EVERSON’S SPORTS AND TROPHIES MERTHYR SUMMER DARTS LEAGUE

THE Everson’s Sports and Trophies, Ystrad Mynach, Sponsored Merthyr Summer Darts League 2016 Season didn’t exactly blaze into action in the first week as people seemed to still be debating the result of the European Referendum and there was the small matter of a certain football match being played on Friday night that one or two wanted to watch. (Well done lads, keep it going).

However back to the darts, there were a few games played with some fantastic action to be seen.

The double start format can be something of a leveller, giving the so called “minnows” a chance of upsetting the odds against the “big fish” making for a very interesting season.

SECTION ONE JOHN ST. CLUB ............. 3 SILVER BULLET ............ 6

The Silver Bullet made the long trip down south to the John St. Club and were still suffering a case of minibus lag as the home side took the first pairs against the throw with J. Williams 144 and H. Samuel beating the jewels in the crown for the visitors in Steven Walker and Steffan “Van” Williams.

The lead though was short lived as Sharif Rasul and Brian Birch 133 beat B. Lewis and C. Samuel to level at one apiece and then the Bullet went ahead with Chris Davies 100 and Anthony Morris producing the first hold of throw of the match over P. Clayton and J. Evans for a 2-1 lead heading into the singles legs.

J. Williams recorded his second win of the evening with a hold over Brian Birch in the first singles to square the contest at two apiece but the Bullet bit back in the next leg with Sharif Rasul edging past H.Samuel to regain the lead for the away side.

Home stalwart Martin Jones drew the sides level again with a fine hold over Steven Walker 100 but then it was rapid fire from the away side as the Bullet took the three remaining legs. Steffan “Van” Williams 101 held throw over B. Lewis putting the away side 4-3 ahead and then the first break in the singles saw Anthony Morris beat C. Samuel making it 3-5.

Chris Davies 100 then secured a fine 6-3 win with a good hold over P. Clayton to get the visitors season off to flying start.

SECTION TWO ANGEL INN .................... 5 LORD RAGLAN ............. 5

This was a highly entertaining game from beginning to end going right to the wire before revealing the winner.

The Angel were quick to spread their wings with Glen Callan and John Pugh 100 breaking the throw of Karl Hunt and Alan Driscoll for an early lead and this soon became 2-0 with Chris John 119 away and Rhys Phillips holding over Brian Meek and Dai Lewis.

The final pairs saw Lance Thomas 100 and Mike McLoughlin get the Lord into the game with a battling win over Gra- ham Hancock and Steve Phillips to halve the deficit ahead of the singles games.

Brian Meek was in excellent form in the first singles for the Lord hitting 2x140 in a splendid break over Chris John 140 to level the match at 2-2 but the Angel were quick to regain the upper hand with Mark Jones breaking the throw of Dai Lewis 100 in a hard fought game.

Kevin Snowden levelled the match with a brilliant break over Ron Davies and the visitors then took the lead for the first time with Lance Thomas 100 producing a fine hold over Steve George. Glenn “The Destroyer” Callan made it four apiece with a great hold over Mike McLoughlin to set up a final leg shootout which saw local hero Graham Hancock break the throw of Mike Matthews to gain the hosts a narrow hard fought victory.

SECTION SIX MERTHYR LABOUR CLUB ............................... 6 BAILI-GLAS INN ........... 3

This was a hard fought game with the Baili giving a good account of themselves and causing the Championship favourites a few problems. Like the fantastic Blues Brothers, Jake and Elwood, Tim Charleston and Andrew Morgan were back entertaining the crowd in style with a fine hold over Kevin Forbes 159 and Wayne Davies but the hosts hit back in the second pairs with Rob “The Wallet” Evans 100 David Rowlands 99,100 holding over Terry Morgan and Larry Morgan to level at one each.

The final pairs saw the hosts take the lead with Gareth Dunn and Chris Galleozzie 100 apiece breaking Kerry Ryan and Cled Jones as the Baili boys struggled to hit a starting double.

Kevin Forbes 100 extended the hosts lead to 3-1 with a hold over Larry Morgan but the Baili bounced back in the second singles with Andy “I Won My Game Again” Morgan 92, 140 holding throw over Anthony Carstairs 123,140 in a fantastic game to pull back to within a point. Wayne Davies 120 away, 70 out broke Terry Morgan 121 in another fantastic game to make it 5-2 in the hosts favour and then it became 6-2 with Gareth Dunn holding throw over Tim Charleston in a hard fought game.

The final game saw Kerry Ryan 100,156 in splendid form holding throw over Kevin Mahoney 100 to gain the visitors a much deserved third point.

SECTION SEVEN VNU ................................ 3 PENYDARREN SOCIAL CLUB “B” ........................ 6

The “Pen” got off to a great start with Ray Smith and Neil Smith holding throw over Cornelius Corcoran and S.

Randall but the scores were quickly level with G. Jenkins and Errold Jones beating Nathan Morgan and Kendrick Howe in an exciting encounter. Steve Smith and Lyndon Price then edged the visitors back into the lead with a fine hold over D. Clayton and Mark Hadley for a 2-1 advantage going into the singles.

G. Jenkins scored a great win over Steve Smith with a hold in the first singles making it two apiece but then veteran Lyndon Price held over R. Jenkins to nudge the Pen 3-2 ahead. Nathan Morgan 100 broke John Hobby to extend the lead to 4-2 but a battling effort from Errold Jones 101 saw him beat old timer Ray Smith to pull a third point back for the hosts.

The final game of the match saw Neil Smith hold throw (yes Neil won a game) over Clive Powell to complete a fine 6-3 win.

The Officers, Committee and Members of the Everson’s Sports and Trophies Sponsored Merthyr Summer Darts League would like to wish the Welsh Football Team and All Staff Members all the VERY BEST OF LUCK for their European Championship Semi-Final against Portugal. You have ALL done BRILLIANT so far and LONG MAY THE DREAM CONTINUE. Also massive best wishes and congratulations to the brilliant Welsh fans who have been magnificent.

You have done Wales proud.

CYMRU AM BYTH