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League hit by New Inn’s withdrawal

John Gwynne
10/11/2005

Darts

THE Middleton Monday Darts and Crib League has been hit by the withdrawal from the competition of the New Inn just seven matches into the 2005/06 season.

They had failed to turn up to a couple of fixtures and were clearly struggling to raise a team.

"It's a pity and a nuisance," secretary Eugene Goan said. "We have to expunge their record and are left with 11 teams in the league."

At least the 'odd' team will have a match each week because the Wilton, who have made enquiries about joining the league, will play a match against the team with a bye on a friendly basis.

After last week's matches and taking into account the modifications to the table as a result of the New Inn leaving, the Gardeners, Sandy Lane, head both the aggregate table and the darts table but they are in second place in the crib contest, just behind the Old Cock.

Boarshaw Working Men's Club lost their unbeaten record in the Middleton Thursday League when they were defeated by 5-2 by the Kings last week. Kings lead the first division by four points from Boarshaw.

Cotton Tree are a further point away in third after they suffered defeat for the first time, also 5-2, at the hands of fourth-placed Railway and Linnet.

Second Division leaders Apple and Pear are the only unbeaten team in the league. Mark Holden's 13-darter was best in their 5-2 win at the Victoria, the score by which the Millbeck beat the Lancashire Fold, the only team in the two divisions yet to win a game.