Greville’s 155 helps Clarke’s edge ahead in semi-final race

Westmeath Darts League

The headline game from Round 14 of this year's WDL came in Mullingar where Clarke's Bar hosted McHugh's, Raharney, in the Shield. Number two faced #3 in the rankings and with similar opponents to come in round 15/16, it was a crucial match to decide who would take that coveted #2 home semi-final spot.

It was a close, high quality match that could have gone either way, but Clarke's found something extra to take a 6-3 victory. McHugh's landed the first doubles game through Sean Gaffney/Conor Raleigh before Tommy Greville took out an incredible 155 finish (treble 20, treble 19, double 19) to level things up. It was a stunning finish from a great game. Killian Kelly wired the bullseye for a 126 checkout before Davey Gilgan's finish made it 2-1 to Clarke's.

Gaffney won his second game of the night defeating Tom Crowe 3-1 before games 5/6 were shared to leave the scoreline 3-3 on the night. Terry Kelly took Game 7 (3-1) against Aaron McHugh, defying a 95 checkout (19, double 18, double 20), responding with a 180 and a 140 in the final leg. Allen Gilgan broke the darts in game 8 against Colm McKeogh to give Clarke's the win. Loughlin McHugh threw everything at Damien Maher in a great last game, including a 180, but Maher prevailed, giving Clarke's six points and a firm grip on #2 with two games to spare. For a Shield match, this had a bit of everything and there's very little between the two teams if, as expected, they meet later.

With McHugh's denied, Mullingar Shamrocks had the chance to close the gap at home to Bagnall's B. In an even back and forth game there was only one break of throw across the nine matches with Stuart Hayes/Michael Greaves winning their doubles match. Stuart along with Jack Murphy and Jason Bradley with the singles wins for Bagnall's with Darragh McCormack, Billy Conway and Dillon Matthews getting the W's for Shamrocks, Dillon showcasing his good form taking out 219 in 5 darts (180, Single 7, Double 16) on the way to his win.

The Wagon Wheel, Ballynacargy, are all but guaranteed their passage to a home semi-final with a 9-0 win over Tom's Bar. Tom's could and maybe should have taken a couple of the doubles matches but the 'WW' showcased their strength and experience after that in the singles portion of the night, and will be hard beaten in this section come play-off time.

Bagnall's A recovered after a couple of tough weeks at home to the Bridge Bar, taking a 5-4 win and pulling themselves back in contention again for a home game in the eliminator section of the league. Riaghan Grimes/Dave Hamilton put Bagnall's on the front foot with a 20 dart 701 leg before the Bridge Bar took two of the three singles games to level the score at 3-3 on the night, Johnny Daly pitched in a 180 in his win over Rory Matthews in game 7 and Riaghan Grimes came back for this second win of the night against Jamie Nugent. Matthew Willoughby ensured the 'BB' came away with 4 points on the night in the last game as the table continues to tighten up.

Beech Tree continued their strong season with a 6-3 game away from home to Western Gem. The away side led 2-1 after the doubles portion before Johnny Broughton made it 3-1. Keith Kilduff took out 89 (treble 19, double 16) in his win over Tom Moran to bring it back to 3-2 before Mark Corrigan and Damien Kelly took to the oche for the second time this season. What followed was a similar standard to their first meeting before Christmas with Mark taking a 3-1 win, hitting two 17 darters and checking out 72 as well. Damien to his credit with a 72 outshot also. Graeme Corcoran made sure of the win for the Beech before Ian Meares got the better of Jason Ford in five legs to leave the Beech needing 4 points from their last two games to qualify for a home semi-final.

The final game of Round 14 was postponed between Maypole/Kerrigan's, with this fixture and the semi-final of the Paddy Gilgan Memorial Cup between Beech Tree/Kerrigan's to be played by February 6.

WDL Championship Standings after Week 14 - Sponsored by Stephen Lynn & Co Accountants/Auditors

Kerrigan’s 88, Beech Tree 86, Bagnall’s A 67, Bridge Bar 67, Maypole 65, Western Gem 63

WDL Shield Standings after Week 14 - Sponsored by McNamee Tyres

Wagon Wheel 69, Clarke’s 57, McHugh’s 55, Shamrocks 53, Bagnall’s B 50, Tom's Bar 26

League sponsors

Continued thanks is given to Stephen Lynn & Co Accountants/Auditors, McNamee Tyres, J.A. Shaw & Co. LLP Solicitors and Geerah's Daybreak Ballinalack for their sponsorship and support for this year's league.