The darts scene across the West Midlands has been buzzing with intense cup clashes and nail-biting league battles! This week saw several leagues culminate in thrilling cup finals, with teams like Langley Arrows and Northfield Darts Club securing coveted trophies. Meanwhile, league leaders like Northfield Conservative Club and Rise Club continued their dominant runs, while others faced unexpected upsets and fierce competition for top spots. Expect a detailed look at the champions, the challengers, and the standout performances, including an impressive array of 180s!
Sheldon & District Winter League: Punchbowl Glory for Langley Arrows
The Sheldon and District Winter League wrapped up its cup action with the highly anticipated Punchbowl finals. In the semi-finals:
- Premier League leaders Langley Arrows showcased their strength, defeating division two opponents Trident Spears convincingly with a 6-1 victory.
- Highwood, currently third in the Premier League, secured their final spot with a narrow 4-3 win over Mackadown Sports and Social Club.
The final lived up to expectations, with Langley Arrows emerging as the champions, beating Highwood 5-2, a result that mirrored their strong league form. In a rearranged league fixture, Maggies, placed second in Division Two, achieved a solid 7-2 away win against CBMC-A.
Kings Norton League: Cup Action Heats Up
Cup fever also gripped the Kings Norton League with both League Cup and Consolation Cup semi-finals taking center stage.
League Cup Semi-Finals:
- The top two teams in the league, leaders Northfield and second-placed Greenlands, clashed in a high-stakes encounter. Northfield dominated with a 6-1 win, featuring an outstanding 160 break from A.Busby.
- In the other semi-final, fifth-placed Stirchley secured a decisive 6-1 victory against Pavillions.
Consolation Cup Semi-Finals:
The Consolation Cup saw predictable outcomes, with Longbridge defeating Perfection 5-2 and Cock Inn triumphing over E57 with a 6-1 scoreline.
Harborne & District League: Northfield Conservative Club Leads the Charge
The Harborne and District League witnessed continued dominance from Northfield Conservative Club, who secured their sixteenth win in eighteen games with an 8-1 away victory at Stag and Three Horseshoes. They lead the table with 32 points.
The race for the top spots remains tight:
- Copper Fox ‘R’ are hot on their heels, winning 8-1 at Cock Inn and sitting just two points behind with two games in hand and a superior average.
- Northfield Darts Club (third) won 7-2 against Weoeley Castle Pub and have one game in hand.
- Smethwick Cricket Club (fourth) also kept pace with a 6-3 home win over Windsor Complex.
A remarkable seven players hit the coveted 180 maximum this week: A.Beagrie (Thimble Mill), R.Mann and T.Hamilton (Copper Fox ‘R’), A.Fenton (Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club), A.Bailes (Bourneville), L.Allen (Northfield Darts Club), and D.Lancett (Weoley Castle Pub).
Sutton & District League: Hotdogs Maintain Lead, Rise Club Undefeated
As the second half of the season progresses, Highcroft Hotdogs are keeping their title hopes alive in Division One, securing a 7-2 away win over Heartlands. They hold a four-point lead over Old Horns Lions, who climbed to second after a 7-2 home victory against Nomads @ Hollyfields. Bishop Vesey also won 7-2, remaining in third.
Erdington Arrows notched a 7-2 home win against Rosey Mac’s, with G.Hopkins hitting the league’s only maximum this week.
In Division Two, Rise Club continues their phenomenal run, boasting a 100% win record with seventeen victories from seventeen games. Their match against second-placed Pint Pot Flights was postponed, but they remain clear leaders. Plough and Arrows delivered a dominant 9-0 whitewash against Minworth Bulls, moving within one point of Pint Pot Flights.
South West Birmingham Clubs League: Northfield Darts Club Achieves Double
The Percy Hinton Cup final saw a triumphant moment for Northfield Darts Club. Already Division One champions, they completed a fantastic league and cup double by narrowly defeating Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club 5-4 in a thrilling final.
Stourbridge & District Monday Night League: Unbeaten Streaks Continue
The top two teams in the Stourbridge and District Monday Night League extended their impressive undefeated runs. Leaders Old Liberal Club secured their twelfth consecutive win with a 5-2 victory at Samson and Lion. Second-placed Cross also maintained their perfect record with an eleventh straight win, beating Gate Hangs Well 6-1, keeping them just two points behind with a game in hand.
Gornal British Legion and Bird in Hand are also in contention, both on 20 points.
Sedgley & Gornal Tuesday Night League: Quarry Bank Liberal Club Crowned Champions
With only two fixtures remaining, Quarry Bank Liberal Club officially secured the championship title with a commanding 8-1 away win at Bulls Head. Their 70 points place them six points clear of Red Cow ‘1’, who are set to finish runners-up after an 8-1 home victory against New Inn. Gornal British Legion secured third place with a 7-2 win over Hilly House.
Rowley Monday Night League: Bell Rings Loud in Division One
In Division One, Bell achieved their tenth consecutive win, beating Bostin Darts ‘A’ 7-2 at home. This victory maintained their four-point lead over second-placed Gate Hangs Well, who also won 7-2. The title race got tighter as third-placed Wonder lost 6-3 at home to Romsley Cricket Club, bringing them level on points. S.Green (Hawthorns Tavern) and A.Bonehill (Bostin Darts ‘A’) both hit a 180 maximum.
Division Two leaders Bostin Darts ‘B’ continued their winning streak with a 6-3 victory over their ‘C’ team rivals, holding a two-point lead over Double Tops Micro Bar.
Netherton Thursday Night 501 League: Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’ Leads
Despite a bye week, Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’ maintained their pole position with 39 points. Rose and Crown (Wordsley) are three points behind after a 6-3 home win against Haden Cross. Plough and Harrow and Old Liberal Club are tied on 30 points, with Old Liberal Club having two games in hand and the potential to climb to second.
This week’s maximums came from Gavin Smith and Chris Hall (Old Liberal Club), Chas Skelding (Netherton Sports and Social Club), and Chris Moreton (Rose and Crown, Wordsley).
Amblecote RBL Premier League: Lowe’s Unbeaten Run Ends
The biggest surprise in the Amblecote RBL Premier League was the shock 6-1 defeat of long-time leader Jason Lowe by seventh-placed Jake Shipley. This marked Lowe’s first loss in 28 games! Despite the setback, Lowe quickly recovered, beating his closest rival, Nick Fullwell, 6-1 to maintain a significant lead. Ian Townsend and Andy Vellender are also making strong pushes up the table.
Black Country Men’s Super League: Leaders Stumble
In a week with only three fixtures, Division leaders Allen’s Bar ‘A’ suffered a 3-2 defeat at the hands of their local rivals, fourth-placed Allen’s Bar ‘C’. This slip-up allowed second-placed Quarry Bank Liberal Club to close the gap to just two points after a dominant 6-0 whitewash over Soccer Zone ‘B’.
West Midlands Ladies Super League: Tight Race at the Top
The top two players, Evonne Taylor (122 points) and Jacqueline Maiden (120 points), both had a break this week, maintaining their positions. The race for third is incredibly tight, with Gemma Barrett and Jackie Trott both on 116 points. Jackie Trott had a strong week, securing multiple wins.
West Midlands Men’s Super League: Staffordshire Knot’s Lead Shrinks
Staffordshire Knot experienced only their second defeat in sixteen games, losing 3-2 away to Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club. Despite this, they remain top with 74 points. However, their lead has been cut to just two points by second-placed Kings Head, who secured a 4-1 home win against Gilbert’s Bar ‘B’.
Gilbert’s Bar Monday Night Singles League: Pritchard Leads Division One
In Division One, Simon Pritchard secured a vital 5-3 win over Michael Smith, keeping him at the top with 108 points. Chris Manoila is six points behind in second, while reigning champion Scott Baker is steadily climbing the ranks, now in third with 91 points from fewer games.
Division Two sees Wayne Barratt leading with 123 points after a 7-1 win. Former leader Neville Quinton is close behind with 115 points and two games in hand, promising a thrilling end to the season.
Wolverhampton Tuesday Night League: Junction ‘B’ Dominates Both Leagues
Junction ‘B’ continues to lead both the Singles and Doubles leagues. In the Singles League, they secured a 6-1 win over Junction ‘C’, maintaining an eight-point lead over Dog and Partridge ‘B’. In the Doubles League, their 3-0 win over Junction ‘C’ keeps them joint top with Gilbert’s Bar ‘B’. Golden Lion ‘A’ is also in close contention, just one leg of average behind the leaders.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
