SMD KO Cup
The top two sides in Division 1 as it stands met in the semi finals of the KO cup for the second time in as many seasons, but although St Johns have made massive strides since last seasons 4-3 defeat as Division 2 champions in waiting, the result remained the same as the six time cup winners won a deciding game to book their place in a tenth successive KO Cup Final.
That final will be a repeat of the 2023 KO Cup final against The Victoria Withington, who booked their second final in three seasons with a close 4-3 win against The Victoria Burnage.
St Johns 3 vs 4 Ammies
The top two sides in Division were to lock horns for the first time since a 7-0 whitewash win for the Ammies back in August, but that was a result which didnt really reflect the standard that St John’s went on to show up until this semi-final, with ten wins in all competitions since and only a single league defeat to Timperley in that time. As expected, this was a much closer affair, but still went the way of the Ammies who reach an extraordinary tenth successive KO Cup final after a titanic tussle went their way in the final game of the night. Despite the agonising late defeat, St Johns proved more than a match for their title rivals and this outcome sets us up nicely for the upcoming league fixture next week where the two will go head to head once again.
Adam Watson put the Ammies into an early lead with a barnstorming performance during a 3-0 defeat of Oliver Clarke during which he hit two 12 dart legs, two maximums, a 146 finish and finished on a 93.94 average. Take a bow son. The next three games showed how tight things are between these teams as a 3-0 win for Kraig Loose against Karl Cooper was followed by a 3-1 win for Kyle Bell, before Mike Shaw drew the sides level when he came out on top by 3 legs to 2 in a titanic clash with Pete Watson, Mike ending up with an 82.1 average to Pete’s 74.60. with the sides locked at 2-2, St John’s took the lead in game five after a fine 3-0 win for Jez Saunders against Paul Devine, Jez with a fantastic 160 checkout to make it 3-2. This finish would have seen him join teammate Anthony Cooper at the top of the highest finish merit table, but unfortunately only 180’s count in cup games, another rule that we probably need to take a look at. With the Saints on the brink of the final, the sixth game went down to a deciding leg between Saints’ Rich Davies and Ray Dore, but the evergreen Ammies man, aided by 7 ton plus scores and a 17 darter, was able to take the final leg and force this cup tie into a deciding final game. That game was contested between Martin Tyson and Mike Morrison, and it was the towering Ammie who got the win with a 75.34 average during a 3-1 win which put his team into yet another cup final. The league game next time out for both sides should be a tasty affair indeed!
Victoria Withington 4 vs 3 Victoria Burnage
Matches between these two sides represent something of a local derby, although with a much more friendly atmosphere, and a close and entertaining battle is usually the order of the day. This cup semi final was to be no different as the sides made the short trip to the home of Division 3 hosts The Dog & Partridge to contest the right for a place in this seasons KO Cup Final.
The opening game went the way of the Burnage side as Pete Evans hit 8 ton plus scores during a 3-1 win over Connor Wigley, but Terry Jepson, aided by a 130 kill brought the sides level once more with a 3-1 win of his own against Andrew Day in game 2. The close nature of these games was once again evident as the next two games were also shared – Vic Burnage captain Steve Moane getting a comfortable 3-0 win over Dave Stanley, before Sean Edwards smashed two 180’s during his 3-1 defeat of Tony Green (who himself hit a 180 and a 116 finish) to bring the sides level. I then put the Vic Withington ahead with a 3-1 win against Mick Cooney in game 5 to make it 3-2, before Matt Jepson stepped up and sealed the game for the Withington side with a 3-1 defeat of Luke Taylor. With our place in the final confimed, the pressure was off in the final game, which was played in great spirits between Jack Jarvis and Dylan Wimbury, and despite two maximums from Withington’s Jarvis, it was Wimbury who claimed a 3-1 win to give a final scoreline of 3-1.
SMD KO Shield
Going into the semi finals Division 2 challengers The Royal Oak A were the highest ranked team left in the Shield competition, with the other three teams not only representing Division 3, but also all in their first seasons together in the SMD League. An all Division 3 affair between Dog & Partridge and runaway Division 3 leaders Broadheath Central Aces went the way of the title favourites who came out on top with a 5-2 win, while the Horseshoe put up a good fight but ultimately came up short in a 4-3 defeat against Division 2 Royal Oak A.
Dog & Partridge 2 vs 5 Broadheath Central Aces
The long time Division 3 leaders Broadheath Central Aces twice had to come from behind in this entertaining match but ultimately ran out comfortable victors with this 5-2 win that sees them reach the KO Shield final in their first season together. The Dog and Partridge are also in their debut season and can look back on a good cup run while also keeping one eye on the promotion picture in Division 3 – a battle they are very much still involved in.
Dog captain Tom Spillane got his side off to a great start when claiming the notable scalp of Andy McCormack in a 2-1 win, but his opposite number Dave Wood soon brought his side level when defeating Elliot Wynne by the same scoreline in game 2. The Dog were soon back in front though as Graham Beech claimed a 2-0 win against Bob Hilton, but the sides were all-square once again after a fine performance from Geoff Talbot saw him claim a 79.11 average during a 2-0 win against Dave Cook. Game five saw Martin Johnson put the Aces into the lead for the first time in the match as he grabbed a deciding leg win against Chris Conduit, and the Aces wrapped it up in style from there on in with a 2-0 win for Nigel Beeton in which he hit a 1-6 finish and 77.07 average sealing their place in the Shield final, before Darren Wood rounded things off with a 2-0 defeat of Dan Buckley in the final game of the night.
Royal Oak A 4 vs 3 Horseshoe
Division 2 title hopefuls the Royal Oak can now look forward to a KO Shield final at the end of January after a close fought 4-3 win against Division 3 promotion candidates The Horseshoe, but they didnt have it all their own way by any stretch, having to come back from 2-0 down as the Division 3 side threatened another giant killing to go with their defeat of Division 1 Broadheath Central in the previous round.
David Duffy put the Levenshulme based side into the lead with a 2-1 win against Sharon Kirby, and they were soon 2-0 up after the normally flawless Steve Lawless, despite a 180, suffered only a second defeat of the season at the hands of Keiran Chapman. After two games played the Division 2 side were wobbling and needed to respond quickly, and respond they did, with four consecutive 2-0 wins that sealed their place in the final. Pete Perry started the comeback with a win against Rob Moss, Tony Kirby drew the sides level with victory over Josh McQuillan, Jordan Perry put the Oak into the lead for the first time when getting the better of Karl Jones, and the win was secured after a Lee Medd claimed a win against Ben Harrington. There was still time for another win for the shell shocked Division 3 side however and it came via George Moss in the last game of the night against Ryan Crook.
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