CREWE Open League’s first Winter Champions were crowned this week, when Division Five Darts runaway leaders Willaston Club claimed the Champions tag by whitewashing hosts Last Orders Inn.

The Premier Division’s potential top two Pioneers Club A and West End LMR B continued matching results with emphatic 7-1 victories over West End Band Club C and Imperial.

Third-placed Cosey Club whitewashed visitors Nantwich Road A but are the equivalent of two matches off the pace, with only three left to play.

The Division’s top marksmen were Ian Rathbone (Imperial), who won in 14 and 17 darts but did not have it easy as his LMR B opponent Patrick Lynskey won with a 106 checkout to a 15 darter.

Division One’s pacemakers Prince of Wales C beat White Lion A 6-2, but had their lead trimmed to a single point by Nantwich Road ASLEF’s 7-1 rout of Flying Lady A.

Third-placed Duke of Bridgewater A fall further behind after being held to a draw by visitors Broughton Arms.

Ken Greenall (Earl of Chester) starred in the division, hitting a 14-dart leg, a 145 checkout and a 180, while Steve Sutton (Prince C) won in 18 and 20 darts and Shaun Boffey (Earl) in 19 and 20.

Division Two’s home teams had a miserable night, with none managing a win.

Sydney Arms regained top place by whitewashing hosts Horse Shoe and lead deposed leaders Cheshire Cheese, 5-3 winners at Bridge A, by three points.

Third-placed Pioneers Club B are 10 points off the pace despite a 6-2 win at Rising Sun A, in which Anthony Downey hit an 18 darter and elder brothers Darren and Daniel confirmed the victory with a 30-dart pairs win that Darren ended with a 107 checkout.

Division Three top spots are unchanged after returning five away 5-3 scorelines that included the top four of Oddfellows Club, Rileys Club A, Brunel Arms A and Kings Arms B.

Division Four’s top two and trophy-place favourites clashed, with Raven’s 5-3 away victory taking them to within a point of leaders Swan and Chequers.

Third-placed Cumberland C fall seven points off the pace after losing 5-3 to Waldron.

Division Five’s season long pacemakers Willaston Club were crowned champions with three matches left, gained by whitewashing lowly Last Orders Inn.

Nags Head hit seven at Foresters Arms B to stay second, four points ahead of Rileys Club B, who won 5-3 at Hop Pole B.

Duke of Bridgwater B, whose form in the last three matches has taken a turn for the worse, drop to fourth on matches won after losing 5-3 at Cheese Hall.