The new UKDA National League darts season has officially begun, though not without a few hitches! Many fixtures were either brought forward or postponed, leading to a somewhat staggered start. Despite this, the action has been fierce across all divisions. Yorkshire has stormed to an early lead in the Premiership, while Leicestershire and Sussex are battling it out at the top of the Championship. Salopian and Oxfordshire are making their mark in Division One, with Somerset and Devon leading the charge in Division Two. Division Three’s games are all on hold, but in Division Four, Breconshire, Wirral, and newcomers Herefordshire are already showing strong form.
A Staggered Start to the Season
The highly anticipated UKDA National League campaign is underway, bringing with it the usual excitement of competitive darts. However, the opening weekend saw a significant number of matches rescheduled, with some brought forward and others postponed to a later date. This has created a dynamic, if a little disjointed, start to the season across the various divisions.
Premiership: Yorkshire Leads the Pack
In the top tier, the Premiership, almost all games have been played, with only the Warwickshire versus Lancashire fixture awaiting its turn. **Yorkshire, who finished fifth last season, has made an incredible start, topping the table with a resounding 30-6 home victory over Suffolk.** This dominant performance has given them an impressive **thirty-three points** right out of the gate.
- Yorkshire’s Dominance:
- Men’s ‘A’ won: 9-3
- Men’s ‘B’ won: 11-1
- Women’s ‘A’ won: 5-1
- Women’s ‘B’ won: 5-1
Hot on their heels in second place is **Essex**, who secured **twenty-two points** after a 19-17 home win against Dorset. Their men’s teams both triumphed 7-5, while the women’s ‘A’ side drew 3-3 and the ‘B’ side lost 4-2.
Rounding out the top four are **West Midlands and Glamorgan**, both sitting on **nineteen points** after an 18-18 draw when they faced each other. West Midlands’ men’s ‘A’ won 7-5, while Glamorgan’s women’s ‘A’ took their game 4-2. The men’s ‘B’ and women’s ‘B’ matches both ended in draws (6-6 and 3-3 respectively).
Championship: A Tight Race at the Top
Similar to the Premiership, the Championship also saw one fixture postponed: London versus Gwent. **Leicestershire and Sussex are currently sharing the top spot, both on twenty-four points**, with Leicestershire holding a slight edge on average.
- Leicestershire’s Performance (vs Hampshire):
- Men’s ‘A’ won: 8-4
- Men’s ‘B’ won: 7-5
- Ladies’ ‘A’ drew: 3-3
- Ladies’ ‘B’ drew: 3-3
**Sussex**, playing away against Hertfordshire, also had a strong showing:
- Sussex’s Performance (vs Hertfordshire):
- Ladies’ ‘A’ won: 4-2
- Ladies’ ‘B’ won: 4-2
- Men’s ‘A’ lost: 7-5
- Men’s ‘B’ won: 8-4
Just two points behind the leaders is **Cornwall**, who secured **twenty-two points** from a 19-17 home victory over Middlesex. Their men’s ‘A’ team won 8-4, but the ladies’ ‘A’ lost 4-2, with both ‘B’ teams drawing their matches (men’s 6-6, ladies’ 3-3).
Division One: Salopian and Oxfordshire Lead
Division One saw only two of its four scheduled games played. **Salopian** has taken an early lead, topping the table with **twenty-three points** after a 20-16 home win against Cambridgeshire. Their weekend started with draws in both ‘B’ matches (ladies’ 3-3, men’s 6-6) on Saturday, but a strong 8-4 win for their men’s ‘A’ team on Sunday, coupled with another 3-3 draw for the ladies’ ‘A’, sealed their victory.
Close behind is **Oxfordshire**, in second place with **twenty-two points**, following a narrow 19-17 home win over Cheshire. While their men’s ‘B’ team won 7-5, the ‘A’ team lost by the same margin. However, a crucial 4-2 win for their ladies’ ‘A’ team, alongside a 3-3 draw for the ladies’ ‘B’, secured the overall points for Oxfordshire.
Division Two: Somerset Sets the Pace
All four fixtures were successfully played in Division Two, with **Somerset emerging as the early pacesetters.** They achieved a dominant **23-13 home win over Derbyshire**, earning them **twenty-three points**.
- Somerset’s Strong Start (vs Derbyshire):
- Ladies’ ‘B’ delivered a stunning 6-0 whitewash.
- Ladies’ ‘A’ secured a cracking 5-1 victory.
- Honours were split in the men’s games: ‘A’ won 7-5, ‘B’ lost 7-5.
In second place, two points behind Somerset, is **Devon**, who mounted an impressive comeback to secure a **21-15 away victory over Shropshire**, giving them **twenty-one points**. Shropshire initially held an 11-7 overnight lead after their ladies’ ‘B’ won 4-2 and men’s ‘B’ won 7-5. However, Devon turned the tide in the ‘A’ games, with their ladies’ ‘A’ winning 4-2 and their men’s ‘A’ chalking up a huge 10-2 win.
Division Three: A Complete Postponement
Unfortunately for fans of Division Three, **none of the four scheduled fixtures were played**, as all matches were postponed to a later date. Teams and supporters will have to wait a little longer for the season to truly begin in this division.
Division Four: Breconshire Takes Command
In Division Four, all four games were played, delivering some exciting results. **Breconshire leads the table with thirty-one points** after a commanding 28-8 away win against Montgomery and Radnor.
- Breconshire’s Dominant Performance:
- Men’s ‘A’ won: 9-3
- Men’s ‘B’ won: 10-2
- Ladies’ ‘A’ had a convincing 6-0 win.
- Ladies’ ‘B’ shared the points in a 3-3 draw.
In second place is **Wirral**, with **twenty-seven points**, following their 24-12 home victory over Pembrokeshire. Their ladies’ teams were in fine form, with the ‘B’ side delivering a 6-0 whitewash and the ‘A’ winning 5-1. The men’s ‘B’ also won 9-3, though the men’s ‘A’ lost 8-4.
Notably, **newcomers to the UKDA National League, Herefordshire, made an impressive debut** with a 23-13 home win over the Isle of Wight, earning them **twenty-six points**. Both their men’s teams secured wins (A: 9-3, B: 8-4), while both ladies’ teams shared the points with 3-3 draws.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
