THE Crewe Liberal Club Open League suffered a further resignation prior to the Premier Division West End Band derby match when the Band C team resigned due to lack of players.

This was not the team that last week was rumoured to fold, as they managed to muster 13 players for their opener.

The Premier Division’s leading points scorers were the ever present Pioneers Club A and Vine A with six apiece against Cosey Club and Commercial respectively.

Nantwich Road ASLEF got off to a very shaky start, but went on to welcome promoted Delamere Arms to the top flight by beating them 5-3.

Top marksman was Pioneers A skipper Pete Boughey with 14 and 17 dart legs against the 14 darter and 180 bombed by opponent Dave Wood (Cosey).

Mark Jodrill (Cosey) included a 180 in his 15 dart leg, Andy Pitt (Kings A) won in 17 and 18 darts and hit a 102 checkout and Fred Smith (Pioneers A) and Cliff Davison (ASLEF) slammed 17 darters.

Davison then teamed up with Rocky Snelson in a 31 dart pairs win at 32+ PDA, Snelson also on the mark with a 180.

Shaun Done (Delamere) and Craig Simpson (Cosey) hit 17 and 18 dart legs as well as maximum 180s and Ken Cliffe (Vine A) and Daryll Taylor (Kings A) fired respective 101 and 124 finishes.

Rich Davenport (Cosey) hit a 180 and Tony Richardson (Pioneers A) high scored with 177.

Division One home teams had a bad night, the closest one to a win being Amalgamated A who let slip a 3-1 lead in their draw with Nantwich Road A.

Top scorers were promoted duo Oddfellows Club and Brunel Arms A with respective 6-2 wins at Pioneers B and Broughton Arms, closely followed by Flying Lady A who beat relegated hosts Hop Pole A 5-3.

Hotshot Rob Caine (Brunel A) ended his 15 dart leg with a 141 kill and Kyle Broadhurst (Lady A) hit a 20 darter. Dave Coyne (Oddfellows) bombed a 118 checkout and Doug Lightfoor (Lady A) registered a maximum 180.

Division Two top scorers were promoted Imp (Ex Rileys A), their whitewash of hosts Rising Sun A sparked by a 111 finish from Ben Snape, a 180 from Ken Greenall and a 127 checkout on the bull by Ryan Proctor.

The other promoted team Hawk were beaten 6-2 by visitors Horse Shoe, while Bridge A triumphed 5-3 in their derby clash with their C team.

Rob Paine (Sydney Arms) included a 180 in his 18 dart leg and Stuart Tonks (Woodside) fired his maiden 180.

Division Three is a tale of two halves, the top half led by Swan & Chequers who hit seven at Flying Lady B, saved from complete humiliation by Trina Butters, heading six hitters Willaston Club and fellow promoted team Nantwich Road B, Captain Webb and Cheshire Cheese Shavington.

Four of the bottom quintet of Coppenhall Club, Vine B, Kings B, Liberal Club and Lady B occupied similar positions at the end of last season.

Paul Goodwin (Willaston Club) and Colin Spencer (Webb) hit respective 19 and 21 dart legs, Phil Massey (Kings B) a 112 finish and a 180 with Willaston duo Paul Blythe and Jamie Clorley, Mal Ollier (Liberal) and Simon Felton (Nantwich Road B) also on the 180 trail.

Willaston’s Jamie Clorley and Dan Potts won their pairs in 38 darts.

Division Four looks like being a Prince of Wales A benefit after their 7-1 trouncing of Dishers B, for whom Andy Jones opening win prevented the whitewash.

Rising Sun B, Duke B and White Lion are seemingly already vying for runners-up place despite 5-3 wins over Nag, Duke C and Brunel C.

Division Five is also a tale of two halves with top hitters Hop Pole B with seven against hosts Foresters B, James Mason staving off the whitewash, heading Prince D and Coach & Horses who hit six apiece against Dishers A and Cheese Hall. Jason Sloan (Prince D) won in 22 darts.