Division 1
A full house of Away victories in Division 1 this week gives us a round 11 home wins and 11 away wins from 22 games played in Division 1 this season.
Wythenshawe CSC 3 vs 4 Timperley CC
Wythenshawe fall to a second defeat of the season and drop to third in the table on game difference, but still get three points in consolation to keep them level on points with second, and only four points behind the Ammies, although the champions have two games in hand.
Game one saw Andy Pearson for the visitors take on Wythenshawe’s Becky Knott. Andy has been on good form of late and got his first 180 of the season in this match, but despite this, it took a deciding leg win for him to put Timperley into a one nil lead. Andy Brownhill then doubled the lead with a 3-0 defeat of Martin Power, before Wythenshawe captain Dave Peploe edged a last leg decider in his game with Ian McCulloch to get his side underway and pull it back to 2-1.
Next up in game four, Paul McCreevey took on Gary Sullivan, and it was Sully who got the win in this clash of the division 1 titans, grabbing his first 180 of the season and edging a fifth leg decider.
At 3-1 down, it was Kian Sherlock up next for Wythenshawe, and it wouldn’t have taken Britain’s greatest detective to work out that were he given a choice of opponent, he’d have deduced that Callum Loose probably wasn’t the best option. Alas that’s how it worked out, and a 3-0 win for Callum sealed the win for Timperley after only five games. Wythenshawe are not at the top end of the table by mistake though, and wins in the final two games gave them 3 points on the night, with Mandy Smith hitting a maximum in a 3-2 win over Chris Stone, and Adam White beating Kev Kelly by three legs to one.
The Victoria 2 vs 5 The Nelson
The Vic lose for the third time in four fixtures this season and drop to joint 7th in the table, while a seven point haul for the Nelson puts them level on points with Wythenshawe CSC and with a +4 advantage in game difference, the Nelson take second place outright.
Dylan Wimbury set the tone for his side in game one, with a tremendous 80.52 average in a comprehensive 3-0 win over the Vic’s Lewis Holley. In game 2, Nelsons Mick Cooney took on Sean Edwards in a game in which Sean’s scoring was off the charts – with 12 ton plus scores and a maximum 180. And of those 12 ton plus scores, over half of them started with two treble 20s. However as Mick reminded us after the game, Bobby George once said “scores for show, doubles for dough” – and despite there being no “dough” riding on this one, double trouble for Sean in several legs left a sour taste as Mick showed clinical accuracy on his doubles and took a 3-2 win to extend the Nelsons lead.
Andrew Day made it three nil, with a 3-0 win over Joe O’Shea, but Dave Stanley managed to put a temporary halt to the Nelsons march with a 3-0 win of his own over Tony Green. Pete Evans got the bonus points for the Nelson in game five after a 3-1 win over Matt Jepson, before Matt’s dad Terry won by the same score line to make it 4-2 overall. The final game of the night was Vic Captain Connor Wigley taking on Mick Young, and there was to be no consolation point for the Vic as Mick ended up a comfortable 3-0 winner.
Cringlewood A 2 vs 5 John Alker
Visitors The John Alker Club got their first win of the season at the fourth time of asking, and in doing so moved off the foot of the table to join The Victoria in joint 7th position, following a 5-2 win at the Cringlewood who now sit in fourth place.
Rob Lauder got the Cringlewood off to a good start with a 3-1 win over Chris Wormald, a game which included 180s for both players, Rob’s second of the season and Chris’ third, putting Chris joint top of the 180 merits for Division 1.
The Alker responded strongly to going a game down, sweeping through the next four games on the trot to seal the bonus points. Gary Thompson won 3-0, John Greaves and Mike Nolan both won 3-1, and another 3-1 from Ewan Donegan secured the two points for the match win. The Cringlewood grabbed another win and point when Alex Martin won game 6 by three legs to nil against Andy Docker, but the Alker ensured a 7 point haul for a 5-2 win with a final game victory for Baz Rowland over Mike Morrison. This result saw Baz continue his unbeaten record in the league whilst inflicting a first defeat of the season on Mike.
The Roebuck 2 vs 5 Broadheath Central
In this game between the two promoted teams, it was the Division 2 Champions Broadheath who grabbed the victory over their summer league rivals The Roebuck. A third defeat on the bounce sees The Roebuck drop to the bottom of the league, while Broadheath’s seven points gained sees them move up into sixth.
Despite the eventual outcome, The Roebuck got off to a good start by winning each of the first two games of the match by three legs to two courtesy of Mark Garnett and Rick Kiel. Unfortunately for them, they were to be the only winners for the Buck’s on the night as Broadheath moved through the gears to win all of the remaining games. Game 3 looks like it was a good match up between Roebuck skipper Chris Haycock and Leyton Jackson, with Chris getting 9 tons to Leytons 6 – but it was Leyton who continued his own solid start to the league with another win, secured in the deciding leg.
Andy McCormack levelled the score overall after a 3-0 win in game four against Chris Merriman, and Lee Marsh put Broadheath ahead for the first time with a 3-1 win against Ste Preston in game five. In a must win game for the Roebuck, Ste Reddy was unable to level up as Chris Woodhouse secured a 3-0 win to take the win overall for Broadheath. In the final game, Broadheath captain JonJo Devon took a deciding leg victory against Chris Reddy to seal a comprehensive 5-2 win for his side.
Division 2
Three games in Division 2 this week due to the postponement of the match between the Volunteer and Urmston SC. Trafford Social had the scheduled bye, and will next be in action in the league on the 14th December against division leaders LMRCA. In the games that went ahead, Ashton-on-Mersey were involved in a sixth consecutive 4-3 score line, as they overcame the previously unbeaten Silver Birch, LMRCA extended their lead at the top to five points, Royal Oak were back with a win, and Carter Arms and St Antony’s are both still chasing a first win of the season.
St Antony’s 2 vs 5 The Royal Oak
The Royal Oak were back in action following a bye last week, and back to winning ways with a 5-2 win over hosts St Antony’s who are still without a win this season.
The Saints have had a tough time of it in the league so far and this match was no different as they found themselves five down after as many games. A Paton lead fight back in the final two games made sure that there were at least a couple of points in consolation.
Pete Perry got the Oak underway with a 3-1 win over Alan Farrar. Lee Medd made it two, against Carl Paton who has has a solid season personally so far, but Lee is in full Rocky-style winter training for Christmas deliveries – and this gave him a little extra gas to hit 7 ton plus scores and take a deciding leg victory.
Next up for the Oak were a pair of Jordan’s – not the Nike variety, nor the pair offered on page 3 in the nineties and naughties – instead, it was Jordan Kirby who made it three for the Oak with a 3-1 win over Gary Molloy, before Jordan Perry secured the team win while smashing 10 ton plus scores in a 3-2 win over Dom Batty.
In game five Shaun Gill would have hoped to maintain his unbeaten league record and get his side underway, but it wasn’t to be as the Oaks Tony Kirby ran out a 3-1 winner to turn the screw further and make 5-0. Despite being down heavily on the night, the Saints rallied in the final two games, with 3-1 wins for Mark and Ian Paton securing two valuable points against Pete Decordova and Sharon Kirby.
Carters Arms 3 vs 4 LMRCA
This bottom vs top of the table clash was a lot closer than some might have expected, however it ended up being a close 4-3 win for LMRCA who remain top of Division 2 by five points, while Carters remain bottom, a point behind St Antony’s although they have a game in hand.
Derek Ostick took a deciding leg win against Bob Mitchell to get the Division 2 leaders LMRCA underway, but James Flynn quickly made it 1-1 with a 3-0 win over Dave Brooks. Game 3 saw Tony Spilsbury continue his impressive form this season with a 180 in a 3-0 win to put LMRCA back in the lead, but John Thierens (and we must be sure to spell his name right to avoid flames on Facebook) of the Carters edged out Alan Gleave by 3 legs to 2 to level the match up at 2-2. LMRCA pulled away at this stage however, with 3-0 wins for Ron Cooke and Tony Feesey sealing the overall match, but Gavin Halton was able to grab a 3-0 win of his own to seal another point for the Carters in the final game.
Ashton-on-Mersey CC 4 vs 3 The Silver Birch
Ashton-on-Mersey became the first team to beat the Silver Birch in Division 2 this season, triumphing 4-3 in a close fought game which moves them into third place just below their opponents, and right into the promotion mix. Both teams have a game in hand on first place LMRCA, with The Birch five points, and Ashton now eight points off the lead.
In winning this game, Ashton have now had six consecutive 4-3 results in the league, all won save for the game with leaders LMRCA, while a third 4-3 on the trot for The Birch resulted in their first defeat.
Andy Mathias and George Hardman put the Cricket Club into a strong early lead with 3-1 and 3-0 wins respectively over Rob Moss and Alan Dawson. James Compton hit some good form against James Hawksey in game 3, with six ton plus scores and a 16 dart leg the highlights for ‘Compo’ – who’s nickname would probably make him sound like a Brazilian footballer, if it wasn’t for Last of the Summer Wine – (one for the older reader again I expect!).
The Birch, unaccustomed to being 3-0 down in the league this year, launched a fightback via a 3-1 win for Andrew Skinner against Chris Chapman in game 4, and a 3-0 win for the ever reliable Kraig Loose who maintained his 100% record against Harry Guthrie in game five. Game six brought Mike Buckley and Lee Davies to the oche, and while the pressure of a potential comeback from the Birch was high, Mike refused to buckle, hitting a 180 en route to a 3-0 win and a pair of bonus points for his side. At 4-2, Ashton’s Mark Robinson must have been acutely aware of team orders to ensure above all that every game finishes with a 4-3 scoreline, and he obligingly took one for the team in a three knockdowns to nil defeat to Martin Tyson.
Division 3
Three games in Division 3 this week saw The Melville and Malt Shovels secure statement 6-1 wins to cement first and second place respectively in the table.
Although they beat the Melville 4-3 in the opening week of the season, and with both teams sitting on 42 points after six games, The Malt Shovels find themselves in second place to The Melville’s superior game difference in all matches played (+22 for the Melville, +18 for The Malt Shovels).
Excelsior WMC 1 vs 6 Malt Shovels
The Malt Shovels remain the only unbeaten team in Division 3, and got themselves a big 6-1 win against Sale Excel.
The Shovels can consider themselves unlucky to occupy 2nd place in the league after this game which saw their sixth win in as many games this season – including a win in week one over the team occupying top spot. The top two are separated only by game difference, due to the bigger margins of victory achieved by the Melville in recent weeks which has seen them accrue four more points. (remember, its a league point for every game won by a player in each match, plus two bonus points for the winning team).
Peter Sage had got the Excel off to a good start, winning his game with Phil Wright by two legs to nil, but that was to be it in terms of wins and points for the Excel as The Malt Shovels moved through the gears to win all the remaining games.
Geoff Talbot made it 1-1 with a 2-0 win over Danny Chua, Geoff continuing a sterling season so far on a personal level with his second 180 of the season and a seasons best 17 dart leg helping him remain unbeaten. Rumours of a 15 darter for Geoff against the Bent Brook can unfortunately not be proven as neither side submitted a result sheet for the game in question, so a reminder to all – check your stats and submit them on time.
Rhyen Chay-O’Neill beat Hannah Tague in a deciding leg in game 3 to nudge the Shovels ahead, before James Roberts made it 3-1 overall, handing Excels Warren McCoubrey a 2-0 defeat and extending his own fine run of form to remain unbeaten, also with only one leg lost all season.
Rob Clark hit a 180 while winning game five 2-0 against Brendan O’Shea, and this was followed by a couple more 2-0 wins for the Shovels to turn the screw further on the Excel. James Golds won game 6, and is now a perfect 5 from 5 with only 1 leg lost in the league (another one), and has a cup defeat against League Champions the Ammie’s as his only blip so far, while Dave Hindmarch put the finishing touches on a big win in game 7 with victory over Andy Cheetham.
The Melville 6 vs 1 Bulls Head
The Melville have taken full advantage of some big wins recently in moving to the top of Division 3, and more of the same this week kept them top as they matched the Malt Shovels by winning their game 6-1.
The Melville have emerged as the front runners to challenge the unbeaten Malt Shovels and sit above them courtesy of some big recent wins, while The Bulls Head have had a strong season of their own so far, in losing only to the Malt Shovels prior to this heavy defeat at the hands of the Melville.
Sam Macintosh got the Melville underway with a deciding leg win against Alex Rydstrom, Owen Powell picked up a 2-0 win over Chris Cordingley to double the lead, and Cam McFarlane made it three when winning the decider against Steve Hazelhurst.
Jon Powell wrapped it up for The Melville with a 2-0 win over Adrian Stock, meaning both Jon and Owen Powell now have only one defeat each in their 8 games a piece played so far. Paul Sambrook was another 2-0 winner against Harry Simper in game 5, while a first win of the season couldn’t have come at a better time for Jamie Harris of the Bulls Head, as he got a consolation point for his team in a 2-0 game six win over Brad Hodgson. The Melville turned it on again in the last game of the night with Jake Powell hitting a 19 darter during a 2-0 win against Ian Fish.
The Bent Brook 4 vs 3 The Old Market Tavern
The Bent Brook find themselves in fourth after edging a 4-3 win over the Old Market Tavern, who remain in seventh place in the table.
A solid start to the match for the Brook saw Alex Moreton run out a 2-0 winner against Ethan Birchall in Ethan’s first game of the season, while Craig McManus doubled the lead when winning by the same score line against Cath Haycocks. Emily Hayock’s got her team on the board when beating Anthony Coleman by two legs to nil, and Steven Foster levelled in up in a deciding leg win against Ken Turnock. Connor O’Toole edged the Brook back ahead, with victory over Angela Haycocks in another game that went to all three legs, but Richard Haycocks made it a personal six from six in all competitions for the loss of only one leg, as he beat Ollie Howard 2-0 to make it 3-3 going into the final game. In the match decider, one time PDC UK Open qualifier Gaz O’Donnell of the Brook, took on Sally Corfield, and while Gigglin’ Gaz has had an extended break from darts and is yet to hit his previous performance levels this season, he had plenty in the tank to get a 2-0 win and ensure his team got the victory which moved them into fourth.
Sincere apologies for the late report for Week 6 – I’m going to be jumping straight onto the Cup summary next so hopefully will be back up to date before the next round of league fixtures.
I just want to take this opportunity to thank Chilli again for his amazing work for the league over the years, and a reminder to all that this site is now the official record of stats and tables for the Winter 2023/24 season. I really need you guys to point out anything you think is wrong – not so much for averages and tons but absolutely for 180’s, High Finishes, Least Darts and player wins. Also be sure to check the tables and match result pages for your teams and let me know as soon as you can if something doesn’t look right.
If anyone has any corrections, wants to clarify anything, or if you just want to open up a discussion about any game or player performance – why not register with the site and add a comment below!