Bumper darts round-up
The Compass A produced a ruthless display in Llanfair Caereinion, sweeping aside the Red Lion A 7–0 to cement their place at the top of Division 1. The visitors — a side that has been one of the league’s strongest for several seasons — look the real deal this year, combining consistency, power scoring, and composure across the board. The Red Lion had started the season brightly, but this result marks a second consecutive heavy defeat, and they’ll be keen to rediscover their early-season rhythm after a tough couple of weeks.
The Compass were in complete control throughout the singles, with Dan Hosiene, Cameron Williams, Gareth Richards, and Phil Jones all cruising to 3–0 victories. Hosiene once again led from the front, hitting a 180, taking out a 118 finish, and firing a slick 15-dart leg. Williams also impressed with a neat 115 checkout.
The Compass pairing of Adam Richards & Hosiene edged their doubles 2–1, before Brian Jones & Gareth Richards completed the whitewash 2–0 — rounding off a perfect night for the league leaders.
Next week, the Compass welcome the Kings A in what promises to be a huge top-of-the-table clash that could shape the early title picture.
The Kings Head A produced a statement performance in Guilsfield, sweeping aside early leaders Westwood A 6–1 to move within a point of the Compass A at the top of Division 1.
The Westwood A arrived sitting at the summit — albeit with several sides holding games in hand — but were outclassed on the night by a clinical and confident Kings outfit. The home side raced into a commanding 3–0 lead through Kacey Jones, Gareth Stedman, and Dave Rix, who each recorded faultless 3–0 victories. Jones was in devastating form, landing two 180s and producing a stunning 14-dart leg, the best thrown anywhere across the league this week. The Westwood’s sole success came via Steve Lloyd, whose excellent recent form continued with a well-deserved 3–1 win over Oscar Hyland, before Jon Gamble ensured the Kings took a 4–1 lead from the singles, overcoming Alan James 3–1.
The hosts maintained their dominance in the pairs, winning both doubles 2–1 to seal a comprehensive 6–1 victory and underline their growing title credentials.
The Westwood B produced a strong home performance to defeat the Green Dragon A 6–1 at the Westwood Park Hotel — a much-needed result that lifts them away from the lower end of the Division 1 table.
The evening began with three close encounters, all edged by the hosts. Chris Proctor battled to a narrow 3–2 win, followed by another tight 3–2 success for Carl Dockerty. In-form Ben Davies then extended the lead with a composed 3–1 win, continuing his excellent recent run and underlining his growing importance to the side.
Jordan Harding then produced a confident 3–0 win, featuring a tidy 17-dart leg, before the visitors got on the board through Welsh international Steve Price. After being unable to find anyone to play alongside in the Newtown 3s, Price made the trip to Welshpool — and was rewarded with a superb 3–0 win and a 180, showing real class and commitment to his side.
In the doubles, Proctor & Davies sealed their match 2–1 thanks to a superb 108 checkout from Proctor in the deciding leg, before Harding & Cater wrapped up the evening with another 2–1 victory to complete a convincing 6–1 win.
Next week, The Westwood travel to the Owl A, while the Dragon host the Punchbowl in what promises to be another competitive round of fixtures.
In a clash between last season’s two promoted sides, the Pheasant edged out the Owl & Pussycat A 5–2 in a game of fine margins — the legs finishing level at 13–13, but the hosts taking the big moments when it mattered most.
The night began with Mat Knight defeating his Super League teammate Richard Jenkins 3–0 to give the Owl an early lead. Bobby Gough, who was seeking his first win of the season, hit back in style with a 3–1 success to get himself off the mark and level the match. David Knight then restored the Owl’s advantage with a 3–0 victory before the momentum swung dramatically. The meeting between Gareth Ashley and Mark Bellerby — two of the area’s very best players — lived up to the billing, with Ashley edging a thrilling 3–2 contest that featured two 180s from Ashley and one from Bellerby.
That result proved pivotal, as the Pheasant took charge from there. Impressive youngster Billy Evans showed maturity beyond his years to win 3–2 over Joe Jones and put the hosts in front heading into the doubles.
The pairs followed the same pattern, with Richard Jenkins & Evans winning 2–1 before Gough & Ashley sealed the night 2–1 to round off a deserved 5–2 victory — a result that underlines just how competitive both of last season’s promoted teams have become at the top level.
Division 2 – Week 5
Division 2 saw a week of fine margins and shifting momentum at both ends of the table.
The Black Lion edged a tetchy and hard-fought encounter at The Powis Arms, battling to a 4–3 away victory in a match that swung back and forth all evening and kept both sides on edge until the final dart.
The visitors started strongest as Toby Roberts opened with a confident 2–0 win over Keith Scott, and Dan Morgan doubled the lead with a gritty 2–1 success over Simon Richards. The Powis hit back impressively through Konrad Scott, who produced a tidy 2–0 win, and Alan Fessey, who matched that scoreline to bring the contest level at 2–2. With the match finely balanced, Bryn Lewis, enjoying another excellent season, edged Sam Evans 2–1 in a nervy deciding leg to restore the Black’s advantage heading into the doubles.
The opening pairs clash proved decisive as Toby Roberts & Bryn Lewis combined superbly to win 2–1 and secure the match for the visitors. Powis did hit back in the final rubber, with Simon Richards & Alan Fessey winning 2–0 to close the gap — but it was too late to prevent the Lion from taking the points back to Llanfair.
The match had a bit of everything — quality darts, close finishes, and plenty of tension — but the Black Lion’s composure in the key legs told the story. Despite defeat, the Powis A remain comfortably top of Division 2, though their unbeaten record has now come to an end.
The Angel A edged a thrilling contest against the Kings Head B, coming out 4–3 winners in a high-quality match that showcased just how evenly matched these two sides are. The result leaves both teams level on points and joint second in the Division 2 standings.
The home side started brightly through Ben McNicholas, who produced a steady 2–0 win to put Angel ahead. The Kings hit back through Glyn Jones, before the visitors nudged in front when Alex Howard came through a competitive 2–1 victory over Jack Pryce — two players who have both been in fine form and are regarded as among the division’s best natural throwers.
The Angel levelled again thanks to Alistair Williams, who impressed with a composed 2–0 win over Paul Jones, sealing the tie with a superb 118 checkout. Rohan Lloyd then edged a tense 2–1 battle with David Howard to make it 3–2 to the home side after the singles.
The first doubles pairing proved decisive as Ben McNicholas & Dylan Davies combined strongly to win 2–0 and secure the match for Angel A. The Kings Head took the final doubles through Ircol & David Howard, who prevailed 2–1, rounding off a contest that could easily have gone either way.
It was a match full of quality, tension, and fine margins — and with both sides now joint second in the table, the battle near the top of Division 2 is very much alive.
Grapes A produced one of their best displays of the season to defeat the Lion Caerhowel 5–2 at the Grapes, earning a valuable home victory that eases them further away from the lower end of Division 2.
The visitors started brightly through Charlie Weaver, who opened with a confident 2–0 win over Jack Evans. But the home side hit back immediately as Rob Jones edged out Charlie’s dad, Guy “Gooey” Weaver, 2–1 in a tight and entertaining battle. That result shifted the momentum toward the hosts. Scott Jones impressed again with a clinical 2–0 win over Robbie Jenks, while Macauley Nicoll-Davies was unlucky to lose 2–1 against Jed Williams, who produced a fine display capped with a 180. Robbie Davies then gave Grapes the upper hand with a composed 2–0 win over Lewis Thomas, sending them into the doubles 3–2 ahead.
In the pairs, Rob Jones & Robbie Davies combined well to edge a 2–1 win and secure the overall result, before Scott Jones & Kieran Woodward wrapped things up with a comfortable 2–0 victory.
It was a composed and committed performance from Grapes A, who found consistency at key moments to earn the points. The Lion Caerhowel battled well but couldn’t take advantage of their early momentum.
Castle A underlined their status as the best of the rest behind Division 2’s top four, producing a composed and confident away performance to defeat Grapes B 5–2 at the Grapes.
The visitors got off to the perfect start through youngster Morgan Roberts, son of captain Paul Roberts, who showed impressive composure to edge past the very experienced Duncan Cork 2–1 in a high-quality opening tie. John Coulson followed with another narrow 2–1 victory over Andy Ralph, before Shaun Hindmarch — still unbeaten this season and one of the signings of the summer — extended the lead with a commanding 2–0 win over Sean Jones.
Gareth Isaac pulled one back for the hosts with a tidy 2–0 win over Paul Roberts, before Mark Smith got the better of Heather Nudds 2–1 in another entertaining battle.
The Grapes showed real fight in the pairs as Craig Beedles & Heather Nudds combined brilliantly to win 2–1 and secure their side’s second point of the night. However, John Coulson & Mark Smith finished the stronger for Castle, taking the final doubles 2–1 to wrap up a professional 5–2 away victory.
It was another assured team performance from Castle A, whose mix of experience and emerging talent continues to deliver results. The Grapes can take positives but the visitors’ consistency proved the deciding factor.
The Red Lion Misfits edged a tense 4–3 victory away at the Green Dragon C, sealing the match in the deciding doubles after another competitive night of Division 2 action.
The hosts made a perfect start as Andy Bunton continued to impress since joining the Dragon setup, producing a confident 2–0 win over Rhys “Paddle” Evans. The Misfits soon levelled through Liam Williams, who edged past Jake Evans 2–1 in a closely contested tie, before Iwan Williams put the visitors in front with a narrow 2–1 success over Gethin Stephens.
Huw “Burt” Evans extended the Misfits’ advantage with a composed 2–0 win against Ryan Taylor, but Alasdair Moore hit back strongly for the Dragon, beating Rhys “Micra” Evans 2–0 to keep the home side in contention heading into the pairs.
The opening doubles brought the scores level at 3–3 as Gethin Stephens & Andy Bunton combined to take a convincing 2–0 win. That set up a decider, where Liam Williams & Jane Evans held their nerve to win 2–1 and secure the match for the visiting Misfits.
Despite another narrow defeat, there were positives for the Green Dragon C — particularly the form of Bunton and Moore — but the side remains struggling near the foot of the Division 2 table. The Misfits, meanwhile, continue to show resilience in the tight matches that define their season.
Division 3 – Week 5
Division 3 delivered another entertaining round of matches, with the leading pack beginning to separate themselves from the rest.
The Breidden extended their lead at the top of Division 3 to four points with a commanding 6–1 victory away to the Compass B, maintaining their unbeaten start to the season and further strengthening their title credentials.
The visitors got off to the perfect start as Killian Mason edged out new Compass signing Neil Breeze 2–1, before Antony Hilditch and Ian Haigh both produced confident 2–0 wins to give the leaders an early cushion. Lewis Hilditch then added a fourth successive point with another tidy 2–0 display.
The Compass B hit back through John McDonald, who played fourth on the night and delivered a superb 2–1 win over Damon Jones — giving the home side a deserved point and their only success of the evening.
The Breidden, though, reasserted their dominance in the pairs. Antony & Lewis Hilditch combined for a 2–1 victory, before Jones & Haigh sealed the result with a 2–0 win to complete a near-flawless team performance.
Despite the scoreline, there were positives for the hosts — notably a strong debut from Breeze and a battling display from McDonald — but the night ultimately belonged to the league leaders, who look increasingly difficult to catch.
The Angel B maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a confident 5–2 victory away to the Talbot — a result that gives them valuable breathing space in second place, now sitting four points behind leaders the Breidden and four clear of the Horseshoe in third.
The visitors began brightly as Charlie Wines opened with a composed 2–1 win over Andy Fletcher. Harry Gannon doubled the advantage with a solid 2–0 display, before Sophie Jones made it 3–0 with another assured 2–0 victory against Alex Gannon.
The Talbot responded well as Rob Finney produced one of the night’s standout performances to beat Sean Jones 2–0, and John O’Sullivan followed that up with a composed 2–0 win over Leo Weaver to reduce the deficit to 3–2.
However, the doubles belonged firmly to the Angel B. Kyle Biggs & Charlie Wines combined superbly to take a 2–0 win, before Sophie Jones & Harry Gannon sealed the match with another clinical 2–0 result — wrapping up a well-deserved 5–2 triumph.
The Angel B’s unbeaten run continues, and their consistency is fast establishing them as the closest challengers to the runaway leaders. The Talbot, meanwhile, battled well but couldn’t sustain their mid-match fightback against an in-form visiting side.
Castle B produced a superb comeback to edge out one of the division’s in-form sides, defeating the Horseshoe Arddleen 4–3 at the Red Lion after recovering from three singles down.
The visitors looked set for another strong result early on, racing into a 3–0 lead thanks to a trio of confident displays. Colin Emberton opened with a 2–0 win over Steve Allsbrook, before Rob Weston and Rob Edwards each followed up with clinical 2–0 victories to give the Horseshoe complete control.
However, Castle B showed real character to turn the tide. John Lewis pulled one back with a hard-fought 2–1 win over Richard Francis, and Lee Challinor backed that up with a composed 2–0 success against Cam Thomas to bring the hosts back into contention.
With momentum shifting, Castle carried their resurgence into the doubles. Ian Lewis & John Lewis levelled the match with a 2–1 victory over Francis & Edwards, before Lee Challinor & Christine Williams completed the turnaround with a convincing 2–0 win over Weston & Emberton.
It was a statement of resilience from Castle B, who refused to fold against a side that had been one of the division’s most consistent performers in recent weeks. The Horseshoe, meanwhile, will rue letting a dominant position slip away after such a promising start.
The Powis Arms B produced one of the comebacks of the week, fighting back from 3–0 down to defeat the Grapes D4–3 in a dramatic Division 3 encounter at Pool Quay.
The visitors made a brilliant start despite being without their popular mascot Rhys Roberts, who was unavailable on the night. Mark Proctor, finally making his long-awaited debut, opened proceedings with a composed 2–1 win over Elijah Richards to get the Grapes on the board. Gwyn Jones doubled the lead with a confident 2–0 win that included a superb 116 checkout, before the in-form Matt Sherwood made it 3–0 with another assured 2–1 victory over George Scott.
At that point, the Grapes looked set for a comfortable away win — but the Powis had other ideas. Freddie MJ sparked the revival with a battling 2–1 success over Pete Brooks, and Harvey Isaac followed up with a commanding 2–0 display against Martin Gough to narrow the deficit to 3–2.
With momentum firmly shifting, Harry Bonsall & Elijah Richards combined superbly to take a 2–1 doubles win and level the match at 3–3. The comeback was then completed in style as George Scott & Harvey Isaac edged out Jones & Proctor 2–1 in the deciding pairs to seal a memorable 4–3 home victory.
It was a night full of character and quality — the Grapes D will rue letting a 3–0 lead slip, while Powis Arms B’s spirit and resilience carried them over the line in front of a lively Pool Quay crowd.
The Grapes C produced one of their best performances of the season with a 5–2 away victory over the Owl & Pussycat B — a result that lifts them further away from the lower end of the Division 3 table and restores some confidence after recent defeats.
The visitors started strongly through Wiktor Pilinski, who edged a close 2–1 contest with Adam Knight. The hosts levelled when Ajay Taylor continued his good form with a clinical 2–0 win over Callum Bonner, but from there the Grapes began to assert control.
Captain and talisman Colin Quinn led by example with a composed 2–0 victory, followed by a dominant 2–0 win from Blake Price, giving the visitors a 3–1 advantage. Jacob Schofield pulled one back for the Owl B with a battling 2–1 win over Alfie Robinson-Harding, but the Grapes finished the night strongly in the pairs.
Pilinski & Quinn combined effectively to take a 2–1 win, before Robinson-Harding & Blake Price wrapped up the evening with a 2–0 victory to secure the overall 5–2 result.
It was a determined and composed performance from the Grapes C, with their captain Quinn once again leading from the front. The Owl B showed flashes of promise, particularly through Taylor and Schofield, but couldn’t convert their singles success into points in the doubles.
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