The latest darts action across the Midlands saw intense competition, with league leaders fighting to maintain their dominance and underdogs pulling off surprising victories. From thrilling cup finals decided by a single leg to undefeated streaks extending, players delivered exceptional performances, including multiple 180s and impressive short-leg finishes. This roundup covers the key results and shifts in the Sheldon, Kings Norton, Heartlands Sugardarts, South West Birmingham, Sutton, Rowley, Sedgley & Gornal, Netherton, Black Country, West Midlands, and Wolverhampton leagues.
Sheldon & District Winter League: Cup Glory and League Battles
Divisional League Cup Finals
- Premier League Final: Current leaders Langley Arrows secured a narrow 5-4 victory over second-placed Sheldon Marlborough Arrows. Both teams are now tied on 26 points in the league standings. Richard Mills and Paul Nixon hit maximums (180 points in three darts) for Langley Arrows, while Neil Parsonage achieved a remarkable nine-dart game for Sheldon Marlborough Arrows.
- Division One Final: Third-placed Trident Spears comfortably defeated bottom-of-the-division Station Inn 7-2.
- Division Two Final: A surprising upset saw fifth-placed Shirley Misfits beat second-placed Maggies 6-3 to claim the title.
Rearranged League Fixtures
- Premier League: RAFA moved up to fourth place after a 6-3 away win against Kingshurst Labour Club. Ben Proctor (Kingshurst) and John Smyth (RAFA) both hit 180s.
- Division One: Second-placed Banbury Club won 5-4 against fourth-placed Sheldon Marlborough Ridge, with both teams holding their league positions.
Kings Norton League: Northfield’s Unbeaten March Continues
Game week 20 saw no changes to the league table, but some impressive performances:
- Northfield extended their perfect record to 20 undefeated games, winning 5-2 at home against Dingle, putting them on a maximum 40 points.
- Second-placed Greenlands also secured a 5-2 home win against E57, remaining ten points behind Northfield with a game in hand.
- Bournebrook is third, two points behind Greenlands after their 5-2 win at Longbridge.
- Maximums were hit by T. Garfield (Greenlands) and J. O’Neill (Northfield).
Heartlands Sugardarts M&E Co Double Top League: Leadership Shuffle
The top spot changed hands again in week 16:
- Matthew Cain ascended to pole position with 75 points from 29 games after three consecutive 3-0 wins.
- Former leader Martin Cooper dropped to fourth.
- Steve Cain climbed to second with 68 points (28 games), followed by Ryan Cain in third, also on 68 points but from 31 games.
South West Birmingham Clubs League: Dominant Displays and Tight Draws
Rearranged Fixtures
- Division One: Stirchley United and Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club played out a 4-4 draw, with K. Webb (Stirchley) hitting a 160 break (a high checkout score).
- Division Two: Leaders West Heath CEM delivered a crushing 8-0 whitewash against Longbridge Supremes, giving them a four-point lead. Bartley Green FC won 6-2 against Longbridge Arrows.
Doubles Table Update
- Division One Doubles: Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club leads with 128 points.
- Division Two Doubles: West Heath CEM tops the table with 119 points.
Sutton & District League: Top Teams Hold Firm, Impressive Finishes
Division One
The top four remained unchanged after game week 17:
- Leaders Highcroft Hotdogs maintained their four-point lead with a 7-2 win.
- Nomads @ Hollyfields, Old Horns Lions, and Bishop Vesey all secured victories (5-4, 5-4, and 8-1 respectively) to hold their positions.
- Notable individual feats included a 180 by A. Lilley and a 160 break by J. Lockley (both from Drakes Drum).
Division Two
- Rise Club continues their flawless season with 17 wins from 17 games, leading the division by eight points.
- Second and third-placed Great Barr Social and Pint Pot Flights also won their games 6-3.
- D. Hughes (Plough and Harrow) achieved both a 180 and an astonishing nine-dart game.
Rowley Monday Night League: Bell Rings Undefeated
Division One
- The Bell maintains its undefeated streak and a four-point lead at the top after a 5-4 win over Snooks.
- Second-placed Gate Hangs Well won 6-3.
- T. Pike (Romsley Cricket Club) and A. Bunce (Bostin Darts ‘A’) both hit 180s.
Division Two
- Bostin Darts ‘B’ are also undefeated in eight games, leading with a perfect 16 points.
- Double Tops Micro Bar are second, two points ahead of Bostin Darts ‘C’.
Sedgley & Gornal Tuesday Night League: Quarry Bank Extends Lead
With only four fixtures left, the competition is heating up:
- Leaders Quarry Bank Liberal Club secured a crucial 5-4 away win against second-placed Red Cow ‘1’, opening up a six-point lead.
- Gornal British Legion (third) and Netherton Sports and Social Club (fourth) also won their matches.
- Wheatsheaf delivered a dominant 9-0 whitewash against bottom-placed Red Lion.
Netherton Thursday Night 501 League: Close Contests and Double 180s
Rearranged Fixtures
- Second-placed Rose and Crown (Wordsley) won 7-2, with Ellie Kitley hitting a 180 and Joe Poole a 14-dart game. They are six points behind the leaders with a game in hand.
- Third-placed Old Liberal Club won a tight 5-4 match against Plough and Harrow. Nick Fullwell (Old Liberal Club) achieved an incredible two maximums (180s), and Reece Hodgetts (Plough and Harrow) hit one. Old Liberal Club is nine points off the lead with a game in hand.
Black Country Men’s Super League: Allen’s Bar ‘A’ Holds Top Spot
Despite not playing, Allen’s Bar ‘A’ retained their number one position with 118 points, holding a two-point lead and a game in hand. Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club and Quarry Bank Liberal Club both secured 3-2 home wins to maintain their pursuit.
West Midlands Men’s Super League: Staffordshire Knot Pulls Ahead
As the season enters its second half:
- Staffordshire Knot consolidated their lead with a 5-0 whitewash, putting them four points ahead of Kings Head, who also secured a 5-0 win.
- Third-placed Dog and Partridge lost ground, falling 3-2 to Junction ‘A’.
Wolverhampton Tuesday Night League: Junction ‘B’ Dominates
Singles League
- Junction ‘B’ remains firmly at the top with 66 points and an eight-point lead after a 7-0 win.
- Dog and Partridge ‘B’ are second, followed by Gilbert’s Bar ‘B’.
Doubles League
- Junction ‘B’ also leads the doubles league, tied on 52 points with Golden Lion ‘A’ but ahead on average.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
