Division 1
A full set of five scheduled fixtures was completed for the first time this season, as Cup holders Timperley make their intentions for the season clear with a close win over rivals and current champions The Ammies, St John’s edge a close one with Cringlewood to remain unbeaten, The Victoria get their first win of the campaign at the third time of asking, while big wins for Wythenshawe and the John Alker mean they are both handily placed in the top three.
The Levenshulme 2 vs 5 The Victoria
The Victoria Withington made the short trip over to Levenshulme still looking for their first win in the league, and faced a Levenshulme side making only their second appearance of the season, but already with a good win under their belt over Week 2 Vic conquerers Wythenshawe CSC.
I was drawn out first to play Mick Cooney, and despite me going 2-0 up with a 130 checkout, Mick turned the game around to win the remaining three legs and seal the win that gave his side an early lead. An on-song Terry Jepson pulled us level with a 3-1 win in game two, hitting a 78.95 average, his second 14 darter of the season, and his third 180 in as many league games – his opponent Mike Watling managing a 100 checkout in his winning leg as consolation. In game three, The Vic’s Connor Wigley got the better of Tony Green by 3 legs to 1, both players hitting maximums – Connor’s being his second of the season so far. A 3-1 win for Sean Edwards in the fourth game made it 3-1 to The Vic overall, and a returning Lee Andrews blew off the cobwebs to seal it for the Withington side with a fine 3-0 win, 19 darter and 68 average. Matt Jepson extended the lead to 5-1 with a 3-1 win against Levenshulme captain Steven Moane, but a solid performance from Andrew Day pulled one back in the final game of the night for The Levenshulme with a 19 darter, 96 finish and 68 average helping him to a comfortable 3-0 win over Dave Stanley.
Broadheath Central 2 vs 5 The John Alker
Broadheath’s second home game of the season ended exactly the same way as the first, with a 5-2 defeat, while The John Alker pick up another good win to make it two on the trot since an opening day defeat at St John’s.
Broadheath were up against it from the start as they were only able to field six players for this fixture, and the situation was made worse after defeats in the opening two games of the night as Gary Thompson and Gaz O’Donnell both secured 3-0 wins to put the Alker into a 2-0 lead. Credit to Broadheath, who fought back to 2-2 by winning games 3 and 4, both in deciding legs for Leyton Jackson and Brandon Lawley, with game 4 seeing 180s for both Brandon and his opponent John Hawken. In a battle of the skippers in game five, and with Broadheath needing to win both of the remaining games, it was Alker captain Ewan Donegan who claimed the ‘w’ with a 3-0 win over JonJo Devon to seal the bonus points for his team, Ewan also claiming a 180 and an 18 darter in that one. At 3-2 on the night (effectively 4- 2 due to Broadheath being a man down), Baz Rowland stepped up to finish the job for the Alker, dispatching Darren Dobbin by 3 legs to nil.
The Cringlewood 3 vs 4 St John’s SC
Both sides were making their second Division 1 appearance of the season, and with St Johns marking this with another 4-3 win, it meant they finished the night as one of only two teams in the league to remain unbeaten. The Cringlewood pushed them close, but in the end fell to a second successive league defeat.
A 3-1 Martin Tyson win got last season’s Division 2 champions underway, but a close fought deciding leg win for John Mulhern over Reece Tyson brought the sides level. The Cringlewood then took the lead at 2-1 following another last leg decider, this time for Rob Lauder against Kaine Goldie in a match which produced a good standard of darts – Rob managing 7 ton plus scores, while Kaine had six ton plusses and a maximum. The sides were soon level again as Lewis Ellis claimed a 3-0 win over Lianne Lauder in game 4, but following a 3-1 win for Hayley Mulhern the Cringlewood were once again back in the lead at 3-2, and only one win away from claiming victory. St Johns were not to be denied though, as Mike Shaw first drew them level at 3-3 with a maximum and a 15 dart leg during his 3-0 win, before Oliver Clark completed the turnaround with a 3-0 win of his own in the last game of the night.
Timperley CC 4 vs 3 The Ammies
And so to the tie of the week, the matchup between the perennial league champions The Ammies, and the team that finished runners-up in the league but also beat the Ammies in the Cup Final last season – Timperley Conservative Club.
Its a relatively new rivalry, as just the season before last Timperley finised 7th, 61 points behind the Ammies, but these days its a different story. Following two big Ammies league wins last season, that ultimately decided the title outcome, Timperley have now recorded back-to-back wins against the Ammies (including that cup final), with this league win leaving them unbeaten and 2 points clear at the top of the table, 9 points ahead of their rivals.
In a high quality game contested between last season’s two best teams, there were plenty of good darts on show from the off, as witnessed in Game 1 when Timperley’s Andy Broadhurst hit 11 ton-plus scores during a 3-2 deciding leg win over Karl Cooper, Coops with a 107 finish amongst 7 ton-plus scores of his own. In game 2 Gary Sullivan doubled the early Timperley lead, with a 127 finish helping him to a comprehensive 3-0 win against Pete Watson. The Champions came roaring back through Kyle Bell who pinned a classy 14 dart leg during a 3-1 win over Ian McCulloch to make it 2-1, and when Ray Dore (17 darter and 124 finish) got the better of Chris Stone in a final leg decider, the teams were level. Next up in game 5 was the sort of head-to-head everyone likes to see, a contest between two of the best players in the league, Callum Loose and Adam Watson. Both players averaged in the mid 70s and both hit a maximum, but in a close fought battle Callum got the win on this occasion, his victory coming by way of a final leg decider which put Timperley back into the lead at 3-2. Another final leg decider was to decide the overall match, and it came in the very next game as Andy Pearson hit a 14 dart leg and a 180 during victory over Scott Livingstone which put the match out of the Ammies reach at 4-2 on the night. With these two sides so evenly matched, every point is likely to mean a great deal this season, and Paul Devine grabbed a consolation point for the Ammies in the final game with a 3-0 win over Andy Brownhill.
The Volunteer 1 vs 6 Wythenshawe CSC
Our final game in this week’s Division 1 review sees Wythenshawe bounce back from a narrow defeat at the Levenshulme with a thumping away win that puts them joint second in the league with the John Alker. The Volunteer on the other hand fall to a second consecutive 6-1 reverse from two games played.
Col Smith put the visitors into an early lead with a typically solid performance in game 1, hitting an 18 darter and a 136 finish during a 3-0 win over Toni Williams, but Gary Williams pulled The Volunteer level with a 3-1 win in game 2, aided by a 112 finish. That was to be it as good as it got for the Volunteer, as Wythenshawe put their foot down to win the remaining five games without reply. Games 3 & 4 saw a pair of 3-0 wins for John Brown and Dave Peploe which made the score 3-1, and the bonus points were sealed when Paul Taylor grabbed another 3-0 win along with an 18 darter and his first maximum of the season. Game six saw a valiant effort from Callum Nolan of the Vol who hit a 17 dart leg in a narrow 3-2 loss against Paul McCreevey, but Paul pinned a 17 darter of his own, a maximum, and finished with a 73.8 average to turn the screw further while putting Wythenshawe 5-1 up. The final game of the night was to also go Wythenshawe’s way, as Martin Power took a 3-0 win over Dan O’Donnell.
Division 2
Ashton-on-Mersey continue to set the pace in Division 2 after another commanding 6-1 victory sees the unbeaten division leaders stretch their lead to four points. Urmstons’s big win against the Malt Shovels moves them into second, level on points with Trafford SC but with more games won in their fixtures, while Trafford’s close win against the Carters sees them sit in third, the only side other than Ashton to remain unbeaten in the league.
LMRCA 1 vs 6 Ashton-on-Mersey CC
Ashton maintained their 100% record in division two with a second 6-1 win in as many games, this one against LMRCA who are still looking for their first win of the season in any competition. Three of the six losses on the night for LMRCA were by 3 legs to 2, so they can perhaps feel a little hard done by, and have something to build on in the coming weeks.
The first two games of the night were shared, as Ashton’s Stephen Orton won a fifth leg decider to put the visitors into the lead, but Derek Ostick’s 3-1 win in the second game brought the teams level at 1-1. Next came a couple of those final leg deciders, as Ashton newcomer Will Radcliffe first put his side back into the lead after edging out Dave Brooks, while Mark Robinson pipped Ron Cooke in game 4 to put Ashton 3-1 up. A comfortable 3-0 win for Mike Buckey in game 5 secured the points for Ashton, and their lead was stretched further after a 3-1 win and a 180 for James Compton made it 5-1 on the night. The last game of the evening was to pile more misery on the home side, as Chris Chapman dispatched Tony Spilsbury by 3 legs to nil to ensure the visitors left with a resounding 6-1 win.
The Carters Arms 3 vs 4 Trafford SC
Trafford appear to be saving energies for later in the season as this 4-3 win followed the same format as their last – sprint into a 4-0 lead then foot off the gas and lose the remaining games. Regardless, the win sees them remain unbeaten in third, and level on points with second placed Urmston. Despite not winning a match yet, The Carters have won enough games during their fixtures so far to sit above the bottom two in the table, with two of their losses now coming by way of close 4-3 defeats.
Andrew Wood got Trafford underway with a 3-1 win in the first, before a typically solid 3-0 win from Kyle Wands put the visitors 2-0 up. Another 3-0, this time from McKenzie Evans made it three overall for Trafford, and after Liam Galvin sealed a 3-1 win in the fourth game, the match was won. With the game lost and no points gained for the team so far, the best the Carters could hope for was to pinch a couple of the three points available from the remaining games. Carters grabbed their first point of the night via a 3-1 Gavin Halton win in the fifth, a second after a 3-0 Ryan Pollit win in the sixth, and the salvage operation was complete, with three points earned in total after John Thierens beat Alex Buckley by 3 legs to 1 in the final game of the evening.
The Melville 3 vs 4 The Roebuck
These two sides were operating in totally different environments last season, with a new-to-the-league (at the time) Melville in Division 3, wheras The Roebuck were testing themselves in Division 1. After respective promotion and relegation from those divisions, they met here for the first time at The Melville, and despite a narrow loss for the home team, they showed enough to be confident of being competitive in Division 2 this season. The Roebuck’s win saw them back to winning ways after a heavy defeat last time out, and the result leave both teams in joint fifth with an identical record so far this season.
The Melville took an early lead as Paul Sambrook came from a leg down to get the better of Ste Reddy by 3 legs to 1, but the sides were soon level after Mark Garnett hit a 19 darter during a comfortable 3-0 win over an out-of-sorts Jon Powell. Steve Preston put the Roebuck 2-1 up after a 3-0 win of his own in game 3, but Melville debutant Gary Brisco restored parity after four games with a 3-1 win for his new side. Rick Kiel put the Bucks back in front with a 3-0 win in game five, and after Hayden Reddy won a deciding leg in this sixth game, the bonus points were in the bag for the Bucks. The final game went by way of consolation to the home team, as a sparkling Owen Powell performance saw him hit 5 ton plus scores, only just miss a158 kill after a wired double, and finish up with a 68 average during a 3-0 defeat of Chris Reddy.
The Royal Oak A 5 vs 2 St Anthony’s
This fixture saw the Oak bounce back to winning ways after a 4-3 loss to Trafford last time out, while St Anthony’s have now had a 5-2 result in all four fixtures played in all competitions this season so far (2 in their favour, two against).
The Royal Oak A took an early lead after a 3-1 win for Steve Lee, but St Anthonys were soon level with an 18 darter and 66.3 average helping Shaun Gill to a 3-0 win over Shaz Kirby in game 2. Ryan Crook put the Oak in front with a 3-1 win in game 3, a lead which was further increased with a 3-0 win for Tony Kirby in game 4. At 3-1 up, the Oak were on the brink of victory and following a 3-0 win from flawless Steve Lawless the points were secured. Carl Paton did pull one back for the Saints in the sixth game, with a 3-0 defeat of Pete Perry, however in a mini family feud, Pete’s son Jordan got the better of Ian Paton by the same scoreline to give a final result of Royal Oak 5 St Anthony’s 2.
Urmston SC 6 vs 1 The Malt Shovels
Urmston’s second 6-1 win on the trot moves them into second place in the league, While the Malt Shovels are still looking for that elusive first win.
Captain Michelle Fitton put her side into the lead with a 3-2 win against James Golds, and after a 3-1 win for Luke Lonergan, a 3-0 Jacaub Worrall victory, and a 3-0 James Heslop win over Tay Benjamin, the win was assured. The Malts pulled one back in what looks like a great game five when Dean Power hit 5 ton plus scores and a 180 during a 3-1 defeat of Harry Fitton who managed 6 ton plusses of his own and a 21 dart leg. In game six the players in attendance were treated to a rare but always massively welcome appearance from legendary darts icon Darryl Fitton who was available to play his first game of the season for Urmston, and a 180 and a 3-0 win later the overall score was 5-1. Gaz Lane then wrapped up proceedings by making it 6-1 with a 3-1 win against James Roberts in the evenings final game.
Division 3
Stretfordians make it two wins on the bounce, while BHC Aces and Excelsior WMC continue their undefeated starts to the season to occupy the top two positions in the league.
Bulls Head 3 vs 4 The Royal Oak B
The Royal Oak B had suffered a torrid start to life in the league with a pair of 6-1 defeats, however it was third time lucky for the Chorlton side as they visited The Bulls Head of Hale Barns and came away with a 4-3 win to kickstart their season. The Bulls showed strength in defeat to come back from 4-1 down to win the remaining games, so they too will hope to move on from what was a second defeat in as many matches.
Rob Whiteside got the visitors underway with a 2-0 win in the opening game, but the ever reliable Bo Bowman of the Bulls Head claimed a deciding leg victory against Jadon Strong to level the match. The Oak B then slipped into a gear that they havent show until now, with 2-0 wins for Andrew Mossop and Tommy Mitchell making it 3-1, before Pete DeCordova got the better of Alex Rydstrom in a deciding leg to ensure the Oak were going to get their first win as a team together. From there, they were unable to build on their 4-1 lead, as Chris Cordingly and Iain Fish of the Bulls Head both won final leg deciders to add a touch more respectability to the final score at 4-3.
Excelsior WMC 5 vs 2 The Bent Brook
The Excel made it 3 from 3 with another good win and remain one of only two teams still unbeaten in Division 3 this season. The Bent Brook fell to their second defeat on the trot, and were once again only able to field six players during the match.
The match may have been a little tighter than the scoreline suggests as the first four games were shared alternately, and all went to deciding legs. Mark Ulyatt gave the Brook an early lead, before Jimmy Nolan pulled the Excel level. Rob Moore got the better of Connor McCorkell in game three to restore the Brooks lead, but after a Hannah Tague win in the fourth the sides were all square once again. With the score at 2-2 and with only two more games to play, Andy Cheetham effectively sealed the win for the Excel with a 2-0 win in the fifth, before Peter Sage made sure of it with a 2-0 win of his own in the last game to make it 4-2 on the night and 5-2 including the walkover.
Stretfordians 5 vs 2 The Levenshulme B
Stretfordians went two seasons without a single win, and have now picked up two in as many weeks after this defeat of newcomers the Levenshulme B.
In what looks a tight tussle of a match, all of the first five games went down to a deciding leg, and although these five games were bookended with wins for Levenshulme B’s Keiran Chapman (game 1) and George Moss (game 5), the other three went the way of the Stretfordians, as Captain Lindsay Rice took game 2, Sacha Kavanagh won game 3, and Toni Entwistle secured a game 4 win that sees her remain unbeaten in the league this season. With two games to go, Stretfordians were 3-2 up, and following 2-0 wins for Georgio Corbett and Adam Jackson that became 5-2 and ensured back to back wins for the Stretfordians, which moves them into joint fourth place in the division alongside their beaten opponents.
The Nelson (Didsbury) 4 vs 3 The Old Market Tavern
The Nelson made it two wins in succession following that early season 6-1 defeat against The Bulls Head, and now find themselves in joint fourth place in the league alongside Stretfordians and Levenshulme B, all teams with identical records. The Old Market Tavern fell to a third defeat of the season, and were only able to bring six players which ultimately cost them in this match up.
Richard and Howard Haycocks both claimed 2-1 wins in the first two games of the night to put the OMT into an early 2-0 lead, but the Nelson fought back strongly, and following a 2-1 Dave Harris win and 2-0 wins for Saj Shariff and Graham Beech, they were soon leading by 3 games to 2. The sixth and final game of the night went the way of the visitors as Steven Foster made it 3-3 – however due to being a man short, the OMT had to concede the other game leaving The Nelson as 4-3 victors.
The Vine Inn 4 vs 3 The Buck Inn-eers
In a battle of the newcomers it was the Vine who came out on top after a close fought back and forth game with the Bucks.
Wayne Hough gave the Vine an early lead with a 2-1 win in game 1, but Rick Hindle cancelled that out after winning game 2 by 2 legs to nil. The Vine went back in front for the second time when Charlie Sanders claimed a 2-0 win in game 3, but once again the Buck Inn-eers pulled it back when debutant Adrian Suchon took game 4, again by 2 legs to nil. Stuart Tate was next to put the Vine in front again with a 2-0 win in game 5, but Declan Law pulled the Buck Inn level for the third time in the match after winning a 3rd leg decider with Billy Sanders. With everything riding on the final game, The Vine’s Adi McCarroll and Buck Inn-eer James Bloomfield went head to head in a winner take all face off. Rather fittingly given the closeness of the game so far, they shared the opening two legs, but it was Adi who won the third to give his side a second successive victory.
The Jolly Butcher 2 vs 5 Broadheath Central Aces
League leaders BHC Aces secured another win to cement their early place atop the Division 3 table, while two points earned became one for the Jolly Butcher after I unfortunately had to dock them a point as the match stats werent posted to FaceBook in time. Looking at you Chris McGrory 🙂
Geoff Talbot put the visiting Aces one up following a typically assured 2-0 win against Michael Wessemeyer which featured an 18 dart leg, but Mike Swindells pulled the home side level with a 2-1 win in game 2. Broadheath then won the next three games 2-0 through Dave Wood, Joe Hughes and Darren Wood to end it as a contest at 4-1, but there was still a consolation point to be had (or not as it happens eh Chris) as Gary Hudson claimed the notable scalp of the Ninja Nigel Beeton. The final game of the night was to once again go the way of the visiting Broadheath Aces, as Bob Hilton claimed a 2-0 win over Liz Sweeney.
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