WORTHINGTON’S MERTHYR & DISTRICT DARTS LEAGUE

DIVISION ONE HILLS PLYMOUTH CRICKET CLUB ............. 8 PENYDARREN SOCIAL CLUB C (SEASIDE) ........ 3

THE Cric kept their good league form going with an excellent 8-3 home win over the Pen C to help keep their march up the table on track.

Drew Bradley, Connor John and John Sedgemore 100 got the visitors off to a fine start with a hold over Adam Evans, Craig Clayton and Rhys Lee but the home side were quick to reply with Dean Lewis 125, 140, Jason Woodford 100 and M Evans holding over Ceri Richards, Robert Pike 125, 135 and Nathan Morgan for a level game going into the pairs legs.

Dean Lewis 140 and Jason Woodford 2x100, 140 took the first pairs for the Cric with a break over Ceri Richards and John Sedgemore 100 to lead at 2-1 but the scores again were soon level with Drew Bradley 121, 101 out and Nathan Morgan getting the better of Adam Evans and Phil Lewis 100 against the throw. The last of the pairs legs went with the arrows as Johnny Murphy 100, 134 and Connor John overcame the challenge of Craig Clayton and Rhys Lee 100 apiece to earn the Pen a 3-2 lead heading into the match-deciding singles battles.

Craig Clayton 100, 121, 125 took the first singles game (2-0) with throw over Connor John 140 levelling the match at 3-3 which then became 4-3 to the home side with Phil Lewis 100, 120 breaking the throw (2-1) of Ceri Richards 2x100, 119, 140 in a hard fought game. Jason Woodford 100 beat Nathan Morgan (2-0) making it 5-3 to the hosts with Adam Evans 100, 2x140, 76 out in a 15dart leg and 3x96, 140 in a 17-dart leg beating Drew Bradley 100, against the throw (2-0) increasing the lead to 6-3. Further home wins both by a 2-0 margin for Rhys Lee 2x100 and Deadly Dean Lewis 3x100, 121, 127 over Johnny Murphy 130, 140 and Robert Pike respectively then went to complete an excellent home win and get their New Year off to a winning start.

MERTHYR LABOUR CLUB ............................... 7 GRAWEN ARMS ............ 4

THE former champions from the Labour Club faced a tough post-Christmas return to action as they entertained the battle-ready and battle-hardened Division One stalwarts from the Grawen.

The home side got off to a flyer with Wayne Davies, Ron Morgan 140 and Chris Galleozzie 100 breaking the darts of Phil Locke 2x100, Jason Launchbury 100 and Kerry Green and a hold from Kevin Forbes 100, Rob Evans and Gareth Dunn 2x140 over Marcus Davies, Roy Element and Ryan Element secured a 2-0 lead going into the pairs legs.

The first pairs saw Kerry Green and Jason Launchbury hold throw over Wayne Davies and Kevin Forbes 100 apiece to get the away side into the game but the home side replied quickly with Ron Morgan 100 and Gareth Dunn edging past Steve Thomas 125 and Marcus Davies 100 for a 3-1 lead. The final pairs leg was a great game which saw Phil Locke 2x100 and Lyn Jones 100 hold throw over Chris Galleozzie 2x100, 130 and Jason Baynham to cut the deficit to a point going into the singles match-ups.

The first of the singles battles saw a home hold (2-0) with Wayne Davies 107, 140 beating Kerry Green 135, 140 making it 4-2 to the Labour Club but back came the Grawen with “The Bulldozer” Phil Locke 121, 237, 140 holding (2-0) over the home side’s rock Kevin Forbes 100, 139, 140 as the visitors pulled back to 4-3. Ron “Striker” Morgan 3x100, 121, 140 was in solid form with a 2-0 hold over Marcus Davies 100 making the match score 5-3 to the hosts but back came the Grawen again with Steve “KloppKat” Thomas 2x100, 2x140 shading it against Gareth Dunn 4x100, 2x140 by a 2-1 hold. In-form Chris Galleozzie 3x100, 125 held throw (2-0) over Merthyr darting legend Adrian Thomas 100, 140 for a 6-4 lead with Jason Baynham 2x100 then completing the victory with a 2-0 break over Lyn Jones 2x100 in the final game of the match.

HEOLGERRIG SOCIAL CLUB ............................... 4 MERTHYR VALE EX CLUB B (DAGGERS) ...... 7

JOHN Terrett, Karl Manns 134 and Lloyd Davies put the first point on the board for the Daggers with a hold over Ray Williams 140, J Davies and Bob Watkins and soon it was 2-0 with Warren Rees 131, 134, Phil Morris and Derek Dobbins breaking the throw of Iory Haines, Colin Morgan 100 and Trad Davies 101 as the sides readied themselves for the pairs legs.

The home side got into the game in the first pairs with Ray Williams 129 and Bob Watkins stunning John Terrett 100 and Warren Rees 121, 125 with a break of throw and then a hold from Colin Morgan 2x100 and J Davies over Kevin Downing 100 and Phil Morris for a level match at 2-2. The final pairs leg saw a hold of throw as Dai Phelps and Derek Dobbins 125 beat Iory Haines and Trad Davies to put the Daggers into a 3-2 lead going into the singles games.

The first singles match saw Derek Dobbins 120, 137 straight back into action and with a 2-0 break over Bob Watkins 125 he edged the visitors 4-2 ahead and this then became 4-2 with Phil Morris 2x100, 121 holding (2-0) over veteran Iory Haines. Colin Morgan 4x100 was in good shape with a 2-0 hold over Karl Manns 2x140 pulling a point back for the hosts who then added a fourth with Ray Williams 100 edging past Lloyd Davies 100, 180 in a 2-0 break. Kevin Downing 100 broke the throw (2-0) of J Davies 100 putting the Daggers 6-4 ahead which then ended at 7-4 with Dai Phelps 100, 121, 123, 132 out holding 2-0 over Trad Davies 125, 140.

DIVISION TWO WHITE HORSE .............. 9 RICHARDS ARMS ......... 2

THE Horse galloped into the New Year with a fantastic home win over the Richards Arms which will give them a massive boost of confidence for the rest of the season.

Roy Evans 2x100, Steve Hamer and Chris Carstairs took the opening triples with a break over Keith Lewis, F Murphy 100 and Jimmy Rees and then a hold from Wayne Morgan 100, Trevor Jones and John Thomas over Martin Treen, F Grey and Trevor Lewis saw the hosts go 2-0 ahead as the sides prepared for the pairs legs.

John Thomas 100, 125 and Roy Evans extended the lead to 3-0 with a break over the old guard of Keith Lewis and Jimmy Rees in the first pairs but then Martin Treen and F Murphy got the away side into the game with an excellent break over Gary Price 180 and Steve Hamer. Wayne Morgan 100 and Phil Martin then completed the scoring for the Horse and a 4-1 lead going into the singles with a fine break over Trevor Lewis and F Grey.

A highly entertaining first singles saw John “The Sherriff” Thomas 3x100 hold throw (2-1) over Martin Treen 100, 117, 121, 135, 140 for a 5-1 lead before Keith Lewis 2x100, 125 held 2-0 over Chris Carstairs 100, 132, 140 putting a second point on the board for the visitors which unfortunately for them proved to be their last as the home side went on to dominate the match. Rocking Roy Evans 2x100, 140 held throw 2-0 over F Grey for a 6-2 lead which then became 7-2 with Steve Hamer 100 beating Jimmy Rees. Another two home wins completed the scoring with Wayne Morgan beating F Grey 113 and Gary Price 2x100 breaking Trevor Lewis 100 by a 2-1 margin.

BAILI-GLAS A ................ 8 PENTREBACH LABOUR CLUB ............................... 3

THE Baili A have had a stop-start, hit-and-miss season so far but they started the New Year with a fine home win and hope to build on this as the season progresses.

Brian Roberts 140, Viv Morgan and Byron Jones 125 took the first triples leg against the darts with a break over Gerwyn John, Josh O’Keefe and Gareth Jones and then a hold from Terry Morgan 180, Alan Mee 100 and Tim Charleston over Gwyn Jones, Gary Champion 100 and Graham Price saw the hosts go 2-0 ahead.

The first of the pairs legs saw Brian Roberts and Viv Morgan 133, 50 out break Eddie Jones and Malcolm Price for a 3-0 lead which then became 4-0 with Byron Jones and Hywel Llewellyn holding over Gary Champion 100 and Josh O’Keefe. The final pairs leg saw the visitors get their first point on the board with Gwyn Jones 133 and Graham Price holding over Terry Morgan 2x100 and Andrew Morgan to leave them trailing 4-1 going into the singles battles.

The first of the singles was a high quality game which saw the Baili edge further ahead with Viv Morgan nine scores of 80+, 140 hold 2-1 over Eddie Jones 90, 100, 128, 135, 140 and then a following break (2-0) from Hywel Llewellyn 5x80+, 100, 121 over Josh O’Keefe 121 saw the home side go 6-1 ahead. Battling Brian Roberts 100, 140 beat Malcolm Price 115, 132 with a 2-0 hold making it 7-1 before Gary Champion 2x100, 126 put a second point on the side of the Labour Club with a 2-0 hold over Andrew Morgan 113, 125. Byron Jones made it 7-2 to the home side with a 2-0 hold over Graham Price 140 and in the final game of the match the fast flying arrows of Gwyn Jones saw a hard rain fall on Tim Charleston 100, 180 with a 2-1 hold picking up a third point for the away side.

ROSE & CROWN ............ 3 MERTHYR CONSERVATIVE CLUB 8

THE league leaders from the Merthyr Con continued their charge to the First Division with another tremendous win to start 2018 in fine style.

Craig Thomas, Chris Price 140 and Jonathon Davies got the Con off to a good start with a hold over John Wood, Rob Gibbons and Rhys Donovan 100 but the lead was brief as Kristian Dowd, Liam Russell 100, 140 and Stuart Hughes held to beat Colin Lloyd 100, John Hulbert and Geoff Jackson for a level game going into the pairs.

Craig Thomas and Jonathon Davies 100 pinched the first pairs on throw as Kevin Morgan 2x140 and Steve Evans missed their doubles to put the Con 2-1 ahead which then became 3-1 with Eddie Cunnington 100, 140 and Greg Howells breaking Rhys Donovan 138 and John Wood 100. Chris Stansfield 135 and Chris Price 140 then made it 4-1 with a battling hold over Stuart Hughes and Kristian Dowd 100 apiece as the sides prepared for the singles encounters.

The first singles was an absolute belter with Craig Thomas 2x100, 125, 135, 2x180 (with both 180s coming in the final leg) breaking the throw of Liam Russell 5x100, 134 by a 2-1 margin putting the Con 5-1 ahead which then became 6-1 with Jonathon Davies 2x100, 135, 140 securing a 2-1 hold over Kristian Dowd 2x100, 140. Chris Stansfield 2x100, 125 secured a 2-1 break over John Wood 2x100 making it 7-1 before veteran Kevin Morgan broke (2-0) Eddie Cunnington 180 putting a second point on the board for the home side. Chris Price 100, 119, 135, 140 battled to a 2-1 break against Stuart Hughes 2x100 making it 8-2 to the visitors before Rhys Donovan 100, 121 secured a third point for the Rose with a 2-0 break over Greg Howells 100.

PENYDARREN SOCIAL CLUB A ........................... 6 ABERFAN SOCIAL CLUB X ........................... 5

THIS was a thrilling game from beginning to end with both sides giving their all in pursuit of the points.

Glen Kitchen 140, Charlie Davies and Peter Emanuel put the X into an early lead with a hold of throw over Nigel Owen, Peter McCarthy and Glen Jones and then a great break from Gethin King 100, Mike O’Neill 100 and Dai James 140 over Michael Bond 100, 125, Bernard Thomas and Phil Bond saw the X mark the spot with a 2-0 lead.

Richard Beynon and Nigel Owen 100 broke the throw of Glen Kitchen and Peter Emanuel in the first pairs getting the hosts onto the scoreboard and then the Pen drew level with Jonathon Evans and Wayne Lee holding throw over Wyndham Green and Charlie Davies. The final pairs also went to the hosts with Phil Bond and Michael Bond 2x100 breaking the darts of Mike O’Neill and Gethin King 100, 125 in a hard fought game as the Pen took a 3-2 lead going into the singles battles.

The first of the singles matches saw Glen Kitchen 4x100 break Jonathon Evans 2x100, 115 (2-0) to level at three apiece but the home side hit back in the next game with Michael Bond 2x100, 140 breaking the throw (2-0) of Peter Emanuel to go 4-3 ahead. Charlie “MOT” Davies 3x100, 125 broke the throw of Richard Beynon 2x100 by a 2-1 margin making it 4-4 but yet again the Pen struck back with Nigel Owen beating Mike O’Neill (2-1) putting the hosts 5-4 ahead. Home stalwart Phil Bond 100, 121 held throw over Dai James (2-1) for a 6-4 winning lead with Gethin King 2x100, 140 taking the final game for the X with a 2-1 hold over Glen Jones 2x140.

DIVISION THREE VNU .............................. 10 CYFARTHFA ARMS ...... 1

THIS was a fantastic result for the home side who started the New Year with a bang.

Tracy Goode, Steve Darlow and Graham Elias took the opening triples against the darts with victory over Dominic Illari, M Abbruzzese and K Driscoll and then the VNU went 2-0 ahead with Mark Hadley 100, Clive Powell and Rhiannon Jenkins 100 holding over J McCarthy, S Ridgeway and Jarred Russell ahead of the pairs legs.

Kendrick Howe 100 and Mark Hadley took the first pairs against the throw with victory over M Abbruzzese and Dominic Illari for a 3-0 lead before Jarred Russell and H Jones 100 broke Clive Powell and Steve Darlow to get the visitors their first, and only, point.

Rhiannon Jenkins and Tracy Goode 100 then made it 4-1 to the hosts with an excellent break over K Driscoll 100, 118 and S Ridgeway,

Errold Jones took the first singles with a hold over J McCarthy and a break from Clive Powell 100 over Jarred Russell 100 saw the VNU go 5-1 ahead. Mark Hadley beat Dominic Illari 121 for a 6-1 lead with Rhiannon Jenkins 111 making it 7-1 with a fine win over M Abbruzzese 100. Steve Darlow held throw over an unlucky H Jones 2x100 before Kendrick Howe 100, 140 completed the win a last-leg break over K Driscoll 100, 121 in a great last game.

All teams/players are reminded that this Friday, January 12, sees the first round of the pairs competition take place.

Roll call at all venues is 8.15pm for a start of 8.30pm. All games 601 flying start double or bull to finish. Winner of coin toss to throw first in legs 1 and 3 if needed. Losing pairs to mark and ref before leaving the venue.

Please note these changes to draw sheets given out – venue two on the sheet, starting with pairs Brian and Kierion Meek (the Lord Raglan) then Denzil Griffiths and Wayne Jones (Merthyr Ex) at the Dowlais Con Club is actually the Penydarren Social Club. And the Park View have changed their playing venue to the Merthyr Football Club.

For any teams who did not attend the last delegate meeting to pick up league information including the pairs draw will you please note this draw will not be posted on the league’s website or Facebook page.

If you want a copy of the draw then please make arrangements to collect them from the secretary. They will not be posted on the sites or copies delivered to your venues. Information is given out at the Delegate Meetings so please attend in future.

All teams are reminded that the next Delegate Meeting of the M&DDL will be held on Tuesday, January 17 at the Merthyr Ex Club starting at 8pm. All teams must be represented and all monies owed to the League must be paid.