Willoughby close to 'The Big Fish' in Ballinalack victory
Westmeath Darts League
It may be a new year but as the restart of the Westmeath Darts League showed us this week, the top sides in both sections don't have any resolutions made to give up ground on their rivals as Kerrigan's, the Beech Tree and Wagon Wheel all consolidated their positions at the top of their respective sections on Friday night.
We begin the week's action in Mullingar as Kerrigan's defeated Bagnall's A, 7-2. Having led 2-1 going into the singles, Kerrigan's took the next five games, only dropping two legs in the process. Special mentions for Brandon Gilsenan who took out 118 in his game against Charlie Guinan. Bagnall's took the ninth game of the night through Jason Matthews on his return to the side and for Dave Hamilton's charges, they will head back to Rochfortbridge fifth in the table.
Number two faced #3 in Streamstown as Beech Tree defeated Maypole 6-3 on the night to keep themselves firmly in the top two placings. Chris Connor/Niall Boland's doubles win put the home side 2-1 up and when Connor defied a 180 from Derek Delaney to win his game, making it 3-1, the Beech would have been forgiven to think they were coasting. To the Maypole's credit, Andy Price and Barry Kiernan then took games five and six to leave the score level going into the final three matches which Johnny Broughton, Graeme Corcoran and Ian Meares all took for the Beech Tree to give them a 6-3 win. Maypole move down a spot to #4 on the rankings.
The final game of the Championship was in Ballinalack as Bridge Bar travelled to Western Gem. Chris Cole's D18 put the 'Gem' 2-1 up in the doubles before Kevin Gilmore levelled things up with a 3-1 win over Ger Brennan. Chris Cole took on Matthew Willoughby in game five and started well, going 1-0 up in 21 darts. Matthew levelled up in 20 in the second leg. With Chris sitting on 161 in the third leg, Willoughby produced a 120 checkout (Treble/Singles/Double 20) for a 15 darter and duly followed it up by leaving 170 after nine darts in the forth leg, including a 180 shot.
With both 60s hit the bull was wired for what would have been an unbelievable 170 finish. He duly cleaned up the 25 remaining for his second 15 darter of the night to put his side 3-2 up. Not to be outdone, Damien Kelly hit a 14 darter in his 3-1 win over Sean Ward before Bilal Moran put the 'Gem' back into the lead with a 3-1 win over Rory Matthews, who himself took out 126 (Treble 20, Treble 16, Double 9). Matt Cullen Jnr came back from 2-0 down against Andrew McCormack to level up the game at 4-4 and saw both players hit 180s before Jim-Bob Baker defeated Keith Kilduff in game nine to give the Mullingar side the win and put them back up to #3 in the rankings.
Shield
The WDL Shield action began with a bang as McHugh's defeated Bagnall's B 7-2 in Rochfortbridge. Sean Gaffney's 3-1 win over Stuart Hayes one of many good performances from the Raharney side as they stay in the #2 spot. Shamrocks made great inroads in moving up the table with an 8-1 win over Tom's Bar which saw James Joyce's 180 as a highlight on the night as they move into the #3 spot just behind McHugh's.
The Wagon Wheel faced off against Clarke's Bar at home in the tie of the round within the Shield Standings and took a 2-1 lead with them into the singles portion of the night. Jack Doran was good, but Tom Crowe was excellent as he levelled things for Clarke's with a 3-2 win. Padraig White edged out Jason Masterson and then came the key moment as Wayne Kelly denied Killian Kelly, giving the home side momentum. Derek Maguire followed up against Damien Maher to secure the victory.
A rousing finish from Clarke’s saw Terry Kelly and Allen Gilgan win, the latter’s impressive scoring denying Tommy Murtagh in the finale. Overall, The Wagon Wheel were stronger, but Clarke's will take some consolation from their effort and the Shield table is tighter than it was before.
WDL Championship Standings after Week 12 - Sponsored by Stephen Lynn & Co Accountants/Auditors
Kerrigan's 80, Beech Tree 74, Bridge Bar 62, Maypole 61, Bagnall’s A 59, Western Gem 55.
WDL Shield Standings after Week 12 - Sponsored by McNamee Tyres
Wagon Wheel 54, McHugh's 49, Shamrocks 47, Clarke's 44, Bagnall's B 37, Tom's Bar 25.
WDL Week 13 Preview
The next round is fixed to be played January 23 as league takes a rest due to the Leinster competition.
Maypole vs Western Gem - Maypole likely to get revenge on the 'Gem' for their double victory in the first half of the league - Maypole 6-3
Beech Tree vs Bagnall's A - A repeat scoreline of their Phase 1 meeting is likely, but with a few bodies back for Bagnall's, could be closer - Beech Tree 6-3
Bridge Bar vs Kerrigan's - The last Mullingar derby of the season, but likely a similar story to the above results in favour of the Champions - Kerrigan's 6-3
McHugh's vs Wagon Wheel - McHugh's to run the 'WW' close, but a greater strength in depth in the last three singles should give them the W - Wagon Wheel 5-4
Bagnall's B vs Tom's Bar - Bagnall's need to win and win big to still be in with a shout of a home knockout game, for Tom's this is their best chance to get a W this season - Bagnall's B 5-4
Shamrocks vs Clarke's - Winner of this tie should have enough to push onto a top 2 spot in the league - Clarke’s 5-4
League Sponsors Shoutout
The WDL committee can confirm that J.A. Shaw & Co. LLP Solicitors have come on board as the sponsor of this year's WDL Singles, Doubles and Player of the Match awards for all three finals year. Continued thanks is given to Stephen Lynn & Co Accountants/Auditors, McNamee Tyres and Geerah's Daybreak Ballinalack for their sponsorship and support for this year Westmeath Darts League also.