Kerrigan's lose at home as two sides confirm top seedings

Westmeath Darts League week 14

The penultimate round of this year's WDL or 'Moving Day' as it has been called in other sports brought us a set of results that still leave more questions than answers across the league, allowing for Beech Tree, Streamstown, and Wagon Wheel, Ballynacargy, to confirm their places in the semi-finals of the championship and shield.

One of the performances of the round came from the Ballynacargy side, including a couple of 180s and a brilliant 152 finish.

#1 Kerrigan's, Mullingar, took on #6 Western Gem, Ballinalack, in a game that most around the league had down for the home side before a dart was thrown. At 2-1 up going into the singles portion of the night, most teams may have felt satisfied, but the 'Gem' had bigger ambitions and a surprise was in store. Ger Brennan took the fight to Aidan Reilly and defeated him 3-1 before Jason Ford went 100% on his doubles in his win over Paul Mooney.

Seamus Mullen took out Michael Raleigh 3-1 in Game 6 to send the Ballinalack side 4-2 up on the night but there was another turn in store on the night as Sylvester Keane won his game 3-0 against Chris Cole to halt momentum, throwing two 180s, having a third bounce out and legs of 15 and 18 darts in his win. This left both results wide open in game eight between Brandon Gilsenan and Damien Kelly who carried on from the previous game standard wise.

Damien went 1-0 up with a 72 checkout (treble 8, single 8, double 20) before Brandon levelled on double 20: Damien countered with another double 20 of his own before Brandon hit double 4 to send it to a last leg shootout. With pressure showing on the scores thrown, Damien clipped D12 for a 78 checkout to ensure the Western Gem of victory on the night. Keith Mahon added a mixture of high scoring and clinical finishing in game 9 to leave the final result 5-4 to the away side.

The Beech road show marches on

The Beech Tree confirmed their semi-final seeding with a strong 6-3 win away to Bridge Bar, Mullingar: 2-1 up after the doubles became 4-1 as Johnny Broughton/Mark Corrigan won their games in five legs. Rory Matthews and Jamie Nugent got the 'BB' up to three points on the night, but Ian Meares/Donie Boland ensured the Streamstown side continued their mark for a first League final.

Maypole too good for Bagnall's A

The final game in the championship saw Maypole, Collinstown, all but give themselves a home eliminator game with a 7-2 win at home to Bagnall's A, Rochfortbridge. Key to the victory was the fast start in the doubles going 3-0 up before Jason Matthews got Bagnall's on board in the first singles game. Andy Price took out 88 on the bull in his win before Jayzer Moran hit a 111 finish to help bring things back to 5-2 on the night against Derek Delaney. That was as good as it got for Bagnall's, however, as a 14-darter from Barry Kiernan and a strong last leg from Gerry Devereaux ensured Maypole's position as the #3 side. They only need two points in their last game to confirm this seeding.

Shield - 'WW' into the semi-finals

The Wagon Wheel have officially qualified for a home Semi-Final in the Shield with a 7-2 win over Bagnall's B in Rochfortbridge. The 'WW' went 5-0 up including 180s for Joe Crotty and Ben Wilson and a super 152 checkout from Padraig White (treble 20, treble 20, double 16) before Michael Greaves (with the help of a 180) and Craig Hayes got Bagnall's on the board. The reliable 8/9 combination of Gerry Keon/Thomas Murtagh ensured victory for the #1 seeds and they will be hot favourites come March 13 in their semi-final.

Elsewhere, Clarke's Bar have one foot into a home semi-final of their own as well with a 7-2 win over Tom's Bar in Killucan. Clarke's went 3-1 up before Niall Kane got the home side back to 3-2 with a win over Tom Crowe. That was as good as it got for them on the night as Davey Gilgan took out 75 and wired the bull for a 167 checkout in a game that included a 180 from Mark Shields. It was a tight, tense affair, one that seemed to stoke up a renewed Clarke's effort. Terry Kelly picked off a terrific 174 setup shot in his win over the every dangerous Del McKeogh and all the Mullingar side need is four points in their final game to ensure #2 seedings.

If Clarke's do slip up, McHugh's, Raharney, will be waiting to pounce as they overcame Shamrocks with a 6-3 win away from home where they led early on and managed to stay ahead. Key to the victory on the night was Sean Gaffney's win over James Joyce at the start of the singles and Pete Doyle defeating Joe Farrelly in five legs also. Darragh McCormack ensured the game would go to 8/9 where it was the Raharney duo of Colm McKeogh/Loughlin McHugh that had enough to keep McHugh's in #3 and all to play for against Tom's Bar in round 16.

WDL Round 16 Fixtures

Beech Tree vs Kerrigan's, Bagnall's A vs Western Gem, Bridge Bar vs Maypole, Wagon Wheel vs Shamrocks, Tom's Bar vs McHugh's, Clarke's Bar vs Bagnall's B

WDL Championship Standings after Week 15 - Sponsored by Stephen Lynn & Co Accountants/Auditors

Kerrigan's 96, Beech Tree 92, Maypole 77, Bridge Bar 70, Bagnall's A 69, Western Gem 68

WDL Shield Standings after Week 15 - Sponsored by McNamee Tyres

Wagon Wheel 76, Clarke's Bar 64, McHugh's 61, Shamrocks 56, Bagnall's B 52, Tom's Bar 28

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 Westmeath Darts League also.