Runcorn RJM Darts League

TAVERNERS edged closer to the section one championship of the Runcorn RJM Darts League for the first time when they came from 4/2 down to beat opponents Albion 5/4, with their anchorman Kevin Jones leading the way with an 18-dart game.

Second-placed Halfway A are now the only team who can steal the title, keeping their hopes alive when both Karl Windisch and Barry O'Connor finished in 18-darts for a 7/2 win against Tranny Lads.

The top of the table clash between leaders Waterloo and Castle in section three resulted in a 6/3 win for Waterloo, opening up a two-point lead. The losers' Harry Byrne, however, hit the night's only maximum.

With second-placed Red Admiral having an open date, section two leaders were able to go four points clear after a 16-dart game from Alan Fryer helped the leaders to beat Halton Marauders 7/2.

Draymen kept alive the slimmest chance for the section four championship when they beat Them Lot 6/3 but it would be a major shock if open dated leaders, Royal Oak, let the title slip through their grasp.

Dev Superstars kept their chances of the runner-up spot alive when a 19-dart game from Kevin Duffield helped them to a 5/4 win against Weston Point SC.

Taverners showed no mercy to section three's Castle in the semi-finals of the Apec Taxi Chairman's Challenge Cup when they ran out 9/0 winners. They will now face Albion in the final, who beat Tranny Lads 7/2.

The best for the winners was a 19-dart game from Nick Hough and a 100 finish from Jim Reed.

Results for February 13. Section one: Taverners 5 Albion 4; Lion Doo Waps 4 Tricorn 5; Barley Mow 3 Wanderers 6; Tranny Lads 2 Halfway A 7; Roundhouse A, no match; Outcasts, no match.

Section two: RAOB Buffs 5 Prospect Has Beens 4; Cherry Tree A Team 6 Dock Lads 3; Red Admiral, no match; Pavilions A 2 Union Tavern 7; Likely Lads 7 Halton Marauders 2; Jolly Brewer, no match.

Section three: Castle 3 Waterloo 6; Fiddlers III 5 Lion 4; RNA 4 Grapes 5; Croft Magnets 4 Pavilions B 5; Dreadnaughts, no match; Halfway Gents, no match.

Section four: Geriatrics 6 Halfway Mixed 3; Eggie Arms 6 Trannie Mix 3; Dev Superstars 5 Weston Point SC 4; Them Lot 3 Draymen 6; The Burma, no match; Royal Oak, no match.

February 14. Apex Taxi Chairman's Challenge Cup, semi-finals: Taverners 9 Castle 0; Albion 7 Tranny Lads 2.

Fixtures for February 27. Section One: Roundhouse A v Tricorn; Taverners v Wanderers; Barley Mow v Tranny Lads; Outcasts v Halfway A; Albion, no match; Lion Doo Waps, no match.

Section two: Dock Lads v Prospect Has Beens; Cherry Tree A Team v Red Admiral; RAOB Buffs v Union Tavern; Halton Marauders, no match; Pavilions A v Jolly Brewer; Likely Lads, no match.

Section three: Dreadnaughts v Waterloo; Fiddlers III v Grapes; Halfway Gents v Croft Magnets; RNA v Pavilions B; Lion, no match; Castle, no match.

Section four: Trannie Mix v Halfway Mixed; Eggie Arms v The Burma; Geriatrics v Weston Point SC; Dev Superstars v Them Lot; Royal Oak v Draymen.

February 28. Best Sports Cup, semi-finals, at Red Admiral: Lion Doo Waps v Tranny Lads.

At Old Transporter: Taverners v Albion.