Division 1
Only three fixtures went ahead in the top flight this week as third placed St Johns vs second placed Timperley was postponed, as was the match between The Volunteer and Broadheath Central.
In the games that were played, Champions the Ammies staged a late comeback to grab a 4-3 home win against The Victoria Withington and in doing so open up an 11 point lead at the top of the table. The Cringlewood grab a much needed first win of the season with a 4-3 victory over the Victoria Burnage, and The John Alker come away from Wythenshawe CSC with a 4-3 win that keeps them in the fight at the top end of the table.
Ammies 4 vs 3 Victoria Withington
The Ammies secured the win which moves them eleven points clear at the top of the Division 1 table, but they were made to fight for it having to come back from 3-2 down with two to play after a dogged performance from The Victoria Withington. The reigning champions have that title for good reason though, and with this comeback win they have tightened their grip on top spot and are still on course for yet another title. Its as-you-were for the Vic who remain in fifth place with five wins and five losses from their ten games played.
Matt Jepson got the Vic off to a flying start with a 3-0 win over Andy Tucker, but the home side were soon level after Scott Livingstone got the better of Terry Jepson for the second time in recent weeks, winning 3-1 after a strong scoring display which defied a 13 darter and 69.49 average from Terry.
Kyle Bell put the champions 2-1 ahead, hitting a 16 darter and 70 average during a typically assured 3-0 win over Dave Stanley, but in an absolute cracker in game four, the Vic pulled level after Sean Edwards took a deciding leg against Karl Cooper in 14 darts, both players with 8 ton-plus scores and mid 70 averages. Game five saw some eyebrows raised as Massive Mike Morrison fell to a first defeat since joining the Ammies as Connor Wigley claimed a 3-0 win to put the Vic 3-2 up, and just one away from a famous win. I was up next with the chance to claim that win, but former over 50s Individuals championn Ray Dore had other ideas, storming into a 2-0 lead with some clinical finishing to deny me shots at double in each of those legs. I pulled one back with a 116 finish in the third, but a 20 darter in the fourth leg, again denying me a chance at tops, was enough for Ray to claim the win and pull the Champions level with one to play. The final game same Pete Watson of the Ammies take on Lewis Holley of the Vic, with Pete showing his intent with a 180 with his last 3 practice darts. Not content with that, he then decided to rattle in his sixth maximum of the season with his first three darts of the game before taking the opening leg in 19 darts with Lewis sat on a double. Some more heavy scoring in the second saw Pete claim a 16 darter to go 2-0 up, and in the final leg an on-song Pete hit his 7th 180 of the season which Lewis immediately followed with one of his own, but at the end of the leg, with Lewis missing darts at tops to stay in it, Pete pinned double 8 for a 21 darter to ensure he and his team were victorious against the Victoria.
Victoria Burnage 3 vs 4 Cringlewood
The Cringlewood must have been getting sick and tired of my weekly references to them ‘still being without a win’, and finally put an end to it with an impressive 4-3 defeat of the Victoria Burnage. The win moves the Cringlewood off the bottom of the table, now five points above Broadheath, and within 3 points of the Volunteer in eighth, though both of these have a game in hand after their game against each other was postponed this week. Defeat leaves The Victoria Burnage in seventh position, pretty much clear of any relegation worries, whilst retaining two games in hand on the teams directly above them, although those games against The Alker and The Ammies wont take place until the end of the season.
The Cringlewood flew out of the blocks with a pair of 3-0 wins for Phil Lauder and Ray Levesconte putting them 2-0 up, before things improved further when Luke Mulhern grabbed a deciding leg win against Dylan Wimbury to put the visitors into a commanding position at 3-0 up. With just one more game needed for that first win and four games still to play, there would never be a better chance for the Cringlewood to break that duck, but when Steve Moane and Ant Hargreaves Sr pulled a couple of games back for the Victoria Burnage, there must have been a few hearts in mouths amongst the visitors. Game six saw The Vic Burnage’s Pete Evans looking to level the game up, while Rob Lauder of the Cringlewood was next up to try and get his side over the line, and despite seven ton-plusses and a 180 from Rob, both players were level after 4 legs, but in the decider it was Rob who pinned the winning double to claim the game and the match for his team. With one to game still to play, the Cringlewood were unable to stretch their lead any further as Mick Cooney hit a 19 darter during a 3-0 win over Alex Martin to grab a consolation point for The Victoria Burnage.
Wythenshawe CSC 3 vs 4 John Alker
Wythenshawe fell to a third defeat in succession against top four sides, but its very much as-you-were in midtable as they remain sixth, still a point behind The Victoria Withington who they play in the next round of fixtures, and still eight ahead of the Victoria Burnage. The win for the John Alker sees them now on the same games played as the sides above them but only six points behind St Johns in third who they play next week, and seven behind second placed Timperley.
IJohn Hawken beat John Brown 3-0 to put the John Alker ahead after game 1, but the lead was short lived as Mandy Smith’s 3-0 win against Mike Nolan brought the sides level. The Alker went back in front courtesy of Gaz O’Donnell’s 3-1 win against Martin Power in game 3, and it was soon 3-1 after Chris Wormald won by the same scoreline against David Peploe in game 4. Baz Rowland secured the win for the Alker after a 3-0 win over Ray Pattison, but the scoreline was made a little more respectable for Wythenshawe after wins in the last two games for Paul McCreevey against Gary Thompson and Paul Taylor over Ewan Donegan, with both Pauls hitting a maximum each.
Division 2
What a Division 2 season this is shaping up to be! There were some statement wins in the title battle this week as the top three made moves to pull away from the pack. Ashton-on-Mersey secure a 6-1 home win against fellow promotion hopefuls Trafford Social, Urmston keep themselves in second place after a 5-2 win at LMRCA, The Royal Oak get a massive 7-0 win at The Melville and are now only three off the top with a game in hand, The Roebuck make a move into fourth with a 5-2 win at St Anthonys, and the Carters Arms get a 4-3 win at the Malt Shovels to widen the gap between themselves and the bottom two.
Ashton-on-Mersey CC 6 vs 1 Trafford SC
Ashton on Mersey claimed a thumping 6-1 home victory over Trafford Social and in doing so avenged the 4-3 away loss against Trafford in their last league fixture. It was a win that keeps Ashton top of Division 2, and it turns out they needed it, as the two teams directly below them also had big wins in what is starting to look like a 3 horse race for the title. Trafford drop to fifth following this, their heaviest defeat of the season, but are still only 9 points off second, so they are not out of it by any stretch, although they will need to start picking up some big wins of their own soon if they have any hope of closing the gap.
The first couple of games were close affairs with both going to a deciding leg, but on each occasion it was the Ashton player who claimed the win, first Will Radcliffe hit a 119 finish while getting the better of Jake Neersoo, and in the second Mike Buckley beating Trafford captain Andrew Wood. Chris Chapman made it 3-0 to Ashton with a fine 3-0 victory against the previously unbeaten Kyle Wands, but Andrew Davies stopped the home teams march with a 3-0 win of his own over Mark Robinson in game 4. Ashton captain James Compton secured the match for his side with a 3-1 defeat of Gaz Collins to make it 4-1, and things got even better for Ashton’s game difference when Ian Winter, who hit his first 180 of the season, and Andy Kindred won the final two games of the night to make it 6-1.
St Anthonys 2 vs 5 The Roebuck
In another quick turn around, St Anthony’s fell to a 5-2 home defeat against the Roebuck only a couple of weks after suffering a 4-3 away defeat against them in both sides’ previous league match. The Roebuck are one of only two teams left in Division 2 who have only two losses, and although this win moves them up a place to fourth and only six off top spot, it could have been even closer if they had bettered the 4-3 winning margins gained in 7 of the previous 8 matches. That said, its not an easy division and included in that run were wins over the teams currently second and third in the table. St Anthonys are seventh, level on points with the Carters in eighth, but with a superior game difference – both of those sides have game in hand on most teams in the division as their first half fixture has been rearranged for 18th Dec.
The Saints got off to a good start with a 3-0 Ian Paton win against Steve Preston, but the Roebuck soon turned things around and following wins for Rick Kiel, Chris Haycock and Chris Reddy they were 3-1 up and cruising. Shaun Gill maintained his unbeaten record this season when bringing it back to 3-2, the Saints man hitting a 17 darter during a 3-1 win over Chris Merriman, but The Roebuck were not to be denied as a 3-0 Hayden Reddy win against Dom Batty was followed by a 3-0 Ste Reddy win against Mark Paton to give the visitors the bonus points and a 5-2 overall win.
The Melville 0 vs 7 Royal Oak A
Going into this game The Meville had only tasted defeat twice in Division 2 (against leaders Ashton and fourth placed Roebuck), and in the first half of the season had secured highlight wins over Trafford Social and second placed Urmston, but this chastening defeat against the Royal Oak with no points gained sees them remain sixth but now ten points behind fifth placed Trafford. The Royal Oak also went into this game with only two losses, (both narrow 4-3 defeats to Trafford Social and The Roebuck) but with a tendancy to win big, as evidenced here. The Oak are now three points off the top of the table with, like the Melville, a game in hand on other teams. Although the bad news for the Melville after this result is that the game in hand for both is their return trip to the Royal Oak.
Jordan Perry got the Oak underway with a 3-0 defeat of Jake Powell in the opening game, before Ryan Crook doubled the lead, hitting a 180 and an 18 darter during a 3-0 win of his own against Jon Powell. Steve Lawless made it 3-0 with a 19 darter in his 3-1 win over Gary Brisco, and after Sharon Kirby hit a 180 on the way to beating Tom Powell 3-0 the Oak had the game in the bag. In the fifth game, The Melville’s Paul Sambrook hit an 18 darter but ultimately came up short in the final leg of his 3-2 defeat to Tony Kirby, the Oak captain notably hitting finishes of 111 and 138 during that game. Game six saw another Oak 180 and an 18 darter as Steven Lee finished his 3-0 win over Cam McFarlane with a 69.37 average, and in the final game of the night the rout was complete as Pete Perry hit 6 ton-plus scores including a 103 finish during a 3-2 win against Owen Powell.
Malt Shovels 3 vs 4 Carters Arms
This was the Carters Arms third win of the season, a win which sees them still in eighth place but now level on points with seventh placed St Anthonys, and with eleven points of breathing room between themselves and the bottom two. Both The Carters and the saints also have a game in hand on the bottom two – against each other – with their rearranged game taking place on 18th December. The Malt Shovels continue to struggle in Division Two with this defeat leaving them bottom of the table with the least total player games won, and the most player games lost…. there is still half a season to go though, and as St Anthonys showed last season, a run of good wins can quickly change things around – if other results go their way.
The Carters got off to a strong start with wins for the two JT’s, John Thierens claiming a 3-1 win over Phil Wright, before Jonathan Thierens repeated that scoreline against Tay Benjamin to make it 2-0. Luke Loveitt brought the Malt Shovels into the game with a 3-0 win against Gavin Halton, but after Ryan Pollit beat James Roberts 3-0, the Carters were one away from victory. The Malt Shovels were not done by any means though and fought back strongly as consecutive 3-0 wins for James Golds and Dean Power brought the sides level after six games, but the final game of the night sealed the match for the Carters when Terry Caine beat Dave Hindmarch by 3 legs to 1.
LMRCA 2 vs 5 Urmston SC
Urmston kept their fine run going with a second 5-2 win over LMRCA in recent weeks, keeping them right in the thick of things in the race for the title. Since a close 4-3 loss to the Roebuck in August Urmston have embarked on a five game winning run which has included four 5-2 wins along with a 4-3 win over current league leaders Ashton-on-Mersey, so clearly they are one of the teams in top form as the battle for Division 2 hots up. This win keeps Urmston second and a point ahead of the Royal Oak despite the Chorlton sides massive 7-0 win this week, and also keeps them just two points behind and right in the slipstream of league leaders Ashton-on-Mersey. LMRCA are now the only team across all three divisions without a league win this season, but have at least gained enough points in defeat to remain a point above the Malt Shovels, although just like their fellow Altrincham side they will need to have a run of good wins soon if they are to move away from the foot of the table before the end of the season.
Lee Capper put the visitors ahead with a last leg win over Tony Spilsbury in the first game of the night, but a 3-1 win for Tony Feesey over Urmston captain Michelle Fitton soon had the teams level. Harry Fitton’s 3-0 win against Roy Jervis put Urmston back in front, and in the process he hit his first 180 of the season along with a cracking 14 dart leg which sees him join his grandad Darryl at the top of the Division 2 least darts merit table. In game 4 Dave Tong extended the Urmston lead to 3-1 when beating Joe Davis 3-0, but LMRCA reduced the defecit to 3-2 when Derek Ostick won a deciding leg against Gaz Lane in game 5. The title hopefuls from Urmston got the win they were looking for after Luke Lonergan beat Vicky Jones 3-1, and they were another point to the good after Steve Lye beat Ron Cooke 3-0, hitting a 180 along the way to make it 5-2.
Division 3
An eventful week in Division 3 as The Broadheath Central Aces get back to winning ways and stretch their lead at the top to twelve points after a close 4-3 win over second placed Sale Excel, The Bulls Head move into third after capitalising on a 5-2 defeat for The Vine at Nelson Didsbury by winning 5-2 themselves at Stretfordians, The Bent Brook get a big 6-1 win at The Royal Oak B to push themselves into the promotion picture, The Horseshoe come out on top in a 4-3 win at the Buck Inn-eers, and The Old Market Tavern get their first win of the season with a 4-3 win at The Jolly Butcher.
Sale Excelsior 3 vs 4 Broadheath Central Aces
This match between the sides currently occupying the promotion positions in Division 3 was a close one as expected, but went the way of the long time league leaders BHC Aces who bounce back from last weeks first defeat of the season to stretch their lead to twelve points over their still second placed opponents. Despite the loss, with other results going their way, Sale Excel actually increase their lead over third place to 4 points, although there are now a few teams starting to bunch up behind them in what could end up a very interesting promotion battle for the remainder of the season.
The Aces claimed an early lead after a 2-1 win for Andy McCormack in game one, but Andy Cheetham soon pulled the Excel level with a 2-0 win against Martin Johnson. Darren Wood won 2-0 against Hannah Tague in game 2 to put the Aces back in front, but Peter Sage pulled the hosts level once again with a 2-1 win against Nigel Beeton. Aces captain Dave Wood was next to put his side ahead, winning 2-0 against Danny ‘The Hawk’ Chua, but the home side were level for a third time after Jimmy Nolan got the better of Simon Wood by 3 legs to nil. The final game of the night saw the Aces’ Bob Hilton take on Connor McCorkell in a winner take all battle, and, as befitted the match as a whole, it went down to a deciding leg, which Bob took out to win the match for the Division 3 title favourites.
Stretfordians 2 vs 5 Bulls Head
Given events elsewhere in week 12 this was a big win for the Bull’s Head, a win which sees them eliminate a five point gap to the Vine, with both teams now level on 57 points, but The Bulls having a superior game difference which sees them replace their promotion rivals in third place. Not only that, the loss for the Excel means the Bulls Head are now just four points off second.
The close of the sign-on window saw Chelsea-like Stretfordians hoover up yet another player, and in doing so expand the number of signed-on players to a collosal 25, all of whom must vye for a place in a team of seven….. Good luck with that. Despite the size of that squad, this game represented a third consecutive defeat, all against teams in the top four, and sees Stretfordians drop a place to ninth.
On to the game…. Chris Cordingley put the visitors ahead with a 2-0 win against Adam Jackson, before Jack Newsham brought the home side level with a deciding leg win against Steve Hazelhurst. 2-0 wins for Allan Simper and Iain Fish put the Bulls into a commanding lead at 3-1, and Alex Rydstrom secured the win for the visitors with a 2-1 win in game 5. Stretfordians pulled one back to gain another point through Lindsey Rice in her sixth game win over Chris Barber, but a 2-0 win for Rob Barber in the final game of the night ensured a comfortable 5-2 win for the Hale Barns side.
Buck Inn-eers 3 vs 4 The Horseshoe
The Horseshoe got back to winning ways following last weeks reverse at home to the Jolly Butcher, and whilst remaining in sixth position, they have closed the gap between themselves and second place to just nine, as it starts to get congested in the top half of the table. Although this result sees the Buck Inn-eers fall to twelve points behind the Horseshoe and probably out of the promotion battle themselves, they do move up a position to eighth courtesy of the 3 points gained taking them above Stretfordians.
The Horseshoe took the first two games courtesy of last leg deciders in close battles for George Moss and Kieran Chapman against Declan Law and George Banner, before the Bucks’ Matt Kershaw continued his fine season so far with a seventh win from as many games in beating Horseshoe captain Rob Moss 2-0. Oscar Coutts put the Horseshoe 3-1 up with a 2-0 win against Matt Melling, and after Kieran Aherne beat Maizie Meek 2-1, the visitors had the game in the bag at 4-1. Whilst the game was gone, there was more to come from the Buck Inn-eers as they recovered enough to gain two more points courtesy of wins for Peter and James Bloomfield who both won 2-0 against Karl Jones and Josh McQuilian respectively.
Nelson Didsbury 5 vs 2 The Vine
This win for the Nelson improves their position in the mix for promotion, with last weeks eleven point gap to second place now reduced to just seven points. Whilst the Nelson remain in fifth, they are now just three points behind the Vine who drop a place to fourth after suffering only a third defeat of the season. Although things have become tighter at the top of Division 3 The Vine didnt lose too much ground though, as with other results going the way they did they are still only four points off second, only one worse than last week.
Dave Cook put the Nelson ahead with a 2-1 win against Keiran “Hungry” Eyes (one for the 80s kids), but the Vine responded straight away with a 2-0 win for Stuart Tait over Derek Winess before Dave Goulden took a 2-1 win over Tom Spillane to make it 2-1 overall.
The Nelson then responded in turn, and did it with authority to claim the match, as Game 4 saw Elliot Wynne live up to his name with a 2-1 scoreline against Billy Sanders, Graham Beech hit 5 ton plusses and a 60+ average in a 2-0 defeat of Nathan Thompson, Chris Conduit secured victory for his side with a 2-0 win over Josh Bailey, and in the final game of the night Dan Buckley secured yet another 2-0 win to beat Charlie Sanders and give a final score of 5-2 to the home side.
Royal Oak B 1 vs 6 The Bent Brook
The Bent Brook seem to have hit a bit of form, and followed up last weeks win against division leaders BHC Aces with this big win over the Royal Oak B. It’s a result which sees the Brook move up a place to joint sixth, but more importantly, they also reduce the gap between themselves and 2nd place by five points and now sit nine behind a potential promotion spot. This heavy loss for the Oak B sees them drop into the bottom two with, despite their 4 wins, the fewest player games won and most lost in the division, but they are still only three points off 8th place in what is fast becoming a league of two halves.
This was a much closer match than the scoreline might suggest with every game going to a deciding leg, but the sun is shining on the Bent Brook in recent weeks and the majority of games went in their favour in this one. So much so, the match was done after just four games as wins for Alex Morton, Sean Dignan, Anthony Coleman and Josh Shaw wrapped up the win in the fewest games possible. The home sides Rob Whiteside was on the right side of a 2-1 scoreline in game five to pull a game back and earn a point for the Oak B, but further Bent Brook wins for Rob Moore and Jake Proctor against Jaydon Strong and Pete DeCordova were enough to finish off the home side and seal a big win for the visitors.
Jolly Butcher 3 vs 4 Old Market Tavern
Its been a long time coming, but all good things come to those who wait as The Old Market Tavern finally get a win under their belt at the eleventh time of asking. Despite their defeat, the Butcher earned three points – enough to take them level on points with the Royal Oak B after their heavy defeat at the hands of the Bent Brook, but a move place higher due to a superior game difference.
Gareth Sullivan put the home side in front with a 2-1 defeat of Ian Fensome, but the OMT pulled level after Mandy Haycocks got the better of Tracy Wesemeyer in the final leg of their game. Chris O’Keefe put the Butcher back in front after beating Sally Corfield 2-0 in game 3, but a 2-0 win for Howard Haycocks over The Sledgehammer Steve Foster soon brought the sides level again. Nathan Potts of the OMT then won game 5 against Stuart Watson to put his side 3-2 up, but parity was restored when Chris McGrory beat Emily Haycocks. With it all riding on the final game of the night, the OMT finally got a team win as Steven Foster claimed a 2-0 win over Jake Smith.
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