| 2027 Metro Premier Darts League |
|---|
| League | Metro Premier Darts League |
|---|
| Sport | Darts |
|---|
| Duration | 3 May – 9 August 2027 |
|---|
| Matches | 177 |
|---|
| Teams | 24 |
|---|
|
2028 → |
The 2027 Metro Premier Darts League was the 19th season of the Metro Premier Darts League, a divisional darts competition contested across three grades: Division A, Division B, and Division C.
The season featured 24 teams, with eight teams competing in each division. The regular season began on 3 May 2027 and was played over 14 rounds. Each team played every other team in its division twice. The top four teams in each division qualified for the knockout finals, which were played on 9 August 2027.
Blackwood Flight won the Division A title after finishing as minor premiers and defeating Eastgate Royals in the grand final. Brackenford Wolves won Division B after upsetting minor premiers Lakeside Rovers, while Hilltop Hornets won Division C after defeating Greenhill Griffins in the grand final.
The league was split into three divisions of eight teams. Each team played 14 regular-season matches, facing every other team in its division twice.
Competition points were awarded as follows:
| Result
|
Points
|
| Win
|
2
|
| Draw
|
1
|
| Loss
|
0
|
Teams were ranked by competition points, followed by points difference, points for, and then head-to-head record if required.
At the end of the regular season, the top four teams in each division qualified for the finals. The finals were played as a knockout bracket.
| Match
|
Fixture
|
| Semi-final 1
|
1st v 4th
|
| Semi-final 2
|
2nd v 3rd
|
| Grand final
|
Winner Semi-final 1 v Winner Semi-final 2
|
| Team
|
| Blackwood Flight
|
| Eastgate Royals
|
| Ironbridge Arms
|
| Harbour City Hawks
|
| Milltown Arrows
|
| Northside Nomads
|
| Old Town Bulls
|
| Red Lion Rebels
|
| Team
|
| Camden Thorns
|
| Moorland Miners
|
| Lakeside Rovers
|
| Crown & Anchor
|
| Brackenford Wolves
|
| Valley Vipers
|
| Copper Coast Chargers
|
| Rivergate Ravens
|
| Team
|
| Greenhill Griffins
|
| Southport Saints
|
| Hilltop Hornets
|
| Stonebridge Foxes
|
| Elm Park Eagles
|
| Kingsport Cutters
|
| Westvale Comets
|
| Ashfield Owls
|
The regular season was played from 3 May to 2 August 2027. Each round featured four matches per division.
| Round
|
Date
|
| 1
|
3 May 2027
|
| 2
|
10 May 2027
|
| 3
|
17 May 2027
|
| 4
|
24 May 2027
|
| 5
|
31 May 2027
|
| 6
|
7 June 2027
|
| 7
|
14 June 2027
|
| 8
|
21 June 2027
|
| 9
|
28 June 2027
|
| 10
|
5 July 2027
|
| 11
|
12 July 2027
|
| 12
|
19 July 2027
|
| 13
|
26 July 2027
|
| 14
|
2 August 2027
|
| Finals
|
9 August 2027
|
| Pos
|
Team
|
Pld
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
PF
|
PA
|
PD
|
Pts
|
Qualification
|
| 1
|
Blackwood Flight
|
14
|
12
|
0
|
2
|
150
|
102
|
+48
|
24
|
Qualified for finals
|
| 2
|
Milltown Arrows
|
14
|
9
|
3
|
2
|
138
|
114
|
+24
|
21
|
Qualified for finals
|
| 3
|
Eastgate Royals
|
14
|
8
|
3
|
3
|
141
|
111
|
+30
|
19
|
Qualified for finals
|
| 4
|
Ironbridge Arms
|
14
|
7
|
2
|
5
|
133
|
119
|
+14
|
16
|
Qualified for finals
|
| 5
|
Old Town Bulls
|
14
|
5
|
1
|
8
|
117
|
135
|
−18
|
11
|
|
| 6
|
Northside Nomads
|
14
|
3
|
4
|
7
|
117
|
135
|
−18
|
10
|
|
| 7
|
Red Lion Rebels
|
14
|
3
|
1
|
10
|
104
|
148
|
−44
|
7
|
|
| 8
|
Harbour City Hawks
|
14
|
1
|
2
|
11
|
108
|
144
|
−36
|
4
|
|
| Round
|
Match 1
|
Score
|
Match 2
|
Score
|
Match 3
|
Score
|
Match 4
|
Score
|
| 1
|
Blackwood Flight v Red Lion Rebels
|
10–8
|
Eastgate Royals v Old Town Bulls
|
8–10
|
Ironbridge Arms v Northside Nomads
|
11–7
|
Harbour City Hawks v Milltown Arrows
|
8–10
|
| 2
|
Blackwood Flight v Old Town Bulls
|
13–5
|
Red Lion Rebels v Northside Nomads
|
10–8
|
Eastgate Royals v Milltown Arrows
|
9–9
|
Ironbridge Arms v Harbour City Hawks
|
11–7
|
| 3
|
Blackwood Flight v Northside Nomads
|
11–7
|
Old Town Bulls v Milltown Arrows
|
7–11
|
Red Lion Rebels v Harbour City Hawks
|
9–9
|
Eastgate Royals v Ironbridge Arms
|
9–9
|
| 4
|
Blackwood Flight v Milltown Arrows
|
13–5
|
Northside Nomads v Harbour City Hawks
|
10–8
|
Old Town Bulls v Ironbridge Arms
|
8–10
|
Red Lion Rebels v Eastgate Royals
|
6–12
|
| 5
|
Blackwood Flight v Harbour City Hawks
|
12–6
|
Milltown Arrows v Ironbridge Arms
|
7–11
|
Northside Nomads v Eastgate Royals
|
7–11
|
Old Town Bulls v Red Lion Rebels
|
8–10
|
| 6
|
Blackwood Flight v Ironbridge Arms
|
10–8
|
Harbour City Hawks v Eastgate Royals
|
7–11
|
Milltown Arrows v Red Lion Rebels
|
13–5
|
Northside Nomads v Old Town Bulls
|
8–10
|
| 7
|
Blackwood Flight v Eastgate Royals
|
8–10
|
Ironbridge Arms v Red Lion Rebels
|
13–5
|
Harbour City Hawks v Old Town Bulls
|
8–10
|
Milltown Arrows v Northside Nomads
|
12–6
|
| 8
|
Red Lion Rebels v Blackwood Flight
|
6–12
|
Old Town Bulls v Eastgate Royals
|
6–12
|
Northside Nomads v Ironbridge Arms
|
9–9
|
Milltown Arrows v Harbour City Hawks
|
11–7
|
| 9
|
Old Town Bulls v Blackwood Flight
|
7–11
|
Northside Nomads v Red Lion Rebels
|
12–6
|
Milltown Arrows v Eastgate Royals
|
11–7
|
Harbour City Hawks v Ironbridge Arms
|
7–11
|
| 10
|
Northside Nomads v Blackwood Flight
|
6–12
|
Milltown Arrows v Old Town Bulls
|
9–9
|
Harbour City Hawks v Red Lion Rebels
|
10–8
|
Ironbridge Arms v Eastgate Royals
|
7–11
|
| 11
|
Milltown Arrows v Blackwood Flight
|
10–8
|
Harbour City Hawks v Northside Nomads
|
9–9
|
Ironbridge Arms v Old Town Bulls
|
10–8
|
Eastgate Royals v Red Lion Rebels
|
12–6
|
| 12
|
Harbour City Hawks v Blackwood Flight
|
8–10
|
Ironbridge Arms v Milltown Arrows
|
7–11
|
Eastgate Royals v Northside Nomads
|
9–9
|
Red Lion Rebels v Old Town Bulls
|
7–11
|
| 13
|
Ironbridge Arms v Blackwood Flight
|
8–10
|
Eastgate Royals v Harbour City Hawks
|
12–6
|
Red Lion Rebels v Milltown Arrows
|
8–10
|
Old Town Bulls v Northside Nomads
|
8–10
|
| 14
|
Eastgate Royals v Blackwood Flight
|
8–10
|
Red Lion Rebels v Ironbridge Arms
|
10–8
|
Old Town Bulls v Harbour City Hawks
|
10–8
|
Northside Nomads v Milltown Arrows
|
9–9
|
| Stage
|
Match
|
Score
|
Winner
|
| Semi-final 1
|
Blackwood Flight v Ironbridge Arms
|
11–7
|
Blackwood Flight
|
| Semi-final 2
|
Milltown Arrows v Eastgate Royals
|
8–10
|
Eastgate Royals
|
| Grand final
|
Blackwood Flight v Eastgate Royals
|
10–8
|
Blackwood Flight
|
| Pos
|
Team
|
Pld
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
PF
|
PA
|
PD
|
Pts
|
Qualification
|
| 1
|
Lakeside Rovers
|
14
|
12
|
0
|
2
|
145
|
107
|
+38
|
24
|
Qualified for finals
|
| 2
|
Brackenford Wolves
|
14
|
9
|
2
|
3
|
137
|
115
|
+22
|
20
|
Qualified for finals
|
| 3
|
Copper Coast Chargers
|
14
|
7
|
5
|
2
|
137
|
115
|
+22
|
19
|
Qualified for finals
|
| 4
|
Camden Thorns
|
14
|
5
|
4
|
5
|
126
|
126
|
0
|
14
|
Qualified for finals
|
| 5
|
Moorland Miners
|
14
|
6
|
2
|
6
|
124
|
128
|
−4
|
14
|
|
| 6
|
Crown & Anchor
|
14
|
6
|
1
|
7
|
125
|
127
|
−2
|
13
|
|
| 7
|
Rivergate Ravens
|
14
|
0
|
5
|
9
|
108
|
144
|
−36
|
5
|
|
| 8
|
Valley Vipers
|
14
|
0
|
3
|
11
|
106
|
146
|
−40
|
3
|
|
| Round
|
Match 1
|
Score
|
Match 2
|
Score
|
Match 3
|
Score
|
Match 4
|
Score
|
| 1
|
Camden Thorns v Rivergate Ravens
|
9–9
|
Moorland Miners v Copper Coast Chargers
|
9–9
|
Lakeside Rovers v Valley Vipers
|
11–7
|
Crown & Anchor v Brackenford Wolves
|
11–7
|
| 2
|
Camden Thorns v Copper Coast Chargers
|
9–9
|
Rivergate Ravens v Valley Vipers
|
9–9
|
Moorland Miners v Brackenford Wolves
|
8–10
|
Lakeside Rovers v Crown & Anchor
|
10–8
|
| 3
|
Camden Thorns v Valley Vipers
|
10–8
|
Copper Coast Chargers v Brackenford Wolves
|
9–9
|
Rivergate Ravens v Crown & Anchor
|
8–10
|
Moorland Miners v Lakeside Rovers
|
12–6
|
| 4
|
Camden Thorns v Brackenford Wolves
|
8–10
|
Valley Vipers v Crown & Anchor
|
7–11
|
Copper Coast Chargers v Lakeside Rovers
|
7–11
|
Rivergate Ravens v Moorland Miners
|
8–10
|
| 5
|
Camden Thorns v Crown & Anchor
|
7–11
|
Brackenford Wolves v Lakeside Rovers
|
8–10
|
Valley Vipers v Moorland Miners
|
8–10
|
Copper Coast Chargers v Rivergate Ravens
|
13–5
|
| 6
|
Camden Thorns v Lakeside Rovers
|
6–12
|
Crown & Anchor v Moorland Miners
|
7–11
|
Brackenford Wolves v Rivergate Ravens
|
11–7
|
Valley Vipers v Copper Coast Chargers
|
8–10
|
| 7
|
Camden Thorns v Moorland Miners
|
12–6
|
Lakeside Rovers v Rivergate Ravens
|
11–7
|
Crown & Anchor v Copper Coast Chargers
|
8–10
|
Brackenford Wolves v Valley Vipers
|
13–5
|
| 8
|
Rivergate Ravens v Camden Thorns
|
9–9
|
Copper Coast Chargers v Moorland Miners
|
10–8
|
Valley Vipers v Lakeside Rovers
|
7–11
|
Brackenford Wolves v Crown & Anchor
|
11–7
|
| 9
|
Copper Coast Chargers v Camden Thorns
|
12–6
|
Valley Vipers v Rivergate Ravens
|
9–9
|
Brackenford Wolves v Moorland Miners
|
11–7
|
Crown & Anchor v Lakeside Rovers
|
7–11
|
| 10
|
Valley Vipers v Camden Thorns
|
7–11
|
Brackenford Wolves v Copper Coast Chargers
|
9–9
|
Crown & Anchor v Rivergate Ravens
|
11–7
|
Lakeside Rovers v Moorland Miners
|
12–6
|
| 11
|
Brackenford Wolves v Camden Thorns
|
8–10
|
Crown & Anchor v Valley Vipers
|
11–7
|
Lakeside Rovers v Copper Coast Chargers
|
10–8
|
Moorland Miners v Rivergate Ravens
|
9–9
|
| 12
|
Crown & Anchor v Camden Thorns
|
9–9
|
Lakeside Rovers v Brackenford Wolves
|
8–10
|
Moorland Miners v Valley Vipers
|
11–7
|
Rivergate Ravens v Copper Coast Chargers
|
7–11
|
| 13
|
Lakeside Rovers v Camden Thorns
|
10–8
|
Moorland Miners v Crown & Anchor
|
11–7
|
Rivergate Ravens v Brackenford Wolves
|
8–10
|
Copper Coast Chargers v Valley Vipers
|
9–9
|
| 14
|
Moorland Miners v Camden Thorns
|
6–12
|
Rivergate Ravens v Lakeside Rovers
|
6–12
|
Copper Coast Chargers v Crown & Anchor
|
11–7
|
Valley Vipers v Brackenford Wolves
|
8–10
|
| Stage
|
Match
|
Score
|
Winner
|
| Semi-final 1
|
Lakeside Rovers v Camden Thorns
|
12–6
|
Lakeside Rovers
|
| Semi-final 2
|
Brackenford Wolves v Copper Coast Chargers
|
10–8
|
Brackenford Wolves
|
| Grand final
|
Lakeside Rovers v Brackenford Wolves
|
8–10
|
Brackenford Wolves
|
| Pos
|
Team
|
Pld
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
PF
|
PA
|
PD
|
Pts
|
Qualification
|
| 1
|
Greenhill Griffins
|
14
|
9
|
5
|
0
|
148
|
104
|
+44
|
23
|
Qualified for finals
|
| 2
|
Hilltop Hornets
|
14
|
7
|
4
|
3
|
133
|
119
|
+14
|
18
|
Qualified for finals
|
| 3
|
Stonebridge Foxes
|
14
|
6
|
3
|
5
|
130
|
122
|
+8
|
15
|
Qualified for finals
|
| 4
|
Elm Park Eagles
|
14
|
5
|
4
|
5
|
129
|
123
|
+6
|
14
|
Qualified for finals
|
| 5
|
Southport Saints
|
14
|
6
|
2
|
6
|
126
|
126
|
0
|
14
|
|
| 6
|
Kingsport Cutters
|
14
|
6
|
2
|
6
|
120
|
132
|
−12
|
14
|
|
| 7
|
Westvale Comets
|
14
|
4
|
2
|
8
|
119
|
133
|
−14
|
10
|
|
| 8
|
Ashfield Owls
|
14
|
2
|
0
|
12
|
103
|
149
|
−46
|
4
|
|
| Round
|
Match 1
|
Score
|
Match 2
|
Score
|
Match 3
|
Score
|
Match 4
|
Score
|
| 1
|
Greenhill Griffins v Ashfield Owls
|
10–8
|
Southport Saints v Westvale Comets
|
11–7
|
Hilltop Hornets v Kingsport Cutters
|
11–7
|
Stonebridge Foxes v Elm Park Eagles
|
7–11
|
| 2
|
Greenhill Griffins v Westvale Comets
|
9–9
|
Ashfield Owls v Kingsport Cutters
|
10–8
|
Southport Saints v Elm Park Eagles
|
10–8
|
Hilltop Hornets v Stonebridge Foxes
|
9–9
|
| 3
|
Greenhill Griffins v Kingsport Cutters
|
9–9
|
Westvale Comets v Elm Park Eagles
|
5–13
|
Ashfield Owls v Stonebridge Foxes
|
7–11
|
Southport Saints v Hilltop Hornets
|
5–13
|
| 4
|
Greenhill Griffins v Elm Park Eagles
|
12–6
|
Kingsport Cutters v Stonebridge Foxes
|
10–8
|
Westvale Comets v Hilltop Hornets
|
8–10
|
Ashfield Owls v Southport Saints
|
8–10
|
| 5
|
Greenhill Griffins v Stonebridge Foxes
|
9–9
|
Elm Park Eagles v Hilltop Hornets
|
9–9
|
Kingsport Cutters v Southport Saints
|
10–8
|
Westvale Comets v Ashfield Owls
|
11–7
|
| 6
|
Greenhill Griffins v Hilltop Hornets
|
13–5
|
Stonebridge Foxes v Southport Saints
|
11–7
|
Elm Park Eagles v Ashfield Owls
|
11–7
|
Kingsport Cutters v Westvale Comets
|
10–8
|
| 7
|
Greenhill Griffins v Southport Saints
|
10–8
|
Hilltop Hornets v Ashfield Owls
|
10–8
|
Stonebridge Foxes v Westvale Comets
|
12–6
|
Elm Park Eagles v Kingsport Cutters
|
8–10
|
| 8
|
Ashfield Owls v Greenhill Griffins
|
6–12
|
Westvale Comets v Southport Saints
|
8–10
|
Kingsport Cutters v Hilltop Hornets
|
9–9
|
Elm Park Eagles v Stonebridge Foxes
|
7–11
|
| 9
|
Westvale Comets v Greenhill Griffins
|
9–9
|
Kingsport Cutters v Ashfield Owls
|
13–5
|
Elm Park Eagles v Southport Saints
|
9–9
|
Stonebridge Foxes v Hilltop Hornets
|
10–8
|
| 10
|
Kingsport Cutters v Greenhill Griffins
|
5–13
|
Elm Park Eagles v Westvale Comets
|
8–10
|
Stonebridge Foxes v Ashfield Owls
|
8–10
|
Hilltop Hornets v Southport Saints
|
11–7
|
| 11
|
Elm Park Eagles v Greenhill Griffins
|
9–9
|
Stonebridge Foxes v Kingsport Cutters
|
12–6
|
Hilltop Hornets v Westvale Comets
|
10–8
|
Southport Saints v Ashfield Owls
|
11–7
|
| 12
|
Stonebridge Foxes v Greenhill Griffins
|
5–13
|
Hilltop Hornets v Elm Park Eagles
|
9–9
|
Southport Saints v Kingsport Cutters
|
13–5
|
Ashfield Owls v Westvale Comets
|
6–12
|
| 13
|
Hilltop Hornets v Greenhill Griffins
|
8–10
|
Southport Saints v Stonebridge Foxes
|
9–9
|
Ashfield Owls v Elm Park Eagles
|
7–11
|
Westvale Comets v Kingsport Cutters
|
8–10
|
| 14
|
Southport Saints v Greenhill Griffins
|
8–10
|
Ashfield Owls v Hilltop Hornets
|
7–11
|
Westvale Comets v Stonebridge Foxes
|
10–8
|
Kingsport Cutters v Elm Park Eagles
|
8–10
|
| Stage
|
Match
|
Score
|
Winner
|
| Semi-final 1
|
Greenhill Griffins v Elm Park Eagles
|
10–8
|
Greenhill Griffins
|
| Semi-final 2
|
Hilltop Hornets v Stonebridge Foxes
|
10–8
|
Hilltop Hornets
|
| Grand final
|
Greenhill Griffins v Hilltop Hornets
|
8–10
|
Hilltop Hornets
|
| Division
|
Winner
|
Runner-up
|
Score
|
| Division A
|
Blackwood Flight
|
Eastgate Royals
|
10–8
|
| Division B
|
Brackenford Wolves
|
Lakeside Rovers
|
10–8
|
| Division C
|
Hilltop Hornets
|
Greenhill Griffins
|
10–8
|
| Place
|
Team
|
| 1st
|
Blackwood Flight
|
| 2nd
|
Eastgate Royals
|
| 3rd
|
Milltown Arrows
|
| 4th
|
Ironbridge Arms
|
| 5th
|
Old Town Bulls
|
| 6th
|
Northside Nomads
|
| 7th
|
Red Lion Rebels
|
| 8th
|
Harbour City Hawks
|
| Place
|
Team
|
| 1st
|
Brackenford Wolves
|
| 2nd
|
Lakeside Rovers
|
| 3rd
|
Copper Coast Chargers
|
| 4th
|
Camden Thorns
|
| 5th
|
Moorland Miners
|
| 6th
|
Crown & Anchor
|
| 7th
|
Rivergate Ravens
|
| 8th
|
Valley Vipers
|
| Place
|
Team
|
| 1st
|
Hilltop Hornets
|
| 2nd
|
Greenhill Griffins
|
| 3rd
|
Stonebridge Foxes
|
| 4th
|
Elm Park Eagles
|
| 5th
|
Southport Saints
|
| 6th
|
Kingsport Cutters
|
| 7th
|
Westvale Comets
|
| 8th
|
Ashfield Owls
|
| Award
|
Division A
|
Division B
|
Division C
|
| Minor premiers
|
Blackwood Flight
|
Lakeside Rovers
|
Greenhill Griffins
|
| Champions
|
Blackwood Flight
|
Brackenford Wolves
|
Hilltop Hornets
|
| Runners-up
|
Eastgate Royals
|
Lakeside Rovers
|
Greenhill Griffins
|
| Player of the season
|
Marcus Ellery
|
Thomas Vale
|
Callum Price
|
| Finals MVP
|
Owen Reece
|
Bailey Hart
|
Noah Keane
|
| Highest average
|
Marcus Ellery – 23.18
|
Thomas Vale – 21.04
|
Callum Price – 20.31
|
| Highest checkout
|
Owen Reece – 156
|
Bailey Hart – 142
|
Noah Keane – 128
|
| Most 180s
|
Marcus Ellery – 16
|
Thomas Vale – 11
|
Callum Price – 9
|
| Round
|
Division
|
Match
|
Result
|
Notes
|
| 1
|
Division A
|
Eastgate Royals v Old Town Bulls
|
8–10
|
Old Town Bulls defeated the defending Division A champions in the opening round.
|
| 4
|
Division A
|
Blackwood Flight v Milltown Arrows
|
13–5
|
Blackwood recorded one of the biggest Division A wins of the season.
|
| 7
|
Division A
|
Blackwood Flight v Eastgate Royals
|
8–10
|
Eastgate handed Blackwood their first loss of the season.
|
| 8
|
Division B
|
Brackenford Wolves v Crown & Anchor
|
11–7
|
Brackenford moved into the top two.
|
| 12
|
Division B
|
Lakeside Rovers v Brackenford Wolves
|
8–10
|
Brackenford defeated the minor premiers late in the regular season.
|
| 6
|
Division C
|
Greenhill Griffins v Hilltop Hornets
|
13–5
|
Greenhill produced their strongest win of the season.
|
| 14
|
Division C
|
Kingsport Cutters v Elm Park Eagles
|
8–10
|
Elm Park secured the final Division C finals position.
|
| Finals
|
Division B
|
Lakeside Rovers v Brackenford Wolves
|
8–10
|
Brackenford won the Division B grand final after finishing second.
|
| Finals
|
Division C
|
Greenhill Griffins v Hilltop Hornets
|
8–10
|
Hilltop defeated the previously unbeaten minor premiers in the grand final.
|
| Record
|
Team
|
Division
|
Total
|
| Best regular-season record
|
Blackwood Flight
|
Division A
|
12–0–2
|
| Most points for
|
Blackwood Flight
|
Division A
|
150
|
| Fewest points against
|
Blackwood Flight
|
Division A
|
102
|
| Best points difference
|
Blackwood Flight
|
Division A
|
+48
|
| Most regular-season draws
|
Copper Coast Chargers
|
Division B
|
5
|
| Fewest regular-season losses
|
Greenhill Griffins
|
Division C
|
0
|
| Biggest regular-season win
|
Blackwood Flight
|
Division A
|
13–5
|
| Record
|
Player
|
Team
|
Total
|
| Highest season average
|
Marcus Ellery
|
Blackwood Flight
|
23.18
|
| Highest checkout
|
Owen Reece
|
Blackwood Flight
|
156
|
| Most 180s
|
Marcus Ellery
|
Blackwood Flight
|
16
|
| Most match wins
|
Thomas Vale
|
Lakeside Rovers
|
13
|
| Best finals average
|
Bailey Hart
|
Brackenford Wolves
|
22.40
|
- The season used a 14-round regular-season format.
- The top four teams in each division qualified for the finals.
- All finals were played under a knockout format.
- Greenhill Griffins were the only team to finish the regular season undefeated.
- Hilltop Hornets became the only 2027 champion that did not finish first or second in the regular season.