Month after month new records continue to be set in the ODA Singles League and March 2013 was no different. A late withdrawal after the leagues had been drafted meant that 81 games were scheduled and by the end of the month all 81 matches had been fulfilled. A new record of sixteen matches finished 9-8 with Michael Bain being the busiest player with 65 legs in his 4 matches.

Robbie Stanger, Keith Brumpton, Craig Moar, Michael Muir Jnr, Derek Manson and Ali Learmonth all won all their games in their respective leagues with only Mal Reid, Leigh Shearer, Colin Ross, Linda Harcus and newcomer Lorna Whittles failing to win a game.

In League 1 Robbie Stanger powered his way back to the top of the league with four wins which included ten 180s and two ton plus checkouts. Robbie had an incredible seven 180s in his 9-8 victory over Stevie Linklater, beating his previous record of six in a game. Brian Moar finished runner up to Robbie after narrowly losing their respective match 9-8. Brian won his other three matches with a 12 darter versus Mal Reid helping his cause.

Stevie had a convincing 9-0 over Mal, unusual for League 1, which included five 180s but he still came into his final match with Bruce Moar knowing he had to win to avoid dropping down a league. This he duly did with the help of back to back 180s in the 12th leg of a 9-4 win which sent Bruce back down to League 2 with Mal.

League 2 looked like it would be a very close league again and so it was. Brian Murray got off to a flyer with an excellent 9-2 win over Leigh Shearer which included three ton plus checkouts including a 160 checkout, the highest of the season so far. Brian was brought back to earth in style though when Iain Wilkie dispatched him 9-0 and he went on to lose to Michael Bain 9-7 and Jim Brown 9-6. Iain had a 12 darter in his 9-3 win over Jim and won 9-8 against Leigh and lost 9-8 to Michael to finish the month with three wins. Leigh lost 9-8 to Michael and 9-4 to Jim meaning the last game of the month between Jim and Michael would decide who would join Iain in League 1 in April. Solid darts saw Jim succeed 9-6 and move up to League 1 for the first time.

Keith Brumpton convincingly won all four games in League 3 helped by back to back 150s in his 9-4 win against Raymond Rendall. Despite losing 9-8 to Robert Gatt, Raymond joins Keith in being promoted thanks to a better leg difference over Robert. Robert remains in league 3 whilst James Flett and Martin Peace slip down to League 4 with a win apiece.

Craig Moar wasted no time in playing and winning all four of his matches and he moves up to League 3. Joining Craig is Michael Muir Snr after winning three matches.

A late withdrawal meant the players in League 5 only had three games each and Michael Muir Jnr won all his games to top the league. Cammy Scott gave him a close game and also whipped Billy Johnstone 9-0 to finish runner up to Michael. Michael is dropping out in April so only Cammy is promoted from this League.

Derek Manson had a good month at the oche in League 6 with four convincing wins and with Michael Muir Jnr withdrawing from the league Mansey is moved up to League 4 as a reward. Raymie Stanger also had an upturn in form winning three of his games and he moves up to League 5 alongside Elizabeth Irvine who finished with two wins and two defeats.

Andrew Watson had three convincing wins, including a 9-0 whitewash of Mike Lucas, to finish top of League 7. Matthew Wylie held off Andrew 9-8 to also finish with three wins and finish second with Mike Lucas finishing third with two wins. All three are promoted to League 6.

Ali Learmonth was the star man in league 8 with five wins out of five and he moves up to League 6 in April. Diane Rendall had her best month to date winning four matches and only narrowly losing 9-8 to Ali. Diane gains promotion to League 7 as her reward. Joining Diane will be Ian Carse who was helped by a 9-0 win over Lorna Whittles. Tracy Mathieson had a late burst of form which included a 9-0 win over Emma Laird but it wasn’t enough to get her out of League 8.

Seventeen players had forty six 180s although nearly half of them were scored by two players, Robbie Stanger and Stevie Linklater who both equalled Robbie’s record of ten in a month. Eighteen players had twenty nine ton plus checkouts with Brian Murray having the most with four including a 160, the highest of the season so far.

The April Leagues are up and running and with two withdrawals April has seventy six scheduled matches. Check out the website for updates.

Finally, the Orkney play-offs are scheduled to be played in the Kirkwall British Legion on Wednesday 17th April so please avoid that venue if you are scheduling a singles game for that evening.