Sunday, 12 March 2017

Aces hold the cards as Panthers prowl

Sheffield Darts Franchise League:Leadmill Premier Division
Sponsored by:                               The Leadmill
                                                      Red Dragon Darts
                                                      Projectdarts
                                                      Winmau Blade
In Association with:                       Sheffield Star

9th March 2017

Aces 4-2 Vulcans

Andy Umney 3-0 Steve Voyse
Neil Bradley 1-3 Mick Swift
Geoff Baker 1-3 Michael Donso
Trevor Tye 3-2 Jim Smith
Mick Smith 3-0 Phil Lambert
Dave Belfitt 3-0


Andy Umney
(Match 1) Andy Umney 3-0 Steve Voyse

The week started with Aces Andy Umney in fine form kicking off with a 17 darter against the throw against Steve Voyse. Umney kept the pressure on hitting a maximum and taking the second leg in 16 darts and he finished off Voyse in the third leg to put the home side in the lead.

(Match 2) Neil Bradley 1-3 Mick Swift

Neil Bradley had the darts in the second game of the night against Mick Swift as he looked to double the home sides lead but things didn't go as he would have liked as Swift started the better and broke in the opener with a 17 dart leg. Swift swiftly followed that taking the second leg to give him some breathing space. Bradley mustered a mini fightback in the third leg but Swift grabbed the victory in four as well as a 96 finish to equalise for the Vulcans.


(Match 3) Geoff Baker 1-3 Michael Donson

It was a level game after the first two played. Up next we had Michael Donson for the Vulcans facing Geoff Baker and it was Donson who took the lead. Baker had the throw in the following leg but that's when Donson managed a break to put Baker in all sorts of trouble. Donson had the darts to win the match in the third leg but it wasn't over yet as Baker managed a 20 darter out of nowhere to keep in the contest but it was too late as Donson wrapped up the win in four to put the Vulcans 2-1 up.


(Match 4) Trevor Tye 3-2 Jim Smith

Vulcans captain Jim Smith was fourth player on with his team 2-1 up and one player short he had the chance to save a least a draw out of tonight against Trevor Tye. In the opener Tye held his throw to get off the mark, Smith replied with a hold of his own then in the third leg in what looked like a game changer it was the captain that broke the Tye throw to take the lead and give the Vulcans every chance but Tye changed the course of the game in the fourth leg with a break back and he threw for the match which he did to give himself a 3-2 win which made the fifth match the decider.


(Match 5) Mick Smith 3-0 Phil Lambert

In the decider Aces Mick Smith threw some steady darts considering its the final game against Phil Lambert. It all started when Smith broke throw in the opening leg which gave him a cushion early doors. Smith continued his pursuit in the second leg where he held to make it 2-0. He saved the best till last in the third leg with Lambert looking for a comeback Smith hit a 15 darter, 116 outshot to win by three legs to nil to end the night on a high to give the Aces a 4-2 win to make it seven wins out of their last eight games.


Sausages 3-3 Academicals

Marc Ellis 3-2 Tom Hogg
Ben Dolman 3-0 Matt Royle
Pete Bell 1-3 Greg Batting
Matt Pryor 2-3 Tim Close
Stephen Ewington 3-2 Max Orange
Dawn Priestley 1-3 Brad Clowery


(Match 1) Marc Ellis 3-2 Tom Hogg

It was "Tiny"Marc Ellis to kick us off for the home side against Tom Hogg and it was Hogg who drew first blood holding to go one up. Ellis responded with a leveller then breaking in the third leg to edge himself in front but the best was yet to come as Hogg broke back with a 19 dart leg to make it 2-2 and the game went into a final leg decider in the first match. Hogg had the throw which gave him a slight advantage but Ellis pulled out his best leg of the match when he needed it most taking out a 21 darter in the decider to put his team one up.

The Cumberland Sausages
(Match 2) Ben Dolman 3-0 Matt Royle

Matt Royle toed the oche in game two for the Academicals searching for an equaliser against Ben Dolman in a game which saw Dolman take control from the start holding in the first leg then punishing Royle on his opponents throw to make it 2-0. In the third leg Dolman sailed home taking out the winning double to make it two out of two for the home team.

(Match 3) Pete Bell 1-3 Greg Batting

The Cumberland landlord Pete Bell was third on for the Sausages his opponent was Greg Batting. In the opening leg Batting managed a hold of throw as to which Bell replied in kind. The third leg saw Batting again take advantage of throwing first to get down to a double then finish it to make it 2-1 with Bell throwing to stay in the match the pressure was on and Batting wasn't going to give him a chance as he secured the win in four to pull one back for the Academicals which kept them in the game.

(Match 4) Matt Pryor 2-3 Tim Close

With the Academicals on the comeback trail Tim Close was looking to equalise as he played Matt Pryor but the game didn't start well for him as Pryor raced into a 2-0 lead and looking certain for the win Close clawed his way back into the match after breaking straight back in the third leg he managed to hold in the fourth to make it a deciding leg with Pryor still favourite with the darts Close hit a 20 dart leg to win the match to make it two each with it all to play for in the final two matches.

Max Orange
(Match 5) Stephen Ewington 3-2 Max Orange

We couldn't separate the two teams after four matches so it boiled down to the final two games of the night, Stephen Ewington for the Sausages faced Max Orange for the visitors in another close battle where every leg went against the darts, Ewington was the first to break throw in the first leg then it went back and forth like that all the way through the game where Max Orange also managed an 18 darter to make the game two each but it was Ewington that took the match in the deciding leg to guarantee at least a draw for the Sausages going into the final game.


(Match 6) Dawn Priestley 1-3 Brad Clowery

In an absolute battle between these two teams where three of the matches had a last leg shootout it went down to the final game for the Sausages to win it. Dawn Priestley faced Brad Clowery in a match that came down to doubles on every leg that's how close the legs were. Clowery broke throw in the opening leg to lay down a marker for his opponent to follow. Clowery continued with the same standard in the second leg to hold and go two up, Priestley pulled a leg back to stand a chance but Clowery finished her off to win 3-1 and rescue a draw for the Academicals which extended the gap between them and the bottom three to nine points.



Warriors 0-6 Panthers

Sandra Webster 0-3 Russ Simons 
Barry Brittle 1-3 Mark Gillen
Ian Webster 1-3 John Lieber 
Nicola Warne 0-3 Brad Ellis 
Paul Brittle 0-3 Lee Cushworth
Steve Newton 0-3 Mick Hulley


(Match 1) Sandra Webster 0-3 Russ Simons

In the opener Sandra Webster toed the oche for the Warriors taking on Russ Simons. Simons kicked off the night with a 21 darter to take the lead. In the second leg with Sandra having the darts Simons broke throw and from then on they were no way back for Sandra and Simons took out the winning double to kick off with a 3-0 win.

(Match 2) Barry Brittle 1-3 Mark Gillen

Mark Gillen was next up for the Panthers against Barry Brittle. Brittle started the better of the two and he took the first leg but from then on it was all Gillen after equalising in the second leg, Gillen then stormed in front breaking the Brittle throw then finishing him off in the fourth leg to make it two out of two for the Panthers.

Russ simons
(Match 3) Ian Webster 1-3 John Lieber

Panthers captain was third up with his team in control of the match he was looking to keep the form going as he faced Ian Webster. Lieber started well holding throw then managing to break Webster in the second leg in what looked an easy win, Webster managed to break back to keep him in the match but Lieber won the game in the fourth leg to make it three nil at the halfway stage.

(Match 4) Nicola Warne 0-3 Brad Ellis

In game four Nicola Warne was looking to keep the Warriors in the game against Brad Ellis who sensed victory for the Panthers and the game started with Ellis breaking throw with a 21 darter. Warne was on the back-foot from then on as Ellis held in the second leg which made it two nil. Ellis was confident going into the third leg with Warne throwing first she needed good scores but it wasn't to be as Ellis threw the winning dart to seal the win for him and the Panthers with two to spare.

The Woodbourne Warriors

(Match 5) Paul Brittle 0-3 Lee Cushworth 

With the game wrapped up after four Warriors captain Paul Brittle was playing for pride as he faced "Cushy" Lee Cushworth. In the opening leg Cushworth eased himself into the the match taking it on throw. Next leg followed in a similar pattern as the dartin' demon put Brittle under pressure on his throw he cracked and let Cushworth in to break his throw to make it 2-0. Lee wrapped up the win in the third leg on his own throw to sail his team into a 5-0 lead.


(Match 6) Steve Newton 0-3 Mick Hulley

In the sixth and final game of the night Mick Hulley was looking for a full house for the Panthers against "Hero" Steve Newton and it didn't take long for Hulley to get off the mark breaking Newton in the opener. Hulley followed it up in the next leg with a hold of throw. Newton tried all he could to stay in the battle but Hulley finished it off in the thrid leg to make it a clean sweep for the Panthers in a result which saw them leap above the Aces into third place in the table.


Wizards 1-5 Black Eagles

Ann Lofthouse 0-3 Trevor Burkhill
Ben Chivers 3-2 Jason Burkhill
Matt Hayes 0-3 Owen Cubitt
Andrew Spencer 0-3 Stephen Briggs
Matt Simmons 0-3 Pete Daffin
Mandy Slack 0-3 Micky Stocks


(Match 1) Ann Lofthouse 0-3 Trevor Burkhill

We kick off with "Turbo" Trevor Burkhill for the visitors taking on Ann Lofthouse. Lofthouse gave "Turbo" a fright in the opening leg of the night as she hit a ton and two 140's but "Turbo" finished the leg off in 21 to take the lead. Lofthouse weren't going away as she continued to hit the big scores to keep Trev on his toes as he responded with a 20 darter against the darts to make it 2-0, by now Burkhill was in the ascendancy and he won the match in three finishing with his best leg of 15 darts to make it 1-0 to the leaders.

Ben Chivers
(Match 2) Ben Chivers 3-2 Jason Burkhill

Ben Chivers was looking to level for the Wizards as he faced opposition captain Jason Burkhill. Chivers started the game well taking the opener in 20 darts. In the second leg Burkhill had 12 darts to equalise but couldn't finish them as Chivers took full advantage and made it 2-0. Then Jay hit the comeback trail finally hitting a double to break back in the third leg then Chivers had a dart in the fourth to settle the contest but he couldn't hit it and Jay responded with a finish of his own to bring the game into a last leg shootout where it was nip/tuck all the way as both men were on a finish after 15 darts but it was Chivers who took out the deciding double to snatch a 3-2 victory and equalise for the Wizards.

(Match 3) Matt Hayes 0-3 Owen Cubitt

With the scores equal after two games Owen "Ice" Cubitt was looking to put the Black Eagles bacon front against Matt Hayes. Cubitt couldn't have started any better as he held throw with a 21 dart leg to go in front. "Ice" continued to punish the treble 20 bed as he hit a 180 to show what type of form he is in at the moment breaking the throw in the second leg to go two up and Owen coolly finished off the match in the third leg with darts of a confident player to put the Black Eagles 2-1 up.


(Match 4) Andrew Spencer 0-3 Stephen Briggs

In game four was the pivotal moment in the fixture as Andrew Spencer for the Wizards played Steve Briggs. Spencer started with the darts but he ran into an in form Briggs as shown with Briggs breaking with a 17 darter to go one up, he then followed that up in the second leg finishing in 19 darts to double his lead which set Briggs up nicely to secure the win against the darts in three to make it 3-1 to the leaders.

(Match 5) Matt Simmons 0-3 Pete Daffin

It was up to "Super Daff's" Pete Daffin to seal it for the Black Eagles in game five as he played Matt Simmons. Daffin set off steady with a hold of throw in the first leg, then Daffin really got into his stride in the second leg against the throw he threw brilliantly to leave a finish after 12 darts, managing to finish it in 13 in his next visit with one dart. Simmons didn't have the answer to Daffin's scoring tonight as he finished off the game with a 19 darter to give the Black Eagles victory with one to play.

Stocks & Burkhill
(Match 6) Mandy Slack 0-3 Micky Stocks

In the final game Mandy Slack of the Wizards played Micky Stocks and Stocks wasn't going to relent even though the game was won as he broke Mandy in the opener with a tasty 15 dart leg. Stocks then cooly took out the second leg on throw, then in the third and what was the final leg of the night Stocks had 141 remaining with three darts in hand, he hit a 130 to leave him with just 11 left after 15 darts thrown, Stocks finished off the night with a two dart finish (3, double 4) to win it in 17 darts to give the Black Eagles a 5-1 win.



Wolves 2-4 Railwaymen 

Chris Keane 0-3 Martin Scott
Sue Edwards 0-3 Tom Gurran
Simon Sawford 0-3 Mark Gurran
Chris Markham 3-2 Pete Bramley
Jon Smethurst 0-3 Steve Marfleet
Tom Sawford 3-1 Gav Pilling


(Match 1) Chris Keane 0-3 Martin Scott 

"Keano" opened for the Wolves against Martin Scott, the match started with Scott managing a hold of throw, he then proceeding with hitting the treble 20's on Keane's throw finishing with a solid 14 dart leg to break. Keane was in all sorts of trouble as the third leg started he never really got going as Scott rallied to a 3-0 win to open the scoring for the Railwaymen.


(Match 2) Sue Edwards 0-3 Tom Gurran 

Young gun Tom Gurran was next on for the visitors as he played Sue Edwards. "Sue, Sue, Sue" had the darts but couldn't make it count as Gurran quickly broke in the first leg. Gurran kept the pressure on taking out the second leg with a hold of throw. Edwards had the darts in the third to try and keep in the game but it wasn't to be as Gurran wrapped up the win in three finishing with a 21 darter to make it 2-0.


(Match 3) Simon Sawford 0-3 Mark Gurran

Railwaymen were in the rampage after two games, next up was Mark Gurran looking to add to the tally against Simon Sawford. Gurran kicked us off hitting a 21 dart leg to open proceedings, he then followed it by breaking Sawford in the second leg this time hitting a two dart finish to end the leg in 20 darts, Gurran weren't going to be denied as he wrapped up the win with a 113 high finish to put the Railwaymen three up with three to play.

Chris Markham
(Match 4) Chris Markham 3-2 Pete Bramley

"The Marksman" Chris Markham was looking to keep up his good start for the Wolves against a good testing opponent in Pete "Perfect" Bramley. Markham started off with a hold of throw, Bramley hit back with a 20 dart leg to equalise, Bramley then continued where he left off in the next leg to break Markham's throw to go 2-1 up, but "The Marksman" wasn't finished as he broke straight back to level and force a decider in which he had the darts and took advantage of that by firing in the double to take a 3-2 win away with him to keep the Wolves in the match.



Steve Marfleet
(Match 5) Jon Smethurst 0-3 Steve Marfleet

After four games the Wolves were 3-1 down still needed a win to keep in the contest, next up was Jon Smethurst taking on Steve Marfleet. Marfleet started strong holding throw to take the lead. Smethurst needed to equalise on his throw but couldn't manage it as Marfleet broke him in the second and it was all Marfleet in the third leg as he stormed to victory without dropping a leg to give the Railwaymen the win with one game to spare.

(Match 6) Tom Sawford 3-1 Gav Pilling 

With the game won after five matches Gav Pilling was looking to finish off the Wolves against youngster Tom "Shooter" Sawford, both men got off to a good start each holding throw, then "Shooter" fired in front with a third consecutive hold which put the pressure on Pilling. Fourth leg started with Sawford getting into his stride hitting a 180 then managing to take out a 19 dart leg to win the game 3-1, but the night belonged to the visitors winning overall by four games to two to consolidate second place.


Report by
Pat Finney (Projectdarts Reporter/Media)

Monday, 6 March 2017

Academicals claim first win


Sheffield Darts Franchise League:Leadmill Premier Division
Sponsored by:                               The Leadmill
                                                      Red Dragon Darts
                                                      Projectdarts
                                                      Winmau Blade
In Association with:                       Sheffield Star
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)