The Midlands darts scene is buzzing with activity! New summer leagues have kicked off with increased teams, while other leagues are wrapping up with champions being crowned. Wakefield Warriors dominated the Camp Hill League, remaining unbeaten, and The Arrows secured the Jubilee Shield in Sutton. Divisional Cup action saw big wins across South West Birmingham. In ongoing leagues, Bridge leads the Brierley Hill Monday Night League, and Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’ maintains an unbeaten streak in Netherton. Evonne Taylor has taken the lead in the Ladies Super League, while Staffordshire Knot holds strong in the Men’s. Junction ‘B’ has already clinched the Singles title in Wolverhampton and eyes a double. Expect thrilling competition, high scores, and dramatic finishes across all divisions!
Sheldon and District Summer League: A Bigger, Bolder Season Begins
The new darts season for the Sheldon and District Summer League is officially underway, boasting an expanded format. The league has grown from four to five groups, now featuring a total of twenty-nine teams, promising more intense competition.
Early Leaders and Stellar Performances:
- In Group One, Langley Arrows and Raven Arrows share the top spot, both securing impressive 5-3 victories over Highwood and Dog Inn Nomads respectively.
- Noteworthy maximums (180s) were hit by:
- Bobby Nixon (Langley Arrows)
- Chris King (Highwood)
- Danny Chiswell (Dog Inn Nomads)
- Jason Prince (Raven Arrows)
- Group Two sees Kingshurst Labour Club at the summit after a dominant 6-2 win against newcomers Family Tree. They hold a narrow one-leg average lead over RAFA Arrows, who also won 5-3 against Smithswood Social Club.
- Maximums in Group Two came from:
- Lewis Franklin (Smithswood Social Club)
- Jamie Masefield (Family Tree)
- Moseley Rugby Club kicked off Group Three with the season’s best start, crushing Hunters Moon 7-1. They lead Lyndon Old Boys by two legs of average, with Lyndon Old Boys themselves securing a 5-3 home win.
- Jordan Grainger (Raven) was the sole player to hit a maximum in Group Three.
- Station Inn leads Group Four with a 6-2 away win against Raven Flights, just one leg of average ahead of CBMC-A, who won 5-3.
- Group Five mirrors this tight race, with leaders Langley Bullets winning 6-2 and Trident Flights securing a 5-2 home victory.
- Harrison Nevvitt (Mackadown Sports and Social Club ‘B’) hit a maximum in Group Five.
Camp Hill League: Wakefield Warriors Crowned Undefeated Champions!
The Camp Hill League season is drawing to a close, and Wakefield Warriors have already been crowned champions! Their decisive 7-0 victory in the local derby against Wakefield Terriers sealed their fate, giving them a perfect unbeaten record of twenty-six points. They finish six points clear of second-placed Diggitys Bar, who won 6-1.
Sutton and District League: The Arrows Take Home the Jubilee Shield
The finals of the Jubilee Shield were hotly contested at Walmley Sports and Cricket Club. After a series of thrilling matches, The Arrows emerged victorious, defeating Blue Nomads in a tight 2-1 final.
Jubilee Shield Highlights:
- Quarter-finals saw straight 3-0 wins for Nomads Newbies and The Arrows.
- Blue Nomads and Old Oscott ‘A’ both advanced with 2-1 victories.
- Both semi-finals were close 2-1 affairs, with Blue Nomads beating Nomads Newbies and The Arrows overcoming Old Oscott ‘A’.
- The final went the full three legs, with The Arrows ultimately clinching the title.
South West Birmingham Clubs League: Intense Divisional Cup Battles
The Divisional Cups saw some high-scoring encounters across both divisions.
Division One Action:
- Stirchley United delivered the biggest win, a dominant 16-5 victory over Bournbrook.
- Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club and West Heath CEM both advanced with 13-8 wins.
- Northfield Darts Club secured a 13-6 win against Perfection.
- Notable individual achievements included a maximum (180) from A.Fenton (Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club) and 160 breaks from K.Foxall (Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club) and K.Mason (Stirchley United).
Division Two Thrills:
- Cue Club achieved a resounding 18-3 win over Longbridge Arrows.
- Bartley Green FC also had a strong showing with a 16-5 victory.
- Kings Norton Arrows won 14-7, and E57 beat Northfield Conservative Club ‘A’ 13-8, with N.Smith hitting a maximum for E57.
Brierley Hill Monday Night League: Bridge Holds Narrow Lead
Bridge continues to lead the league, extending their points tally to fifty-eight from thirty-two games after a 6-3 away win. They maintain a slender two-point advantage over second-placed Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’, who secured a 7-2 home victory. Raven sits four points further back in third after a 6-3 win.
Netherton Thursday Night 501 League: Unbeaten Run Continues for Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’
Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’ extended their impressive undefeated streak to fourteen games with an 8-1 home win over Plough and Harrow. Despite their perfect record, they hold a three-point lead over second-placed Rose and Crown (Wordsley), who had a bye this round. Old Liberal Club remains in third after a dominant 9-0 win.
Maximums This Week:
- Mitch Jeffrey (Gate Hangs Well)
- Steve Tipper (Bulls Head)
- Carl Hadlington (Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’) – hit two 180s!
- Phil Tonks (Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’)
- Mark Rollinson (Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’)
Black Country Men’s Super League: Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club Secures Runner-Up Spot
In a rearranged fixture, Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club secured a 4-1 home win against Ten Arches, solidifying their position as league runners-up with 126 points, just three points shy of champions Allen’s Bar ‘A’.
West Midlands Ladies Super League: Evonne Taylor Takes Top Spot
There’s a new leader in the West Midlands Ladies Super League! Reigning champion Evonne Taylor has taken over pole position with 117 points, despite a surprising 3-1 loss to Kat McLean. Former leader Jacqueline Maiden (116 points) slipped to second, having not played this week. Kat McLean is steadily climbing the ranks, currently seventh, but with significantly fewer games played than those above her, making her a formidable challenger.
West Midlands Men’s Super League: Staffordshire Knot Extends Lead
The West Midlands Men’s Super League saw crucial top-of-the-table clashes. Leaders Staffordshire Knot defeated fifth-placed Junction ‘A’ 4-1, extending their lead to three points with a total of eighty-five points. Kings Head remains in second after a 3-2 home win against Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club. Dog and Partridge moved into third with a convincing 5-0 victory.
Stourbridge and District Wednesday Night League: Many Teams Start Strong
Only two weeks into the new season, nine of the twenty-one starting teams in the Stourbridge and District Wednesday Night League boast a 100% win record. Eight of these have won both their games, including reigning champions Chop House, Beech Tree Miners, Raven, Swan, Bird in Hand, Hollybush, Old Liberal Club ‘A’, and Ashwood. Newcomers Stourbridge FC Youth also started with a win.
Amblecote RBL Premier League: Jason Lowe Dominates, Nick Fullwell’s Tough Week
Jason Lowe continues to dominate the Amblecote RBL Premier League, extending his lead to 231 points with two strong wins (7-0 and 5-2). Meanwhile, Nick Fullwell had a challenging week, suffering a 7-0 whitewash and a 4-3 loss, though he holds onto third place. Second-placed Ian Townsend also had a strong week with two wins, keeping pressure on Lowe.
Gilbert’s Bar Monday Night Singles League: Shake-Ups at the Top
Division One:
For only the fourth time in eighteen games, Simon Pritchard lost in Division One, going down 5-3 to reigning champion Scott Baker. Despite this, Pritchard remains top, as second-placed Chris Manoila also lost to Baker (7-1).
Division Two:
Wayne Barratt has taken over the lead in Division Two, replacing Matt Ford. Barratt’s 7-1 win against Claire Hobbs put him on 132 points with a game in hand, just ahead of Ford (131 points). Neville Quinton, in third, has two games in hand and remains a threat.
Wolverhampton Tuesday Night Darts League: Junction ‘B’ Crowned Singles Champions!
Junction ‘B’ has already clinched the Singles League title with a 5-2 home win, bringing their total to seventy-four points. They are now eyeing a fantastic double, as they also lead the Doubles League! Despite a recent 2-1 loss in the doubles, they remain tied on points with second-placed Gilbert’s Bar ‘B’, setting up a thrilling finale for the doubles title.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
