Darts: Monkeys mean business

May 1 2008 by Our Correspondent, Merthyr Express

Merthyr Borough Sunday Night Darts League

Horse and Groom Stallions 5
Morlais Tavern Monkeys 6

THE unbeaten Stallions hosted bottom of the table and winless Morlais Monkeys in a match that on paper should have been a massacre.

But the Monkeys threw in some banana skins to upset the league favourites.

The Monkeys raced into a 2-0 lead after the triples. Ralph Roberts and Paul Crump then made it 3-0. Ian Evans and Paula Jones won the next to give the Monkeys a 4-0 lead.

Adrian Thomas and Brian Nicholas won the final double to cut the deficit to 4-1. The fightback continued as Steve Nicholas won the opening singles and teammate Steve Thomas made it 4-3.

But Paul Crump increased the lead to 5-3 before wins for Martyn Williams and Teg Powell levelled the match at 5-5.

A tense final leg saw Ralph Roberts edge out Tim Slimmon to cause one of the biggest upsets in the league’s history.

Richards Arms Crusaders 0
Baili Glas Bulldogs 11

THE Bulldogs are top of the league after inflicting the first whitewash of the season.

Graham Price’s maximum was to no avail as Kevin Roberts helped the Bulldogs to a 5-0 lead after the triples and doubles.

The Bulldogs then won all six singles thanks to wins for Kevin Roberts, Alan Mee, Craig Maycock, Jason Baynham, Mark Virgin and Tony Benbow.

Martyrs Club Saints 2
Merthyr Ex Magicians 9

THE Magicians led 2-0 after the triples. Roy Phillips and Gerald Hickey pulled a leg back for the Saints before wins for Ron Morgan/John Thomas and Tony Williams/John Donovan made it 4-1.

Nathan Sutton won the opening singles to make it 5-1 and further wins for Ron Morgan and John Donovan made it 8-1.

Hickey beat Cled Jones to make it 8-2 and a last leg win for Tony Williams made the final score 9-2.

Heolgerrig Club Hawks 3
Hills Plymouth Goonies 8

THE Goonies won both triples legs. Jason Woodford/Phil Lewis and Dean Lewis/Eddie Jones then made it 4-0.

Gareth Davies and Gary Watkins won the next to give the Hawks their first leg.

Wins for Keith Harnedy and Jason Woodford made it 6-1. Meirion Evans pulled a leg back for the Hawks only for Dean Lewis to make it 7-2.

Dafydd Rees then made it 7-3 before Phil Lewis won the final leg to give the Goonies an 8-3 victory.

Troedyrhiw Ex Titans 9
Pentrebach Labour Lions 2

THE triples legs were shared before Dai Winter and Tony Galliers gave the Titans a 2-1 lead.

Further wins for Gary Champion/Glen Kitchen and Paul Thomas/Billy Williams made it 4-1.

Dai Winter won the opening singles to make it 5-1. Maximum for Champion and a win for Galliers made the score 7-1. Chris Lewis beat Kitchen to make it 7-2. Further wins for Thomas and Williams made the final score 9-2.