Local players step back to the oche

It’s back to the oche on Friday night as the Westmeath Darts League (WDL) returns following a break for the Leinster Championships.

There’s a couple of big Mullingar derbies to look forward to in the championship and shield, with The Bridge Bar taking on Kerrigan’s, who are leading the way, 18 points clear of Matt Cullen’s side, who sit in third spot before tonight’s game. The Bridge Bar come into the match on the back of a good 5-4 win over The Western Gem in Ballinalack in the previous round, while Kerrigan’s had an arguably more impressive result (7-2) against Bagnall’s ‘A’ and look a stronger outfit.

The other Mullingar clash comes in the shield, where Mullingar Shamrocks host Clarke’s Bar and this is a very interesting match in the race for third place: Shamrocks looked like a team with great potential when the sides met earlier, but Clarke’s have shown glimpses of their best form at different times and they will aim to reproduce that.

The Wagon Wheel and McHugh’s occupy the top two places in the shield and are the more established teams. A 5-4 win either way when they meet this evening in Raharney keeps the two sides well on course.

County players are expected to return from inter county duty even stronger than before and that means the likes of The Beach Tree and The Maypole could kick on in this round. It means The Western Gem and Bagnall’s ‘A’, their respective opponents, will have to produce some great darts to turn the tables.

Meanwhile, Carlow are surely the undisputed kings of Leinster darts after winning the men's, ladies and youths Leinster Championship titles.

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 - Championship

Beech Tree vs Bagnall's A: It could be a repeat scoreline of their Phase 1 meeting, but with a few bodies back for Bagnall's, may 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

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

Shield

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 two spot in the league - Clarke’s 5-4