New Side Cutler Top Of The Table With Fine Victory In SFL

Red Dragon Sheffield Darts Franchise League 2018/19 Season (Week 2)

Sponsored by Red Dragon Darts & Projectdarts

Thursday 20th September 2018

Panthers 1-5 Black Eagles 

SINGLES

Richard Honeyman 0-3 John Walton 

Russ Simons 3-2 Tom Briggs 

Mick Hulley 0-3 Trevor Burkhill

Richard Brown 1-3 Ryan Goffin 

We open week two of the Red Dragon Sheffield Darts Franchise League at the Woodbourne where hosts the Panthers take on the champions Black Eagles in the first Woodbourne tussle of the season.

Up first was Panthers Richard Honeyman who couldn't make an impact against former World Champion John Walton as Walton took out a 17, 20 and then winning it with his best leg of 14 darts as well a hitting two maximums in a vintage display of darts to put the Black Eagles in front. 

Next up was Tom Briggs looking to double the lead but his opponent Russ Simons had other ideas in this close match. Briggs took the lead but got pegged back by a 17 dart leg from Simmons. Briggs then took out a 16 darter to make it 2-1 but couldn't cross the winning line as Simmons hit a 180 followed by a 21 and a 20 darter in the decider to win it to level the scores.

After that thriller of a second game "Turbo" Trevor Burkhill made no mistake in his match with Mick Hulley as he recorded back to back 20 dart legs and then taking the match with the best leg of the night a 13 darter to give Hulley no chance which put the Champions back in front. 

In the fourth game on Richard Brown shot out of the blocks for the Panthers taking the lead against "The Manic" Ryan Goffin in 20 darts. Goffin soon got to grips with the match and after equalising Goffin recorded a 17 darter to nudge in front and then he won the game in the next leg to make it 3-1 to the Black Eagles.

PAIRS

Richard Honeyman/Richard Brown 0-2 Steve Briggs/John Walton 

Russ Simons/Mick Hulley 1-2 Trevor Burkhill/Ryan Goffin 

Panthers had it all to do going into the pairs as Honeyman and Brown faced Steve Briggs and Walton. It was the Black Eagles duo who were the most consistent as they won the game 2-0 to win the match with one to spare.

In the next pairs game Trevor Burkhill and Ryan Goffin had a trickier time of it playing Russ Simons and Mick Hulley who gave it a real good go after going 1-0 down the Panthers pair fought back and drew level but the Goffin and Burkhill duo hit the deciding double which won them the game to give the defending Champs a 5-1 win. 

801 League

Russ Simons/Richard Honeyman/Mick Hulley 643-801 Steve Briggs/Tom Briggs/Trevor Burkhill 

In the triples match to finish the Black Eagles team of Steve and Tom Briggs plus Trevor Burkhill defeated Simons, Honeyman and Hulley by 158 points to round off a good night of darts.

Pussies 2-4 Bears

SINGLES

Steven Caley 2-3 Adam Smith

James Thomas 2-3 Ryan Phoenix 

Mick Swift 3-1 Brian Jones

Glynn Harris 3-2 Adam Chadwick 

Over at the Punchbowl the Pussies host the Bears hoping to get their first points of the season. 

Things didn't get off to a good start for the Pussies as Adam Smith and Steven Caley did battle. Smith was always in front in the game hitting and 18 darter in the third leg but after Caley forced a decider it was Smith who won it to open the scoring. 

Up next was another match that went to a decider between James Thomas and Ryan Phoenix. Thomas managed a maximum as both men found themselves ahead in the game but it was Phoenix who rose to make it another win in the final leg to put the Bears two up.

Pussies managed to drag themselves back in the match in game three as Mick Swift took out Brian Jones 3-1 to reduce the arrears in the scoreline. 

In the fourth game on Pussies made it all square as Glyn Harris and Adam Chadwick went at it leg for leg with the match ending in favour of Harris in the fifth and final leg which drew the team's level in some tight singles matches.

PAIRS

Thomas Wright/Glynn Harris 1-2 Adam Chadwick/Brian Jones 

Mick Swift/James Thomas 1-2 Adam Smith/Andy Smith 

In the penultimate pairs games where most matches are won and lost and this was no different as the Bears Adam Chadwick and Brian Jones won in the decider against duo Tom Wright and Glyn Harris to make it 3-2 Bears. 

In the other crucial pairs match it was a tussle that also went to three legs as the Bears, Adam and Andy Smith won it against Mick Swift and James Thomas to make the final score 4-2.

801 League

Steve Caley/Thomas Wright/James Thomas 801-757 Pat Finney/Tracy Bell/Andy Smith

There was some consolation for the Pussies at the end of the night as Steve Caley, Tom Wright and James Thomas defeated Pat Finney, Tracy Bell and Andy Smith by 44 points in the 801 match.

Warriors 0-6 Cutlers

SINGLES

Ian Webster 0-3 Andrew Pike

Paul Brittle 0-3 Darren Daly 

Nicola Warne 2-3 Lee Hart

Steve Newton 2-3 Peter Bell 

We're at the Midland next as two teams looking for a good  season ahead as the Warriors face another new team in the Cutlers hoping to continue a good start. 

Cutlers raced out of the blocks in the opening games as Andrew Pike took out Ian Webster by a three nil scoreline hitting a 17 dart leg along the way.

Darren Daley followed suit by winning Paul Brittle also without dropping a leg taking out a 134 and a 21 darter to win the match to make it two for the Cutlers.

Warriors got some legs on the board but couldn't sneak a win after game three as Nicola Warne threw away a 2-0 lead against Lee Hart to go down 3-2. 

Steve Newton also took the lead against Pete Bell only for Bell to wrap up the win in the final leg for the Cutlers taking out an 118 three dart finish which wrapped up the win heading into the doubles.

PAIRS

Paul Brittle/Ian Webster 0-2 Sam Bowers/Andrew Pike

Steve Newton/Nicola Warne 0-2 Peter Bell/Darren Daly

It didn't get any better for the Warriors in the doubles as Paul Brittle and Ian Webster went down 2-0 against Sam Bowers and Andrew Pike.

In the next pairs Peter Bell and Darren Daley won Steve Newton and Nicola Warne by the same scoreline to wrap up a whitewash win for the Cutlers and remain top.

801 League

Sandra Webster/Angela Brittle/Nicola Warne 797-801 Sam Bowers/Lee Hart/Andrew Pike

In the final 801 match Warriors team of Webster, Brittle and Warne gave it a real go against Bowers, Hart and Pike but in the end they went down by just 4 points which was very unlucky as the Cutlers completed the clean sweep for the night. 

Wolves 4-2 Pirates

SINGLES

Lee Birch 3-0 Michael Slack

Kevin Bird 3-0 Gareth Chivers

Graham Waller 3-0 Xenia Chivers

John Lieber 3-1 Lee Slack

In the final match of the second week we were back to the Woodbourne as the Wolves who play their 2nd match of the season face a Pirates side who suffered defeat in there first game. 

It was the Wolves who started the strongest as Lee Birch, Kevin Bird and Graham Waller all recorded 3-0 victories over Michael Slack, Gareth Chivers and Xenia Chivers respectively to put them in a commanding lead. In the fourth and final singles John Lieber took out a 19 darter in his match with Lee Slack to go 2-0 up. Slack pulled a leg back in the the third but Lieber won it in the fourth to give the Wolves victory.

PAIRS

John Lieber/Lee Birch 1-2 Sie Simmons/Anne Simmons

Kevin Bird/Sue Edwards 0-2 Gareth Chivers/Lee Slack

Over to the pairs after the Wolves were in complete command in the singles but the doubles matches was a different story as husband and wife? Sie Simmons who recorded a maximum in this game and Anne Simmons defeated John Lieber and Lee Birch in the deciding leg to reduce the arrears. 

In the next pairs game Gareth Chivers and Lee Slack paired up to pull another game back for the Pirates as they won Kevin Bird and Sue Edwards which gave the overall scoreline a respectable 4-2 Wolves win.

801 League

Lee Birch/John Lieber/Kevin Bird 801-726 Sie Simmons/Anne Simmons/Mandy Slack

To round off the weeks action, the triples Wolves team of Lee Birch, John Lieber and Kevin Bird won by 65 points over Mandy Slack plus Sie and Anne Simmons to end a good night. 

Report by

Pat Finney (Projectdarts Reporter/Media)

Bears Secure Debut Win as SFL Kicks Off Season 3

Red Dragon Sheffield Darts Franchise League 2018/19 Season (Week 1)

Sponsored by Projectdarts

Thursday 13th September 2018

Bears 4-2 Academicals 

Red Dragon Sheffield Darts Franchise League 2018/19 season kicked off on Thursday night with a brand new format of four singles, two pairs matches and a triple game to end the night with points in that match going to the brand new 801 league table. 

SINGLES

Adam Smith 3-1 Jack Lewis 

Brian Jones 3-2 Tim Close

Adam Chadwick 3-0 Conall Doughty

Andy Smith 0-3 Adam Warner

We start with the newcomers to the league Woodbourne Bears who have a mix of youth and experience in their ranks which could stand them in good stead as the season progresses taking on the Academicals in a good test for both teams to kick off the season. 

Singles kicked off with Bears Adam Smith making his Franchise League debut and making an impact defeating Jack Lewis by three legs to one as he recorded a 19 darter and a maximum to get the Bears up and running.

Up next Tim Close stepped up for the Uni looking to level up the scores as he played another debutant Brian Jones in a closely fought contest that went all the way as every leg went with throw. Close took out a 21 darter to force a decider but it was Jones who grabbed the win to make it two for the Bears. 

Bears were on a roll after the opening two games and Adam Chadwick kept the ball rolling in his match with Conall Doughty after hitting two 20 dart legs and a 180 to secure a win in three and make it 3-0 for the home side at the halfway stage.

In the fourth game on Academicals Adam Warner showed his class in his game with Andy Smith who had no answer to Warner's back to back 21 darters plus an 18 dart leg to win it in three to keep the Academicals in with an outside chance going into the pairs. 

PAIRS

Andy Smith/Adam Chadwick 2-0 Adam Warner/Jack Lewis

Patrick Finney/Mick Wood 0-2 Conall Doughty/Tim Close 

We open the first best of 3 doubles game in the league with the Bears Andy Smith who lost his singles and Adam Chadwick who performed well and looked in good form face Adam Warner who won his singles with every leg 21 darts or under partner Jack Lewis who opened the night with a defeat in four. It was the home pairing who started the better and they continued the form to take a 2-0 victory and win the game for the Bears on their debut with one to spare.

In the other doubles game Conall Doughty and Tim Close played well together as they defeated Pat Finney and Mick Wood to reduce the arrears on the night to make the score a respectable 4-2 win for the new team from the Woodbourne.

801 League

Patrick Finney/Mick Wood/Tracy Bell 571-801 Adam Warner/Conall Doughty/Tim Close

In the brand new triples 801 League it was Academicals Adam Warner, Conall Doughty and Tim Close taking on pairs partners Pat Finney, Mick Wood and Tracy Bell who was making her debut in the league. It was success for the Academicals as they raced to the finishing line pretty comfortably in the end and took the spoils. 

Black Eagles 6-0 Pussies 

SINGLES

Jelger Tuinstra 3-2 James Thomas

Trevor Burkhill 3-0 T. Wright

Ryan Goffin 3-2 Alex Sproston

Steve Briggs 3-1 G. Harris 

Back to back champions Black Eagles opened up with a home game against the Punchbowl Pussies looking to lay down a marker for the season. 

Jelger Tuinstra took on James "Tank" Thomas in the opener and the latter started all guns blazing taking out a 16 dart leg. Tuinstra replied with a leveller but Thomas went back in front and looked set for the win but Jelger turned it on in the final two legs after equalising with an 18 darter he went into the final leg which saw him miss out on an 11 darter to win it hitting a 180, 81, 140 which left him with a 100 checkout to finish but he finally got over the line winning the match in 17 darts to put the Black Eagles in front but fair play to Thomas he gave a good account of himself. 

Next was a very consistent "Turbo" Trevor Burkhill in which he defeated Wright with three consecutive 21 dart legs plus a ton finish to make it two for the home side. 

In another close game in the third Pussies Alex Sproston went all the way with "The Manic" Ryan Goffin with the latter kicking off with a max and 21 dart leg. Sproston levelled soon after but Goffin then took out a 140 to nudge bakin front. Once again Sproston wasn't going to lie down as he took out the fourth which made it another five leg match which saw confident Goffin shine through to take the match to make it three in three. 

In the fourth match G, Harris needed to win Steve Briggs to keep the Pussies in it. Briggs opened with a 15 to go ahead, Harris kept his nerve to level but Briggs showed his experience to take out a 17 darter to make it 2-1 then finishing of the singles with a win in four and give the Champions the win before the double games.

PAIRS

Owen Cubitt/Jelger Tuinstra 2-0 James Thomas/Steven Caley

Trevor Burkhill/Tom Briggs 2-0 T. Wright/Alex Sproston 

As the pairs started no pressure was on the Black Eagles and it showed as Owen Cubitt and Jelger Tuinstra took out Thomas and Caley without conceding and it was the same scoreline in the next doubles as Burkhill and Tom Briggs took out Wright and Sproston to complete the whitewash and make it a perfect start for the Black Eagles.

801 League

Owen Cubitt/Tom Briggs/Steve Briggs 801-793 T. Wright/Alex Sproston/G. Harris

Night finished off with Father/Son Steve and Tom Briggs as well as Owen Cubitt grabbed victory in the 801 game against Wright, Sproston and Harris after hitting a 180 in the process as well as winning it with a 134 finish to complete a perfect night for the back to back Champions.

Cutler vs Wolves

Cutler 6-0 Wolves with Cutler also taking the 801 game

Hawks vs Warriors 

MATCH POSTPONED

Pirates 2-4 Aces

SINGLES

Lee Slack 1-3 Ian Speed 

Gareth Chivers 1-3 D. Wilks

Anne Simmons 0-3 Mick Smith 

Sie Simmons 3-2 Trevor Tye

Over to the Pirates who took on the Aces as the singles started off with Ian Speed hitting a 20 darter in the opening leg of the season against Lee Slack who levelled up soon after but then Speed went on to take it in four to put the Aces ahead.

Up next the Aces Wilks put his two ahead after defeating Gareth Chivers in another 3-1 scoreline. 

Aces were on a roll as Mick Smith started with a 21 darter in his match with Anne Simmons. Simmons didn't have any answer to Smith as he walked off with a win in three without reply. 

In the final singles match Pirates plucked a game back as Sie Simmons and Trevor Tye took us all the way to a decider in which Simmons took the win to keep his side involved going into the pairs.

PAIRS

Xenia Chivers/Mandy Slack 0-2 Ian Speed/Mick Smith

Anne Simmons/Sie Simmons 2-0 Trevor Tye/D. Wilks

The pairs started with Pirates Xenia Chivers and Mandy Slack needing a win against Ian Speed and Mick Smith but the latter was too good as they too the match in two to record a win for the Aces.

In the other pairs game Anne and Sie Simmons took out Trevor Tye and Wilks to reduce the arrears for the night to 4-2.

801 League

Gareth Chivers/Xenia Chivers/Lee Slack 793-801 Ian Speed/Mick Smith/Trevor Tye

In the 801 game to finish off Speed, Smith and Tye defeated Gareth and Xenia Chivers plus Lee Slack to round off a good night for the away side. 

Railwaymen 3-3 Panthers 

SINGLES

Steve Brittle 0-3 Russ Simons

Pete Bramley 3-1 Pat Meeson

Martin Scott 3-2 Mick Hulley

Gav Pilling 1-3 Richard Brown

In the final match of the opening weeks action in the Franchise League the Railwaymen play host to the Panthers and it was the Panthers who raced out of the blocks as Russ Simons took out a 21 and a 16 dart leg on his way to a 3-0 win over Steve Brittle to open the scoring for his side.

Up next "Landlord" Pat Meeson faced "Perfect" Pete Bramley who after a steady opening leg from both men which saw Bramley take it both players played well as Meeson levelled with a 16 darter but then Bramley fired in a 19 and he then also took out a 16 to win the game and level up the scores.

In the third game Panthers Mick Hulley and Martin Scott went all the way in a close battle between the two which saw Scott take out a 21 dart leg which saw him level the scores at two each then in the decider Scott managed to hold off Hulley to win which put the match 2-2to the home side. 

In the fourth and final singles game Gav Pilling took the lead against opponent Richard Brown but that's the best it got for him as Brown hit another gear which saw him take out a 160 finish on his way to a 2-2 between the two teams. 

PAIRS

Steve Brittle/Gav Pilling 0-2 Russ Simons/Pat Meeson 

Pete Bramley/Martin Scott 2-1 Mick Hulley/Richard Brown

Railwaymen were chasing the game by the time the doubles came around and Steve Brittle and Gavin Pilling couldn't get a rhythm going together as Russ Simons and Pat Meeson took the match 2-0 which secured the Panthers lead.

In the next pairs games Mick Hulley and Richard Brown took the lead against Pete Bramley and Martin Scott but unfortunately for them it didn't last as the latter got their act together and turned the game around to win to reduce the final score to 3-3 on the night.

801 League

Martin Scott/Gav Pilling/Pete Bramley 1-0 Mick Hulley/Russ Simons/Pat Meeson

To finish off the week we had the triples which saw Panthers side contain of Hulley, Simons and Meeson lose out to Scott, Pilling and Bramley which was consolation for the Railwaymen but no doubt these two sides will be at the top end come the end of the season. 

Report by

Pat Finney (Projectdarts Reporter/Media)