After a three-week Christmas break, the Crowson Volkswagen Pinchbeck & District Winter Darts League returned with the first round of the Knockout Cup.
Royal Mail Cart resumed in dominant fashion, sweeping aside Consti Club Z with an emphatic 8-1 home victory.
Mick Atkin claimed the only Consti point with a 2-1 singles win over Josh Ford, highlighted by a 115 checkout.
The visitors still produced some quality moments, with Ash Allen hitting a 180 and Jack Chilvers checking out 108 and 100. Royal Mail Cart’s Chris Fiddler fired a 16-dart leg, while Stu Page added an 18-dart leg.
Services Club A fell to a 7-2 home defeat against Green Dragon A, where Kieran Grove struck a 180 for the visitors.
Consti Club B are safely through with a 6-3 away win at Lincoln Arms D.
Consti Club D progressed with a solid 7-2 home win over the Pied Calf.
Division B league leaders, Kirton Leisure pushed Division A leaders Consti Club C all the way in a tight contest.
Wins for Ashley Brown and Finn Andrew levelled the match at 4-4, but Josh Faulkner sealed it for Consti with a last leg victory over Josh Smith. Jacob Herd impressed with a 110 checkout for Consti.
Lincoln Arms A earned a 7-2 win away at Green Dragon Z, with Dean Peacock taking the Dragon’s only singles success via a 2-0 win over Harry Walsh in the final game.
Pinchbeck FC B recorded an excellent 6-3 away win at the Black Bull.
Singles victories for John MacKenzie (including a 17-dart leg), Tom Elderkin, and Harvey Elderkin secured the result.
The Bull’s Mark Graham hit a 180, while Tom Elderkin and Connor MacKenzie produced a 17-dart pairs leg for the Football Club.
Rounding out the qualifiers, Services Club B enjoyed a comfortable 7-2 away win at Lincoln Arms C.
For the hosts, Trev Wright claimed a 2-0 singles win over Andy Mason and earlier paired with Nigel Goodwin to take their doubles match 2-1 against Jonny Pell and Dave Norbury.
In a previously rearranged match in Division B, Lincoln Arms C edged out Consti Club D 5-4 at home.
Singles wins from Nigel Goodwin, Dave Banister and Duane Harrison proved decisive.
Results: Knockout Cup, first round – Royal Mail Cart 8 Consti Club Z 1, Services Club A 2 Green Dragon A 7, Lincoln Arms D 3 Consti Club B 6, Lincoln Arms C 2 Services Club B 7, Kirton Leisure 4 Consti Club C 5, Consti Club D 7 Pied Calf 2, Black Bull 3 Pinchbeck FC B 6, Green Dragon Z 2-7 Lincoln Arms A.
Division B – Lincoln Arms C 5 Consti Club D 4.
