Division 1
Wythenshawe CSC had a week off with a bye, while league leaders The Ammies were back in league action with a win over rivals The Nelson. Timperley get a big win over The Cringlewood A, The Victoria get back to winning ways against Broadheath Central and The Roebuck come close but ultimately suffer defeat after losing in the deciding game against the John Alker.
The Nelson 2 vs 5 Ammies Darts
Week 7 saw leaders the Ammies back in league action for the first time since mid-November, as they completed the last of four consecutive away fixtures with a visit to Didsbury’s second placed Nelson.
Scott Livingstone vs Dylan Wimbury got us underway, in a game which went to all five legs, and while Scott got his first league 180 of the season and second in all competitions, it was the Nelson man who came out on top in the decider, to put his team into an early lead. Adam Watson took on Andrew Day in game 2 looking to even it up for the Ammies, and although he hit two 180s and a 16 darter, it still took Adam the full five legs to win it, drawing his side level in the process.
In game 3, Tony Green of the Nelson hit the fourth maximum of the match, but was unable to get the better of Don Cooper who, in his first league game of the season hit an 18 darter, six ton plus scores, and a 108 finish during a 3-1 win which put the Ammies into the lead at 2-1. Mick Cooney made it all square again when he got the better of Chris McKenzie in game 4, in the third game of the night so far which went to 3-2.
From there on in it was all Ammies. Games 5 and 6 saw the biblical combination of Peter and Paul finish the contest in favour of the leaders, as Pete Watson took a 3-1 win over Mick Young, before 7 ton plus scores and a 111 finish from Paul Devine were needed to sneak past Joe Kelly by 3 legs to 2.
The final game of the night was the fifth 3-2 scoreline of the evening, and the third to be won by the Ammies – indicating that in reality this match could have had a very different outcome if things had gone a little differently. However things didnt go differently and Ray Dore secured a 5-2 scoreline with a win over Pete Evans, hitting a 130 finish along the way and making it 8 from 8 in all competitions this season for him, and a perfect 5 from 5 for the Ammies in the league.
Timperley CC 6 vs 1 Cringlewood A
Our next game saw Timperely CC turn on the style for their biggest win so far, recording a sixth consecutive win in all competitions. The Cringlewood, went into this game with three wins and as many losses from six league games played – but when they lose they dont do it by halves – this match was to be their fourth defeat with three of those by six games to one.
Game 1 saw Cringlewoods form player Mike Morrison take on Andy Brownhill. Mike suffered his first league defeat of the season in the recent game with the John Alker, but it was to be two defeats in succession as Andy ran out a 3-1 victor to set Timperley on their way.
From there it was plain sailing for Timperley as three consecutive 3-0 wins sealed the bonus points after only four games played. Kev Kelly won game two with a 180 and a 109 finish against John Mulhern, Callum Loose was at his destructive best in game 3 with a 180, seven ton plus scores, a thirteen darter, finishing up with a superb 92.02 average while Chris Stone sealed the win with a 180 of his own, an 18 darter and 73.92 average.
Game 5 was a little closer at 3-2 but was another Timperley win, with newcomer Andy Broadhurst beating Rob Lauder in his second win in as many games since joining, hitting seven tons and an 18 darter in the process. Next up, it was 6-0, as Gary Sullivan took a 3-0 win over John Hutchinson, but any thoughts of a whitewash were averted in game 7 as Cringlewoods Ray Levesconte grabbed a 3-0 win and a bonus point with a consolation victory over Paul Wadsworth.
Broadheath Central 3 vs 4 The Victoria
The Vic celebrated their second win of the season with victory at Broadheath Central, leaving both teams on 22 points (along with the John Alker), five clear of bottom placed Roebuck, but The Vic and Alker sit in joint sixth with a superior +1 game difference compared to Broadheath’s -5.
In game 1, home captain JonJo Devon lost 3-1 to Matt Jepson, but Leyton Jackson evened it up with a tight 3-2 win over Vic landlord Paul Mitchell. Rumours that Mitchell subsequently telephoned some East-end cousins from another Queen Vic to ensure this doesnt happen again, are yet to be confirmed.
Next up for the Vic, a pair of birthday boys – first Terry Jepson had a comfortable 3-1 win over Shane Crellin, before I lost a deciding leg in an entertaining (if i do say so myself) game against Chris Woodhouse. I’ve not been on top form at the start of this season, however felt I played pretty well here, 69 ish average with winning legs of 16 and 17 darts, but I ultimately came up short as Chris played great throughout while finishing really well, and he deservedly won the fifth leg to draw both teams level overall.
Next up, Broadheaths Lee Marsh faced Sean Edwards, who put the Vic back in front once again with a steady 3-0 win which included a 19 darter. In a back and forth match, we were once again all square after gamr six, as Broadheaths Andy McCormack managed to grind out a 3-2 win after being 2-0 down to Vic newcomer Jack Jarvis. Jack can keep his head up with his performance – he managed 7 ton plus scores in his first competitive darts match and had chances to finish it off – theres more to come from him no doubt.
So it all came down to a final game, which was contested between Vic veteran Dave “The Knife” Stanley and Broadheath’s Darren Wood. Dave was in no mood to let this game slip, and hit a 180 and 109 finish during a 3-0 win which secured a 4-3 match result and two bonus points into the bargain.
The John Alker 4 vs 3 The Roebuck
In a close game at the Alker Club, the home side made it two wins on the trot, while its now five defeats in a row in all competitions for The Roebuck.
The Roebuck got of to a fantastic start with a 3-1 win for captain Chris Haycock over Mike Nolan, before Diane Kindred took a close 3-2 win against Gary Thompson to double her sides lead. This spurred the Alker into action, and their reply started first through via Baz Rowland’s seventh win from seven this season as he beat Ste Reddy 3-1 in game three, before a 3-0 win for Gaz Brickhill over Mark Garnett made it all square at two each.
Chris Reddy put the Bucks back in the lead again, and one away from victory with a 3-0 win against Mike Westlake in game five, but The Alker came from behind again though captain Chris Wormald, who hit a 116 finish while winning game six against Chris Merriman. In a final game decider, Ewan Donegan faced the Roebucks Andrew Kindred, and it was heartache for the Bucks as Ewan pulled off a 3-0 win featuring a magnificent 150 checkout to seal the match and the points.
Division 2
LMRCA continue to set the pace in Division Two, and with Silver Birch back to winning ways with a thuming win over Urmston CC, the top two are starting to pull away from the pack. Royal Oak hand Ashton-on-Mersey their second defeat of the season, The Volunteer pile further pressure on winless Carters Arms while St Antony’s had this weeks bye.
LMRCA 6 vs 1 Trafford SC
LMRCA started the season with 5-2 defeats in the Cup and League, however have subsequently won every game since to sit proudly at the top of Division 2. Trafford recently suffered a KO Shield defeat, but prior to this game had won their last two league matches, however this match saw that run come to an end as the Division leaders ran out comfortable 6-1 winners.
A 3-1 win for Ron Cooke against Kyle Wands got LMRCA underway, but Andrew Wood got the better of Tony Feesey by the same scoreline to draw Trafford level after two games.
Dave Brooks edged out Jake Neersoo 3-2 in game 3 to put LMRCA back ahead, and from there it was one way traffic with 3-0 wins for Ryan Woods and Alan Gleave against Gaz Collins and Mark Leather in games four and five, a 3-1 win and 180 for Derek Ostick against Rory Sullivan in game six, and there was room for one more 3-0 in the final game of the match as Tony Spilsbury beat Andrew Davies.
Royal Oak A 5 vs 2 Ashton-on-Mersey CC
The Royal Oak were finally back at home following five consecutive away games dating back to October 25th, and they brought it home in style with a good win over Ashton-on-Mersey, which resulted in both teams swapping places – the Oak into third, and Ashton down to fourth.
In game one Alex Williams made his debut for the Oak taking on Andy Mathias, and it was a solid debut which resulted in a point for his team following a 3-1 win. Jordan Perry followed for the home side, and continued his undefeated run in the league with a 3-0 win over James Compton. Sharon Kirby was up next against Mark Robinson, and soon made it 3-0 to to the Oak after a 3-1 win.
In game four, Ashton finally got on the scoreboard when Mike Buckley had a good win against one of the Oaks form players Tony Kirby, though it needed a final leg decider to seal it. Game five saw Pete DeCordova get another point with a 3-2 win over George Hardman – also gaining his side the bonus points for the overall win with the score now at 4-1. Another Oak 3-2 win in game six stretched this to 5-1 as Pete Perry extended his winning run in the league to four games, but there was consolation in game seven for Ashton when Chris Chapman ended Lee Medd’s unbeaten league record with a 3-2 win to leave a final score of 5-2 to the Oak.
The Volunteer 5 vs 2 Carters Arms
The Volunteer returned to action following a postponement of their previous game, with a tidy 5-2 win against eighth placed Carters Arms which moved the Vol up one place from sixth to fifth in the table.
Callum Nolan continues to show little rust since recently returning after a break from league darts and grabbed a second win in as many games when beating Craig White by 3 legs to 0. John Thierens pulled the Carter level when he beat Geoff Sanders 3-1 in game 2, but Billy Sanders avenged that loss and put the Vol back in the lead after a 3-1 win over Gavin Halton. The Carters were again level after four games of what was proving a back and forth contest, with Terry Caine getting the better of Pete Williams in a fifth leg shootout.
That was to remain the closest point in the game however, as three consecutive 3-0 wins were recorded by the remaining Volunteer players – first Danny O’Donnell over Bob Mitchell, then Will Radcliffe against Dave Sills, and in game seven it was the turn of Gary Williams who was aided by his first 180 of the season.
The Silver Birch 7 vs 0 Urmston CC
In this first Division 2 meeting between the two promoted sides from the Summer league, second placed The Silver Birch recorded their biggest win of the season with a shut-out 7-0 win over Urmston SC which reduced the gap to top of the table LMRCA to four points, while the Birch have a game in hand and superior game difference.
Debutant Mike Shaw got the Birch off to a flier with a comfortable 3-0 win over Mike King in game one. Game Two saw a contest between two of the form players in the division – Kraig Loose of the Birch and Steve Lye of Urmston, and it was Kraig who got the better of this one with a 3-1 win that takes him to 8 wins from 8 games played this season, and inflicted a first loss on Steve.
Another player having a good season for the Birch, Lee Davies, was up next against Michelle Fitton in game 3, and he was another 3-1 winner with a 180 to boot. Martin Tyson was next up, and sealed the win for the Birch with 5 tons in a 3-0 win against Dylan Bell, before Diane Davies turned the screw further making it 5 when she beat Jim Higginson by 3 legs to 1. It was made six when Andrew Skinner beat Dave Tong, and the rout was complete following another 3-0 win for Lee Hicks over Lee Capper.
Although a tough result for Urmston, they remain in seventh place, with both teams below them still looking for their first wins of the season.
Division 3
The Malt Shovels and Melville continue to set the pace in Division 3, each with 6-1 wins against The Old Market Tavern and The Bent Brook this week which leave them tied on 50 points each, but now fifteen points clear of third placed Bulls Head The four points extra in game difference continues to keep The Melville top of the Division. Meanwhile, The Bulls Head get back on track with a win over bottom placed Stretfordians, and the Excelsior are brought back down to earth after last weeks fine cup result with a heavy defeat at Wythenshawe CSC.
The Malt Shovels 6 vs 1 Old Market Tavern
Malt Shovels retained their unbeaten Division 3 record, after a fine 6-1 win at home against Old Market Tavern who remain seventh in the table, and the Malts have now beaten every team in Division 3 at the half way point in the season.
All games in this one finished 2-0 one way or another, but unfortunately for the Old Market Tavern, six of them were for the home side. In game 1 Rhyen Chay-O’Neill got the win against Emily Hancocks, while SimonMcBride got his third win from as many games this season when beating Sally Corfield in game 2.
James Roberts added another 4 ton plus scores to his total in game 3 against Amanda Haycocks, and is now 6 wins from 7 games played this season. Game 4 saw Richard Haycocks get the Tavern on the board with his sides only point of the night when beating Phil Wright, a result which saw Richard continue to lead the way for his team this season with seven wins from as many games for the loss of only a single leg.
James Golds then sealed it for the Malts, hitting another 4 tons in his win against Lee Knowles to make it 15 this season, and the 6-1 scoreline was completed in favour of the Malts with wins for Dave Hindmarch and Geoff Talbot over Steven Foster and Angela Haycocks.
Stretfordians 2 vs 5 Bulls Head
Stretfordians sit nine points adrift at the bottom of Division 3, but have shown signs of progress recently with a decent performance in a KO Shield loss to Division 2 opponents St Antonys, while Bulls Head will be pleased to get a win under their belts after chastening league defeats to the (currently) top two sides in Division 3, and the second placed side in Division 1 in the recent KO Shield match.
Bulls Head fell behind after the first game when Toni Nickson beat Chris Barber by two legs to nil, but were soon level as Chris Cordingley beat Ellis Harkin by the same scoreline. When Steve Hazelhurst won game three by the same score again against Helen Mapp to put the Bulls back in the lead, it appeared that normal service was to resume, however Stretfordians captain Lindsey Rice edged out Gareth Shaw by two legs to one to restore parity after four games.
Harry Simper put the Bulls ahead once more with a 2-0 win over Michele Butt, and Alex Rydstrom won a deciding leg against Colton Burke, to finally give The Bulls Head their first win since mid-November. Ian Fish, who’s only loss in the league this season came in the previous game with the Melville was back to winning ways with a 2-0 win over Morgan Nickson in the final game.
Wythenshawe FC 6 vs 1 Excelsior WMC
The Excel came into this match fresh off the back of a thumping 5-2 win over Division 2’s Trafford SC, however were brought crashing down to earth following a humbling 6-1 league defeat at Wythenshawe FC. Wythenshawe meanwhile have quietly gone about their business this season, with a mixed bag of results reflected in their three wins and three losses in the league following this game, but they sit in fourth, only six points behind third placed Bulls Head, and with a game in hand which will be played on 10th January against stuggling Stretfordians.
In a game played in full Christmas spirit, the home players got into the spirit of things with an interesting assortment of Christmas costumes including the peculiar sight of a Jurassic Park inspired Chris O’Keefe throwing darts while appearing to ride a raptor.
It may have been the inspiration Wythenshawe needed though, as they galloped through the first four games to seal the match at the earliest opportunity, though with three of these four games going the distance, it could easily have been a different story.
Liz Sweeney and Brian Sproston got two of the 2-1 results in the first two games against Brendan O’Shea and Steve Mulrooney to put their side two up, while a win for Steve Foster, who had the temerity to suggest I wished myself a happy birthday on the Facebook group while using a league account – (and is, as a result currently persona non grata on these pages regardless of his colourful shirts), made it 3-0.
Michael Wesemeyer sounds like the name of a character in an American 80s TV drama who might solve crimes whilst travelling around in some kind of technologically advanced mode of transport, but instead he is actually an unbeaten newcomer to Wythenshawe this season, who continued in that vein with a 2-1 win in game 4 over Warren McCoubrey which secured the match and bonus points for his side. James Odell made it five after five games in beating Adam Richardson 2-0, but Peter Sage showed his darting wisdom in a final leg defeat of Gareth Sullivan, finally getting the Excel underway in the process. The final game was a 2-1 win for Chris McGrory over Andy Cheetham, and an overall scoreline of 6-1 on the night in favour of the Wythenshawe side.
The Melville 6 vs 1 The Bent Brook
League leaders the Melville got another big win here, matching the result of title rivals the Malt Shovels in what is hotting up to be a good battle – and with the two sides meeting in the next league match on the 24th January – that will be one to mark in the calendar.
The first two games of this one were shared, with Melvilles Sam Macintosh winning a deciding leg against Anthony Coleman, before Craig McManus shut out Owen Powell 2-0 to draw level. Next up for the leaders, Jake Powell, who hasnt lost a leg in the league since the 1st November, continued in the same fashion with a 2-0 win against Alex Morton. Paul Sambrook then made it six wins on the trot in the league when winning by the same score with five tons against Ken Turnock, before Jon Powell, who also only has one defeat in the league to his name this season won a third leg decider with Connor O’Toole.
A couple of newcomers were up next for the Bent Brook with the game already lost at 5-0, but neither were able to make a dent in the scoreline as first Alya Prest-Macallan fell to a 2-0 defeat to Tom Powell, before the person who I can only assume is responsible for the rave food reviews for the Bent Brook “Chef Alan” fell by the same scoreline to Cam McFarlane.
With fixtures in Divisions 1 and 2 on the 20th December, and none for Division 3 till the new year, we approach the halfway point in the season with everything still to play for. Division 1 seems to be a battle for second place, Division 2 is shaping up to be a battle between the Silver Birch and LMRCA, while Division 3 is looking the most straightforward at present with the Melville and Malt Shovels locked in a tight tussle for the title – though both already appear to be odds on for promotion in any case. Relegation places in the top two Divisions are all still in the air, though a couple of teams may well need to start putting some wins on the board so as to avoid a drop into the Division below.
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2 Responses
The Raptor is the new team mascot, Chris doesn’t know yet but he’s got to wear it every week!
Great report as usual Foggy ?
Hey looking to join a team if anyone places open? Email below 🙂
[email protected]