Black Lion storm to victory as they open up a healthy lead

AFTER three games in the Leek and District Darts League, Black Lion 4 have already opened up a six-point gap at the top of the first division after thumping Lazy Trout, netting eight out of the nine legs.

Three players recorded ton eighties in a tremendous all-round performance. Crown 1 go second in their local “derby” with Red Lion Waterfall who are becoming adrift at the bottom and have yet to record a win. Dyers 3 recovered from last week to trounce a disappointing Benks 2, but Benks 3 sneaked in at Sportsman, Chris Brace securing the points in the final leg. Results: Sportsman 4 Benks III 5, Lazy Trout 1

Black Lion IV 8, Ball Haye Tavern VI 4 Wellington

II 5, Benks II 2 Dyers Arms III 7, Red Lion W/F I 3 Crown I 6.

Highlights: 180s M Lockett (Sportsman), E Davis, A Dickin, G Whitworth (all Black Lion 4), C Needham (Crown 1). Least darts: 12 E Davis, 13 C Needham, 14 L Bates. Highest checkout: 116 E. Davis.

The top two clashed in division two with an almighty tussle, Benks 6 just managing to creep over the line to go top as the only side to remain unbeaten. Hare and Gate and Ball Haye Tavern 3 closed the gap on the leaders with “Bodgers” dismissing struggling Valiant and the “Gaters” doing likewise at Windmill.

Results: Travellers Rest 4 Benks VI 5, Ball Haye Tavern III 6 Valiant 3, Windmill 3 Hare and Gate 6, Breaks I 5 Holly Bush I 4.

Highlights: 180 S Davies (Breaks 1), A Mahoney (Travellers Rest). Least darts: 14 S Ratcliffe, 15 R Plant (Benks 6), 17 D Duffield ( both Ball Haye Tavern 3). Highest checkout: 126 S Ratcliffe, 106 R Plant.

In the third, Blue Mugge 2 trounced Ball Haye Tavern 2 while it was a bad night for the two Black Lion sides, both going down by the narrowest margin, the seconds being knocked off top spot, being replaced by the Mugge.

Results: Benks VIII 5 Black Lion II 4, Blue Mugge II 8 Ball Haye Tavern II 1, Black Lion I 4 Mill St. Club I 5, Crown II 4 Ball Haye Tavern V 5, Mill St. Club II 5 Breaks II 4.

Highlights: 180 K Perkin (Benks 8). Highest checkout: 120 R Johnson (Blue Mugge 2).

Boat Inn 1 are in full sail in the fourth after blasting Abbey Inn for six and opening up a six point gap with Benks 6 accounting for Black Lion 3 to remain in second.

Results: Benks I 3 Rose and Crown 6, Abbey Inn 3 Boat I 6, Robin Hood 7 Wellington IV 2, Black Lion

III 3 Benks IV 6.

Division five saw Priory 2 extend their lead to six points after a big win at Holly Bush 2 while the chasing pack all slipped up, Benks 5 again showing their inconsistency going down to their seventh side and Wellington going down to Blue Mugge 1. However No.41 Bar from Milton seized the opportunity to claim their first win at Dyers 1 but Dyers 2 made a no show at Priory 1 incurring a £10 fine in the process.

Results: Dyers Arms I 3 No. 41 Bar Milton 6, Holly Bush II 2 Priory II 7, Wellington III 4 Blue Mugge I 5, Benks V 4 Benks VII 5, Priory I 9 Dyers Arms II 0. Highlights: 180 D Wilson (Wellington 3). Higherst checkout: 156 J Cotton (Blue Mugge 1).

In the basement tier, it is Fountain who are setting the pace, recording another hefty win, this week over Crown 3 with Dave Gibson and Gaz Bowcock showing good form. Stafford Arms continued their improvement with a comprehensive win over Boat Inn 2 as did Britannia Inn 1 against Cattle Market. Wellington 1 continued their unbeaten start comprehensively beating Ball Haye Tavern 4 tucking in just behind the top two.

Results: Fountain 7 |Crown III 2, Britannia Inn II 4 Red Lion W/F II 5, Cattle Market 1 Britannia Inn I 8, Boat Inn 1 Stafford Arms 8, Wellington I 7 Ball haye Tavern IV 2.