Sheffield Darts Franchise League: Leadmill Premier Division
Sponsored by: The Leadmill
Red Dragon Darts
Projectdarts
Winmau Blade
In Association with: Sheffield Star
[caption id="attachment_18017" align="aligncenter" width="260"] Tom Sawford[/caption]
Aces 2-4 Wolves
Andy Umney 3-0 John Edwards
Ian Speed 3-2 Chris Markham
Dave Belfitt 0-3 Simon Sawford
Neil Bradley 1-3 Tom Sawford
Bye 0-3 Chris Keane
Bye 0-3 Jon Smethurst
(Match 1) Andy Umney 3-0 John Edwards
An under strength Aces host the Wolves and we start with Andy Umney against Wolves captain John Edwards. Umney started well with a break of throw to kick the night off, he continued the fine form into the second leg where he held to make it two. Wolves captain needed to hold to stay in the contest but it was to no avail as Umney rounded off the first match taking out the double to give the Aces a much needed early lead.
[caption id="attachment_18715" align="alignright" width="223"] Aces Captain Ian Speed[/caption]
(Match 2) Ian Speed 3-2 Chris Markham
"The Marksman" Chris Markham was up next for the Wolves as his opposition was captain Ian Speed. "The Marksman" broke the captain early to lay down a marker as Speed levelled up in the second to put the game back on throw, Speed held his throw to make it 2-1 in the third as Markham equalised in the fourth to make the match into a final leg decider which was already a crucial game for the Aces and the captain came up with the goods as he finished off the match to give the Aces two out of two.
(Match 3) Dave Belfitt 0-3 Simon Sawford
After the two games played the Aces were fighting back and in with a chance of snatching something from the game even with two players short. Up next Simon "James" Sawford was looking to stop the rot for the Wolves as he played Dave Belfitt. Sawford opened and held well in the first leg. In the second leg Belfitt had throw but Sawford stepped it up throwing in a 17 darter to break and put him in complete command of the game which he finished in straight legs to guarantee the Wolves at least a draw with a game remaining.
(Match 4) Neil Bradley 1-3 Tom Sawford
In the fourth and final game of a short night in the Newbold and the two men down Aces could still snatch a draw as Neil Bradley had the darts against "Shooter" Tom Sawford and he opened by taking the first leg to give him a great start, Sawford equalised to level up then "Shooter" broke the Bradley throw which made it 2-1 and Sawford threw for the win and cooly delivered the goods as he wrapped up the match and gave the Wolves a 4-2 victory overall which closed the gap to seven between them and the Academicals the team directly above them in the table.
[caption id="attachment_19301" align="aligncenter" width="248"] Aces Captain John Edwards[/caption]
Panthers 1-5 Black Eagles
Russ Simons 0-3 John Walton
John Schultz 0-3 Trevor Burkhill
Mick Wood 0-3 Pete Daffin
Mick Hulley 0-3 Jelger Tuinstra
Ryan Goffin 0-3 Tony Darlow
Pat Meeson 3-2 Tom Briggs
(Match 1) Russ Simons 0-3 John Walton
Champions Black Eagles faced the Panthers in a Woodbourne derby and to kick us off Russ Simons of the Panthers faced former World Champion John "Boy" Walton, John Boy had the darts and started with a 16 darter to open the night, he then broke the Simons throw in the second leg with a 180 finishing in 21 darts to make it two, Simons knew he had to break in the third leg to stay in the game but Walton was too strong as he hit an 18 darter to seal the win to open the scoring for the Black Eagles.
(Match 2) John Schultz 0-3 Trevor Burkhill
It was Turbo time in the next game with Trevor Burkhill for the Black Eagles facing John Schultz who was looking to equalise. "Turbo" powered in front with a 20 dart leg against the throw. That set the tone for the rest of the match as Schultz tried to respond but in vain as Burkhill held in the second leg then confidently took victory with his best leg of the match an 18 darter which made it 2-0 to the Black Eagles.
[caption id="attachment_19302" align="aligncenter" width="237"] Panthers Captain, Ryan Goffin[/caption]
(Match 3) Mick Wood 0-3 Pete Daffin
With the Black Eagles already 2-0 up Mick Wood was up next for the Panthers looking to bring his team back into it as he faced "Super Daff's" Pete Daffin and it didn't take long for Daffin to get into his stride holding in the opener with a 17 dart leg. Wood had the darts in the next leg to make an impact but Daffin was too strong as he hit a maximum which followed an 18 dart leg which broke the throw and their were no way back for Wood as Daffin sealed the win in three to make it 3-0 at the halfway stage.
(Match 4) Mick Hulley 0-3 Jelger Tuinstra
After three games the leaders were in cruise control up next was Jelger Tuinstra looking to keep the form going against Mick Hulley and he got off to the best possible start hitting a 20 darter against throw to get off the mark. Hulley needed a break to give him any hope but Jelger managed to hold to make it two, Hulley again had throw in the third leg but it was deja vu as Jelger finished him off in three to seal the win for the Black Eagles with two to play.
[caption id="attachment_19303" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Black Panthers Captain, Jason Burkhill[/caption]
(Match 5) Ryan Goffin 0-3 Tony Darlow
In the fifth match with no way back for the Panthers it was "The Manic" vs "The Tiger" as Ryan Goffin and Tony Darlow toed the oche. "The Tiger" roared in the lead as he took out a solid 15 dart leg, Darlow showed true class in this match as he broke the Goffin throw in the second leg with a 21 darter and with "The Manic" in all sorts of trouble "The Tiger" pounced to finish off the match in 18 darts to secure the third leg and the win to make it five out of five for the Black Eagles.
(Match 6) Pat Meeson 3-2 Tom Briggs
The final match saw the Woodbourne landlord Pat Meeson stepping up for the Panthers with the team already five down he had a chance to stop the halt against Tom Briggs who in turn was looking to give the Black Eagles a full house. Meeson had the darts to start off and he took the opening leg with a 20 darter on throw. Young Briggs replied with a hold to equalise then managing a break with a 19 dart leg of his own to go 2-1 up. Meeson in the fourth leg showed his experience and didn't panic as he pulled the game level with a break back as to which he had the darts in the decider and Meeson once again showed his class as he sealed the win to stop the rot and with it give the Panthers a consolation.
Vulcans 4-2 Academicals
Michael Donson 1-3 Tim Close
Paul Meehan 3-1 Max Orange
Jim Smith 3-1 Sian Bradley
James Thomas 3-1 Declan Parsons
Mick Swift 3-0 Tom Wright
Andrew Payling 2-3 Ed McCosh
(Match 1) Michael Donson 1-3 Tim Close
At Frecheville the Vulcans with Michael Dobson to start the night against the Academicals Tim Close. Close started with a hold and a break in the opening two legs to get the Academicals rolling. Donson replied with a leg in the third but Close was the victor in four to give the away side the early lead.
(Match 2) Paul Meehan 3-1 Max Orange
Next up was Max Orange looking to build on the Academicals good start as he faced Paul Meehan who had the darts and won the opening leg, Orange did well to equalise then Meehan went full throttle and hit back to back 21 darters to take the victory and equalise for the Vulcans.
[caption id="attachment_19304" align="aligncenter" width="207"] Academicals Captain, Ed McCosh[/caption]
(Match 3) Jim Smith 3-1 Sian Bradley
Vulcans captain Jim Smith was on third with the scores level he was searching to put his team in front, standing in his way was Sian Bradley who was broke in the opening leg but manage to break straight back in the second to make it one each. Captain Smith once again managed to go in front after the third leg to throw for the match which he calmly did this time to put the home side in front for the first time.
[caption id="attachment_18998" align="aligncenter" width="198"] Vulcan's Captain, Jim Smith[/caption]
(Match 4) James Thomas 3-1 Declan Parsons
In the fourth game of the night with the Vulcans leading, Declan Parsons was looking for his reply against James "Tank" Thomas and he got off to a great start breaking throw in the first leg to take the lead. "Tank" came back at him and levelled with a break straight back. Thomas upped the ante and took the third leg in 17 darts to go in front and he then finished off Parsons with a man of the match performance taking out a 20 darter with a ton finish thrown in to win in four to make it 3-1 to the Vulcans.
(Match 5) Mick Swift 3-0 Tom Wright
Game five saw Mick Swift looking to wrap up the match against Tom Wright and he found form straightaway with an 18 darter against the darts to lay down a marker for his opponent to follow, Swift then managed to hold to double his lead and Wright had the darts in the third leg but to no use as Swift took the win in three with a great 115 finish to complete a good performance to give the Vulcans victory with a game to spare.
(Match 6) Andrew Payling 2-3 Ed McCosh
It was the turn of the Uni captain Ed McCosh in the final game of the night as he was looking for a consolation against Andrew Payling but it wasn't looking good at the start as Payling romped to a 2-0 lead with a 20 dart leg to boot, but captain showed fighting spirit breaking back in the third leg to give him hope then held to level up and force a decider in the final leg of the night captain McCosh made his comeback complete taking victory with a high finish of 112 to go with it.
Warriors 3-3 Sausages
Jodie Bruce 0-3 Marc Ellis
Barry Brittle 3-2 Dawn Priestley
Nicola Warne 0-3 Ben Dolman
Steve Newton 3-2 Pete Bell
Paul Brittle 0-3 Steve Ewington
Angie Brittle 3-0 Bye
(Match 1) Jodie Bruce 0-3 Marc Ellis
In the second game of the Woodbourne saw bottom of the table Warriors face mid-table and a man short Sausages and Jodie Bruce was first on for the home side facing Marc "Tiny" Ellis in a game which saw Ellis take command after the opening leg where he held throw then in turn broke Bruce in the second leg to set himself up for a comfortable victory to get the Sausages off to a much needed good start.
(Match 2) Barry Brittle 3-2 Dawn Priestley
Barry Brittle of the Warriors and Dawn Priestley battled it out in a topsy turvy game that could've gone either way. Priestley broke throw in the opener and managed to hold to take a commanding lead but Brittle hit back holding his own in the third which set him up to break in the fourth leg to stay in the game, Brittle had the throw in the final leg to complete the comeback which he did using bottle to take the win which levelled the contest after two games played.
(Match 3) Nicola Warne 0-3 Ben Dolman
After two games the tie was deadlocked. In the third match Ben Dolman looked to kick-start the Sausages night against Nicola Warne. He started with a steady hold of throw which continued on the Warne throw as Dolman broke to make it two and with Warne not at her best Dolman wrapped up the match early to put the Sausages back in front.
[caption id="attachment_18999" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Leader of the Warriors, Paul Brittle[/caption]
(Match 4) Steve Newton 3-2 Pete Bell
In the fourth game "Hero" came to the rescue for the Warriors as Steve Newton faced "The Landlord" Pete Bell in a match that could've gone either way. "Hero" started off with a hold to get off the mark. "The Landlord" hit back with consecutive legs to make it 2-1. Bell had the darts in the fourth leg to win but this time it was Newton's turn to reply with an equaliser of his own which brought a decider with him having the darts and he took full advantage to earn a vital win for himself and the Warriors which guaranteed them at least a draw with one game to play.
(Match 5) Paul Brittle 0-3 Steve Ewington
The fifth and final match the home captain "The Undertaker" Paul Brittle looked to finish off the Sausages as he toed the oche against Steve Ewington. Ewington has the darts as to which he took an early lead and never really looked back as "The Undertaker" has no answer to Ewington's finishing after he broke his throw in the second leg Ewington finished off the night rescuing a draw for the Sausages by hitting an 18 dart leg which made the score 3-3 overall.
Wizards 0-6 Railwaymen
Lee Slack 0-3 Jordan Payne
Adam Ward 1-3 Pete Bramley
Matt Simmons 0-3 Brian Lewis
Daz Bleur 0-3 Steve Marfleet
Tim Chivers 0-3 Martin Scott
Sie Simmons 0-3 Gav Pilling
(Match 1) Lee Slack 0-3 Jordan Payne
At the Wilton the Wizards who had back to back wins for this first time last week hit a wall as they hosted second in the table Railwaymen. We start with Wizards captain Lee Slack against the ever consistent Jordan Payne. Payne held in the first leg of the night, he then punished Slack in the second leg to break his throw. Payne didn't look like dropping off as he powered to victory without dropping a leg to put the Railwaymen in front.
(Match 2) Adam Ward 1-3 Pete Bramley
It was the turn of "Perfect" Pete Bramley for the away team in the next game as he faced Adam Ward. In the opener Ward held throw to get in front. Bramley equalised in leg two then turned the game on its head as "Perfect" broke in the third which gave him the edge to take the win in four and make it two for his team.
(Match 3) Matt Simmons 0-3 Brian Lewis
In game three it was "The Messiah" Brian Lewis looking to make a mark for the Railwaymen against Matt Simmons and make a mark he did as he held with a 19 dart leg to get into the swing of things and it just got better for him as he broke throw with a 180 and a 21 dart finish to make it two. "The Messiah" then wrapped up the win in three to put the away side three up.
[caption id="attachment_18022" align="alignright" width="190"] Wizards Captain, Lee Slack[/caption]
(Match 4) Daz Bleur 0-3 Steve Marfleet
After three games played the Wizards were in disarray. Next up was Daz Bleur looking to get something against Steve Marfleet and with Bleur having the darts he needed a good start but he struggled from the off as Marfleet broke him early hitting a 180 and finishing with a 20 dart leg to open the scoring. Bleur looked shellshocked as Marfleet kept the pressure on and eventually taking the game by the same 3-0 scoreline to give the Railwaymen the win after four matches played.
(Match 5) Tim Chivers 0-3 Martin Scott
With the match wrapped up Martin Scott continued to pile on the misery against Tim Chivers in the fifth match of the night as he held throw to start then he took full advantage of Chivers slow start on his throw as Scott hit a 180 which eventually led to him breaking and going into a 2-0 lead. Scott threw for the match solidly well to make it five for the Railwaymen with one to play.
(Match 6) Sie Simmons 0-3 Gav Pilling
The whitewash was on in the final match as Sie Simmons was looking to stop it from happening against Gav Pilling. Simmons started us off but Pilling broke him early to set the tone for the game, Pilling was throwing well and after taking the second leg they were only ever going to be one winner as he rounded off the night by taking the game 3-0 to wrap up the victory for the Railwaymen without dropping a game to extend their lead in second place in the standings.
Report by
Pat Finney (Projectdarts Reporter/Media)