THE Crewe Liberal Club Open League was reduced to 50 teams when Division Five's Cheese Hall were expelled this week.

The decision was made by the Emergency Management Committee for Cheese continually infringing league rules by failing to provide a team for the third time in six weeks.

Their record has been expunged and the vacancy may enable the league to revert to five 10-team divisions for the Summer 2015 season.

Premier Division darts leaders Pioneers Club B retained top place despite having their bye week, with main rivals Cosey Club still three points adrift after scraping a 5-3 win at Nantwich Rd ASLEF.

Two points further back are W/End LMR B, who whitewashed hosts Cheshire Cheese (Wheelock), as did Delamere Arms in a contentious match across the road at the Commercial.

Top arrows came from Stewart Bennett (Delamere) with a 14 dart leg and a 180 and LMR B duo Danny Ayres with a 101 finish to a 15 dart leg and Chris Townsend with a 17 darter.

Bobby Baynham (Cosey) ended an 18 dart leg with a 122 checkout, Ken Cliffe (Vine A) and Paul Taylor (Kings A) hit 20 darters and Simon Preston (Cosey) and ASLEF’s Rocky Snelson registered maximum 180s.

Division One still has promoted pair Oddfellows Club and Brunel Arms A to the fore, although the Brunel are now three points adrift in second place after a bye week.

The Oddies thrashed hosts Flying Lady A 7-1, Phil Shaw staving off a Lady whitewash and Broughton Arms hang onto third place despite being held to a draw at Hop Pole A.

Dave Coyne (Oddies) won with 17 and 19 darters and Dave Yates (Hop Pole A) with a brace of 19 darters.

Tony Probin (Oddies) hit a 19 darter and a ton checkout, Tracey Heeps (Nantwich Road B) a 116 finish and Paul Sheehan (Hop Pole A) a 180.

Division Two toppers Imp hit hosts Amalgamated B for seven to extend their lead to 13 points from new rivals Sydney Arms who won 5-3 at the Express, with Horse Shoe and Bridge A close behind after drawing their clash.

Rob Paine (Sydney) hit a 160 finish to a 15 dart leg that included a 180, Mals B sole winner Rich Sharp fired a 16 darter and Ryan Proctor (Imp) and Cliff Williams (Shoe) hit 18 dart legs, Williams ending his with a 108 kill.

Tom Knibbs (Express) won in 18 and 20 darts and hit a 180, as did Woodside’s Jason Jones, while Mark France (Hawk) hit a 20 darter.

Division Three toppers Willaston Club added to their big lead by winning 6-2 at Kings Arms B, with second placed Swan & Chequers, 5-3 winners at Coppenhall Club, now being challenged by Nantwich Road B who annihilated bottom placed Flying Lady B 8-0.

Tony Taylor (Kings B) hit a 17 darter, Paul Blythe (Willaston) a 104 checkout and Mick Cope (Swan & Chequers) a maximum 180.

Division Four pacemakers Prince of Wales A laboured to a 5-3 win over Nags Head, with second placed Duke of Bridgewater C reducing the points deficit to three with a 7-1 win at Dishers Club B, although the Prince have a match in hand.

Melvyn Roberts (Prince A) won in 18 darts, team mate Lyndon Cartwright with a 104 checkout and Dave Betteley (White Lion) hit a maximum 180.

Division Five has Hop Pole B top despite a 5-3 defeat at Foresters Arms B, one point ahead of Prince of Wales D, beaten by the same scoreline by Dishers Club A with the two victorious teams in close proximity. Jason Sloan (Prince D) high scored with a 174 hit.

Premier Division dominoes leading duo Kings Arms A and Cosey Club both lost 5-3 at Vine A and fourth placed Nantwich Road ASLEF, with Delamere up a place third after winning at Commercial.

Division One toppers Pioneers Club B beat Amalgamated A 6-2 to extend their points lead to three over White Lion A who along with Broughton Arms, Nantwich Road A and Hop Pole A had their own mini contest with both matches ending all square. Four points cover second to sixth spots.

Division Two leaders Amalgamated B lost 6-2 to the Imp, who move up three places to fourth.

Express whitewashed bottom team Sydney Arms to climb to second and Woodside, 6-2 victors over Bridge C are third.

This trio head the leading seven teams who are covered by just four points.

Division Three is another very close section with five points embracing the top eight teams.

Liberal Club beat Captain Webb 5-3 to retake top spot from Vine B, 5-3 victors at nearby Cheshire Cheese, with deposed leaders Flying Lady B third and grateful to Graham Minshull for his sole win.

Division Four has new leaders in Brunel Arms C who won 6-2 at White Lion and replaced Nags Head, beaten 5-3 at Prince of Wales A. Three points cover the leading five teams.

Division Five has a single point covering the top four after 5-3 wins by top two Dishers Club A and Hop Pole B moved them ahead of vanquished teams Foresters Arms B and Prince of Wales D.