Railway Club in seventh heaven
The Railway Club 45s completed a remarkable seventh league and cup double when they defeated the Horse and Gears Oxo Club in the final of the Newark and District Double Board Darts League men’s Knockout Cup.
The 45s, on a run of 12 straight victories, had already clinched their ninth successive league title and were contesting their ninth Knockout Cup final in ten seasons.
Their opponents, who are almost certain to clinch the league runners-up spot, had won six of their last seven outings — the only defeat coming at the hands of the 45s.
In the opening leg, the 45s seemed to be heading for a comfortable victory, only for several missed doubles to let Oxo Club close the gap and leave themselves on a finish, but Shane Gallacher finally sunk double one before Oxo Club had chance to attempt their check-out.
The next leg was much more even but again it was Gallacher who crucially hit the double first to extend 45s’ lead.
In the third the 45s produced their best scoring of the night and despite missing a few doubles, they still comfortably took the leg with Paul Gallacher checking out.
Oxo Club had chances to take the match into a fifth leg but they were not taken and Paul Gallacher secured his second finish of the night with double top.
The 45s, captained by Roy Porter, virtually completed a clean sweep, having also provided the men’s singles champion, Paul Gallacher, and men’s pairs champions, Paul Gallacher and Mick Francis.
The only title they missed was the mixed pairs title, which went to Simon Cobb and Kelly Stevens of the Castle and Falcon Arrows.
The men’s John Browne Subsidiary Cup final was contested by the Plough Inn, Coddington, and the Old Malt Shovel.
With both teams managing 3-2 victories against each other in the league, a tight final was expected but in the end the Plough powered to a 4-1 victory.
The Coddington side won a close opening leg and followed it with a more comfortable win in the second.
The Malt Shovel responded by taking a tight third leg but the Plough moved to within one of victory by taking the next.
The Plough appeared to be cruising to victory in the next leg until some missed doubles gave their opponents hope. But this was extinguished when Steve Mastin hit his second checkout to secure the cup.
The final issue in the ladies’ league has been settled — and it resulted in disappointment for Railway Club A.
The Railway side went into their final match against the champions, the NWMC Youngers, knowing that they needed a 4-1 victory to clinch the runners-up spot ahead of Cafferata.
The Youngers, who had suffered just two league defeats all season, put the pressure on the Railway side by taking the opening leg.
The Railway took the next but their hopes were finally dashed when Annice Wells hit her second double of the night to put the Youngers 2-1 up.
Railway Club A responded in style by taking the last two legs to secure a 3-2 victory but agonisingly fell just a point short of clinching second place.
Latest results, men’s division: Castle and Falcon Arrows 3, Rose and Crown (Farndon) 2; Newcastle Arms 1, Castle and Phoenix 4; Plough Inn Coddington 0, Staythorpe Club 5.
Ladies’ division: Railway Club A 3, NWMC Youngers 2.
Men’s Knockout Cup final: Railway Club 45s 4, Horse and Gears Oxo Club 0.
Men’s John Browne Subsidiary Cup final: Plough Inn Coddington 4, Old Malt Shovel 1.
