Railway Youngers move step closer to 17th Newark and District Double Board Darts League ladies’ title after winning top-of-the-table clash with Castle & Falcon Bangers
Railway Youngers’ pursuit of a remarkable 17th ladies’ league title has strengthened following their resounding 12-3 victory in their top-of-the-table clash with Castle & Falcon Bangers in the Newark and District Double Board Darts League.
The seemingly perennial champions went into the match with a slender two-point lead over the Bangers, and with the advantage of a game in hand, but they would end the night with an increased seven-point advantage over Caffs Ladies, who replaced the Bangers in second place after they overcame Railway Artists 11-4.
The Youngers, who had led 3-1 after the opening pairs encounters, maintained their advantage after the opening singles clash ended in a draw before wins by Anice Wells and Linda Gregory gave the reigning champions an unassailable 8-2 lead. The concluding singles match was drawn before Gregory completed the comfortable win as she holed out on double-top to clinch the three-point team leg.
Caffs had been tied at 2-2 before singles wins by skipper Chris Henderson and Jane Hartley gave them a 6-2 lead. Caffs’ Eugene Hallam and Kelly Barrett both earned draws to secure the victory prior to Hallam completing the night as she checked out in the team leg.
Elsewhere, Falcoholics have moved into third place after a singles win by captain Di Nuttall and Shann Cochrane’s checkout in the team leg helped them to an 11-4 victory over Collingham FC MC while King’s Queens have moved level with Wheatsheaf Wanderers in joint-fifth after Sandra Baker’s checkout in the decisive team leg clinched them a hard-fought 9-6 win over the Wanderers.
In the men’s division, Rose & Crown Marauders have stretched their lead at the top to 14 points after the reigning champions eased to a 5-0 win over the Castle & Falcon-based Hedgehoggers with checkouts from Steven Barnett and two apiece by Jason Hill and Mark Neal.
Wheatsheaf Bellies & Bullseyes remain in second place but they were pushed all the way during their slender 3-2 victory over in-house rivals The Phoenix. Checkouts from David Thompson and Neil Ward had given the Bellies an early 2-0 lead but the Phoenix rallied and drew level at 2-2 following a brace of finishes from Simon Potter. The deciding leg saw the Bellies outscore their rivals to reach the double first and with their opponents still requiring 189 Martin Fryer holed out to snatch the win.
The Taverners’ slender title hopes were hanging in the balance as they found themselves 2-0 down against RHP Darts of Hazzard but they fought back to stretch their winning run to five matches. The opening two legs saw opportunities on both sides but it was RHP who secured them with finishes from Paul Gallacher and Lewis Hubbard. The Taverners then produced their best scoring of the match to draw level with checkouts from Matthew Glover and skipper Simon Cobb. The deciding leg again saw the Taverners outscore their opponents but numerous missed doubles meant RHP had several chances of their own but it was Stuart Glover who completed the fight-back as he holed out on double-1.
Castle & Falcon BBC2s have drawn level with the Taverners in third after finishes from Ian Hurst, Donovan Atkin, Glen Iverson and two from David White earned them a 5-0 win over in-house rivals The Arrows.
RHP 26ers remain in fifth after they came from behind to edge out bottom side Balderton Cricket Club 3-2 in a tight encounter. Tim Clipsham’s checkout had given the cricketers the early lead but a brace of finishes from Kieran Cumberland and a finish by skipper Stephen Adshead secured RHP the win before Nick Morley’s checkout earned the Balderton side another consolation point.
In the Premiership Singles League, Matthew Glover has extended his lead over John Dawn to three points after he picked up eight points on matchday six with 3-0 victories over Stephen Adshead and David Thompson plus a 2-1 win over Stuart Glover. Dawn picked up six points following his 2-1 win over Robson Worthington, 3-0 win over Richard Taylor and a 2-1 reverse at the hands of Steve Alexander. Stuart Glover has moved above Thompson in to third place after 3-0 wins over former champion Simon Cobb and Alex Wallis helped him amass seven points.
Results: Men’s Division: Rose & Crown Marauders 5-0 The Hedgehoggers, RHP Darts of Hazzard 2-3 The Taverners (Railway Club), Wheatsheaf Phoenix 2-3 Wheatsheaf Bellies & Bullseyes, Balderton Cricket Club 2-3 RHP 26ers, Castle & Falcon Arrows 0-5 Castle & Falcon BBC2s.
Ladies’ Division: Railway Youngers 12-3 Castle & Falcon Bangers, The King’s Queens 9-6 Wheatsheaf Wanderers, Caffs Ladies 11-4 Railway Club Artists, Falcoholics 11-4 Collingham FC MC.
Premiership Singles League matchday six: Steve Alexander 2 Kevin Edwards 1, Jon Dawn 2 Robson Worthington 1, Jon Gough 1 Richard Taylor 2, Kevin Edwards 1 Robson Worthington 2, Jon Dawn 1 Steve Alexander 2, Kevin Edwards 3 Richard Taylor 0, Robson Worthington 2 Jon Gough 1, Richard Taylor 0 Jon Dawn 3, Jon Gough 2 Steve Alexander 1, Stephen Adshead 0 Matthew Glover 3, Simon Cobb 0 Stuart Glover 3, Alex Wallis 1 David Thompson 2, Matthew Glover 2 Stuart Glover 1, Simon Cobb 3 Stephen Adshead 0, Matthew Glover 3 David Thompson 0, Stuart Glover 3 Alex Wallis 0, David Thompson 2 Simon Cobb 1, Alex Wallis 2 Stephen Adshead 1.