Wheatsheaf Phoenix has surged to fourth place in the Newark & District Double Board Darts League’s Men’s Division, following a hard-fought 3-2 victory against the third-placed Castle & Falcon BBC2s. This win marks their third success in four matches, a significant turnaround from last season when they finished in the bottom three.
The Phoenix started strong, taking a 2-0 lead early in the match with impressive checkouts from skipper Richard Durham and Mark Jackson. Castle & Falcon’s Jay Needham managed to halve the deficit with a crucial finish, but the BBC2s missed a chance to level the score. This misstep allowed Durham to secure the match-clinching double, affirming his team’s dominance. Although BBC2s captain Luke Haswell secured a consolation win in the final leg, the night ultimately belonged to the Phoenix, whose fourth victory matches their total for the entire previous season.
In a parallel development, Castle & Falcon Bellies and Bullseyes capitalized on the inactivity of the Marauders to ascend to the top of the table. They achieved a 4-1 victory over The Arrows, with standout finishes from Andy Pevler, John Esam, and a brace from Chris Clawson. Meanwhile, The Arrows remain seventh, despite Mick Sale’s checkout in the fifth leg.
RHP 26ers emerged victorious against The Taverners in a tightly contested match that saw the Taverners slip to fifth place. RHP initially took the lead with a checkout from Stuart Glover, but missed doubles allowed RHP to seize control. Matthew Glover managed to level the scores, but RHP clinched the match with a decisive finish from Charlie Ashley, sealing a 3-2 win.
Balderton Cricket Club has moved out of the bottom two, thanks to finishes from Nick Morley, Chris Barnett, and two from Tim Clipsham, leading to a commanding 4-1 victory over RHP Darts of Hazzard. Colin Stevens’ checkout in the fifth leg prevented a whitewash, giving RHP a consolation point as they continue to seek their first win of the season.
Railway Youngers Dominate Ladies’ Division
In the Ladies’ Division, Railway Youngers have established a commanding 16-point lead after defeating Castle & Falcon Hitters 13-2 in a top-of-the-table clash. The reigning champions quickly took a 4-0 lead, winning both opening pairs. Singles victories from skipper Debbie Braithwaite and Linda Gregory, alongside two drawn matches, gave the Youngers an unassailable 10-2 lead, culminating in Gregory’s finish in the final team leg.
The Wanderers maintained their third-place position with a 10-5 victory over Collingham FC MC. Skipper Linda Brockson delivered the decisive double in the final leg after the Wanderers had built a substantial lead. Despite singles wins from Collingham’s Sharon Hovey and Laura Barrie, they could not close the gap in the team leg.
Castle & Falcon Bangers remain unbeaten in fourth place after overcoming Railway Club Artists 9-6. An early victory from Marian Quant brought the Artists level, but singles wins from Debbie Walker, Karen Whittaker, and Mandy Walker propelled the Bangers to a decisive lead. Although Artists’ skipper Barbara Hood managed to reduce the deficit in the team leg, it was not enough to turn the tide.
King’s Queens climbed to fifth place with a 9-6 win over bottom-placed Caffs Ladies. After a level start, both teams remained even at 6-6 following the singles matches, with each side claiming one win and two drawn encounters. Sandra Baker’s checkout in the team leg secured the victory for the Queens.
The opening night of the Premiership singles league was a success for debutants, with Ryan Holland, Kelly Stevens, and Stacey Grand-Scrutton each scoring seven points in Group A. Meanwhile, Chris Brown and Martin Fryer topped Group B with eight points each, showcasing promising talent in the league.
Overall, the latest matches highlight the competitive spirit and shifting dynamics within the Newark & District Double Board Darts League, as both divisions continue to unfold.
