Black Lion sit proudly at the top after win over Sportsman

BLACK Lion 4 edged into the lead at the top of the Leek and District Darts League Division One after a convincing win over Sportsman.

Lee Bates hit the headlines, well supported by Geoff Whitworth and Earl Davis as Benks 2 dented the Crown on their visit to Waterhouses, Paul Yates making it two out of two and Tony Banks deciding matters in the final leg. Red Lion Waterfall are finding it tough as they suffered a second heavy defeat to Benks 3, Adam Carter starring for the home side. Ball Haye Tavern 6 upset the apple cart with a tremendous win at championship hopefuls Dyers Arms 3, Dan Tatton delivering the killer blow. Results: Benks III 7 Red Lion W/F I 2, Crown I 4 Benks II 5, Wellington

II 4 Lazy Trout 5, Black Lion IV 6 Sportsman 3, Dyers Arms III 4 Ball Haye Tavern VI 5.

Highlights 180`s A. Carter (Benks

3), P. Heath (Crown 1)A. Walker (Sportsman), L. Bates, E. Davis Least Darts 16 L. Bates, 17 G. Whitworth (Black Lion 4).

In Division Two, it is still early days but Travellers

Rest seem to be on a mission as they recorded their second big win to open up a three-point gap over Benks 6 who dismissed Prince of Wales to go clear second. Windmill entered the fray with a steady performance over Holly

Bush and Hare and Gate got off the mark thanks to a late decider from Mick Brown. Results: Benks VI 6 Prince of Wales 3, Holly Bush I 3 Windmill 6, Hare and gate 5 Ball Haye Tavern III 4, Valiant 2 Travellers Rest 7.

Highlights 180s J Hughes (Ball Haye Tavern 3), M Barratt (Hare and Gate), D Brass (Travellers Rest). Least Darts: 14 J Hughes, 15 M Barratt (Hare and Gate). Highest Checkouts: 104 M. Salt, 100 S. Dale (Both Benks 6), 100 A. Mayo (Valiant).

Three teams kept their unbeaten tags in the third tier, newcomers Crown2 grabbing an away win at Mill Street Club 1, Black Lion 2 making it a miserable night for the Mill Street Club, beating the seconds and Blue Mugge 2 who overtook Ball Haye Tavern 5.

Results: Breaks 2 v Black Lion 1 (Match postponed), Breaks fined £10, Mill St. Club I 4 Crown II 5, Ball Haye Tavern II 5 Benks VIII 4, Black Lion II 6 Mill St. Club II 3.

Highlights: 180 R Jones (Ball Haye Tavern 2), D Critchlow (Mill St. Club 1), M Whitworth (Black Lion 2). Highest Checkout: C Oldfield (Black Lion 2).

Boat Inn 1 lead the way in Division Four after accounting for Benks 1 with Abbey Inn getting off the mark in their first game just edging out Wellington 4. Benks 4 upset Top Pub but Rose and Crown are rock bottom after their second successive heavy defeat. Results: Rose and Crown 2 Black Lion III 7, Benks IV 6 Top Pub 3, Wellington IV 4 Abbey Inn 5, Boat Inn I 6 Benks

I 3.

Priory 2 are setting the pace in the fifth but hot on their heels are Benks 5, both recording successive big scores. They are followed by priory firsts who bounced back from their opening day defeat by dropping only one leg in their home game with Dyers Arms 1. Results: Dyers Arms II 2 Benks V 7, Benks VII 3 Wellington III 6, Blue Mugge I 3 Holly Bush II 6, Priory II 8 Dyers Arms I 1.

Highlights: Highest Checkout 109 A. Knott (Blue Mugge1).

It could be a close fought division at the bottom as only Fountain and Wellington 1 kept their unbeaten tags, the former knocking back Red Lion ans Wellington1 doing likewise ,somewhat surprisingly away at Britannia Inn 1. Stafford Arms zoomed up to third after a tremendous win at home to Cattle Market. Results: Stafford Arms 8 Cattle Market 1, Britannia Inn I 4 Wellington I 5, Ball Haye Tavern IV 3 Britannia Inn II 6, Red Lion W/F II 2 Fountain 7.

Highlights 180 L. Millward (Britannia Inn 1).

The next monthly meeting will take place on Tuesday November 6 at Benks 8.30pm.