League winners are off to flying start in opening round of games

DARTS: Black Lion showed no mercy as they began the defence of the Leek League title.

Benks 3 were on the receiving end of an eight-leg blitz with only Rob Cimino grabbing a consolation in the final game against the Lion’s new signing Pat Tatton.

Elsewhere, newlypromoted Wellington 2 grabbed a superb away win at Sportsman, Rob Barber and the evergreen Tim Wright securing the points in the last two legs.

Butchers Arms crushed Ball Haye Tavern 6, only Martin Barlow getting on the score sheet for the home side again in the final leg. Benks 2 completed the top tier programme with an emphatic home win over last season’s division two champions, Red Lion Waterfal

Division Two saw Travellers Rest getting off to a great start after struggling against relegation for the last two years seeing off what was a seemingly strong Hare and Gate team who won last season’s Division Three title so convincingly.

New signing Malc Salt was man of the match for Benks 6 in their away win at Valiant but Ball Haye Tavern 3, only fielding four players, not surprisingly went down to Holly Bush 1.

Prince of Wales got off to a good start, beating Breaks 1 by the narrowest margin.

At the third level, it was Ball Haye Tavern 5 who were top scorers albeit against Benks 8 who could only field four players for the doubles with landlady Sara Bentley making five in the singles.

Black Lion 2, Blue Mugge 2 and Crown 2 all recorded similar scorelines with Mill Street Club 2 just scraping through against Ball Haye Tavern 2.

Sides from Norton and Brown Edge could well be chasing promotion from the fourth and both began their campaigns with a victory. Robin Hood, Norton, saw off notorious strugglers, Benks 4, one better than Top Pub, Brown Edge, against Black Lion 3.

Benks 5 tend to start the season in good form but then fall away, but this season could be different with the addition of John Sowerby as they defeated Priory 1 in no uncertain terms with Diogo Bentley hitting the headlines with a maximum against Mark Earth.

Priory 2 hit No.41 Bar, Milton for seven.