Dickin puts icing on cake as Lion chalk up victory
AS the Leek and District Darts League enters the Christmas break, it is Black Lion 4 who sit proudly at the top of the first division after handing out yet another mauling to Wellington 2.
Despite resistance from Tim Wright, the home side were never in it as the result was done and dusted after the first five legs before Andy Dickin put the icing on the cake.
Crown are the only challengers at the moment after their comfortable win over Lazy Trout, having opened up a cushion of a huge 18 points from third-placed Benks 2.
It was a good night for the Lions as the Red Lion from Waterfall are storming up the table, chalking up their third consecutive victory against Ball Haye Tavern 6 who are jointly anchored to the bottom along with Wellington 2.
Sportsman caused somewhat of an upset on their visit to Dyers Arms 3, taking the last three legs to emerge victorious after being 2-4 down, once again Jason Tarry holding his nerve against Phil Heath.
Results: Benks II 6 Benks III 3, Red Lion W/F I 7 Ball Haye Tavern VI 2, Dyers Arms III 4 Sportsman 5, Wellington II 1 Black Lion IV 8, Crown I 7 Lazy Trout 2 . Highlights: 180s A Carter (Benks 3), D Sumner (Benks 2), D Tatton (Ball Haye Tavern 6), A Dickin (Black Lion 4), P Williams, D Needham (both Crown 1), K Warman (Lazy Trout).
Least darts: 15 D Tomkinson (Benks 2), P Williams, 17 J Tarry (Sportsman), J Sales (Dyers
3), L Bates (Black Lion 4), 18 A Heames (Dyers 3), 18 & 19 T Wright (Wellington 2).
Highest checkouts: 160 P Williams, 123 D Tomkinson, 116 A Heames.
M Emery (Benks 2) and N Lawton (Benks 3) both hit 171 (3 x treble 19s). T Banks and M Emery (Benks 2) finished their 701 doubles in just 22 darts.
Ball Haye Tavern 3 had a bye in the second division, but remain top even though the next three sides all won and the places remain unchanged.
Benks 6 hung on to beat Breaks, thanks to veteran Stu Callear in the final leg, Travellers Rest dismissed Holly Bush with consummate ease, as did Hare and Gate in their game with the doomed looking Valiant who are becoming adrift of the rest. Results: Breaks I 4 Benks VI 5, Prince of Wales 4 Windmill 5,
Holly Bush I 2 Travellers Rest 7, Hare and Gate 8 Valiant 1.
Highlights: 180 R Swindells (Hare and Gate). Highest checkout:
116 D Roberts (Travellers Rest). 171 S Callear (Benks 6) 3x Treble 19s.
Blue Mugge 2 returned to form to retain top spot in the third, thanks to an away win at Black Lion 1 which sees them three points clear of Crown 2 who enjoyed a comfortable win over a sorry looking Breaks 2 side who are languishing 11 points behind the others at the bottom.
Black Lion 2 are now three unbeaten as they continue to climb the table after despatching Ball Haye Tavern 2.
Results: Crown II 7 Breaks II 2, Black Lion I 3 Blue Mugge II 6,
Mill St. Club I 4 Benks VIII 5, Ball Haye Tavern V 4 Mill St. Club II 5, Ball Haye Tavern II 4 Black Lion II 5.
Highlights: 180 R Jones
(Ball Haye Tavern 2). Highest
checkout: 104 E Heath (Black Lion 1)
In Division Four, Robin Hood continued on their merry way and, with Boat Inn going down heavily to thirdplaced Wellington 4, have now opened up a gap of a massive 21 points.
Only three points separate fifth-placed Benks 4 from bottom-placed Holly Bush 3 as all the bottom teams failed to win
Results: Black Lion III 2 Robin Hood 7, Benks IV 3 Abbey Inn 6, Wellington IV 7 Boat Inn I 2.
Highlights: 180 J Standeven (Robin Hood). 17 D Daley (Wellington 4).
checkout: 119 A. Ball (Black
Lion 3).
Priory 2 continued their rich vein of form after a steady away win at Blue Mugge, while Benks 5 continued their slump against a revitalised No.41 Bar.
Wellington 3 also went down, but remain in third.
At the other end, both Dyers sides seem to be on the slide as the firsts went down heavily at Benks 7 with the seconds suffering a similar fate at home to Holly Bush 2 who eased their worries.
Results: Benks V 4 No. 41 Bar Milton 5, Priory I 5 Wellington III 4, Dyers Arms II 3 Holly Bush II 6, Benks VII 7 Dyers Arms I 2, Blue Mugge I 3 Priory II 6.
Highest checkout: 118 C. Wainwright (Blue Mugge 1).
Britannia Inn 1 remain top of Division Six after a feisty encounter with third-placed Fountain, but Wellington 1 are hot on their heels as they dropped only a single leg in their dismissal of bottomplaced Boat Inn 2.
The Dyers Arms 4 v Crown3 match was postponed due to unavailability of a Dyers board and is to be rearranged at a later date.
Results: Britannia Inn I 6 Fountain 3, Stafford Arms 5 Britannia Inn II 4, Boat Inn II 1 Wellington I 8.
Highest checkout: 103 T Deady (Wellington 1)
Least darts: Highest