Herley’s late finish proves vital as Birchfield claim Lt Wilkinson Cup
ON Friday evening in the Widnes & District Darts League, the Lt Wilkinson Cup Final was played to a finish at Widnes Cricket Club.
The Goldmine progressed to the final by the easiest of routes as the Hough Green failed to show.
The other semi-final was between the Corpy Club and the Birchfield, the two Division Two teams who have gained promotion.
The Birchfield started really well taking the opening three singles games through Dave Jones, Robbie Baxter and Johnny Leather.
And despite the Corpy taking the opening pairs’ game via Dave Pickles & Dave Cowan, the Birchfield onslaught kept coming.
Dave Herley & Dave Jones and Bernie Teebay & Trevor Chadwick won to make sure the Birchfield advanced to the final.
On the return to singles, Trevor Chadwick hit a 17-dart game for the Birchfield which teammate Dave Herley added to before a 15-dart display from Ian Sharples gave the Birchfield a comprehensive 8-1 win.
In the final, the Goldmine took the early advantage over the Birchfield as Tim Hunt took the opening game.
Dave Jones levelled for the Birchfield, but the Goldmine were soon on the brink of lifting the silverware as John Taylor restored their lead and ● in the pairs Tim Hunt & Peter Mullally and Barry Noonan & James Holden, had the top flight team almost there.
But the Division Two side steadied themselves as Trevor Chadwick & Paul Smith with a 19-dart game halted the Goldmine’s march to victory.
With the three remaining singles games left to play, the Birchfield dug deep, with Trevor Chadwick and Ian Sharples ensuring the cup was to be settled in the final contest.
And it was settled in the Birchfield’s favour as Dave Herley threw the winning darts to give them the Lt Wilkinson Cup.