'Big guns' roar on opening night

Multiple champions Drifters fired out an ominous warning as they whitewashed an out-of-sorts Greenhills Bar, while BT/PO – for so long the 'bridesmaids' – openintg their campaign with a home win over Diamond Bar.

Towers Tavern, who have assembled an increasingly stronger panel in recent seasons and who are being tipped as possible dark horses, won at Social Club,

Newly-promoted Ladysmith got their campaign off to a winning start at Fountain Arrows, whose clubmates Fountain Bar lost to Clough Rangers.

In Logan's Removals Division Two, where Moat Bar withdrew on the eve of the season, the ladies of Central Swifts grabbed an opening night point against Minnesota, after trailing 4-1 at one stage.

Two new teams caught the eye with Slemish Tavern – who already have the Fountain Cup under their belts – beating Hrose and Jockey, while Michelin overcame Buffs Club.

The best individual performance of the week was a 16-dart leg from Geffrey Matthews (Drifters), followed by: 17 - John Elder, Sammy Balmer; 18 - Geoff Matthews, John Elder, Rodney Thompson; 19 - Davy Martin, Geoff McIlveen, Noel Craig, Freed McDowell; 20 - Joey Douglas, Ryan Gault, Geoff McIlveen, Derek Campbell, Arthur Kenny, Bobby Carson; 21 - Trevor Johnston.

John Elder (Drifters) had the best finish with a 118 checkout, while Ian Rainey (Diamond), Colin McCaughren (Towers), Leonard McKeegan (Greenhills), Darnell McCrory, Paul Rock and John Elder (Drifters) all his 180s.

GALLAHER DIVISION ONE

Greenhills Bar 0, Drifters 8: Drifters - Geoff Wylie (23-22) 2-0, Davy Martin (23-19) 2-0, John Elder (18-17) 180 118 finish 2-0, Ashley Rainey 2-0, Geoff Matthews (16-18) 2-0, Davy McFall 2-0, Darnell McCrory 180 2-0, Paul Rock 180 2-0.

BT/PO Club 6, Diamond Bar 2: BT/PO - Glenn Gilmour 2-1, Geoff McIlveen (20-19) 2-1, Tom Wallace (23) 2-0, John Bamber 2-1, Billy Gay 2-1, Mike Stubbs 2-0. Diamond - John Robinson 2-0, Derek Rainey 2-1.

Fountain Bar 3, Clough Rangers 5: Fountain - Alan Mills 2-1, Jack Russell 2-0, Jerome Carson 2-0. Clough - Darwin McAllister 2-1, Jimmy Finlay 2-1, Roy Gilchrist (23) 2-0, Darren McAuley 2-1, Rab Lynn 2-0.

Social Club 3, Towers Tavern 5: Social - Rodney Thompson (18) 2-1, James Carlisle 2-0, Sammy Balmer (17) 2-1. Towers - Trevor Johnston (21) 2-0, Fred McDowell (19-23) 2-1, Billy McDowell (22) 2-0, Colin McCaughren (2) 180 2-1, Noel Craig (19) 2-0.

Fountain Arrows 3, Ladysmith 5: Arrows - Graham Mills 2-0, Joey Douglas (20) 2-0, Robert Beggs 2-1. Ladysmith - Derek Connor (22) 2-1, Lee Fleming 2-1, Davy Wilson 2-0, Davy Graham 2-0, James Elder 2-1.

LOGAN'S REMOVALS DIVISION TWO

Slemish Tavern 6, Horse & Jockey 2: Slemish - George Barr (23) 2-0, Joe Kidd 2-0, Chris Ramsey 2-0, Noel Kidd 2-1, Adie Graham 2-0, Steven McClain 2-1. H&J - Hugh Finlay 2-0, Darren Nelson (24) 2-0.

Coach Bar 2, Central Arms 6: Coach - Paul McCaughren (20-21) 2-0, Dean Robinson 2-0. Central - Sammy Greer 2-0, Trevor McFall 2-0, Neil Marshall 2-0, Davy McFall 2-1, Steven Eaton 2-0.

Michelin Club 5, Buffs Club 3: Michelin - DJ Armstrong 2-0, Brian Hannah 2-0, Bobby Carson (20-22) 2-0, Clifford Marcus 2-0, Robert McCann 2-0. Buffs - Alan Service (23) 2-0, Jimmy Carson 2-1, Arthur Kenny (20) 2-0.

Central Swifts 4, Minnesota Club 4: Swifts - Danielle Robinson 2-0, Donna Service 2-0, Irene Lowry 2-0, Beverley Rainey 2-1. Minnesota - David Allen 2-0, Brian Hannaway 2-0, Shaun Hannaway 2-0, Johnny Colville 2-0.

FIXTURES

Matches this Friday, October 1, are:

Gallaher Division One: Fountain Arrows v Greenhills Bar; Ladysmith v BT/PO Club; Drifters v Fountain Bar; Diamond Bar v Towers Tavern; Clough Rangers v Social Club.

Logan's Removals Division Two: Central Arms v Slemish Tavern; Buffs Club v Horse & Jockey; Minnesota Club v Michelin Club; Central Swifts v Knockeden Lodge. Bye - Coach Bar.

REMINDER

All teams should now have registration sheets which must be handed in at the next meeting along with all Registration Fees 3.50 per player and Charity Money also any out-standing monies owed for raffles

The next meeting of the BHDDL will be held on Monday, October 4, at 8.25pm in the BT/PO Club.