Sheffield Darts Franchise League:Leadmill Premier Division
Sponsored by: The Leadmill
Red Dragon Darts
Projectdarts
Winmau Blade
In Association with: Sheffield Star
Academicals 5-1 Warriors
Brad Clowery 1-3 Barry Brittle
Max Orange 3-0 Angie Brittle
Jonny Kirk 3-0 Jodie Bruce
Oli Newall 3-1 Nicola Warne
Ed McCosh 3-0 Steve Newton
Tim Close 3-0 Paul Brittle
(Match 1) Brad Clowery 1-3 Barry Brittle
We start this weeks round up at the Uni Arms where bottom of the table Warriors played the Academicals. Brad Clowery opened up against the "Ginja Ninja" Barry Brittle. "Ninja" opened with a hold and a break of throw to ease into a 2-0 lead, Clowery managed a break back in the third leg but Brittle eased to a 3-1 win to give the Warriors a great start.
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| Barry Brittle |
(Match 2) Max Orange 3-0 Angie Brittle
In the second game of the night with the Warriors on the front foot Angie Brittle stepped up next played Max Orange. Orange quickly went in front with a hold. He continued with the pressure on the Brittle throw and broke to double his lead, Angie couldn't really get into the game and Orange finished off in three to equalise for the home side.
(Match 3) Jonny Kirk 3-0 Jodie Bruce
Things got bad to worse for the Warriors in game three where Jodie Bruce played Jonny Kirk in a game which saw Kirk break early to grab the lead, Bruce was in trouble after the second leg when she went two down, Jodie had the darts in the third leg to stay in with a chance but it wasn't to be as Kirk wrapped up the match and put the Academicals in the lead for the first time.
(Match 4) Oli Newall 3-1 Nicola Warne
Academicals sensed the opportunity after overturning the deficit in the fourth match on Oli Newall was playing Nicola Warne who was unfortunately playing in an arm strap which hampered her throw a bit and it showed as Newall held in the opener to go in front. In the next leg Newall broke throw and looked solid but Warne fought back to break Newall and make it 2-1 but Newall kept his composure and secured the victory in four after a great effort from Warne as the Academicals extended the lead.
(Match 5) Ed McCosh 3-0 Steve Newton
It was captain Ed Mcosh up next to wrap up the win for the home team as he faced "Hero" Steve Newton. Captain got off to a great start breaking throw early to go one up. He held it together in the second leg too to give Newton a mountain to climb which he couldn't manage and the match was done in three as captain McCosh fired in the double to give his team victory with a game to spare.
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| Ed Mccosh |
(Match 6) Tim Close 3-0 Paul Brittle
In the final match with the game all but over "The Undertaker" Paul Brittle the Warriors captain came up against Tim Close. The game started with Close throwing and getting a hold to make it 1-0. The second leg started the same as the first as "The Undertaker" just couldn't find his mark and Close capitalised and broke the throw to make it two. In the third and what was the final leg of the night Close sealed the victory to give the Academicals a 5-1 win overall which more or less guarantees a seventh placed finish for them this season.
Panthers 5-1 Wizards
Russ Simons 3-1 Lee Slack
John Lieber 3-0 Adam Ward
Lee Cushworth 3-0 Ben Chivers
Ryan Goffin 3-0 Anne Lofthouse
Mick Wood 3-2 Chris Simmons
John Schultz 2-3 Sie Simmons
(Match 1) Russ Simons 3-1 Lee Slack
Over at the Woodbourne the Panthers who are on the back of successive defeats take on the Wizards who are looking to get back on track after their heavy defeat against the Railwaymen last time out. We open with Russ Simons for the Panthers facing Wizards captain Lee Slack. The opening leg went against the darts as Simons took the lead, Slack replied in kind to level but he failed again on his throw which this time Simons weren't going to drop as he finished off Slack in four to put the Panthers one up.
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| Russ Simons |
(Match 2) John Lieber 3-0 Adam Ward
Adam Ward was up next for the Wizards looking to level against Panthers captain John Lieber. Panthers captain looked consistent all the way through the match as held to get off the mark. Lieber then broke throw to double his lead and finished off the game in three which also saw a 114 checkout along the way to a convincing 3-0 win to make it two for his team.
(Match 3) Lee Cushworth 3-0 Ben Chivers
The 'Dartin' Demon' Lee Cushworth was third up for the Panthers looking to make it three in three as he played Ben Chivers. It didn't take Cushworth long to lay down a marker as he broke to take the lead, 'The Dartin' Demon' held his throw to make it two, with Chivers looking for a way back into the match Cushworth finished off the game without dropping a leg to give the Panthers three on the spin.
(Match 4) Ryan Goffin 3-0 Anne Lofthouse
In game four Anne Lofthouse was trying all she could to keep the Wizards in the match but she faced an in form Ryan "The Manic" Goffin. The game started slowly with both players trying to find their range after Goffin took the opener with a hold he suddenly spring into gear and fired in a max and broke the Lofthouse throw with a 14 darter to go two in front. After leaving Lofthouse reeling, Goffin finished off the contest with a 19 darter to give Panthers the win with two remaining.
(Match 5) Mick Wood 3-2 Chris Simmons
Match five started with Mick Wood with his teams victory assured played Chris Simmons in a close run contest. Wood kicked off with a break of throw to open his account for the night, Wood then followed it up with a hold to make it two, just as you thought the game was over Simmons countered and came back with consecutive legs of his own to force the first decider of the night with Simmons having the darts he was favourite but you can never rule out Wood and it proved as it was Wood who grabbed the win against the darts to win in five and continue the Panthers run going into the last game.
(Match 6) John Schultz 2-3 Sie Simmons
In the sixth and final game another close match was witnessed as Sie Simmons and John Schultz locked horns. Schultz had the darts to start us off but it didn't work out well as Simmons broke early and as he held in the second leg to make it two Schultz was in trouble but he managed to fight his way back in the game holding his throw in the third leg, he then broke back to bring the game into a last leg shootout to finish. Schultz started the decider but Simmons took the darts and finished off the night with a 21 dart leg to seal the win and to make sure it wasn't a whitewash finish for the Wizards.
Railwaymen 4-2 Vulcans
Martin Scott 3-1 Michael Donson
Mark Gurran 3-0 Phil Lambert
Pete Bramley 3-1 James Thomas
Tom Gurran 2-3 Mick Swift
Gav Pilling 2-3 Mark Barnes
Andy Bradbury 3-2 Jim Smith
(Match 1) Martin Scott 3-1 Michael Donson
Second placed Railwaymen were in action against mid-table Vulcans. Up first was Martin Scott taking on Michael Donson of the Vulcans. It was Donson who drew first blood holding throw to take the lead. Scott hit form from then on hitting back to back 20 darters to make it 2-1 and Scott then threw for the match which he finished off to put the Railwaymen one up.
(Match 2) Mark Gurran 3-0 Phil Lambert
Phil Lambert was looking to equalise in game two as he took on Mark Gurran but Gurran held throw in the opener to put pressure on early. Lambert was looking for a breakthrough but never really got it as Gurran seized his chance and broke to double the lead and throw for the match in which he confidently finished off the game to make it 2-0 to the home team.
(Match 3) Pete Bramley 3-1 James Thomas
"Perfect" Pete Bramley was third player up for the Railwaymen as he faced "Tank" James Thomas. Thomas held in the opener to get off the mark, Bramley drew level with a 21 dart leg. "Perfect" then turned the game on its head as he broke Thomas in the third leg with another 21 darter and Thomas couldn't comeback as Bramley wrapped up the win to make it three out of three for the Railwaymen at the halfway stage.
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| Pete Bramley |
(Match 4) Tom Gurran 2-3 Mick Swift
The Vulcans looked finished after game three but Mick Swift was looking to drag the team back into the match against "The Inferno" Tom Gurran. "The Inferno" fired himself into the lead with a hold and then a break of throw in the second leg which looked like it put him in command but then Swift fought back after breaking back throw in the third leg Swift then held his own in the fourth leg to force an unlikely decider with 'The Inferno' still had the darts to finish off the match it was Swift who completed the comeback to secure a 3-2 victory to keep the Vulcans in the game which after the first two legs never looked likely.
(Match 5) Gav Pilling 2-3 Mark Barnes
In the fifth game Gav Pilling was looking to wrap it up for the Railwaymen as he took on Mark Barnes but Barnes had other ideas as he swiftly took the opening two legs to put him in charge of the match. Pilling hit back with a 20 darter against the throw and then equalising with yet another 20 dart leg to make it go down to yet another decider in which Barnes had the darts but Pilling was consistent so the game could've gone either way but it was Barnes who finished off the contest with a cool 19 darter to secure the victory which kept the Vulcans in the match.
(Match 6) Andy Bradbury 3-2 Jim Smith
The final game decider saw two captains collide as Andy Bradbury took on Jim Smith knowing that a win is crucial to both their respective teams. Bradbury had the darts to start us off and he made light work of the first leg hitting a 17 darter to take the lead, Smith replied and levelled soon after. In the third leg, the game took the same pattern as Bradbury once again held firm to go 2–1 up. Smith had to hold his throw in the fourth leg to stay in the game and he did with confidence as both captains faced a last leg shootout. Bradbury kicked off the final leg and as the leg wore on Bradbury got stronger and finally scraped over the finishing line to give the Railwaymen the all important win.
Sausages 1-5 Aces
Marc Ellis 0-3 Andy Umney
Ben Dolman 3-1 Dave Belfitt
Matt Pryor 0-3 Matt Needham
Steve Ewington 2-3 Trevor Tye
Pete Bell 1-3 Mick Smith
Dawn Priestley 0-3 Ian Speed
(Match 1) Marc Ellis 0-3 Andy Umney
It was fifth vs third at the Cumberland as the Sausages played the Aces. Up first was "Tiny" Marc Ellis for the hosts as he played Andy Umney and it was Umney who got out of the blocks taking the opener with a hold of throw. Ellis couldn't cope with the test put in front of him as Umney upped the ante to take out back to back 16 dart legs with a 180 thrown in for good measure as he put the Aces in the lead.
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| Andy umney |
(Match 2) Ben Dolman 3-1 Dave Belfitt
In the second game on, Dave Belfitt was looking to add to the Aces tally as he took on Ben Dolman but it was quite clear it wasn't going to be his night as Dolman raced into a 2-0 lead. Belfitt fought back breaking throw in the third leg but that's all he could muster as Dolman took out the winning double in the fourth leg to win 3-1 and equalise for the Sausages.
(Match 3) Matt Pryor 0-3 Matt Needham
It was all square after two games as Matt Pryor and Matt Needham went face to face. Needham held throw in the first leg, with Pryor needing a reply Needham broke his throw to make it two and after that Needham powered on to win it be three legs to nil to put the Aces back in front.
(Match 4) Steve Ewington 2-3 Trevor Tye
In a tight game between Trevor Tye of the Aces and Steve Ewington both men broke each other in the opening two legs. Ewington then had the upper hand by taking third to go in front for the first time. Tye replied with a 19 darter to force a decider which then saw Tye win the match against the darts in a match which no-one could pick the winner and it extended the Aces lead.
(Match 5) Pete Bell 1-3 Mick Smith
"The Landlord" Pete Bell was up fifth to keeps his side in the tie against Mick Smith who was looking to seal it then and there. Smith opened with a 20 dart leg on throw. Bell responded with a 20 darter of his own to even it up. Smith then went into over-drive holding his throw to go in front again then finishing off Bell recording a 180 with a 19 dart finish to win the match for him and the Aces overall.
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| Marc ellis |
(Match 6) Dawn Priestley 0-3 Ian Speed
After five games the match was done and dusted but that didn't stop Ian Speed from recording a 21 dart leg on throw and a 129 three dart finish in his resounding win over Dawn Priestley to wrap up the night and consolidate third place in the table.
Wolves 0-6 Black Eagles
Chris Keane 1-3 Owen Cubitt
Antonio Cruz 0-3 Trevor Burkhill
Chris Markham 1-3 Steve Briggs
Simon Sawford 0-3 Greg Beard
Jon Smethurst 0-3 Tom Briggs
Tom Sawford 2-3 Jelger Tuinstra
(Match 1) Chris Keane 1-3 Owen Cubitt
It was a Woodbourne derby as the Wolves took on the champions Black Eagles. Up first Chris "The Blade" Keane took on "Ice" Owen Cubitt. "Ice" took the first leg on throw then the youngster managed to break "The Blade" in the second leg with a 19 dart leg. Keane broke back in the third leg but it was too little too late as Cubitt took the victory in four to put the leaders in front.
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| Chris Keane (left) |
(Match 2) Antonio Cruz 0-3 Trevor Burkhill
In the second match of the night "Turbo" Trevor Burkhill looked to heap more misery on the Wolves as he took on Antonio Cruz, "Turbo" powered to a 1-0 lead breaking throw. He then held in the second leg to double the lead. Cruz had no chance of a comeback as Trev finished him off with a solid 18 darter to double the Black Eagles lead.
(Match 3) Chris Markham 1-3 Steve Briggs
"The Marksman" Chris Markham was next up for the Wolves looking to pull a game back against the experienced Steve Briggs. In the opening leg Briggs held throw to get off the mark. "The Marksman" had the darts to level but Briggs broke to go two up. The game looked over but Markham broke back to get himself back in the contest but Briggs finished the game in four and hit a maximum to add to the tally to make it three for the Black Eagles at the halfway point.
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| Steve Briggs |
(Match 4) Simon Sawford 0-3 Greg Beard
In the fourth match on it was up to Greg Beard to finish off the Wolves early as he came up against Simon Sawford. Beard wasted no time and quickly broke the Sawford throw. He then continued to punish Simon as he hit a 19 dart leg not to mention the 180 to make it two. In the third leg with the game all but over Beard strolled to victory to give himself and the team the win with two to play.
(Match 5) Jon Smethurst 0-3 Tom Briggs
The match was already done with after four games so the Black Eagles would be forgiven for taking the foot off the gas but Tom Briggs was never going to do that against Jon Smethurst. After holding throw to start with Briggs broke Smethy in the second leg to put him on the hill. Smethurst needed to break Briggs in the third leg but it wasn't to happen as Briggs sealed the win to make it five in five and the whitewash on.
(Match 6) Tom Sawford 2-3 Jelger Tuinstra
It was up to Tom "Shooter" Sawford in the final match of the night to get a point for the Wolves but he faced a tough Jelger Tuinstra. Jelger opened with a break of throw hitting a 17 dart leg to go one up, Sawford did well to reply and make it one each, young "Shooter" then took the lead with the first hold but this time it was Jelger to equal the challenge to force a deciding leg to finish off the night. Sawford was slight favourite throwing first as both men were throwing well but the experienced Tuinstra took out the deciding double to snatch the win to complete the whitewash for the champions.
Report by
Pat Finney (Projectdarts Reporter/Media)
