Battle for sixth spot goes to the final week

Westmeath Darts League

With 10 weeks gone, 90 games played and countless hit/missed doubles over this period, the race for top six will come down to week 11 as the battle back and forth between Western Gem and Wagon Wheel took yet another turn on Friday night, in the Westmeath Darts League.

The Ballynacargy side travelled to Mullingar to face the Bridge Bar two points ahead of Western Gem (Ballinalack), and looking to extend that gap, only to find themselves 2-1 down after the doubles: Jim-Bob Baker/Matt Cullen Snr ensured the home side went into the singles in the lead. Cullen Jnr and Matthew Willoughby extended the 'BB' lead to 4-1, Willoughby coming out the right side of a 3-2 win against Derek Maguire before Shane Doran took the sixth game of the night.

At 4-2 and the game in the balance, it was Cullen's men who took the win as Kevin Gilmore, Baker and Sean Ward secured the last three games to leave them in third place and the Wagon Wheel down to seventh on 44 points.

The Western Gem took on Bagnall's A in a game that historically has always had some spice to it down the years and Friday night's game was no different. The 'Gem' came out of the traps quickly going 2-0 up before Charlie Guinan's double 9 finsh gave Bagnall's a foothold in the game. Darragh Mullen's 117 checkout (T20, 17, D20) was in vain as Chris Cole broke the fifth leg of their singles match in 20 darts to bring his side 3-1 up. That became 4-1 as Damien Kelly provided solidity before Jayzer Moran and Ger Forde hit back for Bagnall's, Jayzer with a 180 earlier in the night also.

With the game at 4-3 and firmly in the balance, Riaghan Grimes took a 2-1 lead over Andy McCormack only for the Ballinalack man to bring it to a fifth leg. In a tie where both players missed doubles, it was Andy who took the win, 3-2, on double tops. Keith Kilduff rounded out the night with a win over Charlie Guinan to leapfrog the Wagon Wheel into sixth place on 46 points and put themselves one foot into the Championship section of Phase 2.

Elsewhere, Maypole (Collinstown) travelled to Kerrigan's (Mullingar) looking to put a 'Q' beside their name, but came up short, 6-3, in a game which was 15-14 in legs to the home side. Maypole started strongly, going 1-0 up before Kerrigan's took the next four games: Aidan Reilly defeating Alan McManus 3-2 and Michael Raleigh getting the better of Andy Price by the same scoreline. Derek Delaney continued his good league form with a 3-1 win before Mickey McKnight and Brandon Gilsenan made sure of the win for Kerrigan's.

Maypole sit eight points clear of seventh place and only a 9-0 defeat this Friday night will stop them from taking their place in the Championship for Phase 2.

Meanwhile, the Beech Tree (Streamstown) travelled to Bagnall's B (Rochfortbridge) for what can only be described as a game of two halves. Bagnall's led 3-0 after the doubles only for the #2 ranked side to rally and take all of the six singles games. Game of the night was Willie Moran's 3-2 win over Jason Bradley. This win consolidated Beech Tree's second place and with a home game to the Bridge Bar to come this week, they will aim to finish off phase one with a bang to set themselves up for the restart in January.

Meanwhile, Clarke's Bar, Mullingar, had a come from behind win over Shamrocks in their derby clash on Thursday to keep themselves in the hunt of a high seeding in the Shield placing. Clarke's led 3-1 from the first four games after Damien Maher took the opening singles, helped by a 177 shot. However, Darragh McCormack, James Joyce and Dillon Matthews put Shamrocks in the lead despite Davey Gilgan's 180 and Mel Kavanagh's 102 checkout. James Joyce caught the eye with some impressive scoring and he's certainly a promising young darts player.

Experience counted too on the night. Tom Crowe reeled back the years for the home side with a vintage 3-0 win over Zak Coyne before the two captains collided in the ninth and final game, with Allen Gilgan defeating Joe Farrelly to give Clarke's their fourth win of the season.

The final game of week 10 was the Raharney/Killucan derby between McHugh's and Tom's Bar, showcasing another back and forth battle on the dartboard. The first five games all went with throw as McHugh's led 3-2. Pete Doyle then broke throw in the sixth game to put them 4-2 up and at this point you would presume they would see out the victory. Tom's had something else to say on the matter as Del McKeogh (playing against his old team) defeated Aaron McHugh before Niall Kane (also against his old team) got the better of Colm McKeogh, 3-2, to bring the game level.

The last match was level at 1-1 between Loughlin McHugh and Mick Riggs before Loughlin took the next two to confirm the win for the Raharney side. McHugh's remain in ninth but just one point behind Clarke's in eighth for that home semi-final seeding.

WDL Table after Week 10 - Sponsored by Stephen Lynn & Co Accountants/Auditors

Kerrigans 65, Beech Tree 61, Bridge Bar 55, Maypole 52, Bagnalls A 51, Western Gem 46, Wagon Wheel 44, Clarkes 39, McHughs 38, Shamrocks 32, Bagnalls B 31, Tom's Bar 22

WDL Week 11 Preview

Kerrigan's vs Clarke's (#1 vs #8) - A repeat of the prelim round of the cup. The home side won that game 6-2 and a similar result would be par for the course. Prediction 6-3 Kerrigan's.

McHughs vs Bagnalls A (#9 vs #5) - After a couple of up/down weeks for Bagnalls A they head to Raharney in need of a result to lock in their Top 6 placing. McHughs are starting to put a run together and will provide a tough test. Prediction 5-4 Bagnall's A.

Wagon Wheel vs Maypole (#4 vs #7) - The 'WW' need to win and win big to have any chance of claiming the coveted sixth place in the Championship rankings. Barry Kiernan's side are still on the outside looking in for the Top 2 and won't let up. Prediction 5-4 Maypole.

Bagnall's B vs Western Gem (#6 vs #11) - The 'Gem' go into this game knowing that a win will likely seal 6th place for them. Bagnalls B are showing they are a danger in the Doubles portion of the night though. Prediction 6-3 Western Gem.

Beech Tree vs Bridge Bar (#2 vs #3) - With both sides qualified for Phase 2 their focus turns to getting as high a seeding as possible and laying down a marker for the restart in January. Prediction 6-3 Beech Tree.

Tom's Bar vs Shamrocks (#12 vs #10) - Shamrocks come into this game needing a win to keep in touch with the top seeds in the Shield, while Tom's will be looking to take one more game than last week and get their first win of the season. Prediction 5-4 Shamrocks.

Sponsors shoutout

The WDL committee would like to once again thank Stephen Lynn & Co Accountants/Auditors, McNamee Tyres and Geerah's Daybreak Ballinalack for their sponsorship and support for this year's Westmeath Darts League.

Condolences

The WDL committee would like to pass on their condolences to the family of Ollie Crum, who passed away last week. Ollie was a former member of the Western Gem Darts team in the late 90s/early 2000s playing alongside his son's Brian and John, while two of his grandchildren are currently involved in the Westmeath Youths system. May he rest in peace.