The West Midlands darts scene is buzzing with action! Recent league fixtures have seen a flurry of changes at the top, with several long-standing leaders ousted and new contenders emerging. From the Sheldon and Stourbridge leagues witnessing dramatic shifts, to intense cup finals in South West Birmingham and Rowley, and the ongoing battles in the Harborne and Heartlands Super Leagues, competition is fierce. Expect thrilling finishes as teams vie for crucial points, with standout performances including numerous 180s and impressive finishes across the region.
Sheldon and District Summer League: A League of Upsets
The Sheldon and District Summer League is nearing its conclusion, and the competition is heating up with significant changes at the top of several groups:
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Group One: Langley Arrows Soar to the Top
Former leaders Raven Arrows had a bye, allowing **Langley Arrows** to seize the top spot. A decisive **6-2 win** against Trident Spears propelled them into first place with eleven points. Raven Arrows now sit second with ten points but hold a game in hand. Highwood remains third despite a 5-3 win.
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Group Two: Kingshurst Labour Club Holds On
**Kingshurst Labour Club** maintained pole position with twelve points, despite a 4-4 home draw. **Sheldon Marlborough Ridge** is hot on their heels, just one point behind after a dominant **7-1 victory**. Smithswood Social Club climbed to third.
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Group Three: Lyndon Old Boys Lead, Raven Closes In
**Lyndon Old Boys** stayed at the summit with a 5-3 win, notably featuring a **180 maximum from Craig Stansfield**. **Raven** moved into second place, two points behind but with a game in hand, after their 5-3 win. Langley Flights dropped to third.
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Group Four: Langley Pints Take Over
**Langley Pints** are the new leaders, securing a **6-2 home win**. This pushed Maggies, who had a 4-4 draw, down to second place.
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Group Five: Castle Bromwich Spitfires Crowned New Leaders
**Castle Bromwich Spitfires** claimed the top spot with an impressive **7-1 home win**, dislodging Yardley District Amateur Darts Team, who drew 4-4.
Harborne and District League: Three-Way Tie at the Top
With only a few games left, the Harborne and District League is incredibly tight. **Three teams are locked at 44 points:**
- **Copper Fox ‘R’**: Leads on average and has a game in hand.
- **Northfield Darts Club**: Secured an 8-1 win.
- **Northfield Conservative Club**: Achieved a 6-3 home victory.
This week saw an impressive **seven maximums (180s)** hit by: C. Fowler (Copper Fox ‘M’), J. Best (Weoley Castle Pub), G. Bailes (Bourneville), G. Bolton (Stag and Three Horseshoes), T. Shipley (Northfield Conservative Club), F. Johnson (Smethwick Cricket Club), and R. Crawford (Crown).
Sutton and District League: Division Two Title Race Goes Down to the Wire
The Division Two title is still very much undecided with only one game remaining. **Great Barr Social** and **Rise Club** are both tied on **44 points**, with Great Barr Social holding a slight advantage on average. Great Barr Social won 6-3, while Rise Club secured a 7-2 victory. Minworth Bulls’ B. Hewson hit a **180**, and Pint Pot Flights’ D. Ruthedge achieved a **160 break**.
In the **Shadow League**, **Sutton Sharks** have already secured the title with fourteen points.
South West Birmingham Clubs League: Cup Glory for Stirchley United and Cue Club
This week featured the Divisional Cup finals:
- **Division One Cup**: **Stirchley United** triumphed over Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club with a convincing **15-6 win**.
- **Division Two Cup**: **Cue Club** emerged victorious with a **12-9 win** against Kings Norton Arrows.
In rearranged fixtures, Bartley Green FC and E57 both secured **6-1 wins**, with **A. Reynolds (E57) hitting a 180**.
Heartlands Sugardarts M&E Co Double Top League: Cain Family Dominance
**Steve Cain** remains at the top of the league with 133 points, even without playing this round. **Matthew Cain** is closing the gap, just two points behind with a game in hand, after securing two **3-0 wins**. Third-placed **Martin Cooper** also had a strong week with two 3-0 victories.
Camp Hill League: New Season, Strong Starts
The new Camp Hill League season has kicked off with several teams making an immediate impact. **Big Bulls Wanderers, GGSB, and Wakefield Warriors** all started with dominant **7-0 wins**. Cotterills Lane EBAHA Club also had a strong **6-1 home success**.
Netherton Thursday Night 501 League: Andy Bastable Trophy Finalists Confirmed
The semi-finals of the Andy Bastable Trophy saw **Bulls Head** advance convincingly with a **9-0 win** (17-1 aggregate) over Rose and Crown (Halesowen). **Ashwood** also progressed, beating Furnace 6-3 for an **11-7 aggregate victory**. Both **Joe Poole (Ashwood)** and **Connor Allen (Furnace)** hit **180s** in their match.
Rowley Monday Night League: Cup Upsets and High Scores
Cup semi-finals week brought some exciting darts:
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League Cup Semi-Finals:
**Gate Hangs Well** caused an upset, defeating Bell **6-3**, despite a **180 from L. Dabbs** and a **160 break from C. Dabbs** for Bell. **Romsley Cricket Club** also reached the final with a **5-3 win**.
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Plate Semi-Finals:
**Hawthorns Tavern** dominated Rowley Labour Club **5-0**, with **M. Archer hitting both a 180 and a 170**. They will face **Double Tops Micro Bar** in the final, who won their semi-final **7-2**.
Stourbridge and District Monday Night League: Old Liberal Club’s Perfect Run
Halfway through the season, **Old Liberal Club** maintains a flawless record, winning all **twenty of their games** with their latest **6-1 victory**. However, **Gornal British Legion** is a close second, just two points behind after their own 6-1 win. Other notable performances included a **160 break from R. Jones (Five Ways)** and a **160 break and 7-dart game from A. Batham (Cross)**.
Silver End Sunday Morning League: Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘B’ Undefeated
While most teams have yet to play their full eleven fixtures, **High Acres ‘A’** leads with 31 points from eleven games. However, **Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘B’** is a formidable challenger, just one point behind with a game in hand and an **unblemished record of ten wins from ten games**, including an **8-0 whitewash**. Bottom-placed Red Cow is still searching for their first points.
Stourbridge and District Wednesday Night League: Raven Takes the Lead in a Tight Race
After seven weeks, a mere two points separate the top eight teams. **Raven** has claimed the top spot with a **7-0 win**, reaching twelve points. **Chop House** is two points behind in second, while **Old Liberal Club ‘A’** sits third with a game in hand.
Black Country Men’s Super League: Hot Shots and Cue and Brew Dominate Early
In Week Three, **Hot Shots** lead the way with twenty points after a **5-0 home win**. **Cue and Brew** is close behind with eighteen points, also securing a **5-0 victory**. Third-placed **Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club** has won both of their games, accumulating thirteen points.
Black Country Ladies Team Super League: Allen’s Bar ‘B’ Leads
**Allen’s Bar ‘B’** currently leads the league with eleven points from two games. **Allen’s Bar ‘A’** is in second place with seven points after a **3-2 win** against Allen’s Bar ‘C’.
West Midlands Ladies Super League: A Crowded Top Spot
The new season is underway, and an incredible **ten players are tied on four points** after Week 1, including **Evonne Taylor, Jackie Trott, Kelly Aston-Fletcher, and Gemma Barrett**, highlighting the competitive nature of the league.
West Midlands Men’s Super League: Staffordshire Knot Maintains Control
**Staffordshire Knot** continues to lead the league with 150 points after a **5-0 home win**. Second-placed **Kings Head** also secured a **5-0 victory**, bringing their total to 133 points. **Dog and Partridge** lost ground in the title race, falling **3-2**.
Amblecote RBL Premier League: Lowe and Edwards Crowned Blind Cup Doubles Champions
The Blind Cup Doubles saw **Jason Lowe and Dave Edwards** emerge as champions after a thrilling **4-3 victory** in the final against Caden Marsh and Nick Fullwell. The semi-finals saw Lowe and Edwards win 3-0, while Marsh and Fullwell also secured a 3-0 win.
Wolverhampton Tuesday Night Darts League: Simmons Duo Takes Captains and Secretaries Knockout
**Dean Simmons-Fullwood and Paul Simmons (Junction ‘B’)** were crowned the winners of the Captains and Secretaries Knockout. They defeated Reece Cook Lucas and Jamie Webb (Gilbert’s Bar ‘A’) in the final. Lance-Reece Hartill & Alex Cooper and Nicky Devlin & Lewis Davies were the losing semi-finalists.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
