Vintage start with straight six

 

Vintage set off with a straight six

Summerbowl Report - Group A

Boom (0) vs Vintage (6)

First Game: Jason Marsh (0) vs Jayden Fisher (3)

In the opening match of the night, Jason Marsh of Boom faced Jayden from Vintage. Jayden delivered a commanding performance, winning 3-0 without dropping a leg. Jayden's victory was highlighted by two impressive 20-dart legs, showcasing his skill and consistency. This strong start gave Vintage an early lead in the fixture.

Second Game: Ben Fullerton (1) vs Kieran Potts (3)

In the second match, Ben Fullerton of Boom took on Kieran Potts from Vintage. Kieran Potts put in a strong performance, winning 3-1. His victory was marked by an 18-dart leg and a 180, underscoring his quality on the night. Ben Fullerton managed to take the third leg, but it wasn't enough to stop Kieran from securing the win and extending Vintage's lead to 2-0.

Third Game: Kev Allison (1) vs Ryan Goffin (3)

In the third match, Kev Allison of Boom faced Ryan Goffin from Vintage. Ryan Goffin continued Vintage's winning streak, securing a 3-1 victory. Kev Allison managed to win the third leg, but Ryan's consistent play throughout the match ensured his victory. This win extended Vintage's lead to 3-0, putting them in a strong position in the fixture.

Fourth Game: Matt Pierce (2) vs Callum Clarke (3)

The fourth match saw Matt Pierce of Boom take on Callum from Vintage. In a closely contested battle, every leg went against the throw, with both players trading legs throughout the match. The game went the distance, tied at 2-2, but Callum managed to secure the final leg, winning the match 3-2. This victory further extended Vintage's lead to 4-0, ensuring their dominance in the fixture.

Pairs Game 1: Danny Dempsey and Adam Foster (0) vs Russ Simmons and Rich Brown (2)

In the first pairs match, Danny Dempsey and Adam Foster of Boom faced off against Russ Simmons and Rich Brown from Vintage. Russ and Rich continued the Vintage team's winning form, securing a 2-0 victory with Rich Brown hitting a 180. This win solidified Vintage's overall dominance, bringing the match score to 5-0.

Pairs Game 2: Steve Hancock and Matt Pierce (0) vs Bob Lamb and Will Meeson (2)

In the final pairs match, Steve Hancock and Matt Pierce from Boom went up against Bob Lamb and Will Meeson from Vintage. Bob and Will secured a 2-0 victory, capping off a perfect night for Vintage. This final win brought the overall score to 6-0, highlighting Vintage's control throughout the fixture although there seems to have been a couple of games that could have gone either way.

Summerbowl Report - Group B

Lightning (2) vs Whitehawks (4)

First Game: Will (1) vs Chris Connelly (3)

In the opening match of the night, Will of the Lightning faced Chris Connelly from the Whitehawks. Will started strong, taking the first leg, but Chris quickly found his stride and responded by winning the next three legs consecutively. Chris's impressive performance secured a 3-1 victory, giving the Whitehawks an early lead in the fixture.

Second Game: Rob (2) vs Tom Tingle (3)

The second match saw Rob from the Lightning take on Tom Tingle from the Whitehawks. In a closely contested game, every leg went against the throw, with the match tied at 2-2. Continuing the pattern, Tom took the deciding leg against the throw to secure a 3-2 victory. This win extended the Whitehawks' lead to 2-0.

Third Game: Douglas (3) vs Kev Hatfield (1)

In the third match, Douglas from the Lightning faced Kev Hatfield of the Whitehawks. Douglas put on a strong performance, taking the first two legs. Kev managed to win the third leg, giving him a glimmer of hope. However, it wasn't enough as Douglas secured the fourth leg to win the match 3-1. Douglas also hit a 180 during his victory, further highlighting his excellent play. This win brought the Lightning back into the contest, narrowing the overall score to 2-1 in favor of the Whitehawks.

Fourth Game: Brandon (0) vs Timmy Whiting (3)

In the fourth match, Brandon from the Lightning went up against Timmy Whiting of the Whitehawks. Timmy delivered a dominant performance, winning 3-0 without dropping a leg. Timmy also hit a 180 during the match, showcasing his excellent form. With this victory, Timmy ensured that the Whitehawks could not be beaten on the night, bringing the overall score to 3-1 in their favor.

Pairs Game 1: Will and Tom (0) vs Kev Hatfield and Timmy Whiting (2)

In the first pairs match, Will and Tom from the Lightning took on Kev Hatfield and Timmy Whiting from the Whitehawks. Kev and Timmy continued their winning form, securing a comfortable 2-0 victory. This win extended the Whitehawks' lead to 4-1, further cementing their dominance on the night.

Pairs Game 2: Douglas and Brandon (2) vs Chris Connelly and Ritch Tingle (0)

In the final pairs match, Douglas and Brandon of the Lightning faced off against Chris Connelly and Rich from the Whitehawks. Despite Rich hitting a 180, Douglas and Brandon played solidly and secured a 2-0 victory. This win for the Lightning added a second point to their tally, but the Whitehawks still took the night with a 4-2 overall victory.

Summerbowl Report - Group B

Reapers (1) vs Accy D's (5)

First Game: Mitch Morton (0) vs Luke Davies (3)

In the opening match of the night, Mitch Morton of the Reapers faced Luke Davies from Accy D's. Luke Davies delivered a dominant performance, winning 3-0. His victory was highlighted by a superb 21-dart leg and an impressive 136 checkout. This strong start gave Accy D's an early lead in the fixture.

Second Game: Jon Appleby (3) vs Jack Lewis (2)

In the second match, Jon Appleby of the Reapers took on Jack Lewis from Accy D's. Jon Appleby capitalized on the advantage of throwing first, securing a 3-2 victory. Despite Jack Lewis's efforts to tie the match at 2-2, Jon held his composure to take the deciding leg, bringing the overall match score to 1-1.

Third Game: Frank Lancaster (0) vs Woody Boon (3)

In the third match, Frank Lancaster of the Reapers faced Woody Boon from Accy D's. Woody Boon dominated the game, winning 3-0 without dropping a leg. This strong performance put Accy D's back in the lead, bringing the overall match score to 2-1 in their favor.

Fourth Game: Kieran Lascelles (1) vs Joseph Hopkins (3)

In the fourth match, Kieran Lascelles of the Reapers went up against Joseph Hopkins from Accy D's. Joseph opened the match with an impressive 18-dart leg and followed it up with a 127 checkout, showcasing his strong form. Kieran managed to take the third leg, but it was in vain as Joseph secured the victory in the fourth leg, winning the match 3-1. This win extended Accy D's lead to 3-1.

Pairs Game 1: Sam Elvery and George (0) vs Tom Jepson and Josh Quinn (2)

In the first pairs match, Sam Elvery and George from the Reapers faced off against Tom Jepson and Josh Quinn from Accy D's. Tom and Josh played a strong game, securing a 2-0 victory. This win further solidified Accy D's lead, bringing the overall score to 4-1 in their favor.

Pairs Game 2: Chris Keane and Liam Blakemore (0) vs Joseph Hopkins and Woody Boon (2)

In the final pairs match, Chris Keane and Liam Blakemore from the Reapers took on Joseph Hopkins and Woody Boon from Accy D's. Joseph and Woody continued their excellent form, winning the match 2-0. This final victory capped off a dominant 5-1 win for Accy D's, securing their strong performance for the evening.

Report by

James "Tank" Thomas

Boom,Whitehawks & Scholars hit five

 

Summerbowl Report - Group A

A's (1) vs Baize Boom (5)

First Game: Ben Cooper (2) vs Ben Fullerton (3)

The opening match saw Ben Cooper of the A's go head-to-head with Ben Fullerton from Baize Boom. Ben Cooper made a strong start by winning the first leg against the throw. However, Ben Fullerton responded by taking the next two legs, putting himself in a strong position to secure the match. Ben Cooper, showing resilience, fought back to level the score at 2-2, forcing a deciding leg. In the end, Ben Fullerton held his nerve and took the final leg, securing a 3-2 victory and giving Baize Boom an early lead.

Second Game: Jack Walker (1) vs Jason "Pijin" Marsh (3)

In the second match, Jack Walker of the A's faced Jason "Pij" Marsh from Baize Boom. Pij started strongly, taking the first two legs with confident play. Jack Walker hit back in the third leg, narrowing the gap and keeping his hopes alive. However, Jason Marsh was not to be denied, as he secured the fourth leg to win the match 3-1, further extending Baize Boom's lead.

Third Game: Dale Blackwell (1) vs Matt Pierce (3)

In the third match, Dale Blackwell took on Matt Pierce. Matt Pierce came out firing, taking the first two legs and putting himself in a commanding position. Dale Blackwell managed to respond in the third leg, cutting the deficit and keeping the match alive. However, Matt Pierce held his nerve and claimed the fourth leg, winning the match 3-1 and continuing Baize Boom's strong start to the night.

Fourth Game: Joe Cook (3) vs Adam Foster (2)

In the fourth match, Joe Cook faced Adam Foster. Adam took the first leg, putting early pressure on Joe. However, Joe Cook responded by taking the next two legs, giving himself the advantage. Adam fought back to win the fourth leg, sending the match to a deciding fifth leg. In the final leg, Joe Cook kept his composure and secured the victory, winning the match 3-2 and earning a crucial point for the A's.

Pairs Game 1: Ben Cooper and M. Mullins (1) vs Ben Fullerton and Steve Hancock (2)

In the first pairs match, Ben Cooper and M. Mullins of the A's took on Ben Fullerton and Steve Hancock from Baize Boom. The A's pair started strong by winning the first leg, but the Baize Boom duo responded with determination, taking the next two legs to secure the match. This 2-1 victory in the pairs match further solidified Baize Boom's overall lead in the evening's contest.

Pairs Game 2: Jack Walker and Dale Blackwell (0) vs Matt Pierce and Kevin Allison (2)

In the final pairs match, Jack Walker and Dale Blackwell of the A's faced off against Matt Pierce and Kevin Allison from Baize Boom. The Baize Boom pair dominated the game, winning 2-0 and capping off a successful night for their team. This final victory secured a comprehensive 4-2 win for Baize Boom, highlighting their strong performance throughout the evening.

Summerbowl Report - Group B

Whitehawks (5) vs Reapers (1)

First Game: Adam Kelsall (3) vs Chris Keane (0)

In the opening match of the night, Adam Kelsall of the Whitehawks faced Chris Keane from the Reapers. Adam delivered a dominant performance, winning 3-0. Chris Keane struggled to find his rhythm and never really got going, allowing Adam to take full control of the match from the outset. This strong start gave the Whitehawks an early lead in the fixture.

Second Game: Chris Connelly (0) vs Jon Appleby (3)

In the second match, Chris Connelly of the Whitehawks went up against Jon Appleby from the Reapers. Jon Appleby showed his class by securing a convincing 3-0 victory. Chris Connelly couldn't match Jon's consistent play, as Jon took control early and never looked back. This win brought the Reapers level in the match.

Third Game: Kevin Hatfield (3) vs Liam Blackmore (0)

The third match saw Kevin Hatfield of the Whitehawks deliver a standout performance against Liam Blackmore. Kevin started the match with an impressive 102 checkout, completing a brilliant 15-dart leg in the process. This strong start set the tone for the match, as Kevin went on to secure a 3-0 victory, showcasing his experience and precision. This win put the Whitehawks back in the lead.

Fourth Game: Tim Whiting (3) vs Sam Elvery (0)

In the fourth match, Tim Whiting of the Whitehawks took on Sam Elvery from the Reapers. Tim Whiting delivered a solid performance, winning 3-0 and extending the Whitehawks' lead in the match. Tim's consistent play and composure under pressure ensured a straightforward victory, giving the Whitehawks a commanding 3-1 lead heading into the pairs matches.

Pairs Game 1: Tim Whiting and Rich Tingle (2) vs Mitch Byorton and Kian Blakemore (0)

In the first pairs match, Tim Whiting and Rich Tingle of the Whitehawks faced off against Mitch Byorton and Kian Blakemore from the Reapers. The Whitehawks' pair continued their team's winning form, securing a comfortable 2-0 victory. This win extended the Whitehawks' overall lead to 4-1.

Pairs Game 2: Kevin Hatfield and Tom Tingle (2) vs Kieran Loscelles and Kieran McArthur (0)

In the final pairs match, Kevin Hatfield and Tom Tingle of the Whitehawks took on Kieran Loscelles and Kieran McArthur from the Reapers. Kevin and Tom continued the Whitehawks' dominant performance, winning the match 2-0. This final victory secured an overall 5-1 win for the Whitehawks, capping off a successful night for the team.

Summerbowl Report - Group B

Lightning (1) vs Scholars (5)

First Game: Will (1) vs Bradley Truelove (3)

In the opening match of the night, Will of the Lightning faced Bradley Truelove from the Scholars. Will started strong, taking the first leg, but Bradley quickly found his form and responded by winning the next three legs consecutively. Bradley's impressive comeback secured a 3-1 victory, giving the Scholars an early lead in the fixture.

Second Game: Douglas (3) vs Curtis Thorpe (0)

In the second match, Douglas of the Lightning delivered a commanding performance against Curtis Thorpe from the Scholars. Douglas dominated from the start, winning 3-0 without dropping a leg. This strong performance levelled the overall score, bringing the match to 1-1.

Third Game: Brandon (2) vs Dom Tofts (3)

In the third match, Brandon of the Lightning faced Dom Tofts from the Scholars. The match was closely contested, with each player taking alternate legs. Dom Tofts took the first leg, Brandon responded by winning the second, and Dom took the third. Brandon then levelled the match by taking the fourth leg, but Dom Tofts secured the victory by winning the deciding fifth leg. This 3-2 win for Dom put the Scholars back in the lead with an overall score of 2-1.

Fourth Game: Dylan (1) vs Dale Dennett (3)

In the fourth match, Dylan from the Lightning went up against Dale Dennett of the Scholars. Dylan started strong, taking the first leg, but Dale responded by winning the next three legs in a row. Dale's consistent play secured a 3-1 victory, extending the Scholars' lead to 3-1 in the overall match.

Pairs Game 1: Rob and Ross (0) vs Bradley Truelove and Curtis Thorpe (2)

In the first pairs match, Rob and Ross from the Lightning faced Bradley Truelove and Curtis Thorpe from the Scholars. Bradley and Curtis delivered a strong performance, winning the match 2-0. Curtis, redeeming himself from his earlier singles loss, played a pivotal role in the victory, hitting a 180 and finishing with a 108 checkout. This victory extended the Scholars' overall lead to 4-1.

Pairs Game 2: Douglas and Will (0) vs Dom Tofts and Dale Dennett (2)

In the final pairs match, Douglas and Will of the Lightning faced off against Dom Tofts and Dale Dennett from the Scholars. Dom and Dale continued their team's dominance, securing a 2-0 victory in the match. This final win capped off a comprehensive 5-1 victory for the Scholars, highlighting their strong performance throughout the evening.

Report by

James Tank Thomas

Champions fall to Champions

 Night 1 Straight 6 for the Scholars

Group A

Flamethrowers vs A’s

5-1

First Game: Tom vs Jack

In the opening match, Tom delivered an outstanding performance against Jack, securing a decisive 3-0 victory. Tom showcased his prowess early, taking the first leg with an impressive 19 darts. He maintained his dominance throughout, ultimately finishing the match with a 20-dart leg, leaving no chance for Jack to make a comeback.

Second Game: Maffy vs Mugzy

The second game saw Maffy face off against Mugzy. Mugzy took the early lead by winning the first leg. However, Maffy responded with determination, taking the next three legs consecutively to secure a 3-1 victory. This turnaround demonstrated Maffy's resilience and strategic play, ensuring a win for the Flamethrowers.

Third Game: Alex vs Ben

The third match was a closely contested battle between Alex and Ben. The players traded legs, with the score tied at 2-2, creating a tense and thrilling atmosphere. In the deciding leg, Ben managed to secure the victory, winning the final leg and clinching the match 3-2.

Fourth Game: Luke vs Joe

In the fourth game, Luke faced off against Joe. Joe started strong by taking the first leg, but Luke responded with a remarkable comeback, winning the next three legs. This performance gave the Flamethrowers a 3-1 lead as they headed into the pairs matches.

Pairs Game 1: Austin and Alex vs Jack and Joe

In the first pairs match, Austin and Alex teamed up against Jack and Joe. The Flamethrowers duo, Austin and Alex, dominated the game, securing a 2-0 victory. This win further extended the Flamethrowers' lead in the league.

Pairs Game 2: Tom and Luke vs Mugzy and Ben

In the final pairs match, Tom and Luke took on Mugzy and Ben. Tom and Luke continued the Flamethrowers' winning streak, running out 2-0 winners. This decisive victory resulted in an overall 5-1 win for the Flamethrowers,

Darts League Report - Group B

Reapers vs Lightning

2 - 4

First Game: Jon Appleby vs Doug

In the opening match, Jon Appleby faced Doug. Doug started strong with an impressive 18-dart leg in the opener. Despite Jon Appleby's efforts, Doug continued his excellent form, ultimately securing a 3-1 victory. Doug finished the match with a 20-dart leg, showcasing his consistent performance throughout the game.

Second Game: Chris Keane vs Tom

The second game saw Chris Keane take on Tom. Tom gained an early advantage, going 2-1 up in legs. However, Chris rallied with determination, winning the next two legs to secure a 3-2 victory. This comeback highlighted Chris's resilience and ability to perform under pressure.

Third Game: Frank Lancaster vs Rob

In the third game, Frank Lancaster faced Rob. Rob dominated the match, starting with a 21-dart leg and hitting a 180 during his performance. Rob's impressive display of skill led him to a 3-0 victory, showcasing his precision and control throughout the game.

Fourth Game: Kian Blakemore vs Will

The final singles match saw Kian Blakemore up against Will. Will proved too strong for Kian, winning the match 3-0. This result brought the overall score to 2-2, setting up a crucial pairs contest.

Pairs Game 1: Mitch Morton and Sam Elvery vs Rob and Tom

In the first pairs match, Mitch Morton and Sam Elvery took on Rob and Tom. Rob and Tom took the first leg, but Mitch and Sam rallied, with Mitch hitting a 180 to level the score at 1-1. Despite their efforts, Rob and Tom secured the deciding leg, giving the Lightning a 2-0 victory in the pairs match.

Pairs Game 2: Kieran McArthur and Kieran Mascelles vs Will and Doug

In the final pairs match, Kierans McArthur and Mascelles faced off against Will and Doug. Will and Doug dominated the game, winning 2-0. This decisive victory resulted in a 4-2 win for the Lightning over the Reapers, concluding the league clash on a high note for the Lightning.

Darts League Report - Group B

Scholars vs Accy D's

6-0

First Game: Bradley Truelove vs Jack Lewis

In the opening match, Bradley Truelove of the Scholars faced Jack Lewis from Accy D's. Jack started strong by taking the first leg, but Bradley fought back, winning the next two legs to take the lead. Jack levelled the score by winning the fourth leg, making it 2-2. In the deciding leg, Bradley showed his composure and secured the victory, resulting in a 3-2 win for the Scholars.

Second Game: Dom Tofts vs Woody Boon

The second game saw Dom Tofts of the Scholars take on Woody Boon from Accy D's. Dom Tofts dominated the match, winning 3-0. This decisive victory extended the Scholars' lead in the overall score.

Third Game: Dale Dennett vs Adam Warner

The third game of the evening featured Dale Dennett from the Scholars against Adam Warner from Accy D's. Dale Dennett delivered a spectacular performance, taking the first leg in 19 darts and the second leg in an impressive 18 darts. He continued his excellent form, winning the last leg to secure a 3-0 victory. This result put the Scholars 3-0 up in the match.

Fourth Game: Morgan Shillito vs Matthew Watts

The fourth game saw Morgan Shillito face Matthew Watts. Matthew Watts went 2-0 up, looking set to give Accy D's their first win of the night. However, Morgan mounted an impressive fightback, taking the next three legs to win 3-2. Morgan's comeback included a spectacular 180, showcasing his determination and skill. This victory put the Scholars 4-0 up going into the pairs matches.

Pairs Game 1: Morgan Shillito and Bradley Truelove vs Luke Davies and Aiden Wood

In the first pairs match, Morgan Shillito and Bradley Truelove took on Luke Davies and Aiden Wood from Accy D's. The Scholars duo continued their dominant form, winning the match 2-0. This extended the Scholars' lead to 5-0.

Pairs Game 2: Dom Tofts and Dale Dennett vs Tom Jepson and Alex Boothy

In the final pairs match, Dom Tofts and Dale Dennett faced Tom Jepson and Alex Boothy. The Scholars pair maintained their team's winning streak, securing a 2-0 victory. This result capped off a perfect 6-0 win for the Scholars in the university derby, highlighting their exceptional performance and dominance throughout the evening

Report by James "Tank" Thomas

Pairs Championship Report

Report by Olly Nunn

The league is now done and dusted, and it’s Station Railwaymen who have successfully defended their title. Congratulations to Station!

It’s now on to the cup competitions. The last few weeks saw the finalists of the Team Knockout and Team Plate confirmed, with the winners of both to be decided in May. This week was the Pairs Championship. Two tournaments were held, one at Station Hotel and another at the Woodbourne. The winner of each would go through to play on Finals Day.

At Station, there was one preliminary round match, between Gav Pilling and Tom Sawford and Mick Hulley and Russ Simmons. Pilling and Sawford were runners-up in last year’s championship, and they would get their title challenge up and running with a 2-1 win. This was soon followed by another win in the quarter-finals, as Sawford and Pilling saw off Lewis Wroe and Logan Higgins in straight legs. On the other side of the draw, their teammates Geoff Higgs and Pete Roebuck also booked their places in the last four, beating the Raging Bull pairing of Bri Jones and Adam Chadwick 2-0. There were two Mouses-Thorns clashes in the quarters and one win for each team, as John Cartledge and James Thomas fell 2-0 to Josh Hall and Oliver Parfrement while Jimmy Haslam and Steve Caley got past Dylan Farmer and Dan Ashton in straight legs.

Moving onto the semi-finals, in the top half Higgs and Roebuck edged past Hall and Parfrement 2-1 to advance, while Haslam and Caley defeated Sawford and Pilling to join them. Roebuck and Haslam are both already guaranteed a chance at some silverware, as they are due to play in the Memorial Cup final, but here was an opportunity with their teammates to play for more.

Ultimately, it would be Higgs and Roebuck who secured their spot on Finals Day, with a 2-0 win seeing them through to play the winner at the Woodbourne for the title.

At the Woodbourne, the Mouses’ Glynn Harris and Tom Wright got off to a winning start in the quarter-finals, with a 2-1 win against Matt Pierce and Jason Marsh. Joining them in the semis would be the Accy D’s team of Tom Jepson and Jack Newton, who also came through by a 2-1 scoreline. In the bottom half of the draw, defending champion Luke Davies and his partner Jack Lewis were up against their fellow Accy D’s Joe Hopkins and Dan Booth. In the battle of the Uni Lads, it was Hopkins and Booth who came out on top, with a 2-1 win seeing them through to the next round. Their opponents would be Foxhill’s Ben Cooper and Jack Walker, who beat Will Lavery and Chris Keane 2-0.

Both semi-finals were close, coming down to last-leg deciders and ending 2-1. But, in the end, it was Harris and Wright and Cooper and Walker who got past the two Accy D’s pairs, setting up a Mouses versus Foxhill final. Harris and Wright would come out on top in that tie, with a two legs to nil win giving them a chance to play for the title.

With both tournaments played, the final was confirmed – Geoff Higgs and Pete Roebuck versus Glynn Harris and Tom Wright. They will play on 25 May, and one pair will add their names to the roll of honour of Pairs Championship winners.

Week 17 Report

Report by Olly Nunn

There was an early start to fixtures this week as the Uni Arms Academicals and Raging Bull had to play their game on Tuesday. Up first was Jack Newton against Bri Jones, and it was Jones who took it for the Bulls with a 3-0 win and a 21 darter in the second leg. The same scoreline followed in the second game, as Jason Marsh doubled the Bull’s advantage versus Joe Burniston. Game three was Mark Thomson against Tom Jepson. Tomson started strong to establish a 2-0 lead, before Jepson took the third to keep the match alive. But a 16 darter from Thomson in the fourth sealed the tie 3-1. A tense game four followed, as Olly Nunn and Adam Chadwick battled all the way to a deciding leg, which Nunn took to win 3-2. A second win for the Accy D’s then followed, as Joe Hopkins beat Matty Pierce in straight legs to put the scores at 3-2 going into the pairs. In the first doubles, the Uni Lads threatened to make it level as Jepson and Nunn took the first leg, but from there Jones and Chadwick came from behind to win 2-1 and seal the overall for the Bulls. The second doubles also went to the Bulls, as Thomson and Pierce beat Luke Davies and Hopkins, meaning the final scoreline was 5-2 to the Raging Bull.

Moving onto Thursday’s games, Foxhill and District As hosted the Woodbourne Mouses. Glynn Harris got the better start over Morgan Mullins in game one, going 2-0 up, and although Mullins won the third to stay in it, Harris took the fourth to win 3-1. Game two also went to the Mouses, as Jimmy Haslam put in a commanding performance with 14 and 21 darters to win 3-0. Up next was Ben Cooper versus Jordan Caley, and although Caley held throw in the first leg, Cooper would win the next three on the trot to clinch the match 3-1 and get Foxhill a win on the sheet. John Cartledge looked to put the Mouses back in the driving seat in game four and went 2-0 up, but Dale Blackwell was able to come from behind to level the scores, hitting a 21 darter to force a decider. Yet Cartledge would win that fifth leg to seal a 3-2 victory. The last singles was between Jack Walker (Foxhill) and Tom Wright (Mouses), and Wright took it in a whitewash, meaning the singles ended 4-1 to the Mouses, guaranteeing the Woodbourne side the win. Both pairs would end 2-0, as Haslam and Kieran Barton got the Mouses’ fifth win and Tank and Cartledge got their sixth. 6-1 overall, and a good win for the Mouses.

Thorncliffe’s Finest were away against the Warriors, and got off to a winning start as Josh Hall beat Ian Webster 3-1 in the first game of the night. Dylan Farmer then beat Angie Brittle in straight legs, doubling the Thorns’ lead. Up next was Oliver Parfrement against Barry Brittle – the first three legs were all holds of throw, but then Parfrement found an all-important break in the fourth to take the match 3-1. The Thorns were now 3-0 up, but they would have to wait for that all-important fourth win, as Lewis Wroe, despite breaking throw in the first leg, fell 3-1 to Colin Johnson. Game four, between Dan Ashton and Paul Brittle, was the closest of the night – Brittle broke throw in the third leg to go 2-1 up, but Ashton came from behind, starting with a break back in the next leg, to win 3-2. The Thorns were now guaranteed a win, and in the pairs they added two more games to their tally, with Hall and Parfrement edging out Barry Brittle and Webster 2-1 and Ashton and Farmer beating Paul and Nicola Brittle 2-0. So, the Thorns took a 6-1 win, and an important win too in their battle in the table with Foxhill.

Woodbourne Vintage were at home in the first leg of their tie against the Uni Arms Understudies. Pat Meeson stepped up to get the hosts on the board, beating Tom Graham in straight legs in the first game of the night. The second match would be a close one, as Elliot Hopkins battled back from 2-0 down to make it 2-2 against Chris Keane. In that fifth leg, Keane got the job done, taking a 3-2 win. Moving onto game three, and a 180 was not enough for Patrick Hopkins as the Understudies man lost out to Mick Hulley 3-1. Game four produced win four for Vintage, as Will Lavery beat Jack Stoddard 3-0. Jack Quinn has been a reliable winner for the Understudies this season, but it was not to be tonight as Russ Simons produced a ton checkout and a 21 darter to win 3-1. Hulley and Keane took the first pairs for Vintage, beating Damien Reed and Quinn 2-0, before Lavery and Simmons won by the same scoreline against Patrick Hopkins and Elliot Hopkins. This completed a whitewash 7-0 win for the hosts, a good result as they look to push back into the top half of the table in the last two weeks.

Finally, the Swallownest Miners made the trip to Rotherham to play league leaders Station Railwaymen. Kev Hatfield was up first for the visitors, but there was little he could do as Pete Roebuck hit 21 and 16 darters on the way to a 3-0 win. Geoff Higgs won by the same score in game two, beating Rich Tingle in a whitewash. Game three was the captain’s match, as Gav Pilling looked to put Station 3-0 up and Tim Whiting aimed to get his team back in the tie. In the end, it was Pilling who took it 3-1, with a ton checkout and 18 darter to go with it. The last two games were both won in straight legs, with Glenn Payne and Tom Sawford, who capped off his win with a 180, seeing off Tom Tingle and Kev Allison. It was now 5-0 to the Railwaymen, and that became 7-0 after the pairs, with wins coming from Roebuck and Higgs (2-1 versus Hatfield and Allison) and Pilling and Sawford (2-0 against Whiting and Tingle).

This win brings Station's already insurmountable points tally up to 103. Further down the table, though, things can still change, and the teams will be under no doubt about how important the last games could be.

Week 16 Report

Report by Olly Nunn

Apologies for a lack of reports recently, I was ill for a lot of last week so couldn’t get round to doing one. But I’m back on it now, and without further ado here’s the recap of last week’s league action!

With South Yorkshire struck by heavy snow, Week 16 was disrupted, and Woodbourne Mouses vs. Uni Arms Understudies was cancelled altogether. The other fixtures did go ahead, with the teams bracing the elements to get to their different pubs for the 8pm kick-off.

It was relatively easy for the Raging Bull to get down the road to Swallownest Miners, and their fixture started with Rich Tingle versus Liam Kent. It would be a close one, as the two traded legs (Kent hitting a 17 darter in the third) all the way to the fifth, won by Kent to make it 1-0 to the Bulls. The game between Mark Thompson (Raging Bull) and Kev Allison (Miners) started with two breaks of throw, before Thompson won the next two to win 3-1 and double the Bulls’ lead. Things could’ve got away from the Miners at this point, but a straight legs win from Kev Hatfield against Adam Chadwick got them back within one. And the hosts almost made it level in the fourth game, as Tim Whiting forced Bri Jones to the second fifth-leg decider of the night. In the end though it was Jones who won out, winning it 3-2 to move the Bulls clear again. That lead then became a winning one in the last singles, as a 3-0 win for Matty Pierce gave Raging Bull the overall. The away team then added two more wins in the pairs, with Jones and Kent beating Tingle and Micky Pierce 2-0 and Thompson and Matty Pierce edging out Allison and Hatfield 2-1. So, it was Raging Bull who won the Aughton-Swallownest derby 6-1.

After a lack of players meant they had to forfeit last week’s game, Woodbourne Vintage were looking to bounce back as they hosted Thorncliffe’s Finest. They made a strong start, with Pat Meeson taking a convincing 3-0 win against Oliver Parfrement. The second game had quality and tension, as Russ Simons and Dylan Farmer fought it out to a decider, with low dart legs from both along the way. Simons, who also hit a 110 checkout, would ultimately win out to put the hosts in front. Josh Hall got the better start against Chris Keane, holding and then breaking throw to go one away from the match. A 19 darter from Keane in leg three kept the game alive, but Hall then took leg four to win 3-1 and get the Thorns a point on the board. Onto the fourth game, and it was an impressive result for Mick Hulley, who’s 3-1 victory versus Dan Ashton started and ended with 13 darters. This set up Will Lavery to guarantee the tie for Vintage in the fifth game, with a straight legs win against Lewis Wroe making it 4-1 overall. Hulley and Simons then made it five for Vintage in the first pairs, but Parfrement and Hall gave the Thorns their second win of the night as they took the last game. So, 5-2 to Vintage was the final score, and a good recovery after the disappointment of not being able to play the week before.

One of the Thorns’ rivals in the league table, Foxhill and District As, were away at league leaders Station Railwaymen. Pete Roebuck began the night with an immediate break of throw against Martin Bridge, which was then followed by a hold and a 21 darter to give Station a 3-0 win. Foxhill had a better start to the second game, as Martin Schimelds broke Geoff Higgs’ throw. But Higgs would then break back, followed by a 20 darter which set him up to win 3-1 in leg four. Things didn’t get better for the visitors in the third game, where a whitewash win for Ryan Goffin put the Railwaymen 3-0 up. And another 3-0, to make it 4-0 in total, came in game four, as Gav Pilling saw off Jack Walker, with the Station captain hitting a 16 darter in leg two. The defending champions were now on for a clean sweap of the singles, and Tom Sawford gave them just that as he beat Dale Blackwell in straight legs. In the pairs, Roebuck and Higgs beat Walker and Blackwell 2-0 to make it six from six, and Pilling and Sawford beat Bridge and Schimelds by the same score to make it seven from seven. Therefore, on a day when most trains were stuck, it was still full steam ahead for Station Railwaymen.

Also at Station Hotel this week was Warriors versus Uni Arms Academicals. Colin Johnson (Warriors) and Jack Newton (Accy D’s) got the tie underway, and although Johnson took the first leg, Newton would reel off the next three to win 3-1. Up next were Tom Jepson and Angie Brittle, and the Accy D’s man went break-hold-break to take the match 3-0. Another Accy D’s whitewash followed in game three, with Joe Hopkins seeing off Ian Webster. Barry Brittle kept the fixture alive by getting one back for the Warriors in the fourth game, winning 3-1 against Joe Burniston. But the overall win for the Accy D’s came soon after, as Adam Warner stepped up with a hold, followed by a 17 darter and a 20 darter to beat Paul Brittle 3-0. Moving onto the doubles games, Newton and Jepson dropped the first leg to Barry Brittle and Johnson before taking the next two to win 2-1, and Luke Davies and Hopkins secured a comfortable 2-0 victory in the last game against Paul Brittle and Webster. At the end of the night, then, it was 6-1 to the Accy D’s, and the Uni Lads would get another win as the trams were still running, meaning they could get back to Sheffield.

This brings the recap of Week 16 to a close, and the table now looks like this:

- Station Railwaymen: 96

- Raging Bull: 82

- Woodbourne Mouses: 68

- Uni Arms Academicals: 64

- Swallownest Miners: 55

- Woodbourne Vintage: 49

- Foxhill and District As: 41

- Thorncliffe's Finest: 41

- Riverside Warriors: 29

- Uni Arms Understudies: 28

The Railwaymen have the title secured, but there is still a lot to play for. With places still up for grabs, the teams will be looking to end on a high in the last two weeks of fixtures.

Memorial Cup Report

Report by Olly Nunn

It’s been three weeks since the last Franchise League action, and in that time the teams have been holding their in-house tournaments to pick their players for the Memorial Cup.

In the end, it was Pete Roebuck (Station), Matty Pierce (Raging Bull), Jimmy Haslam (Mouses), Luke Davies (Accy D’s), Tim Whiting (Miners), Mick Hulley (Vintage), Jack Quinn (Understudies), and Paul Brittle (Warriors) who won their respective qualifiers, to be joined by Adam Chadwick (as the reigning champion) and Gav Pilling (as the reigning singles champion). These ten players, split into two groups, met in the Woodbourne to decide who would go through to finals night.

In Group A, Gav Pilling went undefeated, winning all four games to top the group, and only dropping one leg along the way (to Whiting). It was also a good night for Davies, with some impressive scoring (four 180s over the course of the night from the Accy D’s captain) and only one loss (to Pilling). Third in the group was Whiting, who got the better of Quinn and Hulley, but defeat to Pilling and Davies meant he missed out on the knockouts. In fourth was Quinn with one win, against Hulley, who had a difficult night that left him at the bottom of the group.

Meanwhile, in Group B, Pete Roebuck made it a Station lockout of the top spots, as he also went undefeated to guarantee a spot in the knockouts. Haslam started with a 2-0 win over Pierce, and although he then suffered a straight-legs loss to Roebuck, he then won his last two games to clinch second. Pierce took two wins, including against his Raging Bull teammate Chadwick, but losses to Roebuck and Haslam cost him a chance at advancing. Fourth in the table was Chadwick, who’s title defence ended in the groups with one win and three losses. And, suffering four losses, Brittle ended the night in fifth.

With all group games played, the final standings were:

Group A
1. Gav Pilling (won 4, lost 0) *
2. Luke Davies (won 3, lost 1) *
3. Tim Whiting (won 2, lost 2)
4. Jack Quinn (won 1, lost 3)
5. Mick Hulley (won 0, lost 4)

Group B
1. Pete Roebuck (won 4, lost 0) *
2. Jimmy Haslam (won 3, lost 1) *
3. Matty Pierce (won 2, lost 2)
4. Adam Chadwick (won 1, lost 3)
5. Paul Brittle (won 0, lost 4)

It was therefore Pilling, Davies, Roebuck, and Haslam who booked their places in the knockouts.

The first semi-final was between Roebuck and Davies. In a best of five contest, the first leg went to Davies. Both had shots at double in the second leg, which could’ve got Roebuck back in the match or put Davies one away. In the end it was Roebuck who took it, and the Station man then reeled off the next two to become the first man into the final.

Next up, in the second semi-final, was Pilling against Haslam, with Pilling looking to make it an all-Station final and Haslam aiming for a rematch of his Group B game with Roebuck. And, in the end, it was Haslam who came on top, winning 3-1 to make it a Railwaymen versus Mouses final on 18 May. Before then, it’s back to league action, with the teams knowing that every game counts heading into the last four weeks of fixtures.