Holly Yardley finishing as runner-up.
South West Birmingham Clubs League: Bob Price Cup Quarter-Finals
The Bob Price Cup saw its quarter-final matches:
- Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’, currently second in Division One, delivered a dominant 6-1 victory over Division Two’s bottom team, Longbridge Arrows.
- In an all-Division One clash, Northfield Darts Club defeated Bournbrook 5-2.
- An upset in Division Two saw Quarry Lane Club (fourth) beat top-of-the-table E57 4-3, despite a remarkable 160 finish from E57’s P.Taylor.
- Stirchley United (Division One) secured their semi-final spot with a 5-2 win, highlighted by a 180 from S.Hercules.
Sutton and District League: Double Cup Success for Highcroft Hotdogs
The Sutton and District League celebrated several cup finals and a thrilling league conclusion:
- Keaton Lacey Memorial Cup (Division One): Champions Highcroft Hotdogs defeated league runners-up Bishop Vesey 5-3.
- Norman Day Cup: Highcroft Hotdogs completed a fantastic double, securing a dominant 13-2 victory against Charley’s Flights.
- Division Two League: The league concluded with an incredibly close finish. Great Barr Social (who saw a 180 from C.Bain) and Rise Club both finished on 38 points with identical averages, making them joint champions.
Sedgley and Gornal Tuesday Night League: John Walters Trophies Decided
The season in the Sedgley and Gornal Tuesday Night League is winding down with its cup finals:
- John Walters Trophy: Awarded to champions Hilly House.
- John Walters Cup: The title was claimed by Red Cow 1.
Silver End Sunday Morning League: League Cup Kicks Off
The preliminary round of the League Cup saw Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’ secure a 5-3 win. In another match, Brier Rose advanced after a 4-4 draw, winning the deciding leg against New Talbot.
Wolverhampton Tuesday Night Darts League: Gilbert’s Bar Shield Final
The final of the Gilbert’s Bar Shield was a nail-biting affair. Junction ‘D’ emerged victorious, winning a tight contest 4-3 against runners-up Bradmore Arms.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
