WHEN people talk of great players that have graced the dartboards of Plymouth, one family name which is revered by many is Bishop. Not one player, but five of the very best in their own right. In 1938, ring throwing, or quoits to give its proper name, used to be a popular pastime in some public houses, none more so than at the Clowance Tavern in Devonport. One of the participants at the time was Tom Bishop who was also becoming a competent thrower on the dartboard and that fa

STEAM Packet inflicted on the Plymouth and District Friday League leaders only their second defeat of the season, but Kings Tamerton CC have now lost their big advantage they had over the chasing pack. The Packet duet of Matt Thompson and Neal Hotchkiss (30.33) clinched their doubles in 33 to help put the Devonport side 5-2 up, only for the table-toppers to respond by taking the next three. But it was the deadly duo of Thompson and Hotchkiss who again came to the fore and cli

AT 5-1 down, Porters Patriots were staring their first defeat in the face. But all credit to a side that had previously gone 28 matches undefeated in the Porters Function Room 501 Top 20 League, who turned it around to preserve their unblemished record. Maritime Musketeers were good value for their lead after the early exchanges but fell short in the individual phases. Patriots won four singles in succession to bring the teams level at 5-5 before Malcolm Johns edged out Lee A

MARIA O’Brien deservedly earned the plaudits in the Plymouth City Super League when, inspiring St Levan Inn to victory away at Kings Arms B, she achieved the week’s top individual average. With her side winning 5-3, the England international secured her singles in 14, 18 and 18 for a superb single dart average of 30.06 and she also top scored with 12 throws of a ton or more which included an outshot of 116. That performance ensured St Levan of the team win, before the hosts w

PLYMOUTH teenager Keelan Kay will be back on The PDC Unicorn Development Tour this weekend when he competes in Events 5-8 on Saturday and Sunday at Halle 39, Hildesheim, Germany. He was awarded a PDPA scholarship after finishing 2017 in second place on the Junior Darts Corporation’s (JDC) order of merit and at just 16 years of age, Kay is the youngest to compete on the prestigious tour. Kay made is PDC debut last month and produced some excellent performances at the Robin Par

ALAN Ewing earned the plaudits in the Porters Function Room 501 Top 20 League when he set a new mark for the season’s highest checkout. In a 2-1 doubles victory with Mike Trim, he finished a leg with a kill of 160, before going on to take his singles in three straight legs. Unfortunately, though, he could not do anything about the final scoreline and his Compton Social Club lost 7-4 to Fawn A. Runaway leaders Porters Patriots once again showed championship form when in taking

ONLY one of the leading trio achieved a victory in the latest round of matches from the Plymouth and District Friday League and that honour went to Kings Tamerton CC when they edged out Royal Naval Arms A, in a competitive fixture. Trailing 6-4, the Keyham side took two on the bounce to bring the sides level at 6-6, only for Simon Godfrey to clinch the decisive 13th point for victory when finishing at the first opportunity. Third placed Indian Inn A were defeated 9-4 by Brewe

PORTERS B consolidated their position at the top of the Plymouth City Super League with an 11-0 drubbing of Ships Tavern, a result that puts them eight points clear of their title rivals with five to play. Mike Beard caught the eye for the winners when hitting two maximums in a 3-0 singles success while The Staddy, in second spot, emerged 9-2 winners away at Compton Social Club. Maritime A returned from Clifton B with all but of the 11 points that were on offer and had Phil H

INDIAN Inn A failed to take advantage of Kings Tamerton’s inactivity in the Plymouth and District Friday League and remain in second place, four points off the pace, but having now played a game more, after they could only win by the narrowest of margins. The Tradesman, who were 26 points behind their opponents at the start of the fixture, played much better than their league position would suggest and led 6-4 before Indian secured the last three singles for victory. Bull and

MARK Shears inspired the Pretenders to victory in the Porters Function Room 501 Top 20 League when, in winning 3-0 in 20, 17 and 15, he achieved the week’s top average of 28.90. Scott Wapshott also gave a good account of himself and emerged a 3-0 winner, aided by a leg in 14. League leaders Porters Patriots won 8-3 away at Falstaff while Brookside consolidated second spot when winning 7-4 against Torpoint Cons. TOP AVERAGE: Mark Shears achieved the top average when winning 3-