Castle and Falcon Ladies beat Railway Club Youngers in Newark and District Double Board Darts League

Reigning summer league champions Castle and Falcon Ladies maintained their unbeaten start to the defence of their title, with a thrilling victory over Railway Club Youngers in their top-of-the-table clash in the Newark and District Double Board Darts League.

The two sides went in to the match level on points and with their 100% records on the line. A tight battle was expected and that was how it transpired.

The opening two pairs encounters ended in draws, as did the opening two singles encounters to leave the two sides locked at 4-4.

The first bit of daylight between the rivals came as Linda Gregory beat Mandy Walker 2-0 to give the recently-crowned winter league champions a 6-4 lead.

Victory by Jackie Dennis in the remaining singles tie would have given the Youngers an unassailable advantage but Debbie Walker ensured the match went to the wire as she earned a vital draw.

Despite the Railway Club side leading 7-5, the match would be decided by the concluding team leg worth three points and it was Mandy Walker who landed the crucial double to edge her side home 8-7 and put the Falcon on top.

The team leg also proved decisive in the match between Railway Club Artists and the Falcoholics.

The Falcoholics, looking for their first win of the season, gained an early 3-1 lead after the opening pairs matches before extending their advantage to 5-1 after Stacey Grand-Scrutton overcame Barbara Hood in the opening singles encounter.

Their lead was maintained as Sonia Bowles drew with Marion Quant before the Artists reduced the deficit to 6-4 as Nicola McCarthy defeated Di Nuttall.

The remaining singles clash saw the Lyn Dewick earn a crucial draw against Katie Bowditch to set up the team leg decider, which saw the Artists complete the comeback as Sue Crosbie hit the match-winning checkout.

RHP Ladies are up to fourth after they came from behind for a 10-5 victory over Spring House Misfits.

The Misfits got off to a great start, making it 5-1 as Jayne Hill beat Heather Webb.

That would be as good as it got for the Spring House side as RHP staged a terrific fightback with victories in the remaining singles encounters by Sue Smith, Sandra Baker and skipper Julie Feeney before securing the team leg to complete the comeback.

The remaining match saw third-placed Caffs Ladies overcome league newcomers, Collingham FC Mother Chuckers, 8-7.

The sides were level after the opening pairs encounters. They remained level as the opening singles clash was drawn before Caffs edged in front as Kelly Barrett overcame Jo Akpoveta. Another drawn match followed before Caffs secured the victory as Jane Hartley defeated Rachel Raikes to give the Castle and Falcon side an unassailable 8-4 lead.

The concluding team leg went the way of the Collingham side.

The men’s division saw just one match after the other fixtures were postponed.

Railway Club took advantage of Rose and Crown Marauders’ inactivity to go top with a comfortable 5-0 win over Castle and Falcon Arrows thanks to finishes from Martin Fryer, Colin Weir, Brian Coughill and a brace from Paul Gallacher.

Arrows’ Andy Norris hit 130 to record the season’s highest score so far.