WORTHINGTON’S MERTHYR AND DISTRICT DARTS LEAGUE

DIVISION ONE HILLS PLYMOUTH CRICKET CLUB ........... 10 PENYDARREN SOCIAL CLUB B ........................... 1

THIS was a fantastic result for the home side as they look to push up the table but it was the Pen who made the first mark on the scoreboard with the terrible trio of Nathan Morgan 100, Kendrick Howe and Graham Elias holding throw over Aled Walters 100, Jason Castaldi and Keith Harnedy for an early lead which was quickly negated with John Harnedy 125, Craig Clayton 180 and Jason Woodford beating Dai Richards, RL Smith and RL Sullivan with a fine hold for a level game heading into the pairs legs.

Keith Harnedy 125 and Jason Castaldi 2x100 put the hosts ahead taking the first pairs with a break over Dai Richards 121 and Graham Elias and then there was no looking back for the Cric as they went on to dominate the match starting with a hold from Craig Clayton and Rhys Lee 140 over Nathan Morgan and Kendrick Howe 100 apiece for a 3-1 lead. The final pairs also went the way of the hosts with Jason Woodford and John Harnedy 100 out edging past RL Smith 120 and RA Sullivan 100 in a hard fought game for a 4-1 lead going into the singles match-ups.

The first singles saw the second 180 of the match with Aled Walters beating RL Smith 100 with a 2-0 hold and the Cric bandwagon kept on rolling in the next game with John Harnedy 100, 140 beating RA Smith by the same margin, Jason Castaldi 2x100, 120, 140 held throw over Nathan Morgan 3x100 in an exciting game extending the lead to 7-1 with Jason Woodford 3x100, 121 then making it 8-1 with a fine 2-0 hold over Keith Harnedy 2x100, 119. Craig Clayton 3x100, 2x125 continued the 2-0 theme with a hold over Dai Richards before Rhys Lee 100, 140 completed the rout with a 2-0 break over a gallant Graham Elias in the final game.

BAILI-GLAS B ................ 8 HEOLGERRIG SOCIAL CLUB ............................... 3

THIS was an exciting hard fought game with the visitors giving a good account of themselves against the title chasing Baili B.

The home side started well with the trio of Geraint Thomas 100, 140, 78 out, Paul Thomas 100 and Mervyn Matthews breaking Colin Morgan, Iory Haines 121 and Bob Watkins for an early lead and this they then doubled with a hold of throw from Matthew Quinlan 100, Byron Jones and Steve Haman over Kevin Roberts, Meirion Evans 111 and Allan Moore in the final triples leg.

The first pairs leg saw something of a shock as Richard Calahane and Trad Davies beat the dynamic duo of Matthew Quinlan 100 and Geraint Thomas to get the away side into the game but the Baili boys were quick to reply with Summer League Pairs Champions Steve Haman 100 and Hywel Llewellyn holding over Iory Haines 100 and Bob Watkins 125 for a 3-1 home lead. The final pairs saw Mervyn Matthews and Paul Thomas break the throw of Colin Morgan and Meirion Evans securing the hosts a 4-1 lead going into the singles match-ups.

Geraint Thomas 2x100, 140 held throw 2-0 over Richard Calahane in the first singles extending the hosts lead before Kevin Roberts 6x100, 137 beat former teammate Matthew Quinlan 3x100, 140 with a hard fought 2-1 hold to reduce the arrears to 5-2 keeping the visitors’ faint hopes of winning the match alive. Veteran Iory Haines 3x100, 120 further aided Heolgerrig’s cause with a fine 2-1 break over Byron Jones 2x100, 140 gaining his side a third point but this unfortunately for the away side proved to be their last success as Paul Thomas 2x125 broke the throw of Colin Morgan 100, 130, 131, 135 to put the Baili 6-3 ahead. Hywel Llewellyn 100, 140 held throw over Allan Moore 2x100 for another home point before Steve Haman 100, 117, 140 broke Trad Davies 3x100, 125 (2-0) in the final game of the match to complete a fine home win.

YE-OLDE EXPRESS ...... 8 BAILI-GLAS A ................ 3

8-3 may seem a little onesided but in all fairness to the away side they gave a good account of themselves and deserved more from the game.

The Express power houses of Darren Locke 100, Peter Locke and Wayne Titcomb 100 took the opening triples against the throw over Wayne Robinson, Terry Morgan and Tim Charleston 121 for an early home lead which then became 2-0 with Owain Davies 140, 180, Matthew Charleston 140 and Brian Nicholas holding throw over Ian Thomas 100, Andrew Morgan 100 and Mark Hulbert ahead of the pairs legs.

The first of the pairs legs saw the Baili get into the game with Ian Thomas 100 and Terry Morgan picking the locks to beat Darren Locke 100 and Peter Locke with a hold to halve the arrears but the home side were quick to respond with Dean Thomas 100 and Owain Davies holding in the next to beat Mark Hulbert and Kerry Ryan in a hard fought game for a 3-1 lead. The final pairs was another tense affair which saw Steve Nicholas 140 and Matthew Charleston break Wayne Robinson and Alan Mee for a 4-1 lead going into the singles battles.

The first of the singles saw Peter Locke 140 use his local knowledge and throw to beat Tim Charleston 140 with a 2-0 hold for a 5-1 lead which then became 6-1 with Wayne Titcomb 2x140 easily breaking the challenge and throw of an out of sorts Andrew Morgan by the same 2-0 margin. Ian Thomas 2x100 stuck to his guns to break Darren Locke 4x100 (2-0) and gain the Baili a deserved second point of the match. Baili legend Alan Mee 4x100, 123, 140 missed seven match darts to beat Brian Nicholas 100, 135, 140 before going down 2-1 as the hosts took a 7-1 lead and then in another hard fought game Steve Nicholas 5x100, 125, 140 beat Mark Hulbert 3x100, 140 with a 2-1 hold further increasing the Express advantage. The final game of the night saw Kerry Ryan 100, 2x137, 180 cling on for a 2-1 win over Dean Thomas 3x100, 111, 125, 140 to grab the visitors a vital third point.

MERTHYR VALE EX CLUB B (DAGGERS B) ... 5 GRAWEN ARMS ............ 6

THIS was a cracking game from start to finish going right to the wire before finally revealing a winner.

The match started well for the Grawen with Phil Locke 100, Marcus Davies and Roy Element holding over Derek Dobbins, Nicky Baldwin 125 and Lloyd Davies for an early lead which was then doubled with Steve Thomas 100, Jason Launchbury and Lyn Jones 121 breaking the throw of Warren Rees, Karl Manns and Dai Phelps in a closely fought game.

The first of the pairs legs saw Steve Thomas and Adrian Thomas 100 hold over Lloyd Davies and Warren Rees 100 apiece for a 3-0 lead before Karl Manns and Dai Phelps 100, 140 held over Jason Launchbury and Lyn Jones 100 to get the Daggers their first point of the match. The final pairs saw Derek Dobbins 101 and Phil Morris 100 stick it to Phil Locke 100 and Marcus Davies against the throw to put a second point on the board for the hosts ahead of the singles battles.

Phil Locke 2x100, 135, 140 made amends for his pairs defeat with a hard fought 2-1 break over Lloyd Davies 2x100 in the first of the singles matches edging the Grawen 4-2 ahead but back came the home side with Phil Morris 4x100 scoring an unexpected 2-1 break over veteran Marcus Davies 2x100, 140. Warren Rees 100, 180 levelled the match with a fine 2-0 hold over Jason Launchbury but back came the Grawen with Steve Thomas holding 2-1 over Nicky Baldwin 100 giving the visitors a 5-4 lead with two games remaining. Karl Manns dug out a 2-0 hold over Adrian Thomas squaring the contest at five apiece and in a deciding match Roy Element 2x100 held throw 2-1 over a stunned Dai Phelps 3x100, 139, 2x140 to gain the Grawen a hard fought last gasp win.

GUEST KEEN BOWLS CLUB A ........................... 6 MERTHYR LABOUR CLUB ............................... 5

MATCH of the night, match of the season, match of the century – call it what you will, but this was a hell of a match containing no less than 84 ton-plus scores.

The defending champions from the Labour Club travelled to the home of the would-be champions at the Guest Bowls “A” and the two sides served up a fantastic feast of arrows that would grace any stage. The home side started well with Steve Thomas, Andrew Coombs and Phil Williams 140, 180 breaking the throw of Wayne Davies, Ron Morgan and Anthony Carstairs 100 but the champs were quickly back in the game with Kevin Forbes, Robe Evans 100,140 and Kevin Mahoney 140 just getting the better of Scott Bayliss 100,135, Justin Davies 100 and Craig Morgan 100 in a great game.

The first of the pairs games saw the home side regain the lead with Justin Davies 140 and Phil Williams 100,123 breaking Ron Morgan 100, and Gareth Dunn 2x100 but the Labour Club bounced straight back with a 15 dart leg against the throw from Wayne Davies 100, 126 out and Kevin Forbes 2x140 over Scott Bayliss and Dale Pinch 100, 140 apiece in a tremendous game. The break of throw theme then continued in the final pairs with Craig Morgan 100 and Jamie Evans edging past Chris Galleozzie and David Rowlands earing the hosts a narrow 3-2 lead going into the match deciding singles encounters.

The first of the singles saw the hosts extend their lead with Man Of The Match Phil Williams 100,121,140 2x180 including a 15 dart leg securing the first hold of the match with a 2-1 hold over Wayne Davies 2x100, 2x123 who also hit a 15 darts leg but back the away side with Kevin Forbes 2x100,135,137,140,116 out including a 15 dart leg holding 2-0 over Justin Davies 100, 125 to pull back to within a point of their hosts. Scott Bayliss 3x100 including a 18 dart beat Anthony Carstairs 3x100, 137, 140 edging the Guest 5-3 ahead but back came their opponents with Ron Morgan 100, 125, 3x140 with winning legs of 15 and 18 darts thrown in breaking nephew Craig Morgan 5x100, 140, 100 out who hasd his own 18 dart leg by a 2-1 margin to pull back to within a point. Chris Galleozzie 3x100, 104, 2x140, 180 with a 16 dart leg thrown in broke Jamie Evans 2x100, 2x140 by a 2-1 score to level the contest at five apiece and this thrilling fantastic game then concluded with Dale Pinch 4x100, 140 breaking the throw (2-0) of Gareth Dunn 100, 139, 140 much to the delight of the Guest but credit to both sides for playing a thrilling tungsten treat.

DIVISION TWO PENYDARREN SOCIAL CLUB C (SEASIDE) ...... 11 COLLIERS ARMS .......... 0

THE Pen C have had some spectacular results lately and this one is right up there with them with a complete whitewash of the unfortunate visiting Colliers Arms.

The Seaside waded straight into the beginning of the match with a break of throw in the opening pairs as Ceri Stent 100, 140, Kevin Hyde 100 and Ceri Richards broke the throw of John Jones, Keith Lewis and Jimmy Rees and then they doubled their lead with Drew Bradley, John Sedgemore 100 and Connor John 100 holding over Martin Firth, Martin Treen and Trevor Lewis 100 as the sides prepared for the three pairs legs.

Ceri Stent 100 and Kevin Hyde 140 took the first pairs leg for the Pen with a break over Jimmy Rees and Trevor Lewis 100 and then a hold from Drew Bradley and Connor John over John Jones and Martin Firth 100 saw the hosts go 4-0 ahead. The final pairs also went the way of the home side with Robert Pike 2x100 and John Sedgemore breaking old campaigners Martin Treen and Keith Lewis to leave the Colliers swimming against the tide heading into the singles match-ups.

The tide kept flowing in one direction in the singles with Kevin Hyde 3x100 beating Martin Firth 125, 140 (2-0) in the first game and then a (2-1) break in the second saw Ceri Stent 3x100, 125, 140 beat Keith Lewis 2x100, 150 giving the Pen a 7-0 lead. Ceri Richards 140 stunned Martin Treen 4x100, 121, 140 with a 2-1 hold increasing the hosts lead to 8-0 which then became 9-0 with Drew Bradley 100, 140 scraping past Trevor Lewis 2x100 by another 2-1 score. Connor John 3x100 beat John Jones for a 10-0 lead before Robert 3x100 broke Jimmy Rees (2-0) to complete a remarkable win for the free-flowing Pen Seaside.

MERTHYR EX CLUB ..... 8 ROSE AND CROWN ...... 3

THIS was a great result for the Ex but a poor night for the visiting Rose.

The home side started well with Jason Baynham 100, Wayne O’Neill and Matthew Sullivan taking the darts off Kevin Morgan, A Jones 100 and Ian Laing and 1-0 then became 2-0 with Andrew Davies, Shane Williams and Steve Mahoney edging past John Wood, Phil John and Paul O’Dell in the final triples leg.

Andrew Davies 2x100, and Shane Williams 100 kept the scoreboard ticking over for the hosts with a break over A Jones and Ian Laing 100 and then the match score became 4-0 with Jason Baynham 100 and Wayne O’Neill 140 edging past John Wood and Phil John 2x100 in a tightly fought game. The Ex then completed a clean sweep of the pairs for a 5-0 lead heading into the singles with Matthew Sullivan 100, 120 and Wayne Jones breaking Paul O’Dell and Kevin Morgan.

Things got even worse for the Rose at the outset of the singles as they continued to wilt with Jason Baynham 2x100 holding 2-0 over Ian Laing 100, 121 for a 6-0 lead which then became 7-0 with Steve Mahoney edging past A Jones in something of a nervy battle. Paul O’Dell 3x100 finally got the Rose to show a bit with a break over Matthew Sullivan 125 and then a hold from John Wood 120 out over Shane Williams 2x100, 121 saw the visitors claim a second point. Andrew Davies 2x100, 3x140 took an eighth point for the home side with a fine hold over Phil John with veteran Kevin Morgan 140 claiming the last point for the Rose with a 2-0 over Wayne Jones 100, 156.

WINCHESTER BAR ....... 4 ABERFAN SOCIAL CLUB A ........................... 7

KEVIN Downing 100, Wyndham Green and Wayne Morris got Aberfan off to a winning start with a hold over David Kendry, Johnny Andrews and Andrew Morgan and then a fine break from Alan Phillips, Jack Colston and Josh O’Keefe 100, 140 over K Pike, J Pike and D Davies saw the visitors go 2-0 ahead.

Dai Kendry and Gavin Moore 100 took the first of the pairs legs with a break over G Jones and Wyndham Green and the sides were soon level with Des Kendry and Anthony Lennon 100 holding against Wayne Morris and Charlie Davies in a nip ’n’ tuck game. Alan Phillips and Vic Jones then secured a 3-2 lead for the Social with victory in the final pairs with a hold over Andrew Morgan and John Andrews.

Kevin Downing 100 increased the lead to 4-2 with a break over D Davies in the first singles and then a splendid second saw Des Kendry 3x100 break Jack Colston 100, 140 gaining the Winch a third point. The break of throw theme in the singles then continued with Vic Jones beating Andrew Morgan 138 for a 5-3 lead which then became 6-3 with G Jones holding Gavin Moore in a close game. K Pike held his throw over Charlie Davies earning the hosts a fourth point before Josh O’Keefe 100 secured a seventh point for Aberfan with a hold over J Pike.