RHP Ladies are still in the race to win the Newark and District Double Board Darts League’s ladies’ subsidiary cup for the first time after they edged home 9-6 against an understrength King’s Queens in their semi-final.
With the other semi-final between in-house rivals Caffs Ladies and Falcoholics being postponed until April 3 and the men’s league being finished apart from one re-arranged league match, the clash between RHP and The King’s Arms team was the only match to be played but it turned out to be a thrilling encounter, despite the latter playing with a player short.
The opening pairs en-counter was drawn before the Queen’s skipper Andi Atherley put in a terrific performance as she won 2-0, despite having half the amount of throws as she played on her own against Sandra Baker and Heather Webb.
The Queen’s, in their debut season, maintained their two-leg advantage as the first three singles matches ended in draws.
Despite leading 6-4, the King’s Queens knew they were still the underdogs as having a player missing meant they had to concede the final singles encounter and would be at a disadvantage in the decisive team leg.
The match was now tied at 6-6, meaning the concluding three-point team leg would decide who would progress.
The Queens were unable to complete what would have been a terrific win as RHP sunk the decisive double to secure a hard-fought victory and a place in the final.
The men’s summer league, which kicks off in two weeks, promises to be a competitive season after three new sides joined the fold to boost the number of entrants to nine.
Castle and Falcon BBC2s will be hoping to defend their title but know they may need to improve on their winter campaign, which saw them lose their last five matches to end up fifth.
Newly-crowned winter champions Rose and Crown Marauders, who ended up as runners-up behind the BBC2s last season, may start favourites after they eased to the winter title with a 23-point cushion with just one loss all season on their way to a league and cup double.
The Marauders’ sole defeat in the winter came against Wheatsheaf Bellies and Bullseyes, a side who also beat them twice during last season’s summer campaign, and they emerge as the main rivals to the Rose and Crown this time around.
RHP Darts of Hazzard, who finished fourth last summer, have now split to form two teams and no doubt when the sides meet it will be interesting to see which team comes out on top.
The two other debutants are Just The Tip, based at Rose and Crown in Balderton, plus Railway Club and both will be an unknown quantity which will add to the mix.
The remaining two sides will be hoping for a better season after finishing in the bottom two last summer.
Castle and Falcon Arrows will be hoping for a higher position while Castle and Falcon Projectile Dysfunction, who finished at the foot with just one victory all season, will also be looking continue their improvement after a winter campaign that saw them pick up two wins.
Later in the season Rose and Crown Marauders will be hoping to retain the knock-out cup while Paul Gallacher will try to defend his singles crown and the pairing of John Esam and Neil Ward will look to hold on to their pairs title.
