Holders target final flourish

Reigning cup holders the Railway Club 45s secured their ninth appearance in the final of the Newark and District Double Board Darts League Knockout Cup in the last ten seasons, with victory against Castle and Falcon Arrows.

But the Railway Club were made to work for a seventh successive final appearance, despite racing into a 2-0 lead.

The Arrows won the third and had an opportunity to level the match but failed to take their chance. They then rallied again to reduce the deficit to 3-2.

In the final leg, the 45s outscored their opponents, but missed doubles gave the Arrows a chance to take the match into a deciding leg.

Mick Francis kept his nerve though, to sink the double and earn the holders their cup final place.

In the final the 45s will face the Horse and Gears Oxo Club who overcame Staythorpe.

Despite losing the opening leg, the Horse and Gears side recovered to lead 2-1 before Staythorpe levelled at 2-2.

A closely-fought fifth leg saw the Oxo Club move to a victory.

In the Men’s John Browne Subsidiary Cup semi-finals there were victories for the Plough Inn, Coddington and the Old Malt Shovel.

The Plough swept into a 3-1 lead over the Castle and Falcon Marauders.

The Marauders levelled at 3-3, but Paul Robinson-Marsh hit the double to record a thrilling 4-3 victory for the Plough.

In the other semi-final the Old Malt Shovel buried Rose and Crown Farndon’s hopes with a comfortable 4-1 win.

In the Ladies’ event the reigning Subsidiary Cup holders, Kelly’s Angels of Crown Bathley, booked their place in the final with a 3-1 victory over the Avengers.

Their opponents will be current league leaders, NWMC Youngers, who overcame the league’s bottom-side, Watermill Artists, by the same scoreline.

In the Premiership, last week could prove to be the pivotal week for the Castle and Falcon Archers, as they bid to retain their title. They took a comprehensive 7-2 victory over RAFA Club Lads.

The Archers stretched their lead to 12 points as their closest rivals, Watermill Premiership Virgins, suffered a second successive 5-4 defeat. They were beaten by the Fun Boy Three.

The two remaining matches also finished 5-4, with victories for the Horse and Jockey Tic Tacs and The Lost Boys of the Horse and Gears.

At the top of the singles’ league reigning champion Mick Pitchford edged a point closer to team-mate Paul Gallacher after his nine-point haul against RAFA Club Lads.

Latest results: Men’s Division: Railway Club A 2, Old Malt Shovel 3; Railway Club 45s 5, Plough Inn Coddington 0; Old Malt Shovel 2, Ferry Masters 3.

Ladies’ Division: Railway Club Drunks 0, Railway Club A 5; Kelly’s Angels 5, White Swan Cygnets 0; White Swan Ladies 4, Watermill Artists 1.

Premiership: Castle and Falcon Archers 7, RAFA Club Lads 2; The Lost Boys 5, Castle and Falcon Veterans 4; Watermill Premiership Virgins 4, Fun Boy Three 5; Horse and Jockey Tic Tacs 5, The Power 4.

Men’s Knockout Cup semi-finals: Railway Club 45s 4, Castle and Falcon Arrows 2; Horse and Gears Oxo Club 4, Staythorpe Club 2.

Men’s Subsidiary Cup semi-finals: Castle and Falcon Marauders 3, Plough Inn Coddington 4; Old Malt Shovel 4, Rose and Crown Farndon 1.

Ladies’ Subsidiary Cup semi-finals: Watermill Artists 1, NWMC Youngers 3; Kelly’s Angels 3, The Avengers 1.