BIRMINGHAM MAIL - A WEST MIDLAND ROUND-UP BY ALAN TOWE - 27.03.24

Darts News – A West Midlands Round Up

The semi-finals of the Divisional Cups was on the agenda for the Sheldon and District Winter League and in the premier league games leaders Langley Arrows had a 7-2 win over third in the division Raven Arrows, meeting them in the final will be Highwood who won 6-3 against The Dingle. There were maximums for Dean Grainger (Raven Arrows) and Darren Wright (Highwood) while fellow Highwood player John Buckingham had a 132 game shot in a nine darts game.

Division one leaders Brian’s Flights had a convincing 8-1 win over mid-table Smithswood Social Club and they will take on second in the division Willclare Sports and Social in the final after they defeated fourth placed Kingshurst Labour Club.

Division two leaders The Hornet took on bottom of the division The College Arms Flights and won 7-2 while second in the division Sheldon Marlborough Ridge had a close 5-4 success over Castle Bromwich WMC who are placed fourth.

Full Results:Divisional League Cup:Semi-Finals:Premier League:- Langley Arrows 7 Raven Arrows 2 (Dean Grainger 180), Highwood 6 (Darren Wright 180, John Buckingham 132f,9 darts game) The Dingle 3, Division One:- Brian’s Flights 8 Smithswood Social Club 1, Kingshurst Labour Club 4 Willclare Sports and Social 5. Division Two:- Castle Bromwich WMC 4 Sheldon Marlborough Ridge 5, The College Arms Flights 2 The Hornet 7.

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A somewhat unexpected 4-3 defeat at Longbridge has cost Thurlestone their number three spot in the Kings Norton League and sees them drop to fourth on fourteen points some six points more than their victors who are six places below them in the table. League leaders Northfield had a comfortable 6-1 home win over Cock Inn to take their points tally to eighteen and gives them a lead of two over second placed Copper Fox who won their home tie with Coppice 5-2, although Copper Fox are two points off the top they do have a game in hand. Third placed Bournebrook had 4-3 win playing away against fifth in the table Rubery Social Club, Bournebrook are on the same fourteen points as Thurlestone but with a slightly better average, Biggest win of the week went to Bourneville who handed their visitors Dingle a 7-0 whitewash.

Just the one maximum score this week and that was supplied by Cock Inn’s L.Fox.

Full Results:Game 10:- Kings Norton Flights 2 (R.Foxhall 100, D.Willis 121, G.Saad 125, E.Dearn 100, A.Fenton 2x100) Stirchley 5 (L.Rooney 125, M.Welsh 2x100,10 darts game, T.Atkins 3x100,124, L.Little 135, A.Wynne 2x100,120b, J.Allen 100), Rubery Social Club 3 (J.Higgins 100,112b,144f,11 darts gane, J.Ford 105b, R.Higgins 120b, A.Faulkner 100) Bournebrook 4 (C.Smith 100, T.Cullen 100b,140, K.Mason 140, T.Jeffs 115b, C.Ryan 100b,101b, M.Bathurst 100, J.Stringer 106), Copper Fox 5 (E.Simpson 3x100, D.Marsh 100,111b,137, A.Harvey 110, D.McConomy 120b,149b) Coppice 2 (A.Aindow 2x100,105b,140, R.Packer 125, M.Mooney 100,101b,125, S.Jacques 140), Bourneville 7 (M.Collins 100, A.Deeley 100, P.Smith 100, A.Bailles 100, P.Garvey 100) Dingle 0 (A.O'Sullivan 108bB, M.Poolton 100, O.Fallon 120b, T.Walton 100), Longbridge 4 (R.Broadhurst 100,132, D.Watts 100, J.Taylor 100, C.Evans 100, J.Wood 2x100) Thurlestone 3 (R.Waldron 100,148b, R.Docker 100,120b, S.Deeley 2x100), Northfield 6 (L.Allen 100, M.Lloyd 100,105b,123, A.Busby 145, P.Draper 100, N.Steventon 100,100b, O.Draper 100) Cock Inn 1 (P.Hughes 2x100,121, L.Fox 100, A.Vaughan 100, Joe Fox 100b, L.Fox 180), Perfection 3 (P.Taylor 100, S.Hale 112, K.Astbury 100) Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club 4 (D.Whitcombe 121, C.Davenport 100, M.Bandy 112b).

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Northfield Conservative Club not only consolidated their pole position in the Harborne and District League when they won their home game with Lion Bar 9-0 but at the same time extended their undefeated run to eight games. With sixteen points Northfield Conservative Club are two to the good on second placed Copper Fox ‘R’ who had a close 5-4 win away to Northfield Town who are fifth in the league on ten points. Third placed Copper Fox ‘M’ had a convincing 8-1 home win over Avenue Social to leave them four points off the top and leading fourth placed Cock Inn on average only after they won 6-3 at home against bottom of the table and winless in their seven games, Windsor. Although Cock Inn are trailing Copper Fox ‘M’ on average and level on points they have played one game fewer than them and a win in their game in hand would see them overtake them.

Two players in a high scoring mood this week were M.Perkins (Smethwick Cricket Club) who scored 100,121,140 and 180 and J.Hykin (Copper Fox ‘R’) who had top scores of 2x100,125 and 180.

Full Results:Game 8:- The Mill 8 (D.Davy 100,140, A.Beagrie 3x100,120,125, J.Goulding 2x100,121,140, N.Davis 3x100, K.Pearsall 100) Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club 1 (M.Hanley 2x100, A.Fenton 104, R.Fisher 121,140, J.Fisher 120, N.Reynolds 100, R.Foxhall 121,123), Copper fox ‘M’ 8 (K.Jukes 3x100,2x140,18 darts game, D.Kent 2x100, A.Harvey 2x100, J.Loughran 100, G.Dews 2x100, M.Davies 100) Avenue Social 1 (J.Taylor 2x100,105, T.Williams 132), Smethwick Cricket Club 7 (A.Bomber 2x100,140, M.Collins 3x100, M.Smith 3x100,117,125, P.Brookes 5x100, V.Gould 2x100,121, M.Perkins 100,121,140,180) Weoley Castle WMC 2 (S.Joyce 140, M.Warr 100,101, A.Heath 105, P.Coombes 140, M.Bolton 2x100, S.Pasetti 4x100), Northfield Conservative Club 9 (T.Garfield 3x100, D.Hill 2x100,4x140,15 darts game, M.Lloyd 2x100,125,135, C.Steadman 5x100, A.Sutton 3x100,118f, S.Cartwright 100,2x140, T.Garfield 135f) Lion Bar 0 (D.Windsor 100,123, C.Millward 2x100,121,123, E.Scullion 132, F.Goldsby 100, D.McConomy 100), Northfield Town 4 (L.Allen 100,123,2x140, L.Fowler 3x100,165, N.Steventon 3x100,134, A.Faulkner 3x100, R.Needham 100,140, J.Evetts 2x100,121,135, J.Needham 100,119, B.Davies 120,121) Copper Fox ‘R’ 5 (E.Simpson 100,3x140, J.Hykin 2x100,125,180, A.Hykin 4x100,121, T.Hamilton 5x100,135), Cock Inn 6 Windsor 3.

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No change in the top four places in the South West Birmingham Clubs League singles division with leaders Longbridge United adding an 8-0 win away to Stirchley United to their account to keep them five points ahead of second placed West Heath CEM who won their home game with E57 7-1, K.Webb notching a maximum for E57. West Heath have a four points cushion over third placed Northfield Town after they went down 5-3 at home to Perfection who are placed fifth in the table with sixteen points the same number as fourth in the division Northfield Conservative Club ‘B’ who won 5-3 at Bartley Green FC. After the top five come four teams all on fourteen points Bournbrook, Quarry Club, Stirchley United and Northfield Conservative Club ‘A’.

Perfection continue to head the Shadow League table with a perfect six points from their three games, they have a lead of two over their nearest rivals Quarry Club while West Heath CEM top the Pre-Match Doubles division with a total of 159 points which is eight more than second placed Longbridge United who in turn are just two points to the good on third in the table Northfield Town. After the top three there is a gap of twenty-one points to fourth placed Perfection.

Full Results:Game 14:- Bartley Green FC 3 Northfield Conservative Club ‘B’ 5, Northfield Conservative Club ‘A’ 5 Bournbrook 3, Northfield Town 3 (L.Jevons 177) Perfection 5 (O.Draper 180), Quarry Club 7 Moseley All Services 1, Stirchley United 0 Longbridge United 8, West Heath CEM 7 (K.Webb 180) E57 1.

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The Four Oaks and District League are up to week six and of the twenty-three teams that lined up at the beginning of the season only two remain with an unbeaten record, one of those being division one leaders Bishop Vesey. Bishop Vesey had a bye this week but hold on to the number one spot with the same ten points, but with an average lead plus a game in hand on second placed Beehive after they won their home fixture with Old Oscott Arrows 5-4. Third and fourth placed Highcroft Hotdogs and Nomads have both only played four games and are on four points.

A 5-4 home defeat at the hands of the Heartlands team has seen Red Lion surrender their pole position in division two, the top spot being taken over by Walmley CSC Flights who won their home tie with Erdington Arrows 7-2. Walmley top the division with ten points and have Heartlands, Red Lin and Drakes Drum all just two points behind them, Drakes Drum won their away fixture with Charley’s Flights 5-4.

Leaders of division three Pint Pot Flights are the only other undefeated team adding their latest 8-1 victory at St Tom Cats to their account to give them twelve points and a lead of two over second placed St Thomas Arrows who also won 8-1 in their game at Sutton Sports. Sutton Sharks are third in the division they kept within four points of the leaders with a 7-2 win at Rosey Mac’s Bar. Sutton Sports are the only team in the league without a win so far.

Full Results:Game 6:Division One:- Old Horns Lions 6 (Jason Greaves 100, Paul Seadon 156,100b,100, Dave Pickering 100, Fred Naylor 100, Barrie Linnecor 112b, Andy Kimberley 100,135) Beggars Bush 3 (Des Shannon 120b,101b), The Beehive 5 (Zac Prince 171,102b, Dean Grainger 101, Neil Clarke 111b, Jason Prince 102f) Old Oscott Arrows 4 (D.Page 140, P.Locke 2x120b,100,123,9 darts game, M.Page 2x100, L.Jones 100), Highcroft Hotdogs v The Nomads to be rearranged, Division Two:- Charley’s Flights 4 (Kevin Hewings 100b,100, Paul Nicholls 120, Rob Vann 105b, Dean Bond 2x100) Drakes Drum 5 (Rick Hasluck 133, Marc Pearce 105b, James Clarke 100,120), Red Lion 4 (Ian Matthews 2x100, D.Vickers 109b,140,100,9 darts game, R.Lowe 107) Heartlands 5 (John Frost 100b, Matthew Cain 112b,116,10 darts game, Gerry McCormack 100), Walmley CSC Flights 7 (Adam Cooksey 125,140, Rich Smith 100, Jamie Meredith 105b,140,145, Brian Hughes 100, Ben Liggins 140, Gary Fleetwood 152b,108, Kris Green 100b,2x100) Erdington Arrows 2 (Mark Phillips 112b, Harry Sadler 100), Plough and Arrows 4 (Steven Johnson 100, Danny Hughes 100, Kieran Gow 104) The Rise Club 5 (Ollie Day 100, Shane Kelly 140, Luke Parry 100,140, Mark Felkin 100,116f), Division Three:- Rosey Mac’s Bar 2 Sutton Sharks 7 (Chris Gardener 100, Dan Gardener 104), Deer’s Leap 7 (Anthony Kimberley 100, Tom Whyley 102, Daniel Hopkins 123, Tom Ross 100 Darryl Rodgers 108b) Rosey Mac’s 2 (John Cox 2x112b), Sutton Sports 1 (Richard Woodroffe 100) St Thomas Arrows 8 (Jim Lynch 112b, Dean Wakelam 110, Rob Nelson 100), St Tom Cats 1 (J.P.Roddy 100b,108) Pint Pot Flights 8 (Louie Lemathy 2x100, Andy Clarke 3x100, Neil Napier 122b,105b, Pete Smith 100, Michael Bagnall 100,160b,101).

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Amazingly four of the top five teams in the Stourbridge and District Monday Night League won 7-0 in game fourteen leaders Old Liberal Club being one of them as they marched on making it fourteen straight wins when they handed out a 7-0 whitewash to their hosts Gate Hangs Well ‘A’. Second in the league Bird in Hand had a 6-1 home win over Raven ‘A’ to keep within four points of Old Liberal Club and maintain their two points lead on Five Ways and Gate Hangs Well ‘B’ who are third and fourth in the table. Five Ways had a 7-0 home win over Queens Head and Gate Hangs Well ‘B’ also won 7-0 at Raven ‘B’. Making up the four straight wins was fifth in the league Netherton Conservative Club ‘B’ who achieved their win at Fox Inn (Lye). Rose and Crown ‘B’ lost 4-3 at Crestwood to remain at the foot of the table without a win so far in the thirteen games they have played.

Full Results:Game 14:- Netherton Conservative Club ‘A’ 4 (M.Abbott 160b) Seven Stars 3, Rose and Crown ‘A’ 3 (L.Beatrup 117b) Mount Pleasant 4, Gate Hangs Well ‘A’ 0 Old Liberal Club 7, Fox Inn (Lye) 0 Netherton Conservative Club ‘B’ 7, Five Ways 7 Queens Head 0, Raven ‘B’ 0 Gate Hangs Well ‘B’ 7, Glasscutters ‘A’ 6 Glasscutters ‘B’ 1, Bird in Hand 6 Raven ‘A’ 1, Crestwood 4 Rose and Crown ‘B’ 3, Princess had a bye.

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For the Netherton Thursday Night League it was the first leg of the League Cup semi-finals week which brought together four of the league’s currently placed top five teams. Top of the table Old Liberal Club played against second in the league Bulls Head whose M.Bowen hit a maximum but the all-important 5-4 result went to Old Liberal Club. The second of the semis saw fourth in the league Townsend Social Club win 6-3 against fifth placed Hill and Cakemore Ex Serviceman’s Club.

There was one rearranged league fixture played in which reigning champions Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’ won 5-4 away to Spring Meadow Pub. The win sees the Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’ go joint second, level on points and average with Bulls Head. D.Ferney scored a 180 for Spring Meadow Pub while P.Tonks recorded a fourteen darts game for Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’.

Full Results:League Cup:Semi-Finals - First Leg:- Hill and Cakemore Ex Serviceman’s Club 3 Townsend Social Club 6, Old Liberal Club 5 Bulls Head 4 (M.Bowen 180), Rearranged League Fixture:- Spring Meadow Pub 4 (D.Ferney 180) Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club ‘A’ 5 (P.Tonks 14 darts game).

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Game six in the Silver End Sunday Morning League saw Tenth Lock drop their first points of the season when they were held to a 4-4 draw by High Acres ‘C’ who are eleventh in the table. As a result Tenth Lock lose pole position and drop to second place on sixteen points two fewer than new leaders Dudley Sports ‘A’ who kept their 100% win record intact with a 6-2 win at High Acres ‘A’. Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club had a big 7-1 win at Old Cat Inn but still drop one place to third on fifteen points three short of the leaders and just one to the good on fourth placed Church Tavern who were held to a 4-4 draw by their hosts Three Crowns ‘A’.

Full Results:Game 6:- Raven 2 High Acres ‘B’ 6, Dudley Sports ‘B’ 5 Three Crowns ‘B’ 3, Brier Rose 4 Pensnett Liberal Club 4, Old Liberal Club 5 Brickmakers Arms 3, Old Cat Inn 1 Dudley Ex Serviceman’s Club 7, Rose and Crown 4 Old Star 4, Three Crowns ‘A’ 4 Church Tavern 4, High Acres ‘A’ 2 Dudley Sports ‘A’ 6, High  Acres ‘C’ 4 Tenth Lock 4, Mount Pleasant had a bye.

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Bell, reigning champions in the Rowley Monday Night League added a 6-3 home win over Spring Meadow to their account to hold on to pole position on average from second placed Whiteheath Tavern whose 8-1 win at home over Loyal Lodge gives them the same sixteen points as Bell with just three legs of average less. A further two points adrift are third and fourth placed Romsley Cricket Club and Plough and Harrow, Romsley winning 7-2 at Wonder and Plough having a closer 5-4 home win over fourth placed Hawthorns who like Tividale FC and Gate Hangs Well are all on twelve points. 

Full Results:Game 9:- Whiteheath Tavern 8 Loyal Lodge 1, Snooks 7 Rowley Bar and Grill 2, Hawthorns ‘B’ 7 Huntingtree 2, Bell 6 (E.Price 10 darts game) Spring Meadow 3, Wonder 2 (Ste Cree 11 darts game) Romsley Cricket Club 7 (G.Edwards 160b), Gate Hangs Well 6 White Swan 3 (M.Tedstone 160b), Rowley Labour Club 4 Tividale FC 5, Plough and Harrow 5 (B.Young 160b) Hawthorns 4 (C.Jones 160b).

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Game seven in the Hilltop Friendly Tuesday Night League saw Albion chalk up their first win of the season, a 5-2 away win over league newcomers King Arthur. League leaders Vine ‘A’ took their unbeaten run to seven games with a 5-2 home win over Cottage Spring keeping their two points advantage over second in the table Allen’s Bar intact as Allen’s recorded a 6-1 home win over Horseley Tavern ‘B’. With ten points and a further two short of Vine ‘A’ are Three Horseshoes. Horse and Jockey and Tamebridge, Three Horseshore won their home game against a quality Ivy Bush side 7-0 while Horse and Jockey had a narrow 4-3 win at home against Sow and Pigs. Tamebridge however lost ground as they suffered a 4-3 home win when they lost to Vine ‘B’.

Full Results:Game 7:- Vine ‘A’ 5 Cottage Spring 2, King Arthur 2 Albion 5, Allen’s Bar 6 Horseley Tavern ‘B’ 1, Three Horseshoes 7 Ivy Bush 0, Horse and Jockey 4 Sow and Pigs 3, Horseley Tavern ‘A’ 3 Waggon and Horses 4, Tamebridge 3 Vine ‘B’ 4.

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After the top two teams have completed five fixtures in the Cradley Tuesday Night League just one leg of average separates them. Quarry Bank Liberal Club ‘A’ top the table after their latest 4-3 home win over Bulls Head and a maximum for their Jeff Batham. In second place it’s local rivals Quarry Bank Liberal Club ‘B’ who had a bye this week. Plough are placed third, they have the same fifteen points as the two teams above them after adding on their most recent 4-3 home win over Quarry Bank Social Club ‘A’ however they have played six games compared to the two above them having played five. 

Full Results:Game 6:- Quarry Bank Social ‘B’ 3 Brickmakers Arms 4, Quarry Bank Liberal Club ‘A’ 4 (Jeff Batham 180) Bulls Head 3, Plough 4 Quarry Bank Social ‘A’ 3 (Ricki Clark 180,152b), Tenth Lock 3 (Jake Brigade 180) Blackheath Liberal Club 4, Quarry Bank Liberal Club ‘B’ had a bye.

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It’s close at the top of the Amblecote RBL Premier League with leader Nick Fullwell adding 6-1 wins over both Andy Vellender and Craig Lowin to take his points tally to 179 from thirty-three games and second placed Dan Nicholls playing three games in which he won 7-0 against Nick Wyer before two 5-2 wins against Dave Simpson and Steve Gillam to give him 175 points and although that is four short of Fullwell he does have two more games in hand on the leader. Third placed Jamie Barrowman kept in touch with the top two with a 4-3 win over Jack Pritchard, a 6-1 success against Josh Hodgkins and a 5-2 win over Sam Page to give him 163 points from thirty-three games. 

Full Results:Week 17:- John Green 7 Josh Hodgkins 0, Joe Poole 5 Stephen Cartwright 2, Jamie Barrowman 4 Jack Pritchard 3, Jon Underhill 4 Jake Shipley 3, Shane Sheridan 5 Gavin Smith 2, Martyn Harper 7 Wozza Pritchard 0, Cayden Smith 6 Ryan Green 1, Tom Bissell 4 Chris Williams 3, Jamie Barrowman 6 Josh Hodgkins 1, Dave Simpson 5 Martyn Harper 2, Shane Sheridan 6 Sam Page 1, Nick Fullwell 6 Andy Vellender 1, Steve Gillam 6 Ryan Green 1, Dan Nicholls 7 Nick Wyer 0, Ian Townsend 4 Carl Hipkiss 3, Jake Robinson 4 Rob Pierce 3, Gavin Smith 6 Shane Passey 1, Matt Davies 5 Joe Poole 2, Nick Fullwell 6 Craig Lowin 1, Jake Robinson 5 Matt Halliday 2, John Green 5 Howard Pritchard 2, Ian Townsend 6 Josh Wheeler 1, Chris Williams 7 Josh Hodgkins 0, Andy Vellender 4 Carl Hipkiss 3, Dan Nicholls 5 Dave Simpson 2, Mitch Pickett 5 Stephen Cartwright 2, Tom Bissell 7 Jayden Harper 0, Shane Passey 6 Matt Halliday 1, Josh Wheeler 5 Wozza Pritchard 2, Steve Gillam 5 Howard Pritchard 2, Jake Shipley 6 Nick Wyer 1, Jamie Barrowman 5 Sam Page 2, Matt Davies 6 Jon Underhill 1, Rob Pierce 6 Jayden Harper 1, Jack Pritchard 5 Craig Lowin 2, Cayden Smith 4 Mitch Pickett 3, Shane Passey 5 Josh Wheeler 2, Dan Nicholls 5 Steve Gillam 2, Gavin Smith 6 Josh Hodgkins 1, Jake Shipley 4 Jake Robinson 3.

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Wayne Jones has opened up a huge twenty-one points lead at the top of division one of the Gilbert’s Bar Monday Night Singles League after he won 6-2 against Chris Evans. Second in the division Ian Stanton was held to a 4-4 draw by Simon Pritchard to leave him on ninety-two points, six more than third placed reigning champion Scott Baker who followed up a 7-1 win over Andy Mullinder with a 6-2 success against Dean Simmonds-Fullwood. Baker still has one game in hand on the two players above him. 

Only three points separate the top three players in division two but they have all played a different amount of games. Leaders Kurt Wright beat Richard Brown 7-1 to put him on eighty-four points from ten games while second placed Alan Melling has played twelve games and is on eighty-three points after he won 7-1 against Allan Davies. Reece Cook Lucas is a further two points behind in third place, he has played fourteen games the latest of which saw him win 6-2 against Colin Wood.

Top of division three is Dave Thackeeray, his 5-3 win over Dave Akers giving him a total of ninety-seven points from eleven games and a lead of two points plus a game in hand on second placed Thomas Hollowood who had a 5-3 win over third placed Michele Pritchard who has eighty-seven points from thirteen games.

Full Results:Game 14:- Andrew Jervis 2 Adam Teasdale 6, John Simms 0 Jason Hough 8, Stewart Pryce 5 Clark Cook 3, Scott Baker 7 Andy Mullinder 1, Simon Pritchard 4 Ian Stanton 4, Paul Price 5 Steve Lynch 3, Adam Teasdale 4 Dean Simmons-Fullwood 4, Wayne Jones 6 Chris Evans 2, Jamie Webb 2 Tony Singh 6, Clayton Edge 1 Jon Blakemore 7, Scott Baker 6 Dean Simmons-Fullwood 2, Game 13:- Artur Lubkowski 6 Keith Hollowood 2, Robert Harris 3 Gemma Barrett Jenkins 5, Allan Davies 1 Alan Melling 7, Kevin Bate 2 Neville Quinton 6, Colin Wood 6 Alex Simmons 2, Kurt Wright 7 Richard Brown 1, Reece Cook Lucas 6 Colin Wood 2, Eddie Gripton 2 Gareth Walsh 6, Sandra Beardsmore 2 Warren Bower 6, Dave Thackeray 5 Dave Akers 3, Michele Pritchard 3 Thomas Hollowood 5, Joe Bartolo 4 Claire Hobbs 4.

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