The unmistakable style of the late Frank Watson, League Secretary for many years (NP)

Exciting conclusion to Fives & Threes season DENNIS SOWERBY PROPERTIES “A” DIVISION WITH just two weeks of the season remaining the destiny of the league crown was almost as clear as mud with leaders and title holders D.L.I. Social Club and Middleton WMC, locked together on 142 points. The infantrymen knew full well they could expect no charity from the ever dangerous Royal Oak who were also well placed for honours. However rock steady Eddie Tinkler led from the front with support from Derek Horn to sweep to a superb 7-2 victory. However their title aspirations were nevertheless put on hold as the upper dalesmen hammered struggling Beaconsfield By 7-2 with March Hare & N.Watson taking maximum points against Yankee Doodle Blanchard & Andy Hall. However, the Middleton celebrations became severely tempered when basement dwellers Beaconsfield “A” who had lost six of their last seven matches recorded a cracking 6-3 triumph. The following week saw Royal Oak put up a determined fight before losing out by the odd point. Montalbo Hotel met with some stubborn resistance from Cricket Club “A” before sneaking out by a single point on both occasions. Bluey Bell & Tony Galley taking full marks over Dave Walker & Ken Robinson. This puts Montalbo in third slot seven points adrift of second placed Middleton “A”. Red Lion Darts have suffered an abysmal season, but they nevertheless but up stubborn resistance when playing host to Cricketers Arms. Malcolm President Nixon & Howard Smith walloping Peter Hans Anderson & Raymundo Goldsboro. However, their resistance was far from evident in the return when Noel Douthwaite & Ferocious Fred Braithwaite took top marks against Peter Hans Anderson who appears to specialise in Duck Eags, and Indiana Hunter as they wave goodbye to life at the top. Influential Red Lion skipper Dynamo Dent continues to prosper since acquiring his winged boots, as the combined weight of himself and Grassington Green saw off Royal Star’s challenge. Bobby Ambler & Peter Kenny failing to trouble the scorer. However it would appear that a little complacency crept in as the lions roar turned to a whimper when Sticks Wood & Pickles Ross trounced Dynamo & Alan Heavysides by 3-0. This leaves the Lion in a respectable sixth place as they wave goodbye, temporally at least to the stricken Darts section. I understand that Dynamo has sent Bazro a get well card and a supply of asprins. Hiah Force most certainly proved to be far to much of a force when they steamrollered Puffing Billy Stephenson’s Edge Hotel by 8-1. Wonder Woman Maggie Walton & Trevor Hutchinson showing no mercy when crushing the feeble challenge offered by Puffing Billy & John Brydon. Big Foot Neville Bainbridge & Doc. Foster rubbed further salt in the wound when trouncing woeful Dougal Faulke & Keith Straughan in similar fashion. Puffing Billy will no doubt have breathed a sigh of relief as they escape relegation by a solitary point to ease his worry lines. After making an excellent start to the season which saw them head the table for thirteen weeks Red Well fell away in disappointing fashion which resulted in them settling for eighth place on 138 points. Commercial edging out by 5-4 on both occasions. The relegation clash between Glaxo Sports & Social Club & Old Well turned out to be a real nail biter with two matches to go. However a great 3-0 victory by stalwart Mavis Byers over Razor Wilkinson & David Wardle looked like saving the day. But low and behold a solid performance from the factory men saw the Well plunge into the lower division. Further spice has been added to the finals and presentation night when Coach & Horses and Beaconsfield “B” face a promotion playoff after finishing dead level on 123 points.

ROBERT OLIVER SPORTS & FISHING “B” DIVISION LEAGUE leaders Barnard Castle WMC. proved to strong for Blue Bell when Raymondo Gowling & Erico Fell stormed to a full house against H.Dunbar & David Welsh Dresser to take their points tally to 128. However it was the Bell’s turn to toll the following week when a solid team performance enabled the visitors to even things out. This has been a tough season for the Bell, however rumour has it that Cheerful Charlie is showing interest in one or two foreign stars with a view to making a concerted promotion challenge next season. Rose & Crown slipped up slightly against Cricket Club “B”, losing out by the odd point. However no woe for Willie on this occasion as they levelled matters out in the second meeting to take up second place with 124 points. Following a good run of three successive victories Coach & Horses slipped up against struggling George & Dragon when losing on home ground by the odd point. Despite an excellent 3-0 triumph by captain Peter the Piper Stewart & Paula Vitty. Coach capitulated yet again, going down by 6-3 in the return when looking a good bet for promotion. However there was worse to follow when Dragons Carol Kirby & Ruby Red Johnson walloped N. Teasdale & Dennis Robson, by 3-0. And there was still worse to come when Geoff Kirby & Arthur Green trounced Heather Mitchell by a similar margin, to leave the Dragon devoid of fire in twelfth place. There was no joy whatsoever for Blacksmiths Arms when they clashed with Wheatsheaf “A” as the Staindrop team recorded eleven points against Blacksmiths seven. This sees the losers finish fifth on 120 points. Newcomers Malt Shovel have had a difficult baptism in their first league season. The last couple of weeks has seen them go down by 6-3 on both occasions against Wheatsheaf “B”. J.Fletcher & Sue Wylie winning by 3-0. A full deck by Chris Allison & Mary Hedley rounding things up.