Academicals claim first win

Sheffield Darts Franchise League:Leadmill Premier Division
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Aces 4-2 Wizards

Neil Bradley 3-1 Chris Simmons

Matt Needham 3-0 Lee Slack

Geoff Baker 3-1 Wayne Fletcher

Trevor Tye 3-0 Mandy Slack

Ian Speed 2-3 Sie Simmons

Dave Belfitt 2-3 Michael Slack

(Match 1) Neil Bradley 3-1 Chris Simmons

We kick things off with the Aces Neil Bradley taking on Chris Simmons and it was Simmons who took the opening leg on throw. Bradley quickly responded to level then in the third managing to grab the first break of throw of the night which set him up nicely to throw for the match which Bradley finished off the game in four to put the home side in front.

Matt Needham

(Match 2) Matt Needham 3-0 Lee Slack (Captain)

The Wizards captain was next up in the shape of Lee Slack looking for a quick response facing Matt Needham. It was Needham who kicked off with a hold of throw in the opener, with confidence high Needham put Slack under all sorts of pressure and broke him in the second leg which led the way for him to throw for the match which he comfortably did to make it 2-0 to the Aces.

(Match 3) Geoff Baker 3-1 Wayne Fletcher

In game three with the home side in control Geoff Baker was looking to keep the winning run going as he took on Wayne Fletcher and Baker quickly threw down the gauntlet with a break of the throw in the opener. Fletcher threw well in the second leg to break straight back but Baker kept his rhythm to make it three consecutive breaks of throw which led him to throw for the match which Baker did convincingly to wrap up a 3-1 win to make it three out of three for his team.

(Match 4) Trevor Tye 3-0 Mandy Slack

The Aces were strolling at the halfway point in the match and Trevor Tye stepped up in game four looking to wrap it up early against Mandy Slack and Tye raced out of the blocks with a hold of throw to ease himself in the game. Slack was looking to level but Tye was just too strong after breaking to go two up, Tye wrapped up the win with a 21 darter to seal the victory for him and his team with still two to play.

(Match 5) Ian Speed 2-3 Sie Simmons

Sie Simmons was next on for the Wizards trying to make the score more respectable facing the captain Ian Speed and he got off to the best possible start with a hold of throw in the opener to take the lead, Speed responding well to level up but Simmons continued to pressurise the home sides captain to nudge ahead again after three legs but then the game notched up a gear with Speed forcing a decider with a 21 darter but Simmons followed that to win a closely fought game taking it in another 21 darts to pull a leg back for the Wizards.

(Match 6) Dave Belfitt 2-3 Michael Slack

Michael slack

In the final match of the evening Dave Belfitt and Michael Slack did battle in a game which saw Belfitt open his account with a hold, Slack responded immediately with a leveller but that didn't put Belfitt off as he kept throw to make it 2-1 but back came Slack with some good darts to make it a decider in the final game which saw Slack land the winning double to give the Wizards a mini fight-back but the night belonged to the Aces as they leap-frogged the Panthers into third.

Black Eagles 6-0 Warriors

John Walton 3-0 Jodie Bruce

Jelger Tuinstra 3-0 Barry Brittle 

Tom Briggs 3-0 Ian Webster

Owen Cubitt 3-1 Nicola Warne

Tony Darlow 3-0 Paul Brittle

Trevor Burkhill 3-0 Steve Newton

(Match 1) John Walton 3-0 Jodie Bruce 

Opening the night was former World Champion John "Boy" Walton for the leaders taking on Jodie Bruce in a game which started with Walton breaking throw with a 21 darter and a 112 three dart checkout to ease himself in the contest, Walton held with ease in the following leg then wrapped up the match with a 20 dart leg to open the leaders account.

(Match 2) Jelger Tuinstra 3-0 Barry Brittle 

Warriors captain Barry Brittle was next up against Jelger Tuinstra and it was Jelger who opened the scoring with a hold of throw. Jelger then notched it up and put Brittle in all sorts of trouble taking the second leg with a break which set it up nicely for the win which Jelger delivered in style with a max finishing in 15 darts to double the leaders lead.

Tom Briggs

(Match 3) Tom Briggs 3-0 Ian Webster

After two games the Black Eagles were on the rampage against their Woodbourne counterparts and it wasn't likely to slow down as Tom Briggs showed in his game against Ian Webster, Briggs started with a break of throw to put him in the lead, in the next leg Briggs managed to hold to double his advantage and leaving Webster with it all to do. Briggs wrapped up the win in the third leg finishing with a 20 darter and a maximum thrown in for good measure to make the game 3-0 at the halfway stage.

(Match 4) Owen Cubitt 3-1 Nicola Warne

Another youngster in Owen "Ice" Cubitt was fourth on for the Black Eagles facing a possibly tricky opponent in Nicola Warne and as the opening leg shown where Warne broke the Cubitt throw to take the lead. Cubitt managed to break straight back with a 20 darter and then held in the third to go 2-1 up. Warne needed to break the youngster again to have any chance of victory but  she couldn't manage it and "Ice" cooly finished off the match with his best leg of the night an 18 dart finish to give the Black Eagles victory with still two to play.

(Match 5) Tony Darlow 3-0 Paul Brittle

Paul Brittle was fifth name on for the Warriors as he took on "The Tiger" Tony Darlow. It didn't take long for the Tiger to get in his stride opening with a 17 dart leg against the darts, Darlow managed to follow that up with a hold of throw in the second leg. Brittle had the darts in the third leg to mount a comeback but it wasn't to be as Darlow finished the game off with a 21 darter to make it five out five for the leaders.

Trevor burkhill

(Match 6) Trevor Burkhill 3-0 Steve Newton

It was Turbo time in the last match on as Trevor Burkhill faced "Hero" Steve Newton in a contest which saw "Turbo" open with a hold of throw then powered on to hit a 15 darter to make it two then wrapping up the night with a 104 finish to seal the victory to keep the Black Eagles marching on with the title surely in the bag now. 

Railwaymen 5-1 Panthers

Steve Marfleet 3-2 Lee Cushworth 

Martin Scott 3-2 John Lieber

Tom Gurran 3-0 Mick Hulley

Pete Bramley 2-3 Pat Meeson

Mark Gurran 3-0 John Schultz 

Gav Pilling 3-1 Mick Wood

Steve Marfleet

(Match 1) Steve Marfleet 3-2 Lee Cushworth

In the opener saw a tight affair between Railwaymen's Steve Marfleet and Panthers Lee Cushworth.  "Cushy" started things off with a hold to break the deadlock, Marfleet replied with an 18 dart leg to level, In the third leg Cushworth held again this item with a 20 darter, but back came Marfleet with a 21 of his own to force a decider in the first match of the night. Cushworth three first but Marfleet snatched the darts as Cushworth steadied away it was Marfleet who finished off the match with a deadly double finish to win in five to open the scoring for the Railwaymen.

(Match 2) Martin Scott 3-2 John Lieber 

Up next was the turn of Panthers captain John Lieber looking to equalise as he faced Martin Scott in another close match. Lieber set off with a break of throw followed by a 21 darter to put himself 2-0 up and cruising but Scott fought back after taking the third leg he broke back Lieber with a 17 dart leg and then hit a maximum in the deciding leg which set Scott up to complete the comeback and secure the victory in 21 darts to make it 2-0 to the home side.

(Match 3) Tom Gurran 3-0 Mick Hulley

Young prospect Tom Gurran was third up for the home side against Mick Hulley in a match which saw Gurran took control from the start after breaking throw in the opener, Gurran smashed in a 20 dart leg in the second to put him in control. The third leg saw Gurran wrap up the win against throw to make it three wins on the bounce for the Railwaymen.

Patrick Meeson

(Match 4) Pete Bramley 2-3 Pat Meeson

Woodbourne landlord Pat Meeson took on Pete "Perfect" Bramley in game four looking to stop the rot. Bramley opened with an hold of throw but Meeson quickly levelled. "Perfect" then hit a maximum which followed with him going ahead again but once again Meeson was equal to it and levelled up at two each with no player giving an inch. The decider saw Bramley with the darts but he couldn't match what he did in the previous two holds as Meeson took the advantage and smashed home a 20 dart leg to win the match and keep the Panthers in the game.

(Match 5) Mark Gurran 3-0 John Schultz 

Match five saw Mark Gurran looking to win it for the home side play John Schultz and Gurran was on a mission right from the off breaking in the opener to lay down a marker to his opponent. Gurran marched on in the second leg holding his throw to make it 2-0 with Schultz trying to keep touch it was Gurran's day as he took out the third leg to win it for the Railwaymen.

(Match 6) Gav Pilling 3-1 Mick Wood 

With victory in the bag for the Railwaymen Gav Pilling was looking to finish it off completely against Mick Wood and Pilling got off to the perfect start holding throw with a 180 and a 21 dart leg thrown in. Pilling continued the assault by breaking Wood in the second leg to leave his opponent with a mountain to climb. Wood did manage to pull a leg back against the darts to keep the pressure on but it was Pilling's night as he secured the win in four to give the Railwaymen a 5-1 win to consolidate second place in the table.

Sausages 5-1 Vulcans

Ben Beardmore 3-1 Lee Harper

Ben Dolman 3-2 Steve Whyers

Marc Ellis 3-0 Steve Voyse

Stephen Ewington 1-3 Tony Harper

Pete Bell 3-0 Michael Dobson 

Matt Pryor 3-1 Jim Smith

(Match 1) Ben Beardmore 3-1 Lee Harper

The Sausages kicked off the night with Ben "Boom" Beardmore taking on Lee Harper in which Harper did well to hold in the opening leg hitting a maximum in the process but that's as good as it got for him as Beardmore settled into the contest levelling with an 18 darter himself claiming a 180, then breaking throw in the third leg with a cool 2 dart finish to take the lead in 20 darts. "Boom" finished off the match with a solid 21 dart leg finishing off with a 126 finish to seal the win in an eventful opening game.

(Match 2) Ben Dolman 3-2 Steve Whyers

Steve Whyers was looking to equalise for the Vulcans as he faced Ben Dolman  in an evenly matched contest. Whyers broke throw in the first leg to put his opponent on the back foot, Dolman came back at him with some good darts in the second leg to level. Whyers then made it three consecutive breaks of throw in the game to put him one away from victory but Dolman fought back and save his best darts until the end where he overturned the deficit to win the game 3-2.

(Match 3) Marc Ellis 3-0 Steve Voyse

"Tiny" Marc Elllis was in good form in his match with Steve Voyse managing a break of throw in the opener then what followed was a 15 darter which put him two up then again on Voyse throw Ellis was just too good as he took out the winning double to fire the Sausages 3-0 up.

Tony Harper

(Match 4) Stephen Ewington 1-3 Tony Harper

The Sausages were in the driving seat as we entered the fourth game where Tony Harper for the Vulcans attempted to keep them in the tie against Stephen Ewington but it didn't start too well for him as Ewington took the first leg, Harper equalised soon after then broke for the first time with a 108 finish, 15 dart leg to set himself up for the win which he got in the fourth with a two dart finish, 19 dart leg to secure the win to grab a point back for the Vulcans.

(Match 5) Pete Bell 3-0 Michael Donson

With a little glimmer of a comeback for the Vulcans Michael Dobson attempted to pull another one back as he faced "The landlord" Pete Bell.  Bell seemed to be in fine form though as he broke in the first leg which dented Donson then after that Bell went on the rampage which saw him hold in the second and then wrap up the win in the third leg to secure the victory for the Sausages with one to play.

Marc Ellis

(Match 6) Matt Pryor 3-1 Jim Smith

In the sixth and final match it was the battle of the captains where Sausages Matt Pryor was looking to heap more misery on the opponents as he faced Jim Smith. Both men started well holding their throws with some consistent darts. As the game wore on Pryor got stronger and after taking the third leg to go 2-1 up his confidence was high and he continued to put Smith under pressure in the fourth leg where Pryor got ahead and managed to finish off Smith to win by three legs to one which gave the Sausages a 5-1 victory which consolidated fifth place in the table.

Wolves 2-4 Academicals 

Chris Keane 0-3 Tom Hogg

Pat Finney 0-3 Brad Clowery

Simon Sawford 3-1 Declan Parsons

Chris Markham 3-1 Matt Royle

Steve Naisbitt 1-3 Tim Close

Tom Sawford 1-3 Adam Warner

(Match 1) Chris Keane 0-3 Tom Hogg

Over at the Woodbourne, Wolves Chris Keane opened the night for his team against Academicals Tom Hogg but Keane struggled to get going and Hogg took full advantage taking the opening leg of the night then breaking quickly in the second leg to keep Keano under pressure. Hogg kept throwing good darts which secured him a 3-0 win to get the ball rolling for the Academicals.

(Match 2) Pat Finney 0-3 Brad Clowery

Up next for the away side was Brad Clowery as he faced an out of sorts Pat Finney. Clowery opened with a break of throw and felt in total control throughout the game where Finney just couldn't get going. Clowery threw well throughout the match where he finished Finney off without dropping a leg to put his team two up in no time.

(Match 3) Simon Sawford 3-1 Declan Parsons

Academicals seemed to be in total control after the second game with Wolves needing a confidence boost and they got that in Simon Sawford but things didn't start well for him as his opponent Declan Parsons started with a hold of throw, Sawford soon got into the game after equalising he managed then to break the Parsons throw hitting a maximum for his efforts then Sawford finished him off in the fourth leg to win 3-1 and bring the Wolves back into the tie.

(Match 4) Chris Markham 3-1 Matt Royle

Debutant for the Wolves Chris "Marksman" Markham was fourth on and with his new team fighting back he was looking to get off to a solid start against Matt Royle and he did just that holding throw in the opener then breaking his opponents throw in the second leg with a maximum thrown in for good measure. Royle hinted at a comeback after breaking straight back but "Marksman" wasn't going to be denied as he romped to a 3-1 win in a very good showing on his debut to level at 2-2.

Tim Close

(Match 5) Steve Naisbitt 1-3 Tim Close

In the fifth game with it still all to play for in this tussle at the bottom Tim Close for the Academicals faced Steve Naisbitt with the winner guaranteeing at least a draw which put the pressure on both men to perform. The game started with Close holding to take the lead, Naisbitt bounced back to level up but Close continued to throw well hitting a 19 darter which put him 2-1 up and then the turning point in the game was in the fourth leg where Naisbitt didn't start the leg well and never recovered as Close finished off the match to give the Academicals a 3-2 lead with a chance of victory in the final game.

(Match 6) Tom Sawford 1-3 Adam Warner

The deciding match of the night at the Woodbourne was Wolves, Tom "Shooter" Sawford facing Adam Warner who was looking to seal the win for the travelling side and Warmer couldn't have got off to a better start breaking Sawford in the first leg and managing to hold in the second to put "Shooter" under all sorts of pressure. Tom managed to pull a leg back with a 14 darter but it wasn't enough as Warner sealed the win in the fourth leg and gave the Academicals a huge win by four games to two which opened up a 7 point gap between them and their opponents.

Report by

Pat Finney (Projectdarts Reporter/Media)