ACADEMICALS SEAL WRIGHT AT THE END

Red Dragon Sheffield Franchise League (Week 18)

Thursday 22nd February 2018

Academicals 4-2 Warriors 

Harry Hatter 3-1 Angela Brittle

William Pollard 1-3 Ian Webster 

Tom Hogg 3-0 Nicola Warne

Tim Close 3-0 Sandra Webster

Conall Doughty 2-3 Steve Newton

Thomas Wright 3-1 Paul Brittle

We start week 18 of the Franchise League at the University Arms as the draw specialist Academicals face bottom of the table Warriors.

It was Harry Hatter to step up first for the home side as he played Angela Brittle. Hatter got off to a good start by breaking throw early, Hatter went on to make it two in the next leg. Brittle managed a leg back in the third but Hatter put the Academicals in front in four.

Up next was Warriors, Ian Webster looking to level up as he played William Pollard. It was Pollard who took the opener on throw. Webster equalised then broke in the third leg to go 2-1 up. Webster then went on to win the match in the fourth to level the scores up at one each. 

Academicals Tom Hogg played well in his game with Nicola Warne as he broke her throw to get off the mark, Hogg then went on to double his lead to leave Warne in trouble. Hogg finished off the match in the third leg with his best leg of the game a 17 darter against the darts to put the Academicals back in the lead. 

In the fourth match it was Sandra Webster needed to defeat Tim Close to level  the scores again but Close was too strong for his opponent after taking the opener, Close broke Webster's throw to make it two. Webster needed to break back but didn't manage it as Close ran out the winner to make it 3-1 with two to play.

Warriors were under pressure to deliver in the final two games of the night as "Hero" Steve Newton was looking to save his team and keep them in the contest against Conall Doughty in a good encounter. It was Newton to throw first and he started well holding his throw, back came Doughty to level up then breaking Newton in the third leg to throw for the match. It looked all over for Newton but "Hero" dug in and fought back to defeat his opponent in the decider to bring it back to 3-2 heading into the final game.

In the decider it was up to Academicals Thomas Wright to defeat opposition captain Paul Brittle to win the match for his side. Wright couldn't have wished for a better start racing into a 2-0 advantage. Brittle managed to break straight back to make it 2-1 but Wright won it against the darts in the fourth leg to secure a 4-2 win for the Academicals for their first win in eight games. 

Hawks 1-5 Aces

Ben Dulley 3-1 Andy Umney

Peter Bell 1-3 Ian Speed 

Laura Taylor 0-3 Wes Deane 

Marc Ellis 1-3 Mick Smith 

Steve Ewington 0-3 Simon Birkett

Joelle Taylor 0-3 Trevor Tye

Over the the Hawk & Dove, home side Hawks who have had in-different form of late which sees them start in mid-table sixth place face an Aces side who have won six out of the last seven games which has propelled them up to third. 

We open with Hawks, Ben Dulley who put on a good show against Andy Umney starting with a break of throw to open, Dulley then went on to hold his own to go two up. Umney took the third leg to peg it back but Dulley won it in four legs to give the Hawks the early lead. 

Aces Ian Speed didn't get off to the best of starts in his game with Pete Bell as Bell went one up. Speed found his range in the second leg as he levelled up then turned the game around in the third as he broke Bell and throw for the match in which he managed with some steady darts to equal the scores up.

Up next Aces Wes Deane ran out a 3-0 winner over Laura Taylor and registered a maximum in the process to turn the score around to put the Aces in front. 

Marc "Tiny" Ellis tried his best in his game with Mick Smith but as Smith took off with back to back legs and a 130 finish thrown in too, it gave Ellis a lot to do to get back in it he did well to pull a leg back in the third but the writing was already on the wall as Smith won it in the next leg to make it 3-1 to the Aces. 

In the fifth game on Steve Ewington needed to win his match with Simon Budha Birkett to keep the Hawks in the game but Birkett was in no mood to give him a chance after holding throw to take he lead, Simon then went on to register an 18 dart leg against the throw followed by a quality 15 darter to win the match for him and the Aces with one to play. 

In the final game with the Aces already having the win, it was up to Joelle Taylor to put some pride back in the scoreline as she took on Trevor Tye. Aces, Tye broke throw to start which set him up nicely for the remainder of the game as he went on to hold and make it two. Taylor was looking to stay in it on her throw in the third leg but Tye wrapped up the night to give the Aces a 5-1 win to make it seven victories out of the last eight.

Railwaymen 5-1 Pirates

Pete Bramley 1-3 Lee Slack

Mark Gurran 3-1 Martin Chivers 

Martin Scott 3-0 Anne Lofthouse 

Steve Brittle 3-0 Martin Baugh

Tom Gurran 3-1 Sie Simmons 

Gav Pilling 3-1 Michael Slack

We're at the Station next up where second placed Railwaymen who are on a run of four consecutive wins take on a Pirates side who are struggling with just three wins all season. 

Up first was "Perfect" Pete Bramley for the Railwaymen as he took on Lee Slack who got off to a good start by holding throw in the opener. Bramley hit back with a 17 darter to level but after that he couldn't get a rhythm going as Slack played well to run out a 3-1 winner to give the Pirates a shock lead. 

Martin Chivers was looking to capitalise on the early lead in his match with Mark Gurran but he didn't start well as Gurran broke him in the opener, after that he went on to make it two. Chivers got a leg back in the third leg but it was Gurran who wrapped up the win to equalise for the Railwaymen.

In the third match on Martin Scott played solidly against Anne Lofthouse in a game which saw Scott open with a 21 dart leg break of throw. Lofthouse couldn't get going throughout as Scott won it at a canter to put the home side in the lead. 

Railwaymen took command of the match from here on in as Steve Brittle opened with a 21 darter against Martin Baugh with a maximum to boot. He then broke Baugh in the second leg to give his opponent no way back in the contest as Brittle ran out 3-0 winner to make the score 3-1.

The fifth match started with the Pirates on the ropes but Sie Simmons gave them a bit of false hope against Tom "The Inferno" Gurran after nicking the opening leg albeit on throw it was youngster Gurran who kicked in and after recording a 180 he went on to win it in four to wrap up the win for the Railwaymen with one to spare.

Once again like the match before it the Pirates went ahead with Michael Slack opening the scoring in his match with Gavin Pilling but just like a carbon copy of the other match, Railwaymen's Pilling got his act together and after breaking straight back he hit back to back 19 darters to round off a good night for his team to make it five wins on the spin for the home side.

Wades 0-6 Black Eagles

Antonio Cruz 0-3 Trevor Burkhill 

Tom Briggs 2-3 Marie Tuinstra

Stephen Naisbitt 0-3 Steve Briggs

0-3 Owen Cubitt 

0-3 Jelger Tuinstra 

0-3 Jason Burkhill 

In the final two games of the week it was a battle royal of all four Woodbourne teams going head to head, first up was the Wades who unfortunately only had three players on the night in their tough match with reigning champions and league leaders Black Eagles.

We start with Wades Antonio Cruz struggling to cope in his match with "Turbo" Trevor Burkhill who was on fire as he started with a 13 darter, "Turbo" then broke the Cruz throw with a 14 dart leg and he then finished off Cruz in the third in 16 darts to finish off a brilliant performance to already give the Champions the win after the first game. 

Marie Tuinstra got off to a flyer in her game with Tom Briggs with every leg going against the throw. Tuinstra took a 2-1 lead following a 21 darter but Briggs levelled with a 20 of his own in which he threw for the match but couldn't cross the finishing line as Tuinstra made it five for the Black Eagles with one to play.

In the final game of a short night in the Woodbourne, Wades captain Stephen Naisbitt was looking to get some sympathy from Steve Briggs but Briggs wasn't in that sort of mood and after holding his throw in the opening leg, Briggs went on to ease to a 3-0 win to wrap up a whitewash Black Eagles win to put them five points clear at the top of the table.

Wolves 4-2 Panthers

Lee Cushworth 3-1 Kieron Potts

Pete Daffin 3-0 John Schultz 

Graham Waller 2-3 Mick Hulley 

John Lieber 3-1 Russ Simons 

Iain Fulton 3-0 Mick Wood

Dave Cliffe 0-3 Richard Brown

To finish the week off the other two Woodbourne teams went face to face as the Wolves who have just won their first match in four face a Panthers side who sit fifth after their heavy mauling last time out at the hands of the Railwaymen.

We start with "The Dartin' Demon" Lee Cushworth for the Wolves who set off like a rocket against Kieron Potts as he took out a 14 dart leg against the throw to settle in. Potts replied with a break straight back in what looked like a close game but then Cushworth reeled off the third leg to throw for the match in which he did in 19 darts to put the Wolves ahead. 

Up next for the Panthers was John Schultz who faced a daunting task as he played Wolves captain "Super Daff's" Pete Daffin. It was Daffin to start and he kicked off with a 17 darter. On the Schultz throw Daffin gave him limited chances and the captain broke with another 17 dart leg to throw for the match in the third leg in which he did with ease finishing in 21 darts to double the Wolves lead. 

In the third match the Wolves looked as though they were cruising but Mick Hulley had something to say about that as he faced Graham Waller in a match that went the distance. Both players started with a break of throw each then Hulley took the third leg to put himself 2-1 up. Waller held his throw to force a deciding fifth leg in which Hulley took it with the deciding double to keep the Panthers in the game. 

Panthers thought they were getting back in the match as we headed into the second half of the night but Wolves John Lieber put a halt to the proceedings in his game with Russ Simons with both men starting with 20 dart legs it looked like a close match but then Lieber took the third leg to nudge himself towards the finishing line. Simons had the darts in the fourth leg but Lieber finished it to make it 3-1 Wolves.

It was Wolves Iain Fulton fifth on making his debut knowing that a win for him will also give his new team victory, facing him was Mick Wood who needed a win of his own to force a deciding game. Fulton started well for his new team as he broke the Wood throw by registering a 19 darter in his very first leg in the league. Fulton carried on where he left off in the next leg as he eased to a 2-0 lead. Wood had throw to stay in the match but it was the debutants day as he won it in three and it gave the Wolves victory with one to go.

In the final match of the week, Panthers Richard Brown made the score more respectable as he faced Dave Cliffe, Cliffe had throw but couldn't hit the big scores as Brown took advantage to break, he then carried on into the next leg where he doubled the lead leaving Cliffe with it all to do. In the third leg it was Brown who finished off the night in three to win the game but it was the Wolves' night as they won overall 4-2.

Report by

Pat Finney (Projectdarts Reporter/Media)

Aces win game of the week over Wades in SFL

Thursday 15th February 2018

Aces 4-2 Wades

Andy Umney 0-3 Brian Jones 

Wes Deane 3-0 Paul Harris

Trevor Tye 2-3 Simon Denton

Simon Birkett 3-0 Antonio Cruz

Ian Speed 3-1 Stephen Naisbitt

Mick Smith 3-0 Tom Sawford

We start week 17 at the Newbold as third and fourth do battle as the Aces take on the Wades with just three points separating the two teams before tonight's game.

In the opening match Aces Andy Umney struggled in his game with Brian James. It was Jones to start us off and after holding throw in the first leg, Brian then broke Umney with a 17 darter, Jones finished off a solid game by taking the 3-0 win to put the Wades ahead.

After Wades good start it was up to Aces Wes Deane to bounce back against Paul Harris and after starting well with a hold of throw Deane went on to win in three to equalise for the home side.

In a close third match Trevor Tye and Simon Denton locked horns, Denton had the darts and held well. Tye hit back and after breaking throw to go 2-1 up, Tye threw for the match but Denton wasn't finished and in a topsy turvy tie it was Denton who won the decider to put the Wades back in front.

Game four started well for the Wades Antonio Cruz which saw him hit a maximum in the opening leg in his match with Simon Birkett but unfortunately for him he couldn't keep up the level of performance as Birkett took the first leg with a 20 darter then Birkett hit a 114 checkout, 18 dart leg in the second to double the lead. Cruz had no answer as Birkett finished him off with a 21 dart finish to win it and make the score two each with two to play.

In the match defining fifth leg, Wades captain Stephen Naisbitt was looking to give his side the upper hand as he played Ian Speed. It was captain Naisbitt to start but it was Speed on top and after breaking the captains throw Speed held in the second to go two up. Naisbitt did well to pull a leg back but Speed won it in the fourth leg after taking out the second 114 finish in consecutive matches to give the Aces chance of victory going into the deciding match.

Aces started the final game with a chance of victory as Mick Smith took on Tom "Shooter" Sawford. Smith didn't let anything rattle him as he took the opening leg to nudge in front. Sawford couldn't get going on this occasion and Smith took full advantage breaking his opponent with a 19 darter then Smith finished off the night by winning it in three to give the Aces a 4-2 victory to extend their lead over tonight's opponents in the table.

Black Eagles A-A Academicals 

Panthers 0-6 Railwaymen 

Mick Wood 0-3 Pete Bramley 

Pat Meeson 0-3 Mark Gurran 

Russ Simons 0-3 Martin Scott 

Mick Hulley 1-3 Steve Brittle

Ryan Goffin 2-3 Tom Gurran 

Richard Brown 0-3 Gavin Pilling 

In the only match at the Woodbourne tonight, fifth placed Panthers with four straight wins take on a Railwaymen side who have five wins out of the last six and trying to put the pressure on the leaders at the top.

We start with Panthers Mick Wood in a tricky match with "Perfect" Pete Bramley and it showed from the off the mountain he had to climb as Bramley took the first leg on throw. Wood needed to hold to stay in touch but that's when Bramley threw in a 21 dart leg to break and throw for the match in which he finished off in 18 darts to give the away team the lead. 

Up next was Railwaymen's Mark Gurran in good form in his match with Pat Meeson. Meeson started with the arrows but Gurran broke early to take the lead and never looked back as Gurran went on to take the match by the same 3-0 scoreline to put the Railwaymen two up.

In the third game the Railwaymen started bossing the match as Martin Scott took out a 17 dart leg then threw a 14 darter against the throw against a good player in Russ Simons who couldn't cope as Scott registered a third consecutive 3-0 win to put his side in total control.

Mick Hulley finally got a leg for the struggling Panthers in the fourth match against Steve Brittle when he levelled up at one each with a 17 dart leg but Brittle powered on after that and took the match in the fourth winning it with a 16 darter to give the Railwaymen the win with two to play.

It was "The Inferno" Tom Gurran up next looking to keep the chances of a whitewash on as he played captain "The Manic" Ryan Goffin, captain Goffin couldn't have started any better after breaking Gurran in the opener the then went on to double his lead with a 134 checkout (15 darter) in what looked certain of victory to end the drought he just couldn't get over the winning line as Gurran slowly crept back into the game after holding throw to stay in it he then broke Goffin in the fourth leg to throw for the match himself in which Gurran completed the comeback to make it five for the travelling side.

In the finale it was up to Richard Brown of the Panthers to get a point on the board as he took on Gavin Pilling. Brown started with the darts but Pilling broke him, Pilling then went on to hit a 17 dart leg which took the wind right out of Brown going into the third leg, Pilling rounded off the night with a 3-0 win to complete the whitewash for the Railwaymen.

Pirates 1-5 Hawks

Martin Baugh 0-3 Paul Moore 

Simon Chivers 0-3 Joelle Taylor 

Sie Simmons 2-3 Peter Bell 

Anne Lofthouse 3-0 Matt Pryor 

Michael Slack 0-3 Steve Ewington

Bye 0-3 Marc Ellis

We head to the Players Bar next for the penultimate game of the week as the Pirates who sit third bottom looking to close in on the teams above but start with a man down face a Hawks team in sixth looking to put a run together themselves.

Pirates Martin Baugh didn't get off to the best of starts as he took on an in form Paul Moore. It was Moore to start the night off and he kicked in with an 18 dart hold of throw. He then rattled off a 17 dart leg as well as a maximum and a 124 checkout to add to his tally. Baugh struggled to get back in the game as Moore won it in three finishing off with a 21 darter to give the Hawks the lead.

Up next Hawks Joelle Taylor threw well in her game with Simon Chivers after breaking throw to break the deadlock, Taylor took the next leg too to put Chivers in all sorts of trouble. In the third leg Taylor finished off her opponent to put the Hawks two up.

As the third match started the Hawks were on a roll as Peter Bell took on Sie Simmons in the closest match between the two teams as every leg went with throw. Bell took the lead which was cancelled out by Simmons in the second leg, back came Bell in the third leg to put him on the brink as Simmons did well to force a fifth leg in which Bell had darts to make him favourite and he used it to his advantage to win it 3-2 and make it three in three for his side.

Technically the Hawks had already won the game based on the Pirates only fielding five players but Anne Lofthouse played a good game in her encounter with Matt Pryor who had no answer to Lofthouse's finishing as she ran out 3-0 victor to put a point on the board for the Pirates team. 

In the final match of a short night in the Players Bar, Hawks Steve Ewington put on a good show against opponent Michael Slack. Ewington started with throw and took the first leg with ease, Slack was looking to equalise but Ewington squeezed the pressure on him by breaking to make it two. He continued with the good darts by hitting a 180 and finishing off Slack in three to give the Hawks a 5-1 victory to tighten their grip on sixth place.

Vulcans 2-4 Wolves

S. Walters 1-3 Dave Cliffe

Phil Lambert 0-3 Pete Daffin 

Tom Wright 0-3 Lee Cushworth 

Steven Caley 1-3 John Lieber 

Mick Swift 3-2 Pat Finney 

James Thomas 3-2 Graham Waller

In the final match of the week we're at the Punchbowl as the Vulcans who have suffered three successive defeats and are second bottom in the table face a Wolves side who sit mid-table without a win in three.

We start with S. Walters for the Vulcans taking on Dave Cliffe. It was Cliffe's darts to start and he kicked off well with a hold of throw followed by a break to go 2-0 in front. Walters managed a leg back in the third but it was Cliffe who grabbed the win to put the Wolves ahead. 

It was Wolves captain Pete "Super Daff's" Daffin up next as he played Phil Lambert who threw first and he knew he needed to get off to a good start which unfortunately didn't happen as Daffin broke his throw, then in the next leg the Wolves captain doubled his lead, which set him up nicely to finish it off in which he did in three to put the Wolves two up.

In the third match the Wolves were on a roll as Lee Cushworth faced Tom Wright. "Cushy" had the throw and kicked off steady to go one up. Cushworth then kicked on and found his rhythm and after hitting a 19 dart leg to break he then won the match hitting a 14 darter to make it three in three for his team. 

Vulcans needed something and fast before the match went away from them as Steven Caley toed the oche to play John Lieber. Caley had the throw but quickly Lieber got himself in front with a 19 dart leg to open his account for the night. Lieber continued in the next leg where he went two up after an 18 dart finish, Caley did well to pull a leg back himself taking out a 20 darter but it was Lieber who won it in four finishing in 18 darts which gave him a 3-1 win where both players threw well as every leg finished in 21 darts or under.

After four games the Wolves were already celebrating victory as Pat Finney took to the board playing Mick Swift. It was Finney who started well holding throw to nudge in front, Swift levelled quickly but after three legs Finney found himself 2-1 up. It was the fourth leg where Swift found his form and after keeping himself in the match with a 21 darter, Swift then won the match against throw finishing in 20 darts leaving Finney way back to stop the rot for the Vulcans. 

In the sixth and last match of the week, Vulcans James "Tank" Thomas and Graham Waller went face to face. It was "Tank" to start but he set off slow as Waller took the first leg. Thomas then hit back hitting two maximums on his way of going 2-1 up. It was Waller's turn to equalise and force a fifth leg in which Thomas took advantage of having the darts and he took out the deciding double to win the match to finish off a respectable scoreline as the Wolves ran out 4-2 winners to end their winless run and extend the Vulcans run to four successive defeats.

Report by

Pat Finney (Projectdarts Reporter/Media)

WADES EDGE PIRATES IN THRILLER

Red Dragon Sheffield Franchise League (Week 16)

Thursday 8th February 2018

Academicals 3-3 Aces

Conall Doughty 2-3 Andy Umney 

Harry Hatter 0-3 Mick Smith

Ritesh Deo 1-3 Ian Speed 

Tim Close 3-0 Trevor Tye

Tom Hogg 3-0 Dave Belfitt 

Adam Warner 3-0 Wes Deane

Week 16 of the Franchise Leagues starts at the University Arms where the Academicals who have drawn four out of the last seven games take on an Aces side who have won five on the spin before tonight.

We start the night with Academicals Conall Doughty who faced a tough opponent in Andy Umney but he gave a good account of himself through the match. Umney started well after holding throw he broke Doughty with a 16 darter to go two up. Umney had the darts to win the game but Doughty took out a 21 dart leg to break back and after he held his own throw in the fourth it went to a last leg shootout in which Umney made the darts count to put the Aces ahead. 

In the next game Aces Mick Smith threw solid in his win over Harry Hatter. It was Hatter who started but couldn't get going as Smith broke him early then went on the rampage with a 19 and 17 dart legs to win it in three to double the Aces lead. 

Up next for the Uni lads was Ritesh Deo who needed a good start against Ian Speed and he got it by breaking Speed in the opener but Speed hit back with a leveller and after Speed held to make it 2-1 Deo couldn't hold his throw as Speed won it in four to make it three for the Aces. 

It looked all over for the Academicals after the first three games but Tim Close gave them a glimmer of hope against Trevor Tye. Close had the throw and he took full advantage taking the first leg. The needed to equalise but Close threw well to break him and that gave him a big boost going into the third leg where Close won it with a maximum finishing it off in 16 darts to start the comeback.

In game five the Academicals were right back in the tie as Tom Hogg defeated Dave Belfitt without dropping a leg to force a decider which didn't look likely after the first three games. 

In a game of two halves the Aces were struggling even for a leg in the second half of the match as Wes Deane stepped up in the decider against a rejuvenated Adam Warner. It was Warner to start the match off and he held his throw to go one up. Deane threw for the equaliser but Warner's consistency proved crucial to breaking Deane then Warner threw for the match in which he did without fuss to complete the Academicals comeback and the draw specialist added another one to the tally for this season.

Hawks 2-4 Panthers

Peter Bell 3-1 Mick Wood

Paul Moore 3-0 Kieran Potts

Laura Taylor 1-3 John Schultz 

Matt Pryor 2-3 Pat Meeson

Steve Ewington 1-3 Russ Simons 

Joelle Taylor 0-3 Richard Brown

Over at the Hawk & Dove it's sixth vs fifth as the Hawks face the Panthers with seven points separating the two sides but the Hawks have a game in hand on tonight's opponents.

Up first for the home side it was Pete Bell who took on Mick Wood. It was Wood to start the night off. In the opening leg Bell hit a maximum to put Wood under pressure on his throw early on but Wood responded well and it was him who held throw and took the lead. Bell equalised soon after and then it was Bell who took a 2-1 lead after breaking the Wood throw in the third leg and then it was Bell who finished off the match to take the opening game of the night. 

Hawks team raced out of the blocks after the second game as Paul Moore put on a good showing in his match with Kieran Potts. Moore started with consecutive 19 dart legs to go two up and threw for the match which he controlled from start to finish to make it two in two for the Hawks side. 

After two games the Panthers were on the ropes as John Schultz stepped up to face Laura Taylor and it was Taylor who won the first leg against the throw but then it was the start of the comeback for the Panthers as Schultz broke straight back to level then went on to secure a 3-1 win to put the Panthers on the board. 

Matt Pryor and Pat Meeson had a rollercoaster of a game in the fourth match as Meeson started well braking throw in the opener. Pryor hit back with a break and a hold to make the score 2-1. It was Meeson's darts on the fourth leg to stay in the match and he threw well to level at two each. Pryor was slight favourite going into the deciding leg as he had the throw but Meeson pulled out a quality 14 dart leg to win the match, leaving Pryor stunned as the score were level at two each. 

In the crucial fifth game Hawks Steve Ewington took on Russ Simons for a chance for one of these to give their team hope of victory. Simons had the darts but it was Ewington who took the opening leg. In the second leg on the Ewington throw he had the chance to double his lead but it went begging as Simons levelled then Simons went on to hold his throw in the third leg to go in front. Ewington had to hold his throw in the fourth to stay in it but Simons finished him off to give the Panthers a chance of victory in the final game of the night. 

It was up to Joelle Taylor to save the Hawks from defeat as she faced Richard Brown in the final game. Taylor had the darts but Brown quickly took control of the leg and broke to go in front. After that Brown never looked back as he controlled the game to win it in three legs to give the Panthers a 4-2 win to cement the top five in the table. 

Railwaymen 5-1 Vulcans 

Steve Brittle 0-3 Mick Swift 

Mark Gurran 3-0 Steven Caley

Martin Scott 3-1 James Thomas

Pete Bramley 3-1 Alex Sproston 

Glen Payne 3-0 Tom Wright 

Gavin Pilling 3-0 Phil Lambert 

We head to the Station next where the title contenders Railwaymen who sit just 3 points behind the leaders face a second bottom Vulcans side with one win to their name all season. 

The match started in the best way possible for the Vulcans as they went into a shock lead when Mick Swift who started with a 16 darter took out Steve Brittle without losing a leg.

In the second game Mark Gurran levelled up the scores with a good three legs to nil win over Steven Caley. 

James "Tank" Thomas started his game well with Martin Scott as he took the first leg but Scott took out a 21 and a 17 dart leg plus a 119 finish on his way to a 3-1 win to put the Railwaymen in front. 

As the fourth match started the Railwaymen had their confidence up as Pete "Perfect" Bramley played Alex Sproston. Bramley kicked off with back to back legs which included a 120 checkout. Sproston managed to take out a leg in the third but it was Bramley celebrating finishing off his opponent in four legs to put his side 3-1 up. 

It was Tom Wright fifth on for the Vulcans needing a win to force a decider as he played Glen Payne. It was Wright's darts to start us off but it was Payne who set off with a 19 dart leg break of throw to take the lead. Wright managed to hit a 180 himself in the game but it wasn't enough for him as Payne sailed to a 3-0 win.

In the last game of the night, Gavin Pilling for the Railwaymen played well to round of a good night for his team as he faced Phil Lambert. Pilling recorded an 18 and a 19 dart leg on his way to a win it in three to make the final score 5-1 to the Railwaymen to keep in touching distance of the leaders. 

Wades 4-2 Pirates 

Tom Briggs 3-0 Lee Slack

Simon Denton 0-3 Sie Simmons

Lee Siddle 3-0 Simon Chivers 

Simon Sawford 3-0 Anne Lofthouse 

Tom Sawford 3-1 Michael Slack

Stephen Naisbitt 2-3 Martin Chivers

Over at the Woodbourne for the only match in their this week we had fourth placed Wades who were looking to bounce back from last week's defeat face a Pirates team who sit third bottom, 3 points behind the Academicals who are the team above. 

To open we had Wades Tom Briggs in decent form in his game with Lee Slack as Briggs took all three legs to give the Wades the perfect start. 

Pirates Sie Simmons equalised with a convincing victory over Simon Denton also without dropping a leg as he won the match with a 20 darter.

In game three the Wades were back in front in another 3-0 scoreline as Lee Siddle got another victory under his belt against Simon Chivers. 

It was fourth consecutive 3-0 game as Wades Simon Sawford put daylight between the two teams as he defeated Anne Lofthouse to put the Wades 3-1 up.

In the final two games were a little closer as the next match saw Pirates Michael Slack trying to give his team a chance against "Shooter" Tom Sawford in a game where both players started with a break of throw and a maximum each. Sawford then turned it on as Slack couldn't keep the same level has he showed in the first couple of legs therefore it was "Shooter" who grabbed a victory in four to give the Wades the win with one to spare. 

It was captain of the Wades Stephen Naisbitt up in the final match taking on Martin Chivers. It was Naisbitt to start the match and he did well holding throw to take the lead. Chivers equalised in the next leg to level. In the third captain Naisbitt went 2-1 up and looked like winning but Chivers played well in the final two legs and won the match against the darts in the decider to make the score a respectable 4-2 Wades win to cement fourth place. 

Warriors 0-6 Black Eagles 

Sandra Webster 0-3 John Walton 

Barry Brittle 0-3 Charlie Stocks 

Nicola Warne 0-3 Micky Stocks

Ian Webster 1-3 Owen Cubitt

Steve Newton 0-3 Trevor Burkhill 

Paul Brittle 0-3 Steve Briggs

In the final match of the weeks action we go to the Midland in a bottom vs top clash as the Warriors take on the Black Eagles.

Up first for the Warriors was Sandra Webster facing former World Champion John "Boy" Walton. It was Walton to throw first and he stamped his mark early doors by putting in a 16 darter. Walton continued his dominance through the game in which he won convincingly in three legs to get the Black Eagles off to a flying start. 

In the next match Black Eagles youngster Charlie Stocks took on Barry Brittle. Brittle had throw but Stocks was the more consistent player of the two and after he broke throw in the first leg, Brittle struggled to find a way back in the game as Stocks took all three legs to make it two for the Champions.

Warriors Nicola Warne was facing an uphill task in her game with Micky Stocks as Stocks took the opener on throw, he then went on to break Warne with a 20 dart leg to make it two, Warne had no answer to Stocks scoring as he ran out 3-0 winner to leave his team in complete control of the match. 

"Ice" Owen Cubitt was fourth up to the oche for the travelling team to win it early against Ian Webster. Both players started sluggish as they traded breaks of throw. Cubitt then hit a maximum and took out a 15 dart leg to throw for the match in the fourth in which he did cooly taking it out in 20 darts to give the Champions the win with two left to play.

It was hero vs turbo in game five when Steve Newton played Trevor Burkhill. It was "Turbo Trev" to start the game and he comfortably took the opener in 19 darts. Burkhill then registered a maximum followed by a 21 dart break of throw to make it two. Newton struggled to cope with Burkhill as he won it with his best leg of the night hitting a 15 darter to make it five for the Black Eagles.

Black Eagles rounded off a good night for them as Steve Briggs defeated "The Undertaker" Paul Brittle with a 180 on the board, a 19 and a 20 dart leg to finish and complete a near perfect night for the away side to nudge 4 points clear at the top of the table. 

Report by

Pat Finney (Projectdarts Reporter/Media)