The two 'Daddies' of Leek Darts will go head-to-head on Monday, in a clash that could well decide the outcome of the Division One title, despite the season having only just begun.
Ball Haye Tavern 1 have won their last three league fixtures by a perfect score of 9-0, but Dyers also remain unbeaten and go into this clash having taken the Summer League title from Bodgers grasp in September.
And there is plenty more action away from the top two in Division One this week, as Britannia Social Club attempt to ignite their season, away at White Lion 3. The White Lion have been disappointing in their last two games, going down with a whimper to Bodgers 1, and getting edged out on their own board by the Butchers Arms. But if they think it will be a walk in the park against Britannia then they must surely think again, as Social Club captain Steve Gurnsey has earmarked this one as a must-win fixture. These sides last met in the top flight at the Macclesfield Road venue in November 2008, with the result a nervy 5-4 win to the home side. Another close encounter could be on the cards.
Elsewhere, third placed Bodgers 3 will look to make up ground on the top two with victory over Central 1, the Benks derby sees 6th position Benks 5 do battle with 7th placed Benks 4, while Cheddleton RBL and the Flying Horse will both be looking to improve on their poor starts to the season. The signs aren't good for the Ashbourne Road throwers; the Flyer have registered just 2 wins from 22 attempts in their recent top-flight history.
Blue Mugge are the surprise leaders in Division Two, but this week put their feet up for a hard-earned 'bye'. This means that Dyers Arms 2 will have a chance of going top for the first time this season if they come away from struggling Ashcombe Park with a win.
Title chasing Abbey Inn travel away to hit-and-miss Flying Horse 2, while fourth place Benks 3 face an intruiging clash away at long-serving Mill St Club 2. Ady Moss and Alec Ryan have been on fire so far this season for Benks, and perhaps they are covering the cracks of their lower order. But if the lesser lights of the team can start finding the red bit on a regular basis, this band of young upstarts may find themselves in with a shout of improving on their third place finish last time round. History is on Benks side, with both league clashes against Mill St going their way last season.
Elsewhere, Benks 6 and Snooker Club both face mid-table opposition in the form of White Lion 1 and Ball Haye Tavern 2 respectively. It's tight at the bottom of Division Two, and all four of these teams will be looking over their shoulder, eager to avoid getting into a relegation scrap. Of these teams though, I'd pick out the experience of White Lion 1 and Benks 6 as being a crucial foundation with which to build a survival effort.
In the third tier, The Swan lead the way on 35 points, but have already shown their trump card barely two months into the season. Former World Champion Eric Bristow, signed as a marquee player for the big occasions, found himself drafted into the side to face Moorville Hall last week. 'The Crafty Cockney' emerged with a victory in a match The Swan won 6-3, but was not at his dazzling best, and will surely take some time to adjust to the demands of Division Three darts in the Leek League. The defeat moved Moorville Hall down to third place, with Benks 2 continuing their impressive start to the season with a 6-3 success away at Mill St Club 1. Benks are still unbeaten in the league and both cups, and are now just 2 points off top spot with a game in hand. The clash this week at Benks between the top two is one not to miss.
Mill St will try to pick up the pieces when they travel to rock-bottom Central 2 this week, while Roebuck 1 and Hare & Gate 1 will lock horns in what already looks like a real relegation tussle. Moorville Hall will be relieved to see that there are no former World Champions in Benks 1's line-up, and the 'Tractor Boys' will be trying to harvest a victory against Ashcombe Park 2. White Lion and Ashcombe clashed in the Division 3 Cup this week, so the repeat match will give the losing side an immediate chance for revenge.
Red Lion Waterfall have a 'bye', which gives me an excuse to mention the superb Bass bitter I had there last week while on duty in another league. Roaring fireplaces, low ceilings, the clack of dominoes....marvellous. And, get this, not just great food for the team....but dessert too! This isn't a sponsored message, but if you do get a chance to take the wife out to dinner, I don't think you'll find many places better than the Red Lion Waterfall. A bit tucked away, but well worth it. I'm sure all pubs used to be like this at one time, before we got our Engine Rooms and the like.
Anyway, back to the action, and Division 4. Collette Duffield seems to have pulled together a decent little squad at the Wellington, and her side are pulling away at the top of the table. A sixth win from six games is on the cards this week, as they host third bottom Pride Of The Moorlands.
But closest challengers and recently relegated Valiant 1 also have a winnable fixture, at home to Prince Of Wales 1. This will put pressure on the Rose & Crown, who have a tricky looking game away at the Lazy Trout. Once the fire in front of the board at the Trout is burning, it's very difficult to control your darts - no need to wear a woolly jumper here!
Elsewhere, Blue Mugge 2 may not fancy a trip out of Leek to face Black Lion, while Stafford Arms and the Boat Inn looks to be a close one, with the Staffy Arms currently sitting in 4th spot and the Boat Inn moored in 5th. Central 3 have the 'bye', which will see them slip down the table come the end of Monday night.
Basement now, and if you were asked to think of a five letter word ending in 'S' to describe the Prince Of Wales 2 boys, you would probably say "ASBO'S". But you'd be wrong! Because it's "DARTS!" And Ben Duffield's gang of youths have found their way to the top of the tree in the bottom division, after 5 straight wins. Let's just hope that the homework doesn't get in the way during the rest of the season. Out to stop the 'Corsa Express' this week are Hare & Gate 2, who travel to Wallbridge on the back of an impressive 6-3 win away at Wellington 1.
Second placed Red Cow have a winnable home fixture against Stafford Arms 2, who are reminded once again that they need to hand result cards in should they win. There are two missing results in this division, both affecting Stafford Arms.
Dyers Arms 1 will be looking to improve their good form against lowly Valiant 2, while Roebuck 2 host Wellington 1.
Finally, the bottom two clash this week, in a battle to avoid becoming 'The Worst Team In Leek' - a title up for grabs now that the Cattle Market no longer have a team. The Cattle Market still however hold the honour of a seperate title, 'The Worst Team Ever In The History Of Leek Darts'. This was closely contested by the former 'Mucky Duck 3' team, who memorably won none of their 16 league games in the Summer of 2008, despite the opposition on one occasion only turning up with three men.
