Railwaymen secure 2nd spot before league final week

Sheffield Darts Franchise League:Leadmill Premier Division
Sponsored by:                               The Leadmill
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In Association with:                       Sheffield Star

Aces 0-6 Black Eagles

Andy Umney 2-3 John Walton

Neil Bradley 0-3 Tony Darlow

Ian Speed 2-3 Greg Beard 

Mick Smith 0-3 Stephen Briggs

Matt Needham 2-3 Tom Briggs 

Trevor Tye 1-3 Owen Cubitt

We start at the Newbold where third placed Aces who go into this match with back to back wins took on champions Black Eagles who haven't dropped a single game in the past two weeks.The Black Eagles was pushed all the way by the Aces and was unlucky to come away with the result they did not deserve.

(Match 1) Andy Umney 2-3 John Walton

Up first for the Aces was Andy Umney taking on former World Champion John 'Boy' Walton in a match which saw Umney throw everything at John boy as he recorded two maximums along with an 18 and a 17 darter both on throw and it still wasn't enough to take down Walton as he responded with two 21 dart legs of his own and a steady win in the third leg to give him a 3-2 victory to get the champions off the mark.

John Walton

(Match 2) Neil Bradley 0-3 Tony Darlow

Next up was Black Eagles Tony 'The Tiger' Darlow up against Neil Bradley. Darlow opened with a break of throw to put him one up, which set the match up for him nicely as he held his own in the second leg to double his lead. Bradley had the darts in the third leg but that didn't matter at 'The Tiger' roared to victory to double the Black Eagles lead.

(Match 3) Ian Speed 2-3 Greg Beard

It was the turn of "The Titan" Greg Beard looking to keep the run going as he faced Ian Speed in a game which every leg went with throw. "The Titan" started well and secured the first leg. Speed equalised soon after with a 20 dart leg but that didn't put off Beard as he recording a max on his way to taking the third leg but once again Speed was on his back and wasn't going down easy as he took the fourth leg which forced a decider in which Greg had the darts and he made it count as he held which gave him the victory in which every leg went with the darts.

Ian Speed

(Match 4) Mick Smith 0-3 Stephen Briggs

The Aces were in all sorts of trouble after three games it was up to Mick Smith to keep them in the match as he played veteran Stephen Briggs. The match started with Briggs breaking throw to take the lead, in the second leg Briggs held his own throw to make it two and he confidently finished his opponent off in the third leg winning the game with a 21 darter to give the champions the win with two to play.

(Match 5) Matt Needham 2-3 Tom Briggs

It was the turn of the younger Briggs in game five facing a tough opponent in Matt Needham and it showed as Needham got off the mark with a 21 dart leg against the throw then holding in the second to double his lead, Briggs fought back after that and pulled a leg back on his throw then the big turning point of the game was when Briggs broke Needham's throw in the fourth leg to make it go down to a deciding leg in which Briggs had the darts and he made it count to the full as he completed his comeback with a solid double finish to take the win and make it five in five.

(Match 6) Trevor Tye 1-3 Owen Cubitt 

In the sixth and final game of the night Trevor Tye needed a win to stop the whitewash for the Aces as he played another youngster in Owen "Ice" Cubitt, Tye got off to the best possible start taking the opening leg with a 21 darter on throw, but then "Ice" found his range and levelled with a 19 of his own, then the turning point of the match happened in the third leg where Cubitt broke the Tye throw which made him throw for the match in the fourth leg in which he finished off the night hitting a 21 dart leg finishing with a 111 checkout to complete the whitewash for the champions.

Panthers 3-3 Academicals 

Lee Cushworth 3-0 Oliver Newall

Russ Simons 2-3 Adam Warner

John Lieber 3-1 Tim Close

Ryan Goffin 3-1 Greg Batting

Mick Hulley 1-3 Matt Eardley

Mick Wood 1-3 Matt Royle

Over at the Woodbourne it was the Panthers in action chasing the top three as they host the Academicals who after a week off look to pick up more points as we head towards the end of the season.With the Panthers 3-1 up it was Matt Eardley and Matt Royle who pulled them back for the 3-3 draw.

(Match 1) Lee Cushworth 3-0 Oliver Newall

We start with the Dartin' Demon Lee Cushworth who were facing Oli Newall. The Dartin' Demon wasted no time as he took the opening leg of the night against the throw finishing in 20 darts. Cushworth followed that up with a steady hold of throw to double his advantage. Newall needed to keep his throw to stay in the contest but Cushy finished him off in style taking out a 15 darter finishing on 148 to give the Panthers the opening game.

(Match 2) Russ Simons 2-3 Adam Warner

In the second game saw a close one between Uni's Adam Warner and Russ Simons. It was Simons who got off the mark with a hold taking the leg in 18 darts. Warner replied with a 20 darter to level, Simons continued where he left off in the first leg and took out a 101 finish to go back in front but Warner wasn't to be denied as held in the fourth leg to force the first decider of the night. Simons had the darts to make him slight favourite but this time Warner found a breakthrough where it mattered most and he won the match with a 3 dart finish ending with a 21 darter to equalise for the Academicals.

Adam Warner

(Match 3) John Lieber 3-1 Tim Close

It was the Panthers captain John Lieber up next with the scores level he was hoping to put his team back in the lead against his opponent Tim Close. Close had the darts which he held well to take the lead, but that's when Lieber upped the ante to mask it one each holding with a 16 darter, which then gave Lieber the confidence to go on and hit back to back 19 dart legs to secure the win to put his team back in front at the halfway point.

(Match 4) Ryan Goffin 3-1 Greg Batting

The match was starting to be nip/tuck between both team as we head into the fourth game where Greg Batting was looking to level again playing "The Manic" Ryan Goffin. The game started well for both men each holding throw. Goffin took the third leg to keep hold of the lead which proved pivotal in the match as on the Batting throw "The Manic" took out a match winning 20 dart leg which made it 3-1 to the Panthers to give them breathing space with two to go. 

Ryan Goffin

(Match 5) Mick Hulley 1-3 Matt Eardley

It looked odds on that the Panthers were going to finish off the job as match five kicked off with Mick Hulley and Matt Eardley toeing the oche, especially when Hulley broke throw in the opener. Eardley started the fightback in the second leg with a break back then holding in the third leg to take the lead. Hulley needed to hold to stay in the tie but Eardley finished off the game with his second break of the night to force a sixth and deciding game.

(Match 6) Mick Wood 1-3 Matt Royle

In a nervy deciding game with the Academicals on the rise Matt Royle took on Mick Wood who himself was hoping to finish off the job. Both men exchanged breaks of throw in the opening three legs which saw Royle take a 2-1 lead and throw for the match. Wood just couldn't manage to make it four breaks of throw on the spin as Royle held his nerve to finish off Wood to seal a 3-1 win which completed the comeback to rescue a draw for the Academicals.

Railwaymen 6-0 Warriors 

Mark Gurran 3-0 Barry Brittle

Tom Gurran 3-0 Jodie Bruce

Steve Marfleet 3-0 Steve Newton

Pete Bramley 3-0 Angie Brittle 

Martin Scott 3-0 Nicola Warne

Gav Pilling 3-0 Paul Brittle

At The Station second placed Railwaymen who had back to back wins before tonight take on struggling Warriors who are cut adrift at the bottom of the table.It was a comprehensive victory that secured 2nd place in the SFL Leadmill Premier Division for the Railwaymen

(Match 1) Mark Gurran 3-0 Barry Brittle

We open with Railwaymen's Mark Gurran taking on "The ginja ninja" Barry Brittle. Gurran quickly sprung out of the traps managing to break Brittle in the first leg which pretty much set the tone for the rest of the night. Gurran held his throw in the next leg to make it 2-0 then Gurran saved his best until last taking out an 18 dart finish to comfortably put the Railwaymen in front.

(Match 2) Tom Gurran 3-0 Jodie Bruce 

In the second game Jodie Bruce faced "The Inferno" Tom Gurran looking to level but it wasn't long before "The Inferno" to kick into gear after holding in the first leg young Gurran then stepped it up a notch breaking Bruce's throw in the second to set himself and Gurran took victory in the third with a maximum followed by a 21 dart finish to wrap up the win for himself and it doubled the home sides lead.

Tom Gurran

(Match 3) Steve Marfleet 3-0 Steve Newton

Warriors were falling apart rapidly it was the turn of "Hero" Steve Newton looking to try and save the game as he played Steve Marfleet. Newton had the darts to start but Marfleet quickly snatched them off him and broke the throw. The second leg that followed saw Marfleet take out an 18 darter on throw to double his lead and put him in total control in which he finished off the hero in three to put his side three up.

(Match 4) Pete Bramley 3-0 Angie Brittle

The fourth game saw Railwaymen's "Perfect" Pete Bramley put in a solid performance against Angie Brittle after he held throw to go in front, he then managed to break Angie in the second leg and then the third leg was a forgone conclusion as Bramley kept plodding away with steady darts to assure himself of the win to keep the winning legs run going.

The warriors

(Match 5) Martin Scott 3-0 Nicola Warne

Before the fifth game started the Railwaymen were already celebrating the victory as Nicola Warne was attempting to get some points on the board for the Warriors as she played Martin Scott who opened with a quick break of throw to make it 1-0. Scott then hit over-drive with some high scoring and good finishing which saw him hit a 14 darter then followed it up by winning the match with a 20 dart leg which also saw him hit two maximums to give Warne no chance as he made it five in five for the Railwaymen.

(Match 6) Gav Pilling 3-0 Paul Brittle 

In the final match "The Undertaker" Paul Brittle was looking to rescue the Warriors from despair as he toed the oche against Gav Pilling. Pilling opened the game with a hold of throw. "The Undertaker" had to respond in the second leg on his own throw but Pilling was too strong as he broke throw to make himself throw for the match and the whitewash and he finished off the night taking out the winning double to give the Railwaymen the clean sweep to give them a strong grip on second place.

Sausages 4-2 Wizards

Marc Ellis 3-2 Ann Lofthouse 

Ben Dolman 3-1 Ben Chivers 

Pete Bell 1-3 Lee Slack

Matt Pryor 3-2 Matt Simmons

Steve Ewington 3-0 Michael Slack

Summer Priestley 0-3 Sie Simmons

We head to the Cumberland next where the Sausages who on the back of two successive defeats take on third bottom Wizards who are looking to build on last weeks win.In a very Close game it was Sie Simmons who rescued the Wizards from a heavy defeat after Ellis,Pryor,Ewington & Dolman had given the Sausages the lead with the match ending 4-2

(Match 1) Marc Ellis 3-2 Ann Lofthouse 

Up first to tow the oche for the Sausages was "Tiny" Marc Ellis as he faced Ann Lofthouse. It was Lofthouse who started the night off and held throw. In the second leg Lofthouse kept up the form and broke Ellis to take a 2-0 advantage. When it all looked finished "Tiny" somehow hit back breaking the throw back to keep him in the game then holding in the fourth leg also hitting a 180 to boost his confidence going into the final leg decider in which Ann had the throw but "Tiny" made the comeback complete snatching victory in the last leg shootout to put the Sausages ahead.

(Match 2) Ben Dolman 3-1 Ben Chivers

In the next match we had Ben Chivers for the Wizards looking to level up against Ben Dolman. It was a solid start for both men as each held throw to make it 1-1. Dolman continued that trend in the third leg to nudge in front again and this time Chivers couldn't hold him back as Dolman finished off in four to make it two for the Sausages.

(Match 3) Pete Bell 1-3 Lee Slack

It was up to Lee Slack to keep the Wizards in with a chance of a win as he took on Pete Bell and he started well taking the opening two legs, Bell managed to pull a leg back against the throw to give him a squeak of a chance but it was Slack's day as he won the match against the darts in the fourth to keep the Wizards in the game.

Lee Slack

(Match 4) Matt Pryor 3-2 Matt Simmons 

Matt Pryor and Matt Simmons did battle in match four with the game in the balance a victory for either player would be vital for their team. Pryor started with the darts which saw him take the first leg with a hold. Simmons came back to level then in leg three Simmons broke the Pryor throw which in turn gave him a shot to throw for the match, Pryor came back strong after the third leg and equalised to make it a crucial last leg shootout in terms of the game itself as a whole and it saw Pryor with the darts and he Copley finished off the game to make it 3-1 to the Sausages. 

(Match 5) Steve Ewington 3-0 Michael Slack

The home side was on the brink of victory going into the fifth game as Steve Ewington was looking to finish off the Wizards as he faced Michael Slack. Slack started with the darts but Ewington found his range quickly and broke throw in the first leg. Ewington took the second leg on his own throw which dented Slack's hopes of keeping in touch as Ewington rounded off the game in straight legs to give the Sausages the victory which stopped their run of defeats with one game to spare.

Steve ewington

(Match 6) Summer Priestley 0-3 Sie Simmons

In the final match with the match sewn up for the home side Summer Priestley made her Sausages debut against the reliable Sie Simmons. Priestley had the darts in the opener but Simmons welcomed her to the Franchise League by breaking her throw and then held his own in the second leg. Priestley needed to hold throw in third to have any chance but Simmons made light work and finished off the night with a 3-0 win to make the score more respectable as the Sausages won by four games to two.

Wolves 5-1 Vulcans

Simon Sawford 1-3 Mick Swift

Chris Markham 3-0 Phil Lambert

Jon Smethurst 3-0 Bye

John Edwards 3-0 Bye

Chris Keane 3-0 Bye

Sue Edwards 3-0 Bye

A depleted display by the  Vulcans travelled to the Woodbourne to face the Wolves following back to back defeats and they already had no chance in this game as the Wolves were looking to rub salt in the wounds.

(Match 1) Simon Sawford 1-3 Mick Swift

In the opening game Mick Swift started us off for the Vulcans as he faced Simon "James" Sawford. Swift had the darts and swiftly took the lead, he continued to put Sawford under pressure and then broke his throw to make it 2-0. Sawford hit back with a 180 and a break back to make it 2-1 but it was too late as Swit finished off the match with a 19 dart leg to put the Vulcans on the board.

(Match 2) Chris Markham 3-0 Phil Lambert

It was the turn of "The Marksman" Chris Markham in the second and final game taking on Phil Lambert. "The Marksman" held throw in the first leg, Lambert had the darts in the second but Markham broke his throw and then convincingly took out the third and final leg of the match to give the Wolves a 5-1 win in a very short night of darts.

Report by

Pat Finney (Projectdarts Reporter/Media)