West Midlands ninth fixture, a home tie against Merseyside, in the L-Style Division One of the UKDA National League was brought forward by one week. This was a vital fixture and a must win game for both teams.
The home side were lying fourth in the promotional table with 175 points and their opponents just above them in third place with 176 points.
It was not a great start for the hosts as the ladies ‘B’ slumped to a 5-1 defeat with Hannah Davies their sole winner, Hannah taking the match award for her 3-1 win over Julie Whelan and 18.02 average. By the end of Saturday’s games the score was level at 9-9 after adding the men’s ‘B’ 8-4 win to the running score. Top average for the men’s ‘B’ went to Martin Price, his 27.61 average and 4-2 win over Peter Robins earning him the team’s match award.
Going into Sunday’s ‘A’ games and with the running score level, the ladies ‘A’ result of 3-3 had no effect for either team. Top of the ladies ‘A’ averages was Evonne Taylor who in her 3-2 win over Jane Robson recorded a 20.18 average. The result now was all down to the men’s ‘A’ match in which West Midlands men’s ‘A’ emulated the ‘B’ team’s result of 8-4 with wins for Shaun Carroll (pictured) and Ryan O’Connor amongst the highs. Ryan was their MoM award winner for his 4-1 success against Dave Harnick with a 26.36 average.
The overall result for the weekend was a 20-16 victory for West Midlands which saw them leap up the table to pole position with 198 points, six more than former leaders Middlesex who dropped to second place.
However being as West Midlands fixture was brought forward, their pole position would possibly only last for one week when the remainder of the fixtures would then be played.
Final Score: West Midlands 20 Merseyside 16
West Midlands MA 8-4 Merseyside MA:
Men’s ‘A’:- Mark Craddock (23.61) 2-4 (24.51) Ben Jones, Alex Simmons (20.91) 4-3 (20.99) Robbie Gorst, Adam Teasdale (24.15) 2-4 (27.44) Terry Roach, Scott Baker (25.91) 4-3 (26.82) Tom Lockyer, Glen McGrandle (24.37) 4-2 (23.67) Kevin Lloyd, Callum Parkes (25.80) 4-3 (26.81) Steve Gow, Richard Platt (26.49) 2-4 (27.39) Clive Rule, Neil Pointon (24.59) 2-4 (25.22) Bradley Williams, Gavin Baker (24.58) 4-2 (23.38) John Prescott, Jack Aldridge (28.46) 4-3 (27.98) Anthony Brown, Ryan O’Connor (28.66) 4-1 (26.36) Dave Harnick, Shaun Carroll (25.61) 4-2 (24.06) Aaron Jones,
West Midlands MB 8-4 Merseyside MB:
Men’s ‘B’:– Martin Price (27.61) 4-2 (25.60) Peter Robins, Dean Simmons-Fullwood (26.37) 4-0 (18.65) Philip Bennett, Ash Khayat (25.76) 4-2 (23.58) Wayne Lang, Ryan Locker (20.42) 2-4 (20.07) Chris Long, Cameron Baird (24.99) 0-4 (26.37) Dave Richards, Adam Teasdale (23.19) 4-2 (22.06) Paul Smith, Mark Curley (22.79) 3-4 (23.62) Phil Lloyd, Will Beaden (25.17) 4-2 (25.01) Dan Nuttie, Karl Hughes (24.27) 3-4 (25.51) Mike Addison, Kieran O’Mahoney (22.13) 4-3 (21.82) Barry Bowes, Luke Griffiths (19.65) 4-0 (18.01) Alan Magee, Callum Parkes (24.97) 4-2 (26.20) Tom Gater,
West Midlands WA 3-3 Merseyside WA:
Women’s ‘A’:– Jacqueline Maiden (17.06) 0-3 (21.17) Janet Hardman, Gemma Barrett (18.16) 2-3 (19.74) Viv Cullimore, Evonne Taylor (20.18) 3-2 (18.84) Jane Robson, Shellbie Simmons (15.62) 3-1 (16.06) Vicki Lloyd, Kat McLean (16.92) 1-3 (17.32) Adele Mulligan, Jacqueline Trott (19.59) 3-2 (19.59) Emma Barlow.
West Midlands WB 1-5 Merseyside WB:
Women’s ‘B’:– Sarah Maybury (12.90) 2-3 (14.22) Janet Sorrell, Shellbie Simmons (17.64) 0-3 (20.04) Molly Brash, Julie Emery (13.10) 2-3 (14.72) Debbie Robinson, Hannah Davies (18.02) 3-1 (15.37) Julie Whelan, Tara Simmons-Fullwood (12.97) 0-3 (12.85) Sandra Rule, Kelly Doleman (14.67) 2-3 (18.07) Claire New.
—–ENDS—–
Alan Towe writes with the support of Red Dragon Darts
Image: PDC
