Bangor, Leeds, Newcastle, Nottingham Trent, Bath and Oxford sit atop the UDUK’s six regional leagues as the final stretch of fixtures fast approaches, with Trent the first to mathematically secure the league title.
After a lay-off period over Christmas and the January exam season, university darters picked the arrows back up late last month to recommence what has been another fascinating season on the circuit.
Bangor look set to take the North West crown from the hands of Lancaster after winning all 10 of their opening matches.
With 6 matches still to play, the defending champions will have to hope they can turn their fortunes around, in a run-in which includes a match-up with the current league leaders.
In the North East, Newcastle are in pole position to regain the North East trophy, with York some way behind the current first-placed team.
The 2022 national champions have enjoyed key victories over Northumbria and Durham thus far, with last year’s champions currently cut adrift below all three teams.
North Central looks once again likely to go down to the wire, with Leeds currently enjoying a narrow lead over Manchester and Hallam.
With a 16-2 record thus far, compared to Manchester’s 15-1, there is still everything to play for with regards to league placings.
Defending national champions Sheffield, who have played less matches than all the other first teams in the division, will need a late season surge if they are to book a chance to defend their national crown.
Nottingham Trent meanwhile will regain the Midlands trophy, with the champions in 2021/22 some distance ahead at the top.
The attention will now turn to the battle for second, with Birmingham and Nottingham locked in a battle for what could be a crucial placing when it comes to national finals qualification.
Though galvanised by a recent victory over Warwick As, Loughborough look set to come in at either 4th or 5th.
Bath currently have a narrow advantage over Gloucestershire in the South West division, with both teams matched on 5 wins and 1 defeat and Bath ahead only on game difference.
Though Exeter are not too far behind on a 4-2 record and equal game difference to Exeter, a recent defeat to Bath after the Christmas break has not helped their attempts to top the table.
The South Central title will be won by either Oxford or UCFB Wembley, with both teams locked in a battle for first place.
If Oxford are to retain a regional title first won in the now reconstituted South West league, they must beat the London-based debutants in a match which will prove a straight shootout for the crown.
Otherwise, a new name will appear on what is itself a new regional title in South Central.
BIG WEEKENDER preparations have ramped up in recent weeks as UDUK prepares to stage the return of the tournament.
Taking place between 22nd and 24th March at the Manhattan Club in Harrogate, the event will host several of the top student players from across the UK and feature a prize fund of at least £3,000.
The ticket offering has recently opened to 2021 graduates, as well as the 2022 and 2023 leavers who were already permitted entry.
Alongside the £25 weekend pass tickets, which allow entry to all three days of play, a singles-only ticket for the Saturday is now available at £15.
Spectators are also welcome, though are encouraged to purchase a free ticket on the website.
Any businesses, local or otherwise, who may be interested in event sponsorship are encouraged to get in contact with UDUK by email or on social media.
UDUK PRESIDENT Kyle Mandell has announced his intention to stand down at the end of this academic year.
Mandell, who succeeded Michael Kelly at the top of UDUK in the summer of 2022, announced the decision to members earlier in February, saying it had been a ‘pleasure’ to lead the organisation.
Speaking to Darts World, Kyle explained the rationale behind his decision. “I’ve been honoured to lead UDUK for 2 years. I feel we’ve smashed through our initial aims and grown a thriving student darts community,” he explained.
“I can’t wait for Big Weekender and National Finals to close my time out and I hope that the organisation will only continue to grow, with many new teams having already contacted us ahead of 2024/25.”
A new President will be elected in the coming months, with two candidates already believed to have notionally put themselves forward.
VARSITY MATCHES between competing universities are starting to take place across the UK, with Sheffield securing a thumping 7-0 victory over Sheffield Hallam on 29 February. The bout, attended by over 400 people, was streamed live on YouTube by Forge TV.
Warwick pulled off an incredible comeback on 1 March, coming from 4-nil down to defeat Birmingham 5-4. Wins from Dan Arthur, Sam Evans, GeorgieO’Hare / Thomas Bartley, Jacob Savage and Will Temple secured the impressive victory.
Also amongst the first winners this year were Cardiff, who got the better of Bangor in the Welsh Darts Varsity.
In doing so, they defend a title won in 2023 and hold off their opponents who appear on a charge for the North West crown.
It is not just on the oche that UDUK’s teams have been engaged however. Gloucestershire have raised over £500 for Macmillan Cancer Support as part of a planned 24 hour darts marathon taking place between 1 and 2 March.
The event is being livestreamed on Gloucestershire’s socials, where donation information can be found.
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