Bob Height (22.95 per dart), making his first appearance of the season, was beaten in five legs by Mark Sidgwick (21.92). Plum Richardson (23.19) got the Sydenham men level with a 3-1 victory over Lance Thompson (21.23).

Mark Carter (24.85) put the visitors ahead again. Andy Barnwell (22.70) pulled a leg back after trailing 2-0 but Carter ran out a 3-1 winner. Leamington expected to draw level again in the fourth leg but ‘man of the match’ for the visitors Steve Giddings (26.04) had other ideas and with a 129 finish in the third leg went on to inflict a surprise 3-1 victory over Colin Laffar (26.25).

Leamington needed someone to steady the ship and man of the match Nigel Heydon (27.83) obliged, crushing Tim Grant (19.48) 3-0. Knowing Leamington could not afford to lose again, young Jamie Atkins (24.25) beat Andy McWilliams (22.00) in the decider to level the match.

Dave Clarke (23.16) put Leamington ahead for the first time coming back from 2-1 against Dave Crossingham (23.00). Dave Atkins (24.00) saw the opportunity to win the match and raced into a 2-0 lead with a 141 finish in the second leg.

Cherry Tree’s Noel Grant (27.11) showed his county ‘A’ class by drawing level but in the deciding leg missed doubles cost him and gave Atkins his chance to clinch a memorable and hard fought victory chipping out on double top.

Previously Leamington got their season back on track with hard fought 6-2 victories at home to Ansty Social Club and away to Birmingham Shard End.

Pete Hughes (27.60) got them off to a good start with a fine 3-2 win over Ricky Frisby (21.90) only for Ansty to draw level as Steve Pinch (20.18) edged out Cliff Mancini (19.55) by the same score. Dave Clarke (25.47) put the hosts ahead with a comfortable 3-0 win over young Josh Jones (20.70).

Once again Ansty drew level with visiting man of the match Steve Dwyer (24.84) winning the deciding leg against Colin Laffar (25.73) . Leamington then went ahead again with Nigel Heydon (27.43) finally getting the better of John Sanders (22.17) and young Jamie Atkins (23.38) had an excellent 3-1 win over Ryan Frisby (20.36).

Plum Richardson (23.73; 2x180) came from 2-0 down to beat Ansty’s Dave Dunn (21.70) to give Leamington the win and Spa man of the match Pete Allen (28.90) beat Steve Rogers (22.27).

At Shard End debutant Andy Barnwell (23.86) started by beating Mark Elkin (17.73) 3-0 and hitting a 180. Dave Atkins (24.24) beat young Matt Gallett (22.44) and Colin Laffar (28.14) hit three 180s in a 3-2 win over Jason Evans (25.73; 180).

The fourth was the game of the night, with Shard End’s man of the match Ian McFarlane (29.92) coming back from two down and chipping out on 132 in a 12-dart fifth leg against Pete Allen (29.38).