Black Lion carry on the good work after their festive break

LEAGUE action resumed in the Leek and District Darts League after the holiday break with Division One leaders Black Lion 4 carrying on where they left off with a comfortable win over mid table Benks 3.

Despite going 0-2 behind, the champions recovered well to take the next seven legs with Earl Davis the pick of the bunch.

Crown 1 managed to gain a point, dropping only a single leg against Ball Haye Tavern 6. Dyers Arms 3 moved into third with a clean sweep against

Lazy Trout, Jason Sales and Andy Heames both hitting ton eighties and Patch Martin weighing in with a 17 dart leg to leave the Meerbrook outfit still in the danger zone.

Results: Benks III 2 Black Lion IV 7, Wellington II 3 Sportsman 6, Dyers Arms III 9 Lazy Trout 0, Crown I 8 Ball Haye Tavern VI 1, Red Lion W/F I 5 Benks II 4.

Highlights: 180s J Sales, A Heames (both Dyers Arms 3), C Needham (Crown 1). Least darts: 15 A Carter (Benks 3), 17 P Martin (Dyers Arms

3), D Sumner (Benks 2). Highest checkouts: 124 E Davis (Black Lion 4), 102 A Carter, 100 D Sumner.

Ball Haye Tavern 3 claimed their fourth win on the bounce to remain top of the second, Holly Bush 1 being their latest victims while Benks 6 are holding on to second, beating strugglers Valiant by the narrowest margin. Hare and Gate’s Craig Webster’s maximum came too late to stop Travellers Rest from taking the honours, opening up a gap of six points in third.

Results: Benks VI 5 Valiant 4, Hare and gate 4 Travellers Rest 5, Holly Bush I 3 Ball Haye Tavern III 6Prince of Wales 2 Breaks I 7.

Highlights: 180s C Webster (Hare and Gate), A Brownsword (Holly Bush 1). Least darts: 17 A Brownsword.

Highest checkout: 102 M Mellor (Benks 6).

Division Three saw a change at the top as Crown took over after inflicting defeat on Black Lion 1 while Blue Mugge 2 were going down to an in form Mill Street Club 1 who took all three doubles with Needham and Critchlow doing enough in the singles. At the other end, Breaks 2 broke their duck but did not gain anything as Ball Haye Tavern 2 also scrambled to victory to leave the bottom places unchanged.

Results: Breaks II5 Black Lion II 4,

Ball Haye Tavern II 5 Black Lion II 4, Ball Haye Tavern V 6 Benks VIII 3, Mill Street Club I 5 Blue Mugge II 4, Black Lion I 3 Crown II 6.

Highlights: 180s A Burtonshaw (Blue Mugge 2), M Shaw (Mill St. Club 1).

Highest checkout: 121 A Burtonshaw. Robin Hood and Boat Inn are still battling at the top of the fourth after both recording good wins, the Norton outfit just holding sway at the moment. However, it is a real fight at the other end as any two from five could be relegated as only eight points separate Abbey Inn in fourth place from Rose and Crown in ninth as Holly Bush 3 who were bottom turned in a spectacular performance to beat Black Lion 3 on their own turf.

Results: Rose and Crown 2 Boat Inn I 7, Wellington IV 5 Benks I 4, Benks IV 1 Robin Hood 8, Black Lion III 4 Holly Bush III 5.

Highlights: 180 T Howard (Boat Inn 1), G Clowes (Black Lion 3). Least darts: 17 Josh Johnson (Boat Inn 1).

In division five Benks 5 gained a point on leaders Priory 2 after soundly beating the Abbots Road first side, skipper Chris Mcgarry weighing in with a ton finish while Priory 2 were enjoying a comfortable win at No. 41 Bar Milton.

Dyers Arms 2 caused an upset, Knocking back third placed Wellington 3 in their quest to escape the relegation places with clear daylight between them and their firsts who collapsed against Blue Mugge 1.

Results: No. 41 Bar 3 Priory II 6, Blue Mugge I 7 Dyers Arms I 2, Benks

VII 1 Holly Bush II 8, Dyers Arms II 5 Wellington III 4, Priory I 2 Benks V 7.

Highlights: Highest Checkouts 107 P Lovatt (Dyers Arms 2), 101 J Berrisford (Holly Bush 2), 100 C Mcgarry (Benks 5).

Britannia Inn 1 remain firmly in control of the sixth tier after trouncing their second string in the “pub” derby. Chasers Wellington 1 collapsed on their visit to Stafford Arms and are now 14 points behind the leaders. Fountain remain in third after a comfortable victory at Ball Haye Tavern 4.

There was glee in the Boat

Inn as they recorded only their second victory against fellow strugglers Dyers 4 with Mick Kelsom leading the way with a superb finish.

Results: Ball Haye Tavern IV 3 Fountain 6, Britannia I 8 Britannia II 1, Stafford Arms 7 Wellington I 2, Boat

Inn II 6 Dyers Arms IV 4, Crown III 5 Red Lion W/F II 4.

Highlights: Highest Checkout 109 M. Kelsom (Boat Inn 2)

Can teams make sure to bring their singles merits entry forms to the next monthly meeting on Tuesday February 5 2019. Entry fees remain at £2 per player.