B team wins at the double

MACCLESFIELD 501 DARTS LEAGUE

THE battle of the Bruces went the B team’s way in a tense doubles decider.

In the opening encounter of an eight-month schedule the two Bruces faced off and the win could have gone either way right up to the end.

Roger Graves and Trevor Goodey overcame Rob Daniels and Chris Graves of the A team after the singles ended at 3-3.

Elsewhere, the Nags A team fielded an unchanged squad against the much-evolved Sporting Club and came out 6-1 winners with singles wins for Gav Finlow, Lee Banks, Mick Plant, Steve Holland and Martin Perry topped off with success in the doubles.

Former champions Broken Cross and Lord Byron faced off on the edge of town and the Byron shaded it 4-3. With the first four matches shared, Scott Newton then beat Martin McDonnell to put the Byron ahead. And after Daz Jackson secured the win Broken Cross pair Mark Cairney and Neil Ridgway earned a consolation in the doubles.

The match between Flowerpot and Queens B also went to the doubles for the decider, which the hosting Pot took for a 4-3 victory after Queens had fought back from two down.

Newly-crowned champions Queens A came through a tough opener at home to Spinners.

After they’d established a 3-0 lead, Queens captain Glen Valentine missed the bull by a wire’s width for victory and a 104 outshot, Mick Hatton taking his chance to make it 3-1.

It proved no more than mere respite as Neil Podmore and Kirk TenPierick won before Hatton and Bob Tankard rescued pride with victory in the doubles for Spinners.

There were also wins for Railway, 5-2 over Ship Inn, and British Flag, who beat Nags B 6-1.