Despite the lingering effects of the holiday break and severe winter weather, darts enthusiasts across the Midlands proved their mettle, delivering a week of thrilling competition. League leaders generally held their ground, though some faced unexpected challenges, and several players achieved the coveted 180 maximum score. This week’s action saw teams battle not just each other, but also the elements, resulting in some truly memorable moments across multiple leagues.
Harborne and District League: Leaders Solidify, Maximums Fly
In the Harborne and District League, **Copper Fox ‘R’** kicked off the New Year in dominant fashion, delivering a **resounding 9-0 whitewash** against Weoley Castle WMC. This emphatic win solidified their top spot, maintaining a perfect fourteen points from seven games, thanks to a superior average.
Hot on their heels, **Smethwick Cricket Club** also secured a crucial victory, albeit a narrow **5-4 win** over Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club. Both top teams remain tied on points, setting the stage for an exciting season.
Individual brilliance shone through with **three players hitting the ultimate 180 maximum score** (a perfect score in a single turn, hitting three treble 20s):
- J.Downer (Copper Fox ‘M’)
- L.Fowler (Northfield Darts Club)
- V.Gould (Smethwick Cricket Club)
Kings Norton League: Northfield’s Unbeaten Streak Continues
**Northfield** continued their incredible run in the Kings Norton League, extending their **unbeaten streak to eleven consecutive wins** with a decisive **7-0 victory** at Perfection. This keeps them two points clear at the top.
Second-placed **Greenlands** also had a significant week, securing a vital **5-2 win** against Bourneville, who sit third. Meanwhile, **Cavalier** remains the only team yet to register a win this season, suffering a **7-0 home defeat** to Dingle.
Another three players achieved the perfect **180 score** this week:
- M.Lloyd (Northfield)
- N.Steventon (Northfield)
- J.Butcher (Kings Norton Flights)
Sutton and District League: Hotdogs and Rise Club Dominate
Division One: Highcroft Hotdogs Lead the Pack
**Highcroft Hotdogs** extended their impressive undefeated run to **nine games** with an **8-1 home win** over St Thomas Lions, maintaining their two-point lead at the top. **Nomads @ Hollyfields** mirrored their success with an **8-1 home victory**, staying firmly in second place.
In a crucial match for third place, **Bishop Vesey** secured a tight but important **5-4 win** against Old Horns Lions, now sitting two points ahead.
The only maximum in Division One this week came from **Kevin Shorthouse (Highcroft Hotdogs)**.
Division Two: Rise Club’s Unblemished Record
**Rise Club** continues to lead Division Two, extending their unbeaten run to **nine games** with a **5-4 home win** against Great Barr Social. They hold a two-point advantage over **Plough and Arrows**, who also won 5-4.
A notable individual achievement was **Joolz Fountain (Pint Pot Flights)**, who recorded an impressive **160 break** (a high score in a turn).
Sheldon and District Winter League: Weather Woes and Crucial Wins
Adverse weather severely limited play in the Sheldon and District Winter League, with only two games taking place:
- In Division One, **Lyndon Old Boys** secured a **5-4 away win** against Sheldon Marlborough Ridge.
- In Division Two, **CBMC-A** climbed to second place with a **6-3 victory** over Trident Flights, who remain at the bottom.
Rowley Monday Night League: Upsets and Close Contests
The Rowley Monday Night League saw intense battles at both ends of the table, with some surprising results:
- **Wonder** remains at the top, winning **7-2** at Rowley Labour Club, where **R.Lenton** hit a **180 maximum**.
- Reigning champions **Bell** are level on points with Wonder after a **6-3 win** but trail on leg average.
- Third-placed **Gate Hangs Well** suffered a shocking **5-4 home defeat** to Huntingtree, a team ten places below them.
- **Tividale FC**, also sharing third place, was similarly upset with a **3-6 home loss** to Romsley Cricket Club.
**S.Slim (Plough and Harrow)** also recorded a significant **160 break** in his team’s 7-2 win.
Silver End Sunday Morning League: Old Star’s Lead Shrinks
**Old Star’s** lead at the top of the Silver End Sunday Morning League was **cut to four points** after they were held to a **4-4 draw** by Kingswinford British Legion, a team much lower in the standings.
**Dudley Sports ‘A’** capitalized on this, reducing the gap with a **5-3 home win** against Spring Meadow, now sitting fourteen points behind the leaders.
Brierley Hill Monday Night League: Tight at the Top
**Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’** maintained their two-point lead at the top of the Brierley Hill Monday Night League with a **6-3 home win**. The battle for second and third is incredibly close, with **Raven** and **Lamp Tavern** separated by just one leg of average, both securing **5-4 home wins**.
**Bridge** delivered a dominant **9-0 home whitewash**, and with two games in hand, they could potentially challenge the leaders.
Stourbridge and District Wednesday Night League: A Week of Shocks!
Week twenty-two in the Stourbridge and District Wednesday Night League was defined by a series of **major upsets**:
- Leaders **Chop House lost 5-2** to ninth-placed Raven.
- Second-placed **Old Liberal Club ‘A’ fell 4-3** to Swan.
- Third-placed **Stourbridge FC ‘A’ went down 5-2** to Hollybush.
- Fourth-placed **Bird in Hand ‘E’ suffered a 5-2 home defeat**.
This chaotic week has left the standings incredibly tight. While **Chop House** still leads with 38 points, an astonishing **five teams are now tied for second place** with 32 points each: Hollybush, New Inns, Beech Tree Miners, Stourbridge FC ‘A’, and Bird in Hand ‘E’. The race for promotion is wide open!
Black Country Men’s Super League: Allen’s Bar ‘C’ Climbs
In the sole Black Country Men’s Super League fixture, **Allen’s Bar ‘C’ secured a 4-1 home win** over Ten Arches, moving them up three places to sixth in the table.
West Midlands Ladies Super League: Maiden Holds Pole Position
**Jacqueline Maiden** maintained her strong lead in the West Midlands Ladies Super League with a **3-1 win** over Jaqui Simmonds, accumulating 76 points from twenty games.
Reigning champion **Evonne Taylor** is hot on her heels, securing two wins (3-1 and 3-0) to sit nine points behind Maiden with two games in hand, promising a fierce chase for the title.
Stourbridge and District Monday Night League: Top Teams Assert Dominance
The Stourbridge and District Monday Night League saw a clear pattern: the **top three teams all secured 5-2 wins**, while the **bottom four teams all suffered 5-2 defeats**. **Old Liberal Club** remains at the top, with **Gornal British Legion** two points behind, and **Ten Arches ‘A’** a further four points adrift.
Wolverhampton Tuesday Night League: Doubles Knockout Champions Crowned
The Wolverhampton Tuesday Night League hosted their Doubles Knockout, culminating in an all-Junction ‘B’ final. **Paul Bromley and Ryan Bourne** emerged as champions, winning **3-2** against their teammates Rob Pitt and Luke Griffiths.
Semi-finalists included Steve Lynch & Jamie Webb (Gilbert’s Bar ‘A’) and Elliott Peace & Jake Clark. The quarter-finals saw strong performances from Wookie Mon & Simon ‘Shrek’ Mountford (Gilbert’s Bar ‘B’), Chris Hill & Ben Johnson (Gilbert’s Bar ‘A’), Kye Simmonds & Connor Lucas (Ashmore), and Adam Slade & Mikey L Harris (Junction ‘A’).
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
