CREWE Open League enters the festive break with Premier Division Darts pacemakers Pioneers Club A opening a three points lead.

It follows a 7-1 trouncing of Kings Arms A.

Main rivals West End LMR B faced more resistance than anticipated in their 5-3 defeat of Vine A, while third-placed Cosey are still well off the pace despite their whitewash of hosts White Lion B.

Top darts again came from the Pi’s with a 12-dart leg and a 180 from John Speed, well backed up by 17 and 19 darters from Tony Richardson, a 17 darter from John Cooper and 18 dart legs by Steve Wilson and Wayne Plant.

Lee Moffat (Vine A) included a 180 in a 13-dart leg, Patrick Lynskey (LMR B) hit a 14 darter and had support from Dave Bickerton, who threw a brace of 18 darters and a 156 checkout in the pairs.

The competition is hotting up in Division One after leaders Prince of Wales C lost 5-3 at Nantwich Road ASLEF, who retake second place.

Earl of Chester drop two places to fourth after visitors Duke of Bridgewater A beat them 6-2 to leapfrog them into third.

Craig Simpson (Duke A) and Mark Woolrich (Amalgamated A) hit 17 dart legs, Mark including a 180 in his.

Division Two pacemakers Sydney Arms beat fourth-placed Pioneers Club B 5-3, but now face a very stern challenge from in-form Cheshire Cheese, whose whitewash of bottom-placed Nomads puts them just one point behind the leaders.

Third-placed Amalgamated B drop six points off the pace after losing 5-3 at Bridge C.

Division Three leaders Oddfellows Club beat lowly Liberal Club 6-2 to go six points clear of Brunel Arms A, who won 5-3 at Kings Arms B.

Third-placed Rileys Club A are now exerting maximum pressure on the Brunel and move much closer after their 7-1 annihilation of hosts Flying Lady B.

Division Four pacemakers Swan and Chequers beat third-placed Cumberland C 5-3 to create a seven-point buffer over Raven, who had their bye week.

Like the Cumberland, they now have a match in hand.

Division Six’s runaway leaders Willaston Club managed a 5-3 win over Brunel Arms B and had brothers, Jason and Gavin Grant, winning their singles games and the final pairs game.

If they would have had better back up, an upset could have been on the cards.

Distant rivals Duke of Bridgewater B forfeited a 3-0 lead in a draw with Foresters Arms B, although third-placed Nags Head also failed to perform when outgunned 6-2 by Cheese Hall.