TWELVE darts teams still boast unblemished records in the Crewe Oddies Club Open League.

The Premier Division has familiar faces at the helm with Pioneers A setting the pace, a 5-3 defeat of Vine A putting them a point ahead of last season’s runners-up Cosey Club who won 6-2 at Kings Arms A.

Third are current Champions West End LMR B, a 6-2 win at fourth placed Delamere Arms completing the top trio monopoly. Hotshot was Dave Coyne who concluded a 12 dart leg with a 133 checkout as promoted Oddies forged into a 3-1 lead, only for opponents Nantwich Road ASLEF to stage a spirited comeback to force a draw.

The other promoted team Brunel Arms A went 3-0 up on visitors Holly Bush after Jordan Bradley fired a 128 finish to an 18 darter and Michael Smith ended his 19 dart leg with a 98 kill, only for their persistant opponents to force a draw with four wins on the trot, with Barry Cooper bombing an 18 darter and a 180.

In form Tony Richardson (Pioneers A) won in 16 and 17 darts and hit a brace of 180’s, but opponent Graham Arrowsmith (Vine A) kept him on his toes by firing a 16 dart leg, as did his team mate Robbie Arrowsmith.

Jim Hamlett (Delamere) hit a 16 darter and 17 dart legs were blasted by Fraser Cooper (Oddies), Shaun Wilkinson (LMR B) and Bobby Baynham (Cosey) who included a 180 in his.

Andy Pitt (Kings A) hit a ton checkout and 180s were hit by team mate Wayne Patton and Clive Lucking (Delamere).

Division One toppers are promoted Hose Shoe, who proved too strong for hosts White Lion Ford Lane, winning 5-3 helped by Cliff Williams 17 darter and Andy Patricks 114 checkout.

One point behind are Cheshire Cheese, 5-3 victors over Amalgamated A, and Pioneers Club B who walloped bottom placed hosts Nantwich Road A 7-1, with Rob Challinor staving off the whitewash.

The Imp’s Ken Greenall and Craig Smith (Cheese) hit 16 dart legs, Craig including a 180 in his, and Cliff Williams (Shoe) a 17 darter. Craig Jepson (Cheese) included a 180 in his 19 dart leg, David Carlyle (Pioneers B) hit a 20 darter and Karl Goodwin (Imp) a 160 checkout. Andy Patrick (Shoe) hit a 114 finish and 180’s came from Tony Blount (White Lion) and Matty Hamilton (Amalgamated A).

Division 2 Darts pacemakers are Willaston Club after a 5-3 victory over Bridge A, spearheaded by a 19 dart leg from skipper Paul Blythe, a 134 finish from Paul Goodwin and a brace of 180’s from Lee Moffat.

One point back in second are Amalgamated B, who beat third placed Sydney Arms 5-3 despite Rob Paine’s 17 darter and a 120 finish by Lee Ross that levelling the scores at 2-2.

Division Three's joint leaders are Brunel Arms B and Kings Arms B after on the road wins at Rising Sun B and Coppenhall Club respectively.

Brunel’s win was sparked off by 14 and 18 darters and a 160 kill from John Speed and a 19 dart leg by Lyndon Cartwright.

Dave Betteley (White Lion) and James Scott (Swan) hit 19 dart legs, James also on the mark with a 180, as was Lions Tony Wilcox. Bottom placed Vine B produced a spirited reply to Flying Lady B’s early 3-1 lead by forcing a draw.

Division Four has Hop Pole B top, a 6-2 win at Foresters Arms B putting them two points ahead of Brunel Arms C, 5-3 winners at Duke of Bridgewater C, and Duke B who won 6-2 at British Lion.

Premier Division Dominoes has Cosey top on matches won after a 5-3 win at Champions Kings A, with Holly Bush on the same points mark after walloping promoted Brunel A 7-1, Jason Grant staving off the whitewash.

Vine A and The Oddies recovered from 3-1 down to scramble draws with Pioneers A and Nantwich Road ASLEF, making this the draw specialists section with 50 per cent so far.

Division One, like the darts, is topped by promoted Horse Shoe, and no doubt spurred on by the sad death of stalwart Dave Nixon, hammered White Lion Ford Lane 7-1, Karl Bennett preventing complete humiliation.

Nantwich Road A are one point back in second spot after beating Pioneers Club B 6-2, with promoted Imp third after a 5-3 win at Hop Pole A.

NB – Reference comments re Dave Nixon – Dave, who died on 13th March, was very well known and respected on the local dominoes scene as well as with his entertainment skills as a drummer with local bands.

Dave arranged his own wake (before his cremation) on Friday 20th March at Coppenhall Club. As a huge mark of respect to Dave in excess of 200 family, friends and colleagues attended this event and gave him a resounding, and well deserved, send-off.

Division Two has 100 per-centers Hawk and Woodside as joint leaders after 5-3 wins at the expense of Bridge C and Rising Sun A. Nantwich Road B are a close third after a resounding 7-1 thrashing of hosts Captain Webb, who have Sean Eaton to thank for sparing their blushes. Sydney Arms were in a benevolent mood, letting slip a 3-1 lead in a 5-3 defeat by hosts Amalgamated B.

Division Three is Coppenhall dominated, with White Lion (Coppenhall) top by two points from Coppenhall Club.

The pair were among four 6-2 winners in this section, their victims being last season’s top two Kings Arms B and third placed Nags Head B.

Division Four has newcomers British Lion three points clear at the top after a 7-1 walloping of visitors Duke of Bridgewater B, for whom Les Cooke prevented the whitewash.

Brunel Arms C won 6-2 at Duke C to claim second spot by a point from Coach & Horses, 5-3 winners at Dishers B.