Pioneers continue to struggle

After six straight wins their draw at Vine A extended the number of league matches without a win to four, two defeats and two draws.

Pacemakers West End LMR B are two points clear of the Pi’s after winning 5-3 at in form third placed Cosey Club, and have a match in hand, with Cosey retaining third place.

This match returned most of the darts performances with Cosey’s Bobby Baynham firing a 14 darter and a brace of 180s and then joining forces with Mark Jodrill in a 17 dart pairs win at 37.07 per dart average.

Simon Preston hit a 180. For LMR B Chris Gibson stormed to 17 and 18 dart wins and teammates Danny Ayres, Dave Bickerton and Patrick Lynskey backed up with 19 darters. Andy Pitt (Kings A) and Pete Boughey (Pioneers A) bombed 16 dart legs, Mick Hassall ensured Vine A could not be beaten by winning with two 17 darters and Paul Ralphs (Nantwich Road ASLEF) was another maximum man.

Division One’s top two, Oddfellows Club and Brunel Arms A, stormed to big wins, the Oddies 7-1 at White Lion A and Brunel A 6-2 at Pioneers Club B.

Third placed Broughton Arms beat Flying Lady A 5-3, but are way off the pace.

Top performer was Adele Probin (Oddfellows) who won in 13 and 20 darts and registered a maximum 180.

Her colleagues Dave Coyne and Gary Talbot backed up with 17 and 18 darters.

Dave Carthy (Broughton) hit a 20 dart leg, team mate Dan Smith a 180 and Phil Shaw (Lady A) and Matty Hamilton (Nantwich Road A) respective 100 and 112 checkouts.

Division Two sees Sydney Arms retain top with a 7-1 trouncing of visitors Amalgamated B, second placed Imp keeping pace with a 6-2 win at Bridge A, who drop to fourth on matches won.

Horse Shoe also hit six at the Express to move up to third, but 10 points behind, so their outstanding match with the Imp in the New Year is assuming more importance to both.

Jason Pointon (Bridge A) included a 180 in a 13 dart leg and Tommy Clarke (Bridge C) hit a 103 checkout.

In the battle at the bottom Rising Sun A stay bottom after letting slip a 4-1 lead in their draw at next bottom Woodside.

Division Three’s top two teams met the bottom two, with pacemakers Willaston Club and Swan & Chequers consolidating their positions with respective 5-3 and 6-2 wins at Flying Lady B and Liberal Club.

Third placed Nantwich Road B fall eight points off the pace after losing 5-3 to visitors Kings Arms B, but have a match in hand.

They need to be wary as this match is at the Kings early in the New Year.

Danny Welch (Captain Webb) hit a 20 darter, Paul Woodcock (Cheshire Cheese) a 127 finish and Gareth Wood (Kings B) a 180.

Division Four runaway leaders Prince of Wales A won 6-2 at Brunel Arms C, their massive points lead hardly dented by second placed Duke of Bridgewater C’s whitewash of third placed hosts Nags Head.

Rising Sun B move ahead of the Nag despite losing 5-3 at White Lion.

Duke C’s Steve Gillighan won the opener in 20 darts and Sun’s Mark Sturmey won with a 156 checkout, this seasons best in the lower sections.

Division Five toppers Hop Pole have opened a six points gap with their 5-3 win at Prince of Wales D, who move into second place ahead of Dishers Club A who had a bye and now have a match in hand. Steve Watson (Coach & Horses) won with bull checkout.