West Midlands Round-Up Sees FODL Back In Action

The Four Oaks and District League, one of the oldest in the UK have got their first league fixtures of the new season under their belts, and in division one Nomad Flights and Old Oscott Arrows kicked off their new season with 7-2 wins against respective opponents Charley’s Flights and Walmley CSC Flights to share the top spot in the table. Newly promoted Bishop Vesey produced a strong performance beating Red Lion 6-3 while the other promoted team Heartlands were not so fortunate losing 5-4 at home to Highcroft Social.

In the second division top of the table are newcomers Minworth Flights and Erdington Arrows, who in turn won 8-1 against Sutton Sports and Social and Deer’s Leap, Erdington Arrows winning the first five games against Deers Leap.

M.Pearce (Golden Hind Lions) hit this week’s only 180 and T.Vickers (Red Lion) had a 160 break.

Full Results:Game 1:Division One:- Nomad Flights 7 (C.Martin 121,115,100, T.Colley 100, B.Lysaght 100, N.Fields 100, K.Smith 2×100, C.Winters 140,137,100) Charley’s Flights 2 (P.Nicholls 100, D.G.Bond 2x100b), Bishop Vesey 6 (N.Smallwood 100b,121, N.Sammons 100,137, S.Abbott 120b,140,123, M.Wild 120b, M.Norton 100, D.Walton 125,101, T.Rubery 2×100, C.Sammons 120b,125,129) Red Lion 3 (J.Collins 140, D.Vickers 109b,125,100,140, M.Corfield 100, C.Austin 134, T.Vickers 100b,160b, L.Vickers 100), Old Oscott Arrows 7 (M.Page 125,100, B.Hoare 122b,2×140, D.Page 101, D.Parsons 120,4×100,121, P.Locke 120b,2×100,140, B.Trayhern 100) Walmley CSC Flights 2 (B.Cadby 100, K.Green 120b,130b, J.Meredith 135,133,140, G.Gaughan 2×100, B.Liggins 100, J.Liggins 105b,100, J.Kavanagh 100,109, R.Smith 3×100), The Old Horns Lions 5 (F.Naylor 112b, P.Byrne 100, A.Kimberley 140,100, M.Ashton 100,132,125, B.Linnecor 100, T.O’Driscoll 100) Golden Hind Lions 4 (R.Hasluck 114, J.Mahon 135,123, M.Pearce 120b,4×100,180), Heartlands 4 (A.Downes 123, G.Drennan 135, Jim Frost 100b,2×100,120b, John Frost 100b,140, G.McCormack 122, Matthew Cain 152b,100) Highcroft Social 5 (K.Shorthouse 121, S.Shorthouse 100, S.Paling 2×100,140, K.Neale 120b,2×100, J.Alexander 140,100, S.Pritchett 2×100,137), Division Two:- Rosey Mac’s 3 (A.Poole 140,100, S.Wright 100, S.Wintle 120f,100, N.Bradley 120b,2×100, J.Cox snr 140,2×100) St Thomas Arrows 6 (P.Andrews 140, R.Nelson 100,125, C.Connelly 115), Minworth Flights 8 (L.Vann 102b,100, C.Vann 114, K.Deeley 125,2×100, R.Barritt 120, N.Clarke 100b,2×100,130,135, M.Partridge 112b,140) Sutton Sports and Social 1 (D.Carter 100), Erdington Arrows 8 (M.Phillips 2×100,140, A.Linehan 100, L.Dells 100) Deers Leap 1 (T.Ross 2×100, L.Sinclair 100, A.Dunn 100,125), Pint Pot Flights 4 (P.Smith 100, L.Lemathy 116, J.Moon 139, M.Bagnall 105b,100,140, N.Robbins 3×100, P.Southall 2×100) The Scott Armers 5 (S.Kelly 100,125, J.Parry 100b,2×140, J.Sabin 100,140, L.Parry 100,140, O.Day 2×100, T.Kelly 2×100), Sutton Sharks 4 (C.Gardener 105b,100, J.Boden 115, J.McKeever 112b, F.Davis 100, J.Harris 100, D.Gardener 100) The Funky Bear 5 (S.Robotham 100b,2×100, A.Trimwater 100, E.Stambollin 100,101, M.Lucas 116, L.Williams 100), Oscott Social Club 6 (R.Graham 116, T.Whyley 4×100, D.Haskins 100b, D.Shannon 125, I.Lloyd 100, G.Bushell 4×100, T.Purcell 100, P.Graham 100) Plough and Arrows 3 (J.O’Connor 100, L.Dudley 2×100, K.Gow 108b, A.Humphriss 3×100,140, D.Hughes 100).

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The Sheldon and District Winter League staged the preliminary round of the Punchbowl Trophy which saw premier division leaders Sheldon Marlborough Arrows win 7-0 away to division two side Raven. Second in the premier Dunky’s Boys won 5-2 at home against Highwood Gerry’s Boys also from the premier division.

There were good wins for division two teams Lyndon Old Boys and Brian’s Flights who in turn won 4-3 against their division one opponents Shirley Misfits and Yardley Ex Colts. In the all premier clash Hollywood Social with a 160 break from Tony Colley won 4-3 against Sheldon Dukes while in the all division two encounter The Trident Spears won by the same margin against Iron Horse Rebels.

Two premier teams Langley Arrows and Kingshurst Labour Club played division one opponents The Dingle and Willclare Sports and Social and in turn won 5-2 and 6-1. In the other game played Sheldon Marlborough Ridge (division two) lost 5-2 at home to The Hornet (division one).

Full Results:Punchbowl Trophy:Preliminary Round:- Shirley Misfits 3 Lyndon Old Boys 4, The Trident Spears 4 Iron Horse Rebels 3, Yardley Ex Colts 3 Brian’s Flights 4, Sheldon Marlborough Ridge 2 Hornet 5, The Raven 0 Sheldon Marlborough Arrows 7, Dunky’s Boys 5 Highwood Gerry’s Boys 2, Hollywood Social 4 (Tony Colley 160b,11 darts game) Sheldon Dukes 3, Langley Arrows 5 The Dingle 2, Kingshurst Labour Club 6 Willclare Sports and Social 1.

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The Lion and Tippetts Bar got off to a great start in the new season of the Shirley and District Monday Night League getting the better of respective opponents Cider House and Solihull Municipal with 8-1 results to share the number one spot in division one. Reigning champions Dunky’s Boys continued where they last left off last season beating newly promoted Shirley Legion Royals 7-2.

In division two relegated Wharf got off to a flyer beating newcomers Saracens Head 9-0, while second in the division HSCC were not far behind with their 8-1 success at home over Saracens Slingers. The game between Yardley Wood Social and Highwood could easily have gone either way but it was Yardley who finally got the 6-3 verdict. Sharmans Cross are placed third after winning 6-3 at home against a depleted Wythall Legion side who were only able to field four players.

Full Results:Game 1:Division One:- Lion 8 Cider House 1, Tippetts Bar 8 Solihull Municipal 1, Dunky’s Boys 7 Shirley Legion Royals 2, Sharmans Swords 5 Vikings 4, College Arms had a bye, Division Two:- Wharf 9 Saracens Head 0, HSCC 8 Saracens Slingers 1, Yardley Wood Social 6 Highwood 3, Sharmans Cross 6 Wythall Legion 3, Saracens Misfits had a bye.

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Copper Fox had what appeared to be a tough away fixture in the Kings Norton League playing away against fourth in the league Rubery Social Club but they returned with a resounding 6-1 victory to keep them four points clear of the rest of the field. Northfield have moved up into second place after handing out a 7-0 whitewash to their hosts Kings Heath.

After the top two come three teams, Bournebrook, Thurlestone and Rubery Social Club all on 26 points, six short of the leaders with Bournebrook and Thurlestone both having a game in hand on Copper Fox. Coppice saw their good run come to an end as they sent down 4-3 at Grant Arms.

Full Results:Game 19:- Rubery Social Club 1 (J.Higgins 140, M.Cormell 110b, K.Manger 140, P.Medlicott 140) Copper Fox 6 (E.Simpson 2×100,115b, D.Marsh 100,140, A.Beagrie 100, G.Dews 2×100, K.Bedder 100,133,137, T.Hamilton 100,113f, D.McConomy 100), Grant Arms 4 (N.Smith 100, M.Davies 100) Coppice 3 (S.Rowe 100, A.Chidley 100, B.Heath 100,108b, S.Rodderick 100, A.Aindow 112b), Cock Inn 5 (A.Harvey 135, A.Vaughan 2×100, K.Vaughan 100b, Joe Fox 100, A.Hopkins 2×100) Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club 2 (P.Fisher 132, A.Reynolds 100, T.Shaw 104b, S.Brown 100), Bourneville 6 (J.Guy 140, M.James 2×100,117, I.Farnham 100b, D.Malone 100) Thurlestone 1 (T.Garfield 112b, R.Waldron 125, C.Airey 100, V.Pickford 105, B.Andrews 103b,105b, M.Deeley 118), E57 6 (D.Logan 125,177, S.Nolan 103, J.Calt 100, R.Morris 140, A.Mutch 100,137) Longbridge 1, Kings Heath 0 (R.Hitchmough 112b,137, D.Parish 100, A.Homer 105f) Northfield 7 (A.Busby 100b,139, P.Draper 134b, L.Allen 100, G.Webb 140, M.Lloyd 2x160b), A.Busby 180).

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The Camp Hill League have got their new season underway with an encouraging additional team this season. The early pacesetters are Erdington Nomads who could not have wished for a better start as they won 7-0 at Moseley Arms. In the other two games played Cotterills Lane EBAHA Club and Tyseley WMC in turn won 4-3 against newcomers Sheldon Marlborough Flights and Tyseley Bears with Neil Parsonage recording a 160 break for Cotterills and James Hinkley a nine darts game for Tyseley WMC.

Full Results:Game 1:- Moseley Arms 0 Erdington Nomads 7, Cotterills Lane EBAHA Club 4 (Neil Parsonage 160b) Sheldon Marlborough Flights 3, Tyseley Bears 3 Tyseley WMC 4 (James Hinkley 9 darts game), Peaky Blinder v Sedgemere Devils match abandoned due to time constraints and is under committee review, Clumsy Swan had the bye.

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The Stourbridge and District Monday Night League are up to game number nine and the top two teams continue to extend their unbeaten run as leaders Cross (Oldswinford) won 6-1 at home against sixth placed Seven Stars and second in the league Old Liberal Club (formerly Quarry Bank Labour Cub) went one better with a 7-0 win at Church Tavern, Cross are top as they have played and won one game more than Old Liberal Club.

After the top two come three teams all on fourteen points, third placed Ten Arches actually lost 4-3 at home to The Princess who are eleventh in the table while fourth in the league Bell won 4-3 against Mount Pleasant and fifth placed Gate Hangs Well defeated Rose and Crown ‘B’ 6-1.

Full Results:Game 9:- Britannia 1 Raven 6, Church Tavern 0 Old Liberal Club 7, Crestwood 7 Cat Inn 0, Gate Hangs Well 6 Rose and Crown ‘B’ 1, Rose and Crown ‘A’ 3 Netherton Conservative Club 4, Ten Arches 3 The Princess 4, Bell 4 Mount Pleasant 3, Bird in Hand 5 Glasscutters 2, Cross (Oldswinford) 6 Seven Stars 1, Fox Inn, Lye had a bye.

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The final fixtures of the season in the Hilltop Friendly Tuesday Night League saw acclaimed champions Waggon and Horses suffer a huge 6-1 defeat playing away against Vine ‘A’ who finished fifth in the league with 34 points, a huge twenty short of their opponents this being only Waggon’s third loss in the 30 games season.

Runners-up Dewdrop ‘A’ finished on a high beating their visitors, bottom of the table Tamebridge 5-2 to end their campaign six points behind the champions.

Full Results:Game 31:- Albion 1 Dewdrop ‘B’ 6, Miners Arms ‘B’ 4 Vine ‘B’ 3, Dewdrop ‘A’ 5 Tamebridge 2, Sow and Pigs 3 Miners Arms ‘A’ 4 (Ryan O’Connor 170b), Vine ‘A’ 6 Waggon and Horses 1 (M.Bowen 180), Horseley Tavern had a bye.

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There was a major shock for The Clock in the Netherton Thursday Night League this week, they went into their seventh fixture top of the table with five wins from their six games but it was certainly not lucky seven for them as they suffered a massive 8-1 defeat at Townsend Social Club. As a result of the loss Clock drop down to fourth in the league with their victors moving up into third place on the same ten points but with a superior average. Reigning champions Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’ move up one place to second after winning the local derby against their ‘B’ side 8-1 while new leaders Netherton Sports and Social Club ‘A’ also won a local derby beating their ‘B’ side again 8-1 to put them two points to the good on the Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’, Townsend Social and Clock.

Full Results:Game 7:- Spring Meadow 2 Bulls Head 7, Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’ 8 Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘B’ 1, Townsend Social Club 8 The Clock 1, Netherton Sports and Social ‘B’ 1 Netherton Sports and Social ‘A’ 8.

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The Rowley Monday Night League played off the finals of their League Cup which saw league champions Bell make it a fabulous double when they won the final 5-2 against Wonder who with just one more round of fixtures to play to the end of the season are just two places off the foot of the table.

There was one rearranged fixture played which saw Plough and Harrow beat Ex Serviceman’s 6-3, the win seeing Plough and Harrow move up and takeover from Clock (Whiteheath) in second place, they are now, with only the one game remaining in line for the runners-up place.

Full Results:League Cup:Final:- Bell 5 Wonder 2, Rearranged Fixture:- Plough and Harrow 6 Ex Serviceman’s 3.

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There were no positional league changes this week in the Stourbridge and District Wednesday Night League which saw the top two teams both win 6-1. Leaders Quarry Bank Labour Club won at home against bottom of the table Raven while second placed Ten Arches played away and won against seventh placed Stourbridge FC to remain four points behind the leaders. Third in the league Bird in Hand ‘E’ are on the same thirty-two points as Ten Arches after also winning 6-1 at Brickmakers Arms and trail them by just four legs of average.

A 5-2 win at Dudley Sports has put Ashwood top of the Shadow League, they have the same six points as second placed Bell ‘B’ but with a superior average, Bell ‘B’ won 4-3 at Hollybush. Third in the table Shovel finished on the wrong side of a 6-1 result at Bell ‘A’ which leaves them two points behind the to two teams.

Full Results:Game 19:- Quarry Bank Labour Club 6 Raven 1, Brickmakers Arms 1 Bird in Hand ‘E’ 6, Hollybush 3 Bell ‘B’ 4, Fox Inn (Lye) 5 Black Horse 2, Dudley Sports 2 Ashwood 5, Bell ‘A’ 6 Shovel 1, Stourbridge FC 1 Ten Arches 6.

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Week twenty-one was a bad week for Railway Tavern in the Black Country Men’s Super League as for only the second time in twenty-one games they lost. Playing away against fourth in the table Yeltz Bar they returned on the wrong side of a close 3-2 scoreline which leaves them trailing leaders Allens Bar ‘A’ by some eighteen points after Allens Bar ‘A’ made it twenty-one straight wins when they won their home game with Halesowen Cricket Club 4-1. Despite the defeat Railway hold on to second place with 118 points which is thirteen more than third in the league Yeltz Bar ‘A’ after their 4-1 home win over Bell, Kingswinford ‘B’. Yeltz Bar, in fourth place are two points short of their local rivals and ‘A’ side.

The Maverick lost any hopes of climbing higher than their sixth position this week as they lost 3-2 playing away against Rowley Bar and Grill who move up from two off the bottom to four off the bottom.

Full Results:Game 21:- Allens Bar ‘A’ 4 Halesowen Cricket Club 1, Rowley Bar and Grill 3 The Maverick 2, Allens Bar ‘C’ 5 Gilbert’s Bar 0, Yeltz Bar 3 Railway Tavern 2, Allens Bar ‘B’ 4 Whiteheath Tavern 1, Bell, Kingswinford ‘A’ 4 Horse and Jockey ‘A’ 1, Yeltz Bar ‘A’ 4 Bell, Kingswinford ‘B’ 1.

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The Ashwood Premier League have got their new season four underway and with twenty-seven players completing season three they have a very encouraging thirty-five players beginning the new campaign.

The league is up to week three and as the season began reigning champions Nick Fullwell had a bit of a shaky start as he lost his opener to Dave Simpson 4-3, however he quickly recovered to win 7-0 against Paul Pollard. Fullwell then in weeks two and three followed up with 4-3 wins over Chris Williams, Shane Passey and Martyn Harper to leave him fourteenth in the table with games in hand on the majority of players above him.

Setting the early pace is Sam Aitkens who is one of only four of the 35 players to have won all his games played so far. Aitkens has played the full scheduled six games and has won 6-1 against Andy Vellender, 7-0 against Paul Pollard, 5-2 against Jack Pritchard, had 4-3 win over Ade Colley, beat Matt Davies 5-2 and won 4-3 against Brandon Bishop to put him on 37 points. Tom Stockton, who finished last season as runner-up is once again in the number two position having played the same six games and with the same 37 points as Aitkens but having lost one of his fixtures. Stockton opened up the season with a 5-2 win over Matt Davies and then beat Jack Pritchard 6-1. In week two he won 6-1 again, this time against Ash Marson before losing 4-3 to Reece Colley. Week three saw him win 7-0 against Mitch Pickett followed by a 5-2 success over John Green.

Full Results:Week 1:- Chris Williams 7 Jon Underhill 0, Martyn Harper 6 Tony Bennett 1, Mark Jones 7 Chris Eacock 0, Kevin Harris 7 Rob Pierce 0, Cayden Smith 6 Jayden Harper 1, Shane Passey 6 Jake Robinson 1, Chris Manoila 7 Paul Pollard 0, Gavin Smith 6 Craig Lowin 1, Sam Aitkens 6 Andy Vellender 1, Neil Murphy 5 Mitch Pickett 2, Ben Watts 4 Chris Williams 3, Josh Pickett 6 Dave Simpson 1, Brandon Bishop 6 Jack Pritchard 1, Tom Stockton 5 Matt Davies 2, John Green 4 Ash Marson 3, Chris Manoila 5 Chris Williams 2, Cayden Smith 6 Rob Pierce 1, Ben Watts 6 Jon Underhill 1, Kevin Harris 4 Shane Passey 3, Martyn Harper 4 Jake Robinson 3, Jayden Harper 5 Chris Eacock 2, Tony Bennett 5 Wozza Pritchard 2, Mark Jones 7 Wozza Pritchard 0, Dave Simpson 4 Nick Fullwell 3, Andy Vellender 4 Gavin Smith 3, Sam Aitkens 7 Paul Pollard 0, Josh Pickett 5 Mitch Pickett 2, Brandon Bishop 6 Craig Lowin 1, Tom Stockton 6 Jack Pritchard 1, John Green 7 Matt Davies 0, Ash Marson 5 Neil Murphy 2, Week 2:- Chris Fox 7 Jake Robinson 0, Cayden Smith 6 Wozza Pritchard 1, Martyn Harper 6 Chris Eacock 1, Mark Jones 4 Kevin Harris 3, Nick Fullwell 7 Paul Pollard 0, Chris Williams 4 Josh Pickett 3, Chris Manoila 5 Shane Passey 2, Tony Bennett 4 Ade Colley 3, John Green 6 Dave Simpson 1, Sam Aitkens 5 Jack Pritchard 2, Reece Colley 5 Gavin Smith 2, Matt Davies 4 Mitch Pickett 3, Andy Vellender 6 Craig Lowin 1, Tom Stockton 6 Ash Marson 1, Neil Murphy 4 Ben Watts 3, Chris Fox 4 Shane Passey 3, Nick Fullwell 4 Chris Williams 3, Chris Eacock 5 Wozza Pritchard 2, Tony Bennett 6 Craig Lowin 1, Kevin Harris 4 Jake Robinson 3, Cayden Smith 4 Mark Jones 3, Martyn Harper 6 Chris Manoila 1, Ben Watts 5 Josh Pickett 2, Andy Vellender 5 Paul Pollard 2, Gavin Smith 6 Jack Pritchard 1, Dave Simpson 4 Neil Murphy 3, Ash Marson 5 Matt Davies 2, Sam Aitkens 4 Ade Colley 3, Reece Colley 4 Tom Stockton 3, John Green 6 Mitch Pickett 1, Week 3:- Nick Fullwell 4 Shane Passey 3, Jake Robinson 6 Wozza Pritchard 1, Chris Fox 4 Mark Jones 3, Josh Pickett 4 Martyn Harper 3, Rob Pierce 5 Jon Underhill 2, Kevin Harris 4 Craig Lowin 3, Neil Murphy 5 Paul Pollard 2, Chris Eacock 4 Brandon Bishop 3, Dave Simpson 7 Ash Marson 0, Chris Manoila 7 Jack Pricthard 0, Tom Stockton 7 Mitch Pickett 0, Chris Williams 4 John Green 3, Andy Vellender 7 Geoff Goodyear 0, Jack Pritchard 4 Tony Bennett 3, Shane Passey 7 Jon Underhill 0, Rob Pierce 4 Chris Manoila 3, Chris Eacock 4 Craig Lowin 3, Nick Fullwell 4 Martyn Harper 3, Mark Jones 7 Jake Robinson 0, Sam Aitkens 5 Matt Davies 2, Kevin Harris 7 Wozza Pritchard 0, Sam Aitkens 4 Brandon Bishop 3, Chris Fox 7 Geoff Goodyear 0, Dave Simpson 6 Matt Davies 1, Josh Pickett 5 Paul Pollard 2, Andy Vellender 6 Tony Bennett 1, Chris Williams 4 Neil Murphy 3, Tom Stockton 5 John Green 2, Ash Marson 7 Mitch Pickett 0.

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Alan Towe writes with the support of Red Dragon Darts

Images: LKPOD / Darts World.