This week’s West Midlands darts action saw thrilling cup finals and intense league battles across various leagues. Northfield Darts Club secured the Bob Price Cup, while Gate Hangs Well and Double Tops Micro Bar claimed the League Cup and Plate respectively in the Rowley Monday Night League. In league play, dominant performances from teams like Northfield Darts Club, Langley Arrows, Shirley Misfits, Wakefield Warriors, Old Liberal Club, Swan, and High Acres ‘A’ saw them maintain or extend their leads. The West Midlands Men’s Super League witnessed Staffordshire Knot’s continued dominance, and Jason Lowe clinched the Amblecote RBL Premier League title for the second consecutive year. Numerous players achieved the coveted 180 maximum, highlighting a week of top-tier darts across the region.
South West Birmingham Clubs League: Cup Glory and League Action
The Bob Price Cup final saw a decisive victory for Northfield Darts Club, who defeated Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club with a dominant 6-1 scoreline. A crucial 180 maximum from A. Faulkner helped Northfield Darts Club secure the title, leaving Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club as worthy runners-up.
In rearranged league fixtures, Bournbrook secured only their second win in fourteen games, beating Northfield Conservative Club ‘B’ 5-2 away from home. In Division Two, Bartley Green F.C hosted and defeated Cue Club 5-2. These results, however, did not impact the overall league standings.
Sheldon and District Winter League: Leaders Solidify Positions
Week four of the new season brought more exciting darts. In the Premier League, Langley Arrows solidified their number one position with an impressive 9-0 whitewash against RAFA, maintaining a four-leg average lead over second-placed Sheldon Marlborough Arrows, who had an 8-1 home win. Three teams – Raven Arrows, Mackadown Sports and Social Club, and Trident Spears – are all tied on six points after recording 6-3, 5-4, and 6-3 victories respectively.
Premier League Maxima:
- Will Naylor (Raven Arrows)
- Ben Proctor (Kingshurst Labour Club)
- Paul Nixon (Langley Arrows)
In Division One, Lyndon Old Boys were ousted from the top spot due to a postponed fixture. Langley Pints capitalized, achieving their third straight win with an 8-1 victory at Hollywood Social Club, taking a narrow one-leg average lead. Sheldon Marlborough Ridge, undefeated in their two games, secured a 7-2 win, with Dean Harrison hitting a 180 for the victors.
Division Two continues to be dominated by Shirley Misfits, who extended their lead to two points with an 8-1 home win over Hunters Moon. Raven Flights also recorded their third consecutive win, triumphing 6-3 away, thanks in part to a 180 from Charlie Condon.
Four Oaks and District League: Leadership Changes and Impressive Scores
A significant shift occurred in Division One as Bishop Vesey dropped from first to fifth after a 5-4 defeat to St Thomas Lions. Great Barr Social now leads the division after a 7-2 away win. Close behind are Edington Arrows, St Thomas Lions, and Kingstanding Inn Lions, all on four points, each securing narrow 5-4 wins.
Notable Achievements:
- L. Arnold (Bishop Vesey) recorded a 160 break.
- J. Beet (Nomads @ Hollyfields) hit a 180 maximum.
In Division Two, Plough and Arrows lead on average after an 8-1 home win, followed closely by Walmley CSC Flights (6-3 win) and Oscott Social Club (6-3 win). Deer’s Leap and Beggars Bush remain undefeated, having played only one game each.
Kings Norton League: Northfield Darts Club Maintains Perfect Record
Northfield Darts Club continues its perfect run in the Kings Norton League, securing a 6-1 home win against Perfection, maintaining a flawless eighteen points. A 180 maximum from L. Fowler contributed to their victory. Second-placed Bournbrook won 5-2, with D. Whitcombe also hitting a 180 for the hosts. Bournville, Stirchley, and Cock Inn are all in the chasing pack.
Camp Hill League: Wakefield Warriors Undefeated
Wakefield Warriors are setting the pace in the Camp Hill League, boasting an eight-game winning streak and a 6-1 home victory this week. They now hold a six-point lead over Big Bulls Head, GGSB, Moseley Arms, and Wakefield Terriers. Notably, Sheldon Marlborough Devils are still searching for their first points of the season.
Sedgley and Gornal Tuesday Night League: Tight Races at the Top
In Division One, Old Liberal Club remains top on average after a 6-3 away win. Chapel House ‘A’ is hot on their heels with a 7-2 home victory. Lamp Tavern, Stump, and Wheatsheaf are all two points behind, with Stump securing an impressive 8-1 win.
Division Two sees Swan leading with eight points after a 5-4 home win. Fountain Inn and Rising Sun share the same points total, with Rising Sun and several other teams having a game in hand, promising a close competition.
Silver End Sunday Morning League: High Acres ‘A’ Leads the Pack
Approaching the halfway point, High Acres ‘A’ leads with forty-eight points after an 8-0 whitewash against Portway. Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘B’ sits three points behind with a game in hand after a 7-1 away win, while their hosts, Old Star ‘A’, are third.
Netherton Thursday Night 501 League: Captains Cup Final
The Captains Cup final was the highlight of the week. In the semi-finals, Alex Homer (Haden Cross) defeated Paul Nicholls 2-0, and Bobby Carr (Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’) beat Chris Hart 2-1. The final, extended to a best-of-five legs, saw Alex Homer emerge as the 3-1 winner, with Bobby Carr as runner-up.
Rowley Monday Night League: Cup Champions Crowned
The League Cup and Plate competitions concluded this week. Gate Hangs Well were crowned League Cup champions, with J. Benningfield hitting a 180 maximum in their victory over Romsley Cricket Club. Double Tops Micro Bar took home the Plate, defeating Hawthorns Tavern.
In a catch-up league game, Division One champions Bell secured a 6-3 home win against Wheatsheaf, completing their division’s fixtures.
Stourbridge Wednesday Night League: Raven Leads a Tight Top Three
Raven holds onto the top spot with twenty-four points after a 6-1 home win. Chop House and Old Liberal Club ‘A’ are also on twenty-four points, making for a very close race at the top, though Chop House has played one more game. Four teams are tied on twenty points, forming a competitive chasing pack. Old Liberal Club ‘B’ is currently the only team without a point.
Black Country Ladies Team Super League: Allen’s Bar ‘B’ Holds Lead
Allen’s Bar ‘B’ suffered a slight setback, losing 3-2 to second-placed Allen’s Bar ‘A’. Despite the defeat, ‘B’ team maintains a six-point lead and a game in hand. The two bottom teams, Allen’s Bar ‘C’ and ‘D’, played each other, with the ‘C’ side winning 5-0.
West Midlands Ladies Super League: Barrett Leads, Taylor and McLean Close Behind
Gemma Barrett retains the top spot with thirty-four points, despite a 3-1 loss to Kat McLean. Evonne Taylor (thirty-two points from eight games) and Kat McLean (thirty-two points from ten games) are in close pursuit. Hannah Davies is one point behind McLean after two 3-0 wins. Shellbie Guest sits fifth with thirty points from nine games.
West Midlands Men’s Super League: Staffordshire Knot Extends Dominance
Staffordshire Knot extended their lead to seventeen points with a commanding 5-0 whitewash over Landywood. Second-placed Kings Head secured a 3-2 home win, as did Dog and Partridge and Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club. The top three chasing teams all have a game in hand on the leaders.
Amblecote RBL Premier League: Jason Lowe Secures Back-to-Back Title
Jason Lowe has clinched the title for the second consecutive season with a total of 360 points. Paul Wells and Ian Townsend finished tied for second with 313 points. Nick Fullwell still has three games to play and could potentially finish as runner-up if he achieves 7-0 wins in all of them.
Wolverhampton Tuesday Night League: Junction ‘B’ Dominates
Junction ‘B’ continues to lead both the singles and doubles leagues, maintaining a perfect fourteen points in the singles league with a 6-1 win. Dog and Partridge also has fourteen points in both leagues, staying hot on their heels. Seven teams are tied on ten points in the doubles league, indicating fierce competition.
Gilbert’s Bar Monday Night Singles League: Individual Highlights
This week saw various individual matches with notable performances, including W. Barratt achieving an 8-0 whitewash and strong wins from D. Rich, O. Garratt, C. Zambra, B. Dolman, S. Pritchard, S. Baker, and A. Warrender.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
