Porters 501 League starts with 20 teams

FOR the first time in the history of the 501 Top 20 League, a new season commenced with a full complement of 20 teams and three of the sides opened their accounts with wins in double figures.

Porters Pretenders had Jon Matlock (100x14) top scoring in their 11-0 drubbing of Waterloo Inn while their stablemates Porters Patriots secured all but one of the 11 points on offer when visiting Indian Inn.

John Mann was their leading marksman with 16 ton plus scores, 10 of which came in a 3-0 singles success.

Fawn A were given an 11-0 walkover by The Clifton while Maritime Marauders won 8-3 on their visit to Kings Arms.

Brookside defeated league debutants Falstaff 7-4 and had Kelvin Rowe (31.31) showing good form when winning 3-0 in 15, 17 and 16.

TOP CHECKOUT: Compton Social Club’s James Duke registered the highest checkout of the opening week when he finished from 152.

Lewis Dare impressed for the Southway side and top-scored with 15 ton plus throws.

Cherry Tree overcame Duchy of Cornwall 7-4 while Torpoint Cons edged out City Social 6-5 after coming from behind to win the last four singles.

The highlight of the match saw Social’s Cat Callard hit three maximum scores of 180 when taking a doyen of Plymouth darts, namely John Goves, the full distance before being edged out 3-2.

Plympton Cons defeated Fawn B 10-3 and had Paul Bowen registering 13 throws of a ton or more, including a brace of 180s while the Musketeers won the Maritime derby fixture 7-4 against their stablemates The Misfits.

Scott Hutchinson caught the eye for The Misfits when taking legs in 15 and 16 before defeating Steve Pearce 3-1 whose only leg was delivered in 15.

Paul Tackle took a leg in 14 in winning his singles 3-0, a feat which helped Octagon Social to an 8-3 victory away at Compton.

The hosts did register the week’s top checkout though through James Duke who finished at the first time of asking from 152 while other notable outshots were delivered by Dave Jones (114), Scott Hutchinson (101) and Malcolm Johns (101).