Birchfield maintain title quest

ON Friday night in the Widnes & District Darts League, the Mill Brow SC RTB League continued.

In Division Two the Birchfield, at home to the Cricketers Arms, cruised to victory to maintain their strong title challenge.

They went three games up in the opening singles through Paul Smith, Dave Herley in 15 darts and Carl Bryan.

Then in the pairs they repeated their success with Ian Sharples & Jonny Leather, Keith Allen & Dave Herley in 13 darts and Ronnie Baxter & Bernie Teebay making it another three in a row to ensure they would win the match.

On resumption of the singles, Keith Allen added to their tally before the Cricketers registered a first win via Peter Mason and another from Brian Dwyer but these were merely consolations as this was the Birchfield’s night.

The Mersey Hotel, at home to the Hough Green SC, had a real good tussle in this closely-fought encounter.

Duane Lawton edged the first game for the Hough Green only to see Paul Cotty level for the Mersey.

Again the Hough Green went ahead, this time through Andy McIntosh.

In the pairs, Ste Woodward & Ray Cowley levelled once more, but yet again the Hough Green hit the front, this time through Keith Glover & Tony Barker.

Once more it was all-square as Paul Cotty & Rob Cotty struck for the Mersey lads.

On resumption of the singles, Rob Cotty put the Mersey in front for the first time, but it was the turn of the Hough Green as they levelled through Russ Hardman.

In a match that was so evenly-contested it was heartbreak for the Mersey as Keith Glover took the final game for the Hough Green. ●

Halton Farnworth Hornets Open Age begin their preparations for the forthcoming season this Saturday. After gaining promotion to the North West Men’s League Premier Division last season, the first team will be looking to build on last year’s excellent campaign. The successful ‘A’ team will now be competing in Division Three of the NWML having had a great year in Division Five in 2017. Existing players and any new players, who would be made most welcome, should meet at the club’s base at Wilmere Lane at 12.45pm for a 1pm start. On Sunday, Hornets’ U14s start out on their first National Cup campaign when they entertain Leigh Miners Rangers. The game will be played at Wilmere Lane with a 10.30am kick-off. Hornets Open Age team are pictured prior to last season’s Grand Final.