WORTHINGTON’S MERTHYR & DISTRICT DARTS LEAGUE WORTHINGTON’S CUP PLAY-OFF ROUND

GUEST KEEN BOWLS CLUB A ........................... 5 VNU ................................ 0

THIS result may look very one-sided but the VNU could have taken a couple of points off the defending champions if their finishing had been sharper.

The home side took the opening fours leg against the darts with Steve Thomas, Andrew Coombs 110, Paul Thomas 100 and Tex Pearce getting the better of R Jenkins, Clive Powell, Mark Hadley and Steve Darlow 100 and then 2-0 appeared on the scoreboard with Justin Davies and Phil Williams 100 apiece taking the first pairs off Rhiannon Jenkins and Clive Powell 120. A very gallant Mark Hadley and Steve Darlow 100 apiece then saw their bid to get a point on the board for the visitors thwarted as Craig Morgan and Jamie Evans broke the throw making it 3-0 going into the singles.

Craig Morgan was in the winners column for the hosts in the first singles and then a splendid break from Justin Davies 91, 95, 100, 140 in a 18-dart leg over Clive Powell saw the Guest safely through to the first round.

MERTHYR LABOUR CLUB ............................... 5 FARMERS ARMS A ....... 0

THE wheels came off the Farmers tractor somewhere on Twyn hill and long before they arrived at the Labour Club as they never got going against their ruthless hosts who cruised into the next round.

Wayne Davies, Rob Evans 100, Kevin Forbes 100, 125 and Gerald Williams took the opening fours leg over Wayne Morgan, S Price, Gary Price 121 and Steve Hamer 140 for an early lead which they then doubled with Wayne Davies 100, 121 and Kevin Forbes 100 beating Wayne Morgan and Dai Jones with a fine hold. S Price and Steve Hamer then saw their throw broken by Anthony Carstairs and Gareth Dunn 100 as the home side raced to a 3-0 lead ahead of the singles legs.

Anthony Carstairs appeared as the winner of the first singles with Kevin Forbes 100, 137, 180 in excellent form beating Dai Jones against the throw to ease the hosts into the first round.

SILVER BULLET ............ 1 BAILI-GLAS B ................ 5

THIS match started with a wake-up call for the Baili as the not so fab four of Mervyn Matthews 140, Hywel Llewellyn, Nigel Meek and Byron Jones saw their throw broken by Sharif Rasul 100, Anthony Morris, Steven Walker and Dean Jenkins for an early home lead but this was short lived as the ever reliable Andrew Rough 180 and Matthew Quinlan 2x100 broke the throw of Brian Birch 100 and Neil Winstone for a level game.

The first hold of throw of the match saw Jeff Pearce 100 and Geraint Thomas beat Chris Davies and Steffan Williams in the final pairs as the visitors took a 2-1 lead ahead of the singles battles.

Mervyn Matthews edged the away side further ahead with a break over Steffan Williams and then Jeff Pearce 100, 180 made it 4-1 with a fine display and hold over Chris Davies 100. Andrew Rough 125 then completed the victory and with it a place in the next round with a break over a battling Dean Jenkins.

ANGEL HOTEL .............. 1 ABERFAN SOCIAL CLUB A ........................... 5

THE visitors started brightly with their foursome of Vic Jones, Charlie Davies, Arwel Galliers and Peter Emmanuel holding throw over Chris John, Rhys Phillips, Mark Jones and Graham Hancock and then the visitors took a 2-0 lead with Peter Emmanuel 122 and Kevin Downing 100, 140 holding throw over an unlucky Mark Davies 160 and Brent Morgan 100.

Gwyn Jones 177 and Jack Colston then saw their throw broken as the home side got into the game with Ron Davies and Steve George getting the Angel into the game ahead of the singles.

Gwyn Jones 105 then made it 3-1 to the Social Club with a break over Graham Hancock 119 and this was then followed by a hold from Jack Colston over Steve George for a 4-1 lead. Vic Jones 100 then sealed the win for the visitors with a break over Mark Jones 140 for the 5-1 victory and a place in the next stage.

HORSE & GROOM ......... 2 BAILI-GLAS A ................ 5

THE Baili were made to earn their spurs here with their hosts giving them something to think about in a keenly fought contest.

Stewart Charleston, Ian Thomas 140, Andrew Morgan and Terry Morgan held throw in the fours encounter over N Griffiths, A Moore, J Gray and M Murphy giving the visitors an early 1-0 lead and this they then converted into a 2-0 with Alan Mee and Wayne Robinson breaking the throw of A Moore 100 and D Moore. The final pairs leg saw the Horse make some running with N Griffiths 120 and M Murphy getting the better against the darts over Stewart Charleston and Ian Thomas to trail by 2-1 going into the singles.

Ian Thomas 180 put the visitors 3-1 ahead with a break over C Hughes in the first singles and 4-1 then was marked up with Terry Morgan 2x100 holding over N Griffiths leaving the Baili just one point away from the next round. Tim Charleston 101, 140 looked to have it all tied up for the Baili but missed doubles cost that as M Murphy 121 came back into the leg to pinch it for a second point for the Horse. Wayne Robinson then made sure there would be no further refund for the hosts as he edged past A Moore in a marathon to see the visitors into the next round.

PENYDARREN SOCIAL CLUB B ........................... 1 GRAWEN ARMS ............ 5

THE Pen B are probably the biggest team to have been knocked out of the cup in this round as they went down to fellow First Division outfit the Grawen.

The visitors made a fast start with Phil Locke 100, Marcus Davies 100, Jason Launchbury and Dean Smith holding over Lyndon Price, Ray Smith, Dean Quantick and Graham Elias for the earliest of leads which they then doubled with Jason Launchbury and Kerry Green getting the better of Nathan Morgan 100, 125 and Kendrick Howe 100 against the darts in a hard-fought leg. The final pairs also went the way of the Grawen with Phil Locke and Marcus Davies 180 holding over Steve Smith 100 and Lyndon Price for a 3-0 lead.

Steve Smith got a mark on the board for the Pen with a hold over Lyn Jones 121 to reduce the arrears to two points but this again became three with Phil Locke 100 holding over Ray Smith for a 4-1 lead. In-form Dean Smith 2x100, 125 then wrapped up the match for the Grawen with a break over Lyndon Price for a 5-1 victory and a place in the next round.

MARTYRS CLUB ........... 5 IMPERIAL HOTEL ........ 1

THE Imp started well with Wayne James, Chris Llewellyn, Terry Dowman and Adrian Williams holding throw over D Howe 100, Ray Phillips 140, Steve Evans and Alun Pearce but the home side were quick to reply with Colin Howe 137 and Matthew Phillips beating Wayne James and Terry Dowman to level the match at one apiece.

The Martyrs then took the lead with Peter Worrell 140 and Alun Pearce claiming the first break of the match with victory over John Donovan and Malcolm Powell for a 2-1 lead going into the singles legs.

Bradley Howe 100 held throw in the first singles over Terry Dowman making it 3-1 then 4-1 followed with C Howe 100 beating John Donovan 100 with a break. A fine hold from Peter Worrell 140 then saw him beat Alan Hancox 117 to make it 5-1 to the hosts and with it a spot in the next round.

PENYDARREN SOCIAL CLUB C ........................... 5 DOWLAIS CON CLUB ... 1

G THOMAS, A Williams, J Richards 100 and M Thomas made it a steady start for the away side with a hold over Ceri Richards, John Sedgemore 100, Barrie Gilby and James Reagan but the lead was short lived as Johnny Murphy and Connor John 100 hit back in the first pairs to level with victory over G Thomas 100 and Scott Keefe.

Drew Bradley and Ceri Richards 135 then put the Pen ahead for the first time with a break in the final pairs over J Richards and M Thomas 100 at 2-1 heading into the singles battles.

Connor John held throw over Scott Keefe 100 to put the Pen further ahead at 3-1 which then became 4-1 with Drew Bradley 121 getting the better of A Williams 100. Victory was then made complete in the sixth game with John Sedgemore 140 beating J Richards to book the Pen a place in the next round.

JOHN STREET JOHN (TREHARRIS) ................ 2 MERTHYR EX CLUB ..... 5

THIS was a tightly fought affair in which the home side underdogs gave a very good account of themselves causing the visiting Ex a few problems.

Jason Davies 100, Andrew Davies, Wayne O’ Neill and Shane Williams made it a steady start for the away side with victory over G Lewis, M Evans, G Williams and P Clayton and this they then advanced to 2-0 with Jason Davies 100, 125 and Paul Bayliss breaking the throw of H Samuel and C Jones in the first pairs. The final pairs also went the way of the visitors with Wayne O’Neill and Wayne Jones holding throw over J Williams and Martin Jones for a 3-0 lead going into the singles battles.

G Williams 100 got the home side into the race with a good hold over Denzil Griffiths 2x100, 125 in the first singles and then a splendid break from Martin Jones over Wayne Jones in the next game reduced the arrears to just one point with the game now in the balance. Paul Bayliss 120 steadied the Ex Club’s ship with a break over J Williams with Matthew Sullivan 125 then securing the win with a hold over Claire Jones.

MERTHYR CON CLUB .. 2 PENTREBACH LABOUR CLUB ............................... 5

THIS was a highly entertaining game starting with Eddie Jones 100, A Thomas, L Jones 100, 125 and M Price beating Myrfyn Hughes, Ron Phillips, Geoff Jackson and Ian Evans 100, 105 for an early lead which they then extended to 2-0 with D Thomas 116 out and Les Thomas beating Ron Phillips 100 and Geoff Jackson against the darts.

A second break then saw Myrfyn Hughes 100 and Colin Lloyd 121 delivering the second pairs to the hosts with victory over Tony Galliers and Gary Champion 140 to halve the deficit ahead of the singles legs.

The Con’s inspiration Ian Evans then levelled the match with a hold over A Thomas in the first of the singles legs but the away side were quick to hit back with L Jones holding over a desperately unlucky and disappointed Colin Lloyd 2x100, 140 to put the Labour Club 3-2 ahead. Tony Galliers 135 broke the darts of Chris Stansfield 100 putting the away side 4-2 ahead and the next game saw the Pen win the match with Gary Champion 100 holding over Ron Phillips 100 to see the away side safely through to the next stage.

HEOLGERRIG SOCIAL CLUB ............................... 5 GUEST KEEN BOWLS CLUB B ........................... 2

A HIGHLY absorbing game from beginning to end started with Teg Pow- ell, Steve Wilkes, Carl Jones and Tony Pollard 100 holding in the fours to beat Meirion Evans, Trad Davies, Richard Calahane 100 and Kevin Roberts for the early advantage.

Ray Williams 140 and Colin Morgan 100, 109 levelled the match with a hold in the first pairs over David Spencer and Adam Pollard and then the home side took the lead with Iory Haines 140 and Trad Davies breaking the throw of Tony Pollard and Teg Powell for a 2-1 advantage ahead of the singles.

The singles match-ups started with Ray Williams 2x100 holding throw over David Spencer 100 making it 3-1 to the home side which then became 4-1 with Iory Haines 100, 111 beating Steven Wilkes. Teg Powell kept the Guest in the game with a splendid win over Bob Watkins 100 at 4-2 down but Kevin Roberts then completed the win for the home side with a fine break over Carl Jones.

DYNEVOR ARMS .......... 3 YE-OLDE EXPRESS ...... 5

NO, this is not a misprint. The Dynevor Arms really did push the mighty Express very near to the edge.

Darren Locke 2x100, Peter Locke, Steve Nicholas and Brian Nicholas 121 took the fours leg with a hold over Ashley Mayne, S Barnett, M Edmunds 121 and M Williams but the Dyn fought back in the first pairs leg with M Darch and B Edmunds holding throw to beat Dean Thomas 140 and Matthew Charleston for a level game. Mark Virgin 140 and Peter Locke 2x100 put the visitors back in front in the match with a hold in the final pairs over A James and Ashley Mayne for a 2-1 lead going into the singles.

S Barnett 125 had a shock hold over Mark Virgin to reduce the arrears but Darren Locke then made it 4-2 to the visitors with a hold over M Darch. Ashley Mayne 100 beat Dean Thomas 100, 135 to pull the Dyn back to 3-4 down before Steve Nicholas 100, 180 beat A Jones to finally get the Express over the line and into the next round.

PENYDARREN SOCIAL CLUB A ........................... 3 WINCHESTER BAR ....... 5

A GOOD start from the Pen saw Jonathon Evans, S Clark, P McCarthy and G Jones 100 break the throw of Anthony Lennon, G Moore, John Andrew and W Lewis but a fine effort from L Roberts 2x100 and K Pike saw the Winch break back for a level game with victory over R Beynon 2x100, 116 and Nigel Owen.

Ian Laing 100, 105 and Andrew Morgan then edged the away side into the lead with a hold over Phil Bond and Wayne Lee as the sides prepared for the singles battles.

K Pike 2x100 opened the singles for the visitors with a break over Wayne Lee 100 for a 3-1 lead but back came the home side with the excellent G Jones 123, 2x140 breaking the throw of John Andrews to pull back to within a point. L Roberts 100 beat Jonathon Evans 100 in yet another break of throw before Ian Laing beat Phil Bond to claim a hard fought 5-3 win for a delighted Winch.

LORD RAGLAN ............. 5 ABERFAN SOCIAL CLUB X ........................... 4

A TREMENDOUS tussle from start to finish went right to the wire with the result being decided in the very last leg.

G Butler, G King, Glen Kitchen and S Rees got the X off to a good start with a hold over Mike McLoughlin, Mike Matthews, Karl Hunt and Alan Driscoll and then the away side increased their lead with G Butler and Glen Kitchen 100, 123 turning up the heat on Lance Thomas 100 and Kevin Snowden for a 2-0 lead. Kieron Meek 140 and Brian Meek 100, 140 then got the Lord leaping with a break over Mike O’Neill and Phil Green to halve the deficit with the sides heading into the match-deciding singles legs.

Kevin Snowden 121 lost out to Glen Kitchen 100 to see the visitors lead 3-1 before Karl Hunt edged past Dai James to pull back to within a point with Lance Thomas 140 then squaring the match at 3-3 with victory over Mike O’Neill 114. Phil Green held throw over Mike Matthews 100 putting the X one leg away from the next round but a stubborn effort from Mike McLoughlin 100 saw him beat G Butler to level the match at four each with one game to go. G King was charged with winning the match for the visitors having first throw but it was the vastly experienced home veteran Brian Meek 2x100 who held all the aces as he took the game and win for a leaping Lord side.