This week in local darts leagues, we witnessed a spectacular mix of underdog victories and intense title races across various divisions. In cup competitions, lower-ranked teams like Pint Pot Flights pulled off significant upsets, while league leaders faced fierce challenges to maintain their positions. From tight finishes in the Coronation Shield to nail-biting battles for top spots in the Sheldon and Kings Norton Leagues, the darts scene is buzzing with excitement. Champions were crowned in the Stourbridge league, but the fight for glory continues in many others, promising more thrilling action for fans.
Cup Glory: Underdogs Challenge the Elite
Coronation Shield Semi-Finals
The Coronation Shield delivered a major upset this week. In a stunning performance, Pint Pot Flights, a team from Division Two, defeated Division One’s second-placed Old Horns Lions with a convincing 9-6 victory at Rosey Mac’s. This result highlights the unpredictable nature of cup darts, where form can be thrown out the window. In the other semi-final, Erdington Arrows, also from Division One, secured an 8-7 win against Bishop Vesey in a closely fought match at St Thomas Club. Both Pint Pot Flights and Erdington Arrows now advance to the final.
Norman Day Cup Semi-Finals
The Norman Day Cup also saw some incredibly tight contests. Division One leaders, Highcroft Hotdogs, narrowly edged out Plough and Arrows (Division Two) with an 8-7 win. Joining them in the final will be Charley’s Flights, who also secured a close 8-7 victory against Old Oscott Arrows. The finals for both cups are set to be thrilling encounters.
Semi-Final Results Overview:
- Coronation Shield:
- Erdington Arrows 8 – Bishop Vesey 7
- Old Horns Lions 6 – Pint Pot Flights 9
- Norman Day Cup:
- Old Oscott Arrows 7 – Charley’s Flights 8
- Highcroft Hotdogs 8 – Plough and Arrows 7
League Battles: The Race for Supremacy
Sheldon and District Winter League
The Premier League title race is exceptionally tight, with the top three teams all on 24 points! Highwood has dropped from first to third place after not submitting a result this week. Langley Arrows now sit in pole position with 24 points from 14 games, following a 6-3 win at Kingshurst Labour Club. Sheldon Marlborough Arrows are second, also on 24 points from 14 games, but trail Langley by seven legs on average after having a bye. With just a few games remaining, the championship could go to any of these three teams.
Premier League Highlights:
- Top 3 Teams: All on 24 points, making for a thrilling finish.
- Langley Arrows: New leaders after a crucial 6-3 victory.
- Only Maximum: Owyn Jackson (Brian’s Flights) hit a perfect 180 this week.
In Division One, the top two teams clashed, with RAFA Arrows securing a 5-4 home win against Banbury Club. This victory extends RAFA’s lead to four points over second-placed Banbury. Sheldon Marlborough Ridge moved within two points of Banbury with an 8-1 win, and crucially, they have played one fewer game than both top teams.
Division One Highlights:
- RAFA Arrows: Extended their lead at the top.
- Maximums: Jordan Grainger (Raven) and Preston Cupkovic (Trident Spears) both hit 180s.
Division Two sees Langley Pints with a commanding lead, despite their game being postponed. They hold a four-point advantage over Hollywood Social Club, who won 7-2, and a six-point lead over Maggies. Langley Pints appear to have one hand on the trophy.
Kings Norton League
Northfield continues its dominant run, achieving an incredible seventeen straight wins with a 5-2 home victory against Stirchley. They lead the league by six points. Second-placed Greenlands also won 5-2, staying in contention with a game in hand. Bourneville remains third after a narrow 4-3 win.
Kings Norton League Standings (Top 4):
- 1st: Northfield – Unbeaten in 17 games.
- 2nd: Greenlands – 6 points behind with a game in hand.
- 3rd: Bourneville – 4 points behind Greenlands.
- 4th: Bournebrook – A further 4 points back.
Heartlands Sugardarts M&E Co Double Top League
League leader John Frost had a mixed week, losing his opening game 2-1 to John Yates but bouncing back with a 2-1 win over Ryan Cain. He maintains the top spot with 54 points. Second-placed Steve Cain is just three points behind with three games in hand, winning his only fixture 2-1. Third-placed Ryan Cain also has 51 points and hit a maximum (180) in his 3-0 win against Sophie Cain.
Key Player Performances:
- John Frost: Holds onto the lead despite a setback.
- Steve Cain: Close behind with games in hand.
- Ryan Cain: Hit a 180 during his 3-0 victory.
South West Birmingham Clubs League
In Division One, Northfield Darts Club retained their leadership with a 5-3 away win against Northfield Conservative Club ‘B’. They are five points clear of Stirchley United, who drew 4-4 but have two games in hand. The pre-match doubles table is led by Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club.
Division Two saw Wet Heath CEM maintain their top spot with a 7-1 home win. They are just one point ahead of E57, who drew 4-4. Northfield Conservative Club ‘A’ leads the Division Two pre-match doubles.
Stourbridge and District Wednesday Night League
Chop House has been crowned champions despite suffering only their third defeat of the season (5-2 away to Old Liberal Club ‘A’) in their final game. They finished four points clear of runners-up Hollybush, who secured a 6-1 win. New Inns finished third, two points behind Hollybush.
Season’s End Highlights:
- Champions: Chop House – Secures the title despite a final game loss.
- Runners-Up: Hollybush – Finished strong with a 6-1 victory.
Sedgley and Gornal Tuesday Night League
Quarry Bank Liberal Club continues its title push, adding a 7-2 win at New Inn to extend their lead to four points. Second-placed Red Cow ‘1’ delivered a dominant 9-0 whitewash, staying six points ahead of third-placed Gornal British Legion, who also won 9-0.
Netherton Thursday Night 501 League
Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’ achieved their eleventh consecutive win with a crucial 5-4 away victory against Old Liberal Club. This puts them six points clear at the top. Rose and Crown Wordsley now occupy second place, with both them and Old Liberal Club (now third) having two games in hand on the leaders.
Player Achievements:
- Maximums (180s): Matt Hall (Haden Cross), Dave Edwards (Rose and Crown, Wordsley), Jeff Batham (Old Liberal Club), and Colin Brown (Bulls Head).
- High Break: Steve Tipper (Bulls Head) hit a 160 break.
West Midlands Super Leagues
West Midlands Ladies Super League
It was a challenging week for former leader Jacqueline Maiden, who suffered two defeats (3-0 to Gemma Barrett and 3-2 to Shellbie Guest). She has dropped to second place, now nine points behind leader Evonne Taylor. Hannah Davies is in third, four points behind Maiden, but with two games less played.
West Midlands Men’s Super League
The top of the Men’s Super League is now shared! Dog and Partridge, despite a 4-1 win, lost their outright lead as Staffordshire Knot delivered a crushing 5-0 whitewash. Both teams now stand on 51 points from 11 games. Kings Head are third, two points behind, after their own 5-0 victory.
Wolverhampton Tuesday Night League: 501 Cup
The 501 Cup quarter-finals delivered a significant upset: Dog and Partridge ‘A’, ranked 13th in the league, sensationally defeated third-placed Gilbert’s Bar ‘B’. League leaders Junction ‘B’ and second-placed Dog and Partridge ‘B’ both advanced, along with Junction ‘A’. Finals night promises more exciting darts!
501 Cup Quarter-Final Results:
- Junction ‘B’ beat Woodfield
- Dog and Partridge ‘A’ beat Gilbert’s Bar ‘B’ (Major Upset!)
- Ashmore lost to Junction ‘A’
- Three Crowns lost to Dog and Partridge ‘B’
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
