Bottom Railway BA on the verge of securing Division One hat-trick but other titles still in the balance

THE PENULTIMATE games of the Summer 2017 season of the Loughborough and District Pubs and Clubs Darts League were played last week.

In Blue Ball Division One, Bottom Railway BA look all but certain of retaining their crown after they beat the Arena Gladiators 7-2. They need just a single point from their final game away to second place Navigation Tap Tappers to make it a hat-trick of Division One titles. The ‘ Tap Tappers’ lost 7-2 to fourth place Spot On MP, and with third place Blue Ball Lions beating The Royal Oak DP the race is between the ‘ Tap Tappers’, ‘Lions’ and Spot On for the two remaining prize winning places.

In Wanty’s Division Two, Spot On Dinosaurs lost 6-3 to Tap and Mallet JB and now trail leaders Brush Club AW by four points but still have a crucial game in hand. Top Railway A gave their chance of finishing third a boost with an excellent 8-1 win against Spot On Guy ‘n’ Gals.

In S H Cox Division Three, leaders Three Crowns, Barrow beat the Three Nuns Exiles 6-3, whilst second place Blacksmiths Blue Army lost 5-4 to the Bull and Bush Laughing Boys. The results mean that the Three Crowns just need to avoid defeat when the two teams meet to be crowned division winners. With some re-arranged games still to play four teams are in with a chance of third place, the ‘Exiles, Black Swan JS, Beacon Reds and the ‘Laughing Boys’.

In Generous Briton Division Four last season’s Division Five winners Spot On Rejects lead the division by six points going in to the last game, after their close 5-4 win against Tap and Clapper. Second place Twelve Degrees 26er’s beat the Peacock Feathers 7-2 and still have a game in hand on the leaders if they can make it pay.

In Navigation Division Five leaders Swan in the Rushes Black Pearls beat Tap and Clapper Bob Bradley’s 6-3, and they are also favourites to win back to back division titles after winning Division Six last season. The race for second and third places is between the Dewdrop Blues and Blue Ball CS who had a good 6-3 win against the Royal Oak Old Uns.

Finally in Jim Kidger Division Six, the Three Nuns Bad Habits won only their second game of the season by beating the leaders Crown Jewels, Barrow who drop down to third as a result. It means that the Plough Ernie’s take over the top spot after their 7-2 win against Blue Ball MS. Top Railway DUI’s are now second following their close 5-4 win against fourth place Swan in the Rushes Savvies, but only one point separates the top three going in to the final game.

With the summer season reaching its conclusion all players are advised that the singles and pairs competitions which are open to all registered LDPCDL players will be held as follows:Division One and Two Singles Open - Thursday, October 12, at the Arena Club Division Three to Six Singles Open - Thursday, October 12 at the Peacock Division One and Two Pairs Open - Thursday, October 19, at Spot On Leisure Division Three to Six Pairs Open - Thursday, October 19, at the Plough Players should register on the night prior to the draw which will take place at 8.15 prompt. No late entries will be accepted.

The full results for Thursday, September 14 were: Blue Ball Division One: Navigation Wagg’s Gang ( Vern Seaton 180 & 123 Finish) 3-6 Three Nuns Left Footers, Royal Oak DP 3-6 Blue Ball Lions, Bottom Railway BA (Chris Peat 180) 7-2 Arena Gladiators, Royal Oak Shooters - Bye, Spot On MP (Leon Jarram 180) 7-2 Navigation Tap Tappers. Wanty’s Division Two: Spot On Guy ‘n’ Gals 1-8 Top Railway A, Shepshed Dynamo Gate Crashers 7-2 Tap and Mallet CD, Brush Club AW - Bye, Tap and Mallet JB 6-3 Spot On Dinosaurs, Beacon Yer Lolly 5-4 Spot On Lads. S H Cox Division Three: Three Crowns, Barrow 6-3 Three Nuns Exiles, Black Swan JS - Bye, Blacksmiths Blue Army 4-5 Bull & Bush Laughing Boys, Crown Inn Glory 4-5 Generous Briton Dad’s Army, Three Nuns Albion 4-5 Beacon Reds. Generous Briton Division Four: Peacock Feathers 2-7 Twelve Degrees 26ers, Blue Ball B 6-3 Plough B, Crown Rejects - Bye, Tap & Clapper 4-5 Spot On Rejects (Steve Dakin 180). Navigation Division Five: Dewdrop Blues - Bye. Generous Briton Luffs 5-4 Crown MA, Windmill Wild Hearts 45 White Hart Stags, Blue Ball CS 6-3 Royal Oak Old Uns, Swan in the Rushes Black Pearls 6-3 Tap & Clapper Bob Bradley’s. Jim Kidger Division Six: Three Nuns Bad Habits 5-4 Crown Jewels, Barrow (Rich Cocks 106 Finish), Shepshed Dynamo B&W 5-4 Generous Briton Team GB - Game played on 10th August, Plough Ernie’s 7-2 Blue Ball MS, Top Railway DUI’s 5-4 Swan in the Rushes Savvies