Newark & District Double Board Darts League round-up: RHP 26ers move into top two with 5-0 win
RHP 26ers moved into second place in the men’s division of the Newark & District Double Board Darts League after they recorded a terrific 5-0 win over Balderton Cricket Club.
A tight opening leg saw chances on both sides before Charlie Ashley’s checkout gave RHP the early advantage. The next leg saw the 26ers recover from a poor start and produce their best leg of the night as Baz Rawle holed out on 62 with their opponents way back on 276.
RHP, who finished fourth last season, continued to outscore the Balderton side in the next and secured an unassailable 3-0 lead following Dan Rawle’s finish. The remaining two legs continued in the same vein as the previous two and a brace of checkouts from Steve Alexander completed the whitewash.
Castle & Falcon Bellies and Bullseyes are the new leaders after they took advantage of The Marauders’ inactivity with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Wheatsheaf Phoenix helped by a hat-trick of finishes from John Esam.
Neil Ward, who also recorded the season’s highest average so far with 63.5, was the other finisher for last season’s runners-up. Alex Jackson’s 44 checkout in the second leg secured the Phoenix’s consolation.
The Taverners are in fourth after they defeated their in-house rivals Railway Thursday 4-1 with finishes from skipper Simon Cobb, Brian Coughill, Matt Glover and Stuart Glover’s 80 checkout – Jack Kirk’s third leg finish rescued a point for his side who remain bottom.
RHP Darts of Hazzard are still looking for their first win of the season after they were edged out 3-2 by Castle & Falcon Arrows. Finishes from Oliver Hubbard and Steven Cobb had twice given RHP the lead but on each occasion the Arrows drew level with checkouts from Mick Sale and Andy Norris.
The deciding leg saw opportunities on both sides before Dave Hindson holed out to clinch the Arrows’ first win of the campaign.
In the ladies’ division, reigning champions Railway Youngers suffered their first defeat of the season after they were beaten 9-6 in a tight encounter with the King’s Queens.
Jackie Dennis’ victory over opposition skipper Andi Atherley in the opening singles tie had given the Youngers a 4-2 lead after both sides recorded a win apiece in the opening pairs encounters.
The Youngers maintained their advantage as the next two matches ended in draws but the King’s Queens then drew level at 6-6 as Sandra Baker overcame Jane Radforth in the final singles tie. The concluding team leg decided the match and the Queens completed the fightback with Atherley landing the crucial double.
The new leaders are Castle & Falcon Hitters who took advantage of Collingham FC’s inactivity to move into pole position with a 12-3 victory over Railway Club Artists. The Hitters, who finished last season in third, had led 3-1 after the opening pairs encounters before Katie Bowditch extended their advantage to 5-1 with victory over Julia Condliffe-Turner.
Two drawn matches followed before the victory was secured as Jess Esam defeated opposition captain Barbara Hood to give the new leaders an unassailable 9-3 lead. Jo Ward completed a comfortable win as she checked out in the concluding team leg.
Results: Men’s Division: Castle & Falcon Arrows 3-2 RHP Darts of Hazzard, The Marauders (W’sheaf) P-P Castle & Falcon BBC2s, Railway Thursday 1-4 The Taverners, Castle & Falcon Bellies & Bullseyes 4-1 Wheatsheaf Phoenix, RHP 26ers 5-0 Balderton Cricket Club.
Ladies’ Division: Collingham FC MC P-P Castle & Falcon Bangers, Railway Youngers 6-9 King’s Queens, Castle & Falcon Hitters 12-3 Railway Club Artists, Caffs Ladies P-P Wheatsheaf Wanderers.