The standard of the ODA Singles League continues to improve with some very competitive matches being played in all six leagues. In February 68 of the 70 scheduled matches were played and at the end of the month there was a clear winner in each league.

Stevie Linklater returned to form in the top league, winning all his matches to go top of the table. Stevie's most notable win was his 9-8 victory over Iain Wilkie which included three 180's and 104 and 100 checkouts. Michael Moodie, making his first appearance in League 1, made a great start by thrashing League 1 regulars Iain Wilkie and Bruce Moar 9-3 and 9-2 respectively. Although Michael went onto lose both his remaining games 9-4 to Stevie and Robbie Stanger he remains in the top league in March. Robbie also won 2 matches and ended up in second place on leg difference. Although Robbie had a 12 darter against Stevie it wasn't enough to prevent him from losing 9-8. Bruce's only win of the month came against Robbie. Despite Robbie having three 180's and a 116 checkout Bruce came back from two legs down to win 9-5. The bottom of the table clash between Bruce and Iain went all the way with Iain eventually winning 9-8 to finish above Bruce. Highlight of the match for Iain was a brilliant 164 checkout which is the best in the Singles League this season so far. Well done Iain!

Ivan Leslie was back to his winning ways winning all four of his matches comfortably to return to the top league. Ivan only lost 10 legs in his four matches which equals Leigh Shearer's League 2 record from April 2009. Davy Cooper, despite going down 9-2 to Ivan, won all his remaining games to join Ivan in League 1 in March. Brian Moar finished mid-table after wins against Robert Gatt and Michael Muir. Despite Robert beating Michael 9-5 it wasn't enough to stop him dropping down to League 3 with Michael.

In League 3 Ross Donaldson left it late, playing three of his games on the last day, but won them all to achieve maximum points and gain promotion to League 2 for the first time. Ross has never been relegated down a league so next month will be a stiff test to maintain that record! Lee MacPherson won three of his games including a close 9-8 victory over Derek Farmer to join Ross in League 2. Derek also lost 9-8 to Ross but beat both Colin Ross and Neil Tait 9-6 to retain his place in League 3. Derek played a total of 64 legs in his 4 matches which is the second highest amount of legs to be played in a month in a five player league. Colin and Neil both slip down to League 4 with Colin winning their respective match 9-6.

Michael Bain had four ton plus checkouts on his way to winning all his matches in League 4. Martin Peace pushed Michael the hardest before eventually going down 9-7 and that along with a 9-8 defeat to Roy Griffiths meant Martin finished third and stays in League 4. Roy had a good month also beating Craig Moar 9-8 and Sean Stanger 9-2 to take second place and move up to League 3 for the first time. Craig and Sean slip down to League 5 after Craig won their respective game 9-4.

League 5 had six players in February and it was Leigh Shearer who was returning to the Singles League after a two month break that won all his matches to top League 5. Susie Bain had a good month too, winning four of her five matches to join Leigh in League 4. Linda Harcus won three games to finish in third and stay in League 5 along with Colin Findlay who just beat Linda Ratter on leg difference. Grant Harrold drops down to League 6 partly due to the fact that he didn't play two of his fixtures.

League 6 also had 6 players in February and it was Noreen Bain that finished top of the league, winning all her games fairly convincingly. Noreen lost 18 legs in her five matches which beats Colin Findlay and David Ryrie's previous best of 19 legs lost for League 6. Joining Noreen in League 5 is Tracy who had her best month of the season to finish with four wins. Stewart Moar, Mike Lucas and Paul Davis finished third, fourth and fifth respectively with Sarah Jane Garrioch propping up the rest of the League.

Seventeen players hit a total of 37 x 180's in January. Robbie Stanger and Stevie Linklater hit seven each which equals the record which has been done previously by Ivan Leslie, Martin Peace (twice) and Robbie himself. Other 180's were scored by Robert Gatt 3, Davy Cooper 3, Lee MacPherson 3, Mike Lucas 2, Tracy Mathieson 2, Colin Ross, Sean Stanger, Roy Griffiths, Ivan Leslie, Brian Moar, Michael Moodie, Iain Wilkie, Leigh Shearer, Michael Muir and Craig Moar.

Fifteen players hit a very impressive 31 ton plus checkouts including 12 in League 1 which beats the previous record of 11 from November 2007. Best of the month came from Iain Wilkie with a 164 in his 9-8 win over Bruce Moar. Iain also had a 100 checkout. Others came from Stevie Linklater 135, 116, 104, 102, 100, Robbie Stanger 136, 118, 116, 104, Michael Bain 119, 111, 116, 100, Davy Cooper 150, 120, 101, Ivan Leslie 133, 110, 100, Brian Moar, 144, 110, Derek Farmer 129, Martin Peace 120, Susie Bain 118, Colin Findlay 118, Colin Ross 117, Roy Griffiths 112, Lee MacPherson and Bruce Moar 108.

The March Leagues are now well underway and all players are reminded that it is up to both players to organise the games. Don’t always leave it to your opponent to contact you and don’t leave it to the last minute to organise your games. If anyone changes their contact details please let me know so that the other people in the league can be notified. Finally all players are reminded to contact (preferably by text or email) the League Organiser with the scores of their games as soon as possible. No notification of the score means no points will be awarded!!