The West Midlands darts scene was buzzing with action across various leagues this week, featuring thrilling cup upsets, dominant league performances, and impressive individual feats. In the Harborne and District League, Copper Fox ‘R’ maintained their flawless 100% record, securing pole position with a perfect 24 points from 12 games. Meanwhile, the Sheldon Shield saw some unexpected results, including a massive 6-1 away win for Yardley Ex Colts. Individual brilliance shone through with numerous 180s scored across multiple competitions, showcasing the high level of play. From the Amblecote RBL Premier League to the Black Country Men’s Super League, teams battled fiercely for supremacy, with some maintaining undefeated streaks and others staging dramatic comebacks.
Harborne and District League: Copper Fox ‘R’ Maintains Perfect Record
In the Harborne and District League, **Copper Fox ‘R’ continues its outstanding run, holding onto the top spot with a pristine 100% win rate**, accumulating 24 points from 12 games. Their nearest rivals, Northfield Conservative Club, slipped to third after Northfield Darts Club secured an impressive **8-1 victory** at Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club, elevating them to second place with a superior average. Smethwick Cricket Club also remains in contention, sitting fourth with 22 points after a **6-3 home win** against Harborne Social.
This week also saw some remarkable individual performances, with **four players hitting the coveted maximum 180**:
- **K.Foxhall** (Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club)
- **C.Fowler** (Copper Fox ‘M’)
- **J.Loughran** (Copper Fox ‘M’)
- **A.Beagrie** (Thimble Mill)
Sheldon and District Winter League: Cup Shocks and League Climbs
The **Sheldon Shield**, the league’s cup competition, delivered several exciting results in its first round. The biggest upset came from **Yardley Ex Colts (Division One)**, who delivered a resounding **6-1 away win** against Division Two’s Castle Bromwich Spitfires. Other teams advancing with strong **5-2 victories** included Lyndon Old Boys, Banbury Club, Langley Pints, and RAFA.
In rearranged league fixtures, **Langley Arrows** secured a dominant **7-2 away win** against Dog Inn Nomads in the Premier League, despite a **180 from Alan Mayell** for the losing side. In Division Two, **Shirley Misfits triumphed 6-3** over Trident Flights, lifting them to fourth place, while Trident Flights unfortunately remain at the bottom of the division without a single point from thirteen games.
South West Birmingham Clubs League: Divisional Cup Finals Deliver Surprises
The Divisional Cup Finals provided some gripping darts action. The **Division One final saw a significant upset**, as Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club, near the bottom of their division, pulled off a narrow **5-4 victory** against the divisional leaders, Northfield Darts Club, in a thrilling last-leg decider. In the Division Two final, **West Heath CEM claimed the title with a 6-3 win** over Cue Club.
A rearranged Division Two league fixture saw leaders **E57 held to a 4-4 draw** by Northfield Conservative Club ‘A’, showcasing the competitive nature of the league.
Heartlands Sugardarts M&E Co Double Top League: Leaders Face Tough Battles
Week six of the Heartlands Sugardarts M&E Co Double Top League saw leader **Ryan Cain maintain his top position** with 27 points, despite experiencing his first loss in eleven games (a 2-1 defeat to Matthew Hoare). **Steve Cain** moved into second place after impressive wins, just one point behind Ryan. **Clive Austin** is close behind in third with 25 points.
The league was also lit up by multiple maximums:
- **Jordan Rogers** hit 180s against both Clive Austin and Matthew Hoare.
- **Matthew Cain** also scored a 180 in his 3-0 victory over Emma Cain.
Sedgley and Gornal Tuesday Night League: Quarry Bank Liberal Club Dominates
**Quarry Bank Liberal Club** continues to lead the Sedgley and Gornal Tuesday Night League with 46 points, following a **7-2 home win** against Cabin ‘1’. They hold a four-point lead over **Red Cow ‘1’**, who delivered a comprehensive **9-0 whitewash** against Parkes Hall. Gornal British Legion also had a strong week with an **8-1 away victory**, keeping them in third place.
Netherton Thursday Night 501 League: Undefeated Run Continues
**Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’** remains the team to beat in the Netherton Thursday Night 501 League, maintaining a **perfect 100% win record** from seven games after an **8-1 win** at Townsend Social Club. This keeps them three points clear of second-placed Old Liberal Club and British Oak.
Individual highlights included:
- **180s** from Phil O’Brien (Bulls Head), Neil Murphy, Connor Pickett, and Gavin Moreton (all Old Liberal Club), and Alex Homer (Haden Cross).
- A massive **170 maximum break** by David Hadlington (Haden Cross).
- A strong **160 break** from Gary Male (Plough and Harrow).
Other League Highlights
Across the region, other leagues also saw intense competition:
- In the **Silver End Sunday Morning League**, **Old Star** extended their lead to 11 points with a **6-2 win** at Ten Arches, ahead of Dudley Sports ‘A’.
- **Bridge** made significant gains in the **Brierley Hill Monday Night League**, drawing level on points with third-placed Raven after a **6-3 win** at High Acres.
- **Chop House** leads the **Stourbridge and District Wednesday Night League** by six points after a **6-1 win**, while **New Inns** and **Hollybush** chase close behind.
- The **Stourbridge and District Monday Night League** sees **Cross** at the top with a slender lead, one of five teams still boasting a **100% win record** after three weeks.
- **Bell** holds a narrow lead in Division One of the **Rowley Monday Night League**, while **Bostin Darts ‘B’** is perfect in Division Two.
- **Allen’s Bar ‘A’** continues to dominate the **Black Country Men’s Super League**, with a 15-point lead despite having played more games.
- In the **West Midlands Ladies Super League**, reigning champion **Evonne Taylor** has taken over the top spot from Jacqueline Maiden, securing 93 points from 26 games.
- **Kings Head** remains the sole undefeated team in the **West Midlands Men’s Super League** after five games, with Staffordshire Knot close behind on equal points but having lost one match.
- **Nick Fullwell** solidified his lead in the **Amblecote RBL Premier League** with two impressive **7-0 whitewashes**, putting him seven points clear.
- **Simon Pritchard** holds a commanding 17-point lead in Division One of the **Gilbert’s Bar Monday Night Singles League**, while **Neville Quinton** leads Division Two.
- The **Wolverhampton Tuesday Night League Knockout Cup** saw **Junction ‘B’**, **Junction ‘A’**, **Gilbert’s ‘B’**, and **Gilbert’s Bar ‘A’** advance to the semi-finals after strong aggregate wins in the quarter-finals.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
