Sperrin Flights look to retain Cup

The first round’s of the Top and Bottom Cups were played on Friday night with teams battling it out for a place in the semi-finals in this double-in, double-out competition.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Dec 2012, 08:44 BST

Thatch Bar and Berthas both got byes in the Top Cup to see them safely through while last years winners the Sperrin Flights hosted the Villa Swifts. Joe McLaughlin (140, 2x100) gave the Sperrin the early lead here before the Swifts went 2-1 up through William McKendry (140, 100) and Gerald Dallas (3x100, 120 finish). Brian O’Neill (125, 100) then levelled for the Sperrin defeating Damian Norton (140, 139, 131, 120, 2x100, 20 darts) who just couldn’t find that all important double. Davy Glenn (2x140, 135, 18 darts) put in a man of the match performance to restore the Swifts advantage before Gary Watton (121, 3x100) levelled once more for the Sperrin. The Sperrin then took the advantage through Barry McLaughlin (135, 2x100) before Alan Boyd (140, 2x100) sealed victory for the Sperrin Flights.

The other game in the Top Cup saw Villa travel to Scotch House for the second week running with the Scotch House looking to avenge two defeats to the Villa already this year. Jimmy Elliott (140, 121) gave the home side the lead before Pearse McGarry (3x100) put in another solid performance to level the match. Villa captain Philip Moffitt took the next game followed by Michael Sweeney (140) to put Villa into a commanding 3-1 lead. Jarlath McGarry (140, 100) extended that lead before Man of the Match Rodney Kane (140, 2x121, 2x100, 14 darts) sent Villa into the semi-finals. Paddy Coyles (2x121, 100) made it 6-1 before one of young Talents in the league Scott Craig (140, 100, 110 finish) pulled one back for the home side, Keith Gibson (100, 90 finish) then wrapped the game up as Villa won 7-2.

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In the Bottom Cup Social Club and last year’s winners Floyds A had the byes, Railway Arms who only had eight players hosted an understrength Cooleys team who only had five players giving the home side a 3-0 advantage straight away. Railway Arms quickly booked their place in the semi-finals when Aaron Hall (116) won to make it 4-0 followed by Player of the Week Kevin Scanlon (120, 6x100, 15 & 19 darts) who has struggled to find the form this year that saw him win the Thursday Night Individuals last year showed that he is on his back. Chris Murray (121, 2x100) took the next for the home team before Eugene Doherty (137, 134, 133) won a consolation game for the visitors. Ali Owens (116, 100) then wrapped up the match to give Railway Arms a 7-1 victory.

In the other Bottom Cup game Kellys Inn hosted Floyds B with the home team easily booking their place in the semi-finals winning 5-0 with wins coming from Jason McNeill followed by Shaun Mullan and Simon Gibson before Danny McLaughlin and then John Darragh sealed victory for Kellys Inn.

Best Individual Legs this Week: 14 - Rodney Kane (Villa); 15 - Kevin Scanlon (Railway Arms); 18 - Davy Glenn (Villa Swifts); 19 - Kevin Scanlon (Railway Arms); 20 - Damian Norton (Villa Swifts)

Highest Checkouts this Week: 120 - Gerald Dallas (Villa Swifts); 110 - Scott Craig (Scotch House); 90 - Keith Gibson (Villa)

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Teams will return to League games this coming Friday (December 21st) for round 14 of the League Calendar before the League takes a break for the Christmas Holidays.

Fixtures Friday 21 December:

Social Club v Villa Swifts

Floyds B v Berthas

Kellys Inn v Floyds A

Thatch v Scotch House

Villa v Railway Arms

Cooleys v Sperrin Flights