Ray shines bright at the end as Hotel win a classic with Rugby Club

ON Monday evening in the Widnes & District Darts League, the Widnes Bowling Club 501 League continued.

In Division One, Halton Stadium at home to the Wellington started with a bang taking four games in a row through John Kilkenny, Alan Magee (18 darts), Kevin Garcia (16 darts) and opening pair, Kevin Garcia & Eddie Dootson.

The Wellington’s Ste Whitfield & Terry Roach recovered a point, only to see the Stadium take the next three games via Alan Magee & John Bowles, John Bowles (18 darts) and Eddie Dootson to secure their match triumph.

In what was merely a consolation, Terry Roach won the final game for the Wellington.

Simms Cross Institute at home to Widnes Bowling Club were first on the scoresheet with wins from Dave Evans and Brian Abbott.

The Bowler came back to level through Scott Byrne and opening pair Scott Grady & Joe Batty (18 darts).

A further win from Tommy Robertson & Tex Bowles took the Bowler into the lead.

Parity was restored once more as Dave Evans & Glynn Owen made it 3-3. The Bowler rallied again taking the final three games and the match through Tommy Robertson, Joe Batty and Alex McGill.

In Division Two, the Goldmine at home to the Mill Brow SC had no chance as the Brow took the first five games through Eric Peel, Carl Hackney (138 finish), Dave Powell, Tom Owens & Chris Bright and Carl Hackney & Dave Powell.

The Goldmine knew they had lost the contest but they did not let the Brow have it all their own way as Phil Corless & Sean Bell in the pairs and Phil Corless, Sean Bell and Peter Mullally in the singles took the final four games as the clash ended 5-4.

The Mersey Hotel at home to Widnes RUFC conceded the first game to the Wids’ Andy Griffiths but John Cotty (131 finish) levelled for the Mersey and Dave Cotty took them ahead. The Wids levelled with a win from their opening pair Sean Reid & Paul Murty.

The Mersey responded with a victory from Gerrard Conroy & Danny Shipley, only to see the Wids level again, this time through Paul Fenlon & Ian Nicholson. It was turning into a great contest as the Wids went ahead again through Paul Murty only to see Paul Cotty take the penultimate game, making it 4-4.

It had been a real nip and tuck match, and the final outcome was resolved with Ray Cowley taking the win for the Mersey Hotel in a last-gasp finish.