Division 1
With just two game weeks played, the competitive nature of this seasons Division 1 is starting to become evident as only last seasons winners and runners-up remain unbeaten, and six of the other teams with one win and one loss each. Its been a strong start from the Ammies, with this weeks 5-2 win against Cringlewood A seeing them sit 5 points clear at this early stage in the season. Last seasons winners St Anthony’s B got their season underway with a solid 5-2 win against Victoria Burnage, Urmston came out on top in the battle of the promoted teams with a 4-3 home win against the Royal Oak A, the Navigation came from 3-2 down to win 4-3 against the Alker to pick up their first win of the season and the Victoria Withington held off a spirited fightback from The Volunteer to secure their first bonus points of the campaign.
Volunteer 3 vs 4 Victoria Withington
Victoria Withington edged out Volunteer 4–3 in another close encounter between these two sides, the Vic’s fourth consecutive win of that scoreline, and a seventh on the trot in this fixture. The Vic also claimed the gallon 2–0 in a strong away performance.
James Roberts got the Volunteer off to a flyer, giving me a 3–1 kicking with six 100+ scores and a 20 darter, while I got 3x 140s and a couple of tons but very little else, but thankfully the Vic struck back through Matthew Jepson, who came back from 1-0 down to beat Christopher Grinnell 3–1 to level the match at 1–1.
Connor Wigley gave the Vic their first lead of the night, sweeping past Volunteer captain (in all but name) Toni Williams 3–0 while piling in five 100+ scores and finishing with a 62.63 average. Toni ‘Scrabble’ Wieczorek then made it 3–1 overall with a classy display against Karl Bannister, firing six 100+ scores and landing a superb 16-dart leg – the best of the night.
The Volunteer weren’t finished though. Actual Volunteer captain Gary “The delegator” Williams clawed one back, edging out Terry Jepson 3–2 in a game where both players rattled in five or more tons, with Williams hitting seven and Jepson five, although the start of the game was marred by the untimely early arrival of the post match pizzas. In game six Tony Grinnell, who has returned to the league after an extended absence, then drew the Volunteer level at 3–3 by sweeping aside Sean Edwards 3–0, averaging 60.93 and hitting two 100+ scores along the way.
In the deciding game, The newly titled Jack “The Jedi” Jarvis held his nerve for the Victoria, using the force to see off an out of sorts Dan O’Donnell 3–0. Jarvis finished strongly with five tons and a decent 61.77 average to secure the 4–3 win for the visitors.
Urmston SC 4 vs 3 Royal Oak A
The two promoted sides went head to head for the first time this season as Division 2 runners-up Urmston SC grabbed a small amount of payback as they edged out Division 2 Champions The Royal Oak A 4–3 in a tightly contested match. The visitors did however claim the gallon 2–0 to salvage something from the night.
Joe Kirk got Urmston off to a flyer, hitting a solid 64.41 average and two 100+ scores in a 3–0 win over Steve Lawless, and it was soon 2-0 after Gaz Lane doubled the lead, notching an impressive eight tons and a 62.53 average in a 3–2 victory over Pete Perry, who himself hit 3 tons and a 62.39 average in what looks a cracking game.
Game 3 saw Alex Williams pull a game back for Royal Oak A with 3 ton plusses during a 3–1 win against Harry Fitton, but Urmston’s Dave Tong restored the two game gap making it 3–1 overall by seeing off Tony Kirby by 3 legs to 1. The Oak’s Sharon Kirby checked out 90 and contributed four tons for Royal Oak A as she pulled another game back with a 3-1 defeat of Jacaub Worrall, and the sides were soon level at 3-3 when Luke Lonergan was beaten 3–1 by Luke Loveitt as the visitors sent this match into a deciding game.
The comeback from behind was halted in style though as Stephen Lye sealed the night for Urmston SC with a 3–1 win over Steven Lee, firing in two 180s, three tons, a 20-dart leg, and a match-best 69.77 average, although Lee played his part in another good game with five ton plusses, a 17 darter and 63.35 average.
Navigation 4 vs 3 John Alker
Navigation edged a tight contest against John Alker, taking the match 4-3 after also securing the gallon 2-0.
In the opening game, Gary Thompson got John Alker off to a flyer with a 3-0 win over Gary Molyneux, hitting two 100+ scores and a 66.31 average, with a tidy 19-dart leg. Navigation responded immediately with Callum Loose grinding out a 3-2 win over Gaz Brickhill; Loose hit five 100+ scores and produced a 16-darter, while Brickhill replied with a 15-darter, a maximum, and a neat 99 checkout.
Andy Broadhurst and Andy Docker served up a belter in Game 3. Broadhurst fired in eleven 100+ scores, an 18-dart leg, and an 88 finish on his way to a 70.24 average and a narrow 3-2 win, just shading Docker’s own ten tons and 70.14 average, and his win put the Navigation into a 2-1 lead.
The Alker responded strongly, as Ian Moore defied a gritty performance from John Chisnall with a 3-2 win that levelled the match at 2-2. Chisnall landing six tons and a 60 checkout but Moore staying steady with seven 100+ scores and a 51.88 average.
Game 5 was another tight battle, but John Greaves gave John Alker the edge again, defeating Andy Kindred 3-2. Greaves hit 5 tons and a 99 checkout, while in defeat Kindred hammered in six tons and a 180, averaging 58.63.
At 3-2 down overall, Navigation needed something special, and Kev Kelly stepped up. Kelly’s 62.54 average and 15-dart leg proved too much for Chris Wormald, despite Wormald hitting four tons himself. With it all square, Chris Stone sealed the match for Navigation with a convincing 3-0 win over John Hawken, Stone landing five 100+ scores and a 68.32 average.
Another thriller between these two sides who had shared 3 wins each in their last six meetings before this game – but its the Navigation who move ahead in that overall battle, for now at least!
Cringlewood A 2 vs 5 Ammies Darts
Ammies Darts claimed their second win of the season to lead the early Division 1 table after a strong 5–2 victory away at Cringlewood A, with a 2–1 gallon win rounding off a solid night’s work.
The opening match was a cracker, with Ellis Mulhern getting Cringlewood off to a positive start. Mulhern edged past Mike Morrison 3–2, hitting three 100+ scores, a 21-dart leg, and a 72 checkout, getting the better of Morrison despite his 19 darter, six tons and an almost 10 point higher average of 64.24.
Ammies hit back straight away through Karl Cooper, who overcame Alex Martin 3–1. Cooper notched seven tons and a 20-darter to take it, finishing with a 65.74 average, while Martin posted two tons and averaged 56.16 in defeat.
Pete Watson gave the Ammies a 2-1 lead with a 3–0 win over Luke Mulhern, producing four tons, an 18 darter and a superb 122 finish along the way, before Callum Nolan made it 3–1 overall, overcoming Rob Lauder 3–1. Nolan impressed with a 16-dart leg and a 70.99 average, despite Lauder himself firing in four tons, a 19 darter and averaging 67.06.
In game five, Ray Levesconte clawed one back for Cringlewood with a 3–0 victory over Chris McKenzie, firing in three tons and a 61.77 average to keep his side’s hopes alive at 3–2.
But Ammies wasted no time wrapping things up in Game 6, as Adam Watson produced the standout performance of the night – blasting in another two 180s, a 120 checkout, a 15-dart leg, and an outstanding 92.02 average to beat Lianne Lauder 3–0 and clinch the match. THats four 180s in two games so far for Adam who has started the season on blistering form.
Ewan Donegan rounded things off with a 3–2 win over Phil Lauder in the final game, Donegan hitting six tons, a 180 and a 59.59 average, while Lauder battled hard and finished with a 101 checkout of his own.
St Anthonys B 5 vs 2 Victoria Burnage
League Champions St Anthonys B made their seasons bow in the their new home, and picked up where they left off, securing a strong 5-2 victory over Victoria Burnage, and also claiming the gallon 2-1 on the night. With a number of the title winning side unavailable the Saints had to register four new players in advance of the 8pm cut off, and two of the debutants contributed to this impressive win.
In Game 1, Oliver Clarke got St Anthonys off to a perfect start, winning 3–2 against Tom Beatie. Clarke hammered in eleven 100+ scores, produced an 18-darter, and finished with an impressive 67.64 average, while Beatie replied with six tons and a steady 62.47 average.
The Vic Burnage levelled in Game 2 thanks to Dylan Wimbury, who edged out Reece Tyson 3–2. Wimbury hit nine tons along the way to a 62.25 average, while Tyson managed four tons and a 20-darter. Game 3 saw Victoria Burnage take the lead, as Steve Moane beat Marc Dawson 3–1. Moane averaged 62.38 and hit three tons, while Dawson registered a couple of tons himself on his first appearance for St Anthonys B.
St Anthonys B hit back in Game 4 to level it up again, as newcomer Sean Wilkinson produced a dominant 3–0 win over Andrew Day. Wilkinson hit five 100+ scores, a 16-darter, and posted a superb 69.37 average, the second best of the night.
Another debut player Dave Hart made it back-to-back wins for St Anthonys in Game 5, sweeping aside Pete Evans 3–0 with five tons and a solid 57.08 average, to put the Wythenshawe side back into the lead.
Martin Tyson made it 4–2 overall to secure the match win in Game 6, landing nine tons, an 18-darter, and a 91 checkout while seeing off Ant Hargreaves Jr 3–2.
In Game 7, Kaine Goldie wrapped up the night with another strong showing, beating Shane Crellin 3–2. Goldie posted eight tons, hit a 16-darter, and produced the highest checkout of the night with a brilliant 106 finish, ending with the highest average of the match at 71.24.
Division 2
Newly promoted Bulls Head and Fusion Aces remain the only unbeaten teams in Division 2 after just two weeks played, meaning both sit joint-top of the early table, the Bulls claiming a close 4-3 win over Trafford Social and the Aces with a 5-2 defeat of Carters Arms. Ashton on Mersey got their first victory of the season with a thumping 6-1 home win against Broadheath Central, The Melville also claimed a first win with a solid 5-2 win against Sale Excel, and The Roebucks early struggles continued with a 5-2 loss against St Anthonys A.
Ashton-on-Mersey CC 6 vs 1 Broadheath Central
Ashton-on-Mersey CC claimed their first win of the season in style with a commanding 6–1 home victory over Broadheath Central. The visitors made a solid start by taking the gallon 2–0, but the singles told a very different story.
Game 1 was a hard-fought opener as Mike Buckley edged out Lee Darcey 3–2. Buckley fired in three tons and produced a 24-dart leg, while Darcey hit back with a 55 checkout to keep things tight. Ian Winter extended the lead with a clean 3–0 win over Mason Lawley in Game 2, hitting four 100+ scores and a 64 checkout.
Stephen Orton turned the screw further making it 3–0 with a composed 3–0 win over Jordan Woodbridge, backed by three ton-plus scores and a 25-dart leg. Then came the clincher — Mark Robinson sealed the match in Game 4, cruising to a 3–0 win over James Eatock. Robinson hit four tons and the highest finish of the night with a superb 102 checkout.
Broadheath got on the board in Game 5 thanks to a standout display from Brandon Lawley. He produced the best performance of the night, landing four tons, a 90 checkout, and the best leg of the match in just 18 darts to beat a fine player in Chris Chapman, who on this occasion couldn’t keep pace.
Billy Dawson restored the four game margin for Ashton with a 3–0 win in Game 6, landing three ton-plus scores and a 27-dart leg to see off Dan Cross while James Compton rounded things off in Game 7, taking a fine 3–0 win over Leyton Jackson and wrapping up a dominant showing for the home side.
Fusion Aces 5 vs 2 Carters Arms
Fusion Aces have started life in Division 2 strongly, as last seasons Division 3 champions made it two wins on the bounce with a confident 5–2 victory over Carters Arms, matching the scoreline from their KO Shield meeting back in October. The night began with a 2–1 gallon win for the Aces, which they followed up with a fine performance to claim seven points from the match.
Game 1 was an early highlight as new signing Andy Brownhill produced a sharp 62.01 average, hitting five tons, a 21-dart leg and checking out on 80 during a 3–1 win over Terry Caine, but the visitors hit back in Game 2 as John Thierens Snr levelled things up with a 3–1 win of his own over Chris Cordingley.
Carters then took the lead in Game 3 through Dave Sills, who matched Brownhill for 100+ scores with five of his own and came through 3–1 against Simon Wood. But from there, the Aces shifted gear — and didn’t look back.
Game 4 saw Bob Hilton storm to a 3–0 win, firing in six tons, a 20-dart leg and a 71.58 average — the best of the night. That win levelled the match at 2–2, and then Darren Wood put the Aces back in front in Game 5, taking a clean sweep over Harry Mitchell with a 57 checkout along the way.
Dave Wood secured the match for Fusion in Game 6, breezing past Charlie Windsor 3–0 to make it 4–2 overall, before Alex Wood wrapped things up in Game 7, getting past Andrew Nicholson 3–1 to round off a solid night for the hosts.
A standout display from Bob Hilton set the tone for the Aces, while Carters showed moments of quality but couldn’t hold off the charge once the momentum turned.
Bulls Head 4 vs 3 Trafford SC
Bulls Head edged past Trafford SC 4–3 in a see-saw battle that wasn’t settled until late in the evening. The visitors actually started the stronger, winning the gallon 2–0 before the singles began.
Game 1 saw Iain Fish grind out a 3–1 win over Alex Buckley, before Liam Galvin levelled things in Game 2 for Trafford, hitting a 26-dart leg while seeing off Rob Barber 3–0.
Gaz Collins nudged Trafford in front, battling past Steve Hazlehurst 3–2. Hazlehurst made a fight of it, but Collins took the deciding leg to make it 2-1 overall. Jamie Harris turned the tide in Game 4, delivering a strong 3–0 win over Jake Neersoo, landing three tons in the process.
That squared things at 2–2, and Bo Bowman then took charge in Game 5 — producing the standout performance of the night. Bowman hit five tons, a 20 dart leg, checked out on 114, and wrapped up his 3–1 win against Cameron King with a 61.93 average to put Bulls Head ahead 3–2 overall.
Gareth Shaw sealed the match in Game 6, seeing off Andrew Wood 3–1 despite both players posting almost identical averages. Trafford salvaged a late point in Game 7 thanks to Andrew Davies, who posted a solid 54.63 average to beat Adrian Stock 3–0, but it was too late to change the outcome.
Melville 5 vs 2 Sale Excel
Melville made up for last weeks loss to Broadheath Central to get their season rolling with a 5–2 victory over Sale Excel, making it a third win on the trot against them since The Melville joined the South Manchester Darts League, and they started as they meant to go on, taking the gallon with a 2–1 win.
Cam McFarlane got the home side off to a strong start in game 1, holding off Georgio Corbett 3–1 with a steady 51.71 average. In Game 2, Bradley Hodgson was pushed all the way by Warren McCoubrey but came through 3–2, with Hodgson hitting three 100+ scores to edge it despite Warren posting three tons of his own. Owen Powell soon made it 3–0 overall, holding his nerve for a 3–1 win over Danny Chua, hitting three 100+ scores to Danny’s two, and Powell notching a 57.78 average to underline the difference.
Gary Brisco produced the standout performance of the night in Game 4, rattling off a 3–0 win against Peter Sage with a superb 65.35 average, the best of the match, and recording the lowest darts of the evening with a 16-dart leg along the way. That win sealed the match for Melville at 4–0 overall. With the win already in the bag, Jake Powell kept the momentum going by beating Marvin Daniel 3–1, rounding off a clean sweep of the first five games.
Sale Excel finally got on the board in Game 6, where Andy Cheetham outgunned Paul Sambrook 3–1. Sambrook rattled in four 100+ scores but couldn’t find the doubles when it mattered, while Cheetham stayed steady to grab a point for the visitors. Michael Watling made it two consolation wins for Sale, battling past Jon Powell 3–1 in the final game, with Watling firing in five tons and a 22 darter for a 56.38 average to close the night.
Roebuck 2 vs 5 St Anthonys A
Roebuck and St Anthonys A renewed their rivalry at The Old Roebuck, with the visitors gaining the upper hand this time around, after losing the previous four meetings between the sides.
Chris Haycock gave Roebuck the perfect start, breezing past Mark Paton 3–0 with a solid display that included three 100+ scores and a 70 checkout, finishing one leg in just 17 darts – the best leg of the night. However, Gary Molloy hit back immediately for St Anthonys A, taking a 3–1 win over Ste Reddy. Molloy struck three 100+ scores while levelling the match at 1–1.
Momentum stayed with the visitors as Shaun Gill powered through Chris Merriman 3–0 in Game 3, firing in four 100+ scores along the way. Mark Corrigan edged a tight Game 4 against Mark Garnett, taking the final leg of the game to make it 3-1 to St Anthonys A overall, and put his side on the brink of victory.
Chris Reddy pulled one back for the Roebuck in Game 5, seeing off Ian Paton 3–1 with four 100+ scores to give the home side hope, but the comeback hopes were short-lived as Carl Paton clinched the all-important fourth win for the visitors in Game 6, beating Rick Kiel 3–0 and sealing the match at 4–2 overall.
In the final game, Saints’ Dom Batty outlasted Hayden Reddy 3–2 in a close affair, to make it 5–2 to St Anthonys A on the night, with both players notching four 100+ scores.
Division 3
Division 3 is following the pattern of the leagues above with only two teams unbeaten following the conclusion of the week 2 matches. These two teams are the Vine and the Buck Inn-eers and both teams have started the season as though they have a point to prove – the Vine recording a 7-0 win against the Jolly Butcher and The Bucks with a 6-1 defeat of the Bent Brook. The Dog & Partridge picked up a first win of the season with a 5-2 victory against the Old Market Tavern, while Royal Oak B claimed a fine 4-3 win at home against LMRCA.
Dog & Partridge 5 vs 2 Old Market Tavern
Dog & Partridge picked up their first win of the 2025 season with a solid 5–2 victory over the Old Market Tavern.
The night began with Nathan Potts putting OM Tavern ahead in Game 1, taking a 2–0 win over Chris Pollard while averaging 53.68, but Elliot Wynne quickly levelled things up at 1–1 in Game 2, firing in two tons and a 25-dart leg to see off Les Potts 2–0.
Dave Harris moved D&P into the lead at 2–1 with a steady 2–0 win over Sally Corfield in Game 3, before Richard Haycocks hit back for the visitors. His 2–0 win over Dave Cook, featuring a match high 54.65 average and a 21-dart leg, tied the match up at 2–2.
Tom Spillane stepped up in Game 5 to nudge Dog & Partridge ahead once more, edging Howard Haycocks 2–1 while hitting two tons and a 51.64 average, despite Howard producing the highest finish of the night with a fine 74 checkout.
Chris Conduit sealed the match for The Dog in Game 6, producing four tons and a 25-dart leg during a 2–0 win over Mandy Haycocks. Graham Beech then wrapped things up in Game 7 with a 2–0 success over Ian Fensome, adding three tons to his name.
The Tavern did manage to claim the early gallon game 2–1, but the main match points belonged to Dog & Partridge, who got their season up and running with a deserved seven-point haul.
Buck Inn-eers 6 vs 1 Bent Brook
These two sides shared a pair of 4-3 results in the league last season, but the Buck Inn-eers claimed a statement win at home this time, taking the match 6–1. The visitors did at least claim the gallon with a 2–1 result, but the singles told a very different story.
Matt Kershaw set the tone in Game 1 with a commanding 2–0 win over Paul Charnock, firing in 3 ton-plus scores, the joint best leg of the night at 21 darts, and finishing with a strong 60.12 average. Game 2 saw George Banner take it up a notch, hitting 3 ton+ scores and a nice 101 checkout to beat Anthony Coleman in straight legs. Banner also posted the best average of the night at 62.62.
Rick Hindle made it 3–0 in Game 3, edging a tight one 2–1 against Rob Moore to put his side on the brink of victory, and that victory was assured after Nigel Foster took Game 4, winning 2–1 against Connor O’Toole.
James Abbey added another for the Bucks with victory in Game 5, rattling off a 64 finish and a 24-dart leg in a comfortable 2–0 win over Jake Proctor. Abbey’s 61.35 average made him one of three Buck players to break the 60 mark on the night.
Game 6 went to Charlotte Bloomfield, who held off Sean Digan 2–1 to give Buck Inn-eers their sixth win of the evening. The Brook salvaged a point in Game 7 thanks to Alex Morton, who produced their best performance of the night — firing in 4 tons, a 108 checkout (the highest of the night), and matching Kershaw for best leg darts at 21.
Royal Oak B 4 vs 3 LMRCA
It was tight finish to the night at the Royal Oak as the B team edged out LMRCA 4–3 in a cracking Division 3 scrap. The visitors struck first by taking the gallon 2–1, but the Oak responded well in an eventful main game, first taking a 3-1 lead overall before being pegged back to 3-3, then coming back strong to win the deciding seventh game.
Game 1 saw Jack Holt get the home side rolling with a 2–1 win over Derek Ostick, before Rob Whiteside followed up in Game 2 with a 2–0 win over Joe Davis to double the Oak’s lead.
Game 3 belonged to LMRCA’s Alan Gleave who, helped by a 19-darter and a match-high 63.96 average, got his side on the board with a 2–0 win over Rory Pessagno. Mark Gilmore restored the two game cushion as he made it 3–1 to the Oak in Game 4, seeing off Ron Cooke 2–0 with a tidy 55.67 average and 2 ton-plus scores.
With the Oak one win away from victory, Tony Feesey hit back for the visitors in Game 5 with a 2–0 win over Andrew Mossop, finishing with a 50.95 average and a 56 checkout. Then in Game 6, Ciaran Algar matched that average and added an 85 checkout to sweep past Jaydon Strong, levelling the match at 3–3.
That left it all down to a final game decider, and it was the Oak’s Jack Bushell who sealed the points in Game 7, and he did so in style, wrapping up a 2–0 win over Ryan Woods hitting the highest checkout of the night with a cracking 110 finish, while he also fired in 3 ton-plus scores to send Royal Oak B over the line.
Vine Inn 7 vs 0 Jolly Butcher
Vine Inn made the most of home advantage with a dominant display to whitewash Jolly Butcher and make it two wins from two this season. After beating the Butcher twice last season in relatively close affairs, the Vine stepped it up this time with a comprehensive 7-0 victory, the shut out also stretching to the gallon which the Vine took with a solid 2–0 win.
In Game 1, James Garside got the hosts off to a tidy start with a 2–1 win over Adam Reavey. Despite Reavey registering the best leg darts of the night with a 19-darter and matching Garside for 100+ scores, it wasn’t enough to stop James claiming the point. Game 2 followed a similar story as Billy Sanders edged past Michael Wesemeyer 2–1, thanks in part to a 25-dart leg and finishing with a 46.96 average.
Geoff Sanders made it 3–0 in Game 3 with a straight legs win over Tracy Wesemeyer. Geoff didn’t need the big scores to get the job done, with a 44.21 average seeing him through. Game 4 brought the best performance of the night, as Josh Bailey rattled in a 22-dart leg and finished with a solid average of 61.35 to comfortably dispatch Mike Swindells, and seal the win for The Vine.
Kyran Eyes added a bit more sparkle in Game 5, landing 3 ton-plus scores, a 52 checkout, a 23-dart leg, and finishing with a 60.12 average to beat Chris McGrory, who still posted a team-high 49.62 in reply. The Vine’s Dave Goulden then breezed past Chris O’Keefe in Game 6, completing his two legs without reply to make it 6–0 overall.
Game 7 saw Charlie Sanders deliver a stylish finish to the night. He matched Bailey’s 61.35 average, fired in 3 ton-plus scores, and recorded the highest finish of the night with a tidy 70 checkout in his 2–0 win over Steve Foster.
A comprehensive display from top to bottom for the Vine, who are looking like strong contenders early in the season. For the Butcher…. it’s back to the drawing (chopping?) board.
Division 4
Bucking the trend in the other Divisions, Division 4 sees four teams still unbeaten after week two, with Metros Sports having just the edge in terms of results to sit a point clear of the other three. Metros claimed a comfortable 5-2 win against St Anthonys C this time out, Cringlewood B repeated that scoreline during their visit to Trafford Social against Burst, Brooklands Tap help off a spirited fightback from the Old Plough to edge a deciding game in a 4-3 win, and there was an upset at Wythenshawe CSC as the former Division 1 hosts fell to a 3-4 home defeat to Fusion Sports.
Burst 2 vs 5 Cringlewood B
Cringlewood B continued their great start to life in the South Manchester Darts League when picking up their second win of the season with a 5–2 success away at Burst, sealing their win within the first five games. Burst on the other hand fell to a second consecutive 5-2 defeat, but can take a little consolation from their 2-1 win in the Gallon.
Ive not got a great deal of stats to go off here, as both captains didnt record much, so will do my best….
Burst’s Mckenzie Evans fired in two tons and a 53.39 average in the opening game but it wasn’t enough to stop Jackson Dace, who found five tons of his own and edged a 2–1 win to give Cringlewood the early advantage.
Dillon Delaney doubled the Cringlewood’s lead with a 2–0 win over Marc Tancock, before Jimmy Murphy gave Burst something to cheer with a 2–1 victory over Michael Basham.
Cringlewood B restored their two game lead as Stephen Chipchase made it 3-1 to the visitors when taking care of Ray Townhill 2–0, and the bonus points were secured when Harrison Doherty hit five 100+ scores while beating Rory Sullivan 2–0.
Cringlewood pressed on, and Sean Chappell made it 5-1 by seeing off Danny Bannister 2–0 in a game where both players managed a couple of tons, but with the match already decided, Burst still had time to grab another point as Mark Leather rounded off the night with a 2–0 victory over Neil Chappell, but it was too little, too late for the hosts.
Metros Sports 5 vs 2 St Anthonys C
Metros Sports made it two wins from two to start the season, seeing off St Anthonys C 5–2 at Moss Road – and claiming the gallon 2–0 to cap a dominant night.
In Game 1, Andrew Lewis set the tone for Metros with a 2–0 win over Eddie Williamson, hitting two tons and a 23-darter, finishing with a tidy 58.94 average. Gareth Cooke made it 2–0 overall in Game 2, edging past Steve Williams 2–1 despite Williams firing in three tons and a 48.43 average in defeat.
Craig Wych added a third point for Metros in Game 3, overcoming John Holt 2–1 with three tons, a 22-dart leg, and a 51.07 average. Holt battled hard but couldn’t quite edge the deciding leg.
St Anthonys C pulled one back in Game 4, where Dale Holt grabbed a 2–0 win over Callum Medd, but any hopes of a comeback were snuffed out in Game 5, as Mike Bray secured the match for Metros with a 2–0 win over Dan Tierney. Bray landed a ton and finished with a solid 58.94 average, while Tierney couldn’t quite find his range.
Jimmy Starr gave St Anthonys C their second point of the night in Game 6, beating Wayne Billing 2–0 and throwing some of the better darts of the match — notching three tons, a 22-darter, and a 66.80 average.
Finally, Harry Wilson rounded things off in Game 7 with a 2–0 win over Ryan Horrocks. Wilson didn’t need to sparkle — a 36.22 average was enough — but it wrapped up a comfortable night for the home side.
Metros Sports looking strong in the early going and top the week 2 table, but even at this early stage they are looking like they’ll be a serious threat in Division 4.
The Old Plough 3 vs 4 Brooklands Tap
These two sides went head-to-head in a tight contest that swung back and forth before Brooklands Tap edged it at the death. The visitors also took the gallon 2–0 to make it a strong night overall.
Brooklands flew out of the blocks, storming into a 3–0 lead as Lee Armsden claimed a 2-0 win over Stephen Wilcox, before Gerard Gornall, and Tristan Cullen edged deciding leg wins against Lewis Gould and Stuart Ridings to put the visitors on the brink of victory after only three games played.
But The Old Plough weren’t done, and a mighty effort saw them get right back into the match and force a decider. Lewis Kent kicked off the fightback in Game 4 with a deciding leg win over Callum Cummings, which was then followed by similar scorelines for Stephen Senior against Jamie WIlliams and Nick Brown over Trevor Frost – these back-to-back wins bringing things level at 3–3. It all came down to a deciding seventh game and Brooklands Tap rose to the occasion with Mike Cribbin delivering when it mattered most, sealing a narrow 2–1 victory over Paul Fent to hand his side the win.
Wythenshawe CSC 3 vs 4 Fusion Sports
Fusion Sports grabbed their first win of the season in a close one away at Wythenshawe CSC, edging it 4–3 in the singles after first getting the night off to a perfect start by winning the gallon 2–0.
In Game 1, Anthony Hadfield put Fusion ahead early doors, seeing off Ray Pattison 2–0 to get his side off and running. Game 2 saw Rhys Barnes double the lead, battling to a 2–1 victory over Paul Brankin, who at least had the consolation of hitting the only 180 of the night.
David Peploe clawed one back for Wythenshawe CSC with a 2–0 win over Matthew Barnes in Game 3, but Andrew Mills immediately restored the two-game cushion for Fusion by beating Tim Dibben 2–0 in Game 4.
Game 5 brought another twist as Shane Lowe struck back for Wythenshawe CSC with a 2–0 win, closing the gap to 3–2 overall. However, Stephen Barnes clinched the match for Fusion in Game 6, winning 2–1 against Dave Massey and securing the all-important fourth point.
Connor McCorkell gave the home fans something to cheer in the last game, taking a 2–0 win over Daniel Long to narrow the final singles score to 4–3 — but it was Fusion who had already done enough to take the victory.
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