Week 3
Round Three of the Ladies Salopian Super league & it was a case of as you were with the top two INN ON THE GREEN & HEATHGATES scoring respective 4 v 1 wins at home to BIRD IN HAND & TELEGRAPH. With third places BAGLEY without a game, the remaining fixture saw fourth placed CHARLES DARWIN edge out COMPASSES 3 v 2. Evonne Taylor (20.59) defeating fellow Salopian A player Alison Gallagher (16.63) in a high quality deciding match. Earlier on, Compasses Steph Clarke (24.64) had fired the nights highest average which included an 18 dart leg, whilst for the victorious Darwin Sue Lane (17.26) also impressed. Clare Boyle (13.81), solitary winner for the Bird in the hand & Heathgates Helen Walmsley (13.66) complete the top five averages but arguably the most impressive statistic of Week 3 is that Fifty women are now participating in the Salopian ladies super league that goes from strength to strength.
Last season Men’s Super League Champions CHARLES DARWIN A are this seasons early pacesetters with three wins out of three, although they were made to work for their latest victory away at IOTG B (Wentnor). Paul Rowley (26.03) & Matt Elsey (26.03) had given the Darwin an excellent start with successive 4-0 wins although Dave Bishop (23.78) checked the visitors progress. Jason Davies (20.57) & Steve O Callaghan (23.07) overcame stiff opposition to secure a 4 v 2 overall victory after Duncan Morris (22.67) double the hosts tally. IOTG A (Wetnor) did gain some form of revenge as they headed in the opposite direction to the CHARLES DARWIN B & secured their first victory of the season with a perfect 6 v 0 success. Eddie Price (21.86) striking early on whilst teammate Tony Burton (20.80) fired a maximum although credit to the hosts who took two of the matches to a deciding leg.
BAGLEY Club are the only other side with a 100 % win rate following a 4 v 2 away win the DICKIN. They did it the hard way coming from two down with Gary Crowther (25.05) once more setting the standard for the Wem outfit. The third match on proved pivotal with Bagley’s Vaughan Owens edging out James Carrington in a last leg decider. From then on the Bagley club concede just one leg as Paul Andrew, Neil Southern & Andy Kynaston all averaged over 20 per dart to secure the victory.
HOP & FRIAR hosted Second placed DAWLEY CLUB in a high quality that saw both teams unbeaten records preserved following a three each draw. Dawley’s Daniel Astbury (31.31) pitched the nights highest average that included two maximums & a 12 dart leg to put the visitors one up yet it was left to team mate Andy Gilbert (18.06) to secure point as he closed out the last match. In between Hop trio Steve Ritchie (23.23), John Roberts (23.86) & Glen Mcgrandle (25.05) had responded in some style for the Shrewsbury side.
COMPASSES fine start to the season continues as they took the first five matches against INN ON THE GREEN B with Andy Mullinder, Scott Dockerty, Jason Evans, Jon Mansell & Scott Towers all pitching 21+ one dart averages. Toto Noriel (21.25) prevented the whitewash but it is a first defeat of the season for Radbrook side & it was a similar story for the pubs A team who fell to a 5 v 1 home defeat against Market Drayton side SALOPIAN STAR . Derek Coulson (31.20) shone brightly for the star, backed up by Joe Higgins (24.93) & Stu Adler (23.65 inc 2 180s), but the INN ON THE GREEN A persevere taking legs in all but one of the games & were rewarded in the final game of the night with a 4 – 1success for Josh Davenport (19.87).
The game between APPLE TREE & GRIFFIN was postponed whilst it was the turn of Whitchurch’s BULLS HEAD to have the free week, the final match of round three saw CRESSAGE gain There first victory of the season at home to MONKMOOR. Ali Watkin (18.75) had put the Monkmoor ahead but Shaun Pryce (26.72) hit back for the hosts who then forged ahead before Ashley Gough (21.31) secured overall victory in the final game.