MERTHYR SUMMER DARTS LEAGUE
WITH five league games now completed in the Everson’s Sports & Trophies Sponsored Merthyr Summer Darts League 2017 season, it’s now down to one final game this coming Friday (August 4) for teams to clinch their spot in the Champions of Champions Cup, with the top two teams in each section making it through to the top table and the rest of the teams going into the equally competitive Supplementary Cup.
Who will go where will be decided on one dramatic night of metal mayhem as the sides prepare to take aim in one more bid for glory. a successful hold over Ryan Element and Roy Element as the sides prepared for the singles battles ahead.
Gareth Jenkins levelled the match at two apiece with a stunning break over Phil Locke, but parity was brief as Jason Launchbury and Steve Thomas took the next two legs with wins over Rhiannon Jenkins and Clive Powell respectively for a 4-2 lead.
Mark Hadley pulled a vital third point back for the VNU with a great hold over Lyn Jones with the home side then going on to take the last two legs through Roy Element and Ryan Element with good wins over Connor Ward and Sally Davies in order.
ANGEL INN .................... 4 RED LION “B” ............... 5
Sam Gibbons and Richard Calahane got the Lion roaring in the opening pairs with a hold over Alan Phillips and Vic Jones, and soon they were 2-0 ahead, with Geraint Thomas and Richard Howard successfully breaking Graham Hancock and Rhys Phillips 111 in a hard-fought second leg.
The final pairs went the way of the home side with Steve George and Steve Phillips breaking Craig Sims and Allen Moore 100 in a hard-fought game.
Chris John squared the match with a fine hold over Allen Moore and then the Angel took the lead with Mark Davies beating a normally solid Paul Scott-Thomas. John Pugh 100 then made it 4-2 to the home side with a battling hold over Richard Howard to stand one point away from victory but the Lion would not be silenced and fought back in fine style.
Sam Gibbons 100 was in good form with a hold over the vastly experienced Ron Davies and then the match was level with Richard Calahane breaking Mark Jones to set up a deciding final leg. The last game was a real tense, tough battle which saw Craig Sims remain cool to beat Brent Morgan 108 away with a great hold of throw. Mike Matthews for a 3-2 lead to the hosts.
Lethal Lance Thomas 95, 98, made it all square again with a good win over Ceri Stent but back came the home side with Drew Bradley and Barry Gilby 140 scoring wins over Kevin Snowden and the unlucky Kiron Meek 120 away 100 to take a 5-3 lead, with Brian Meek 121 claiming the final leg for the Lord with a battling hold over Johnny Murphy 100.