Maritime claim victory despite 4-1 deficit
MARITIME Social Club maintained their unbeaten record in the premier division of the Devon Super League, recovering from a 4-1 deficit to edge out Exeter’s Winchester Warriors.
They have been close to their first defeat before, having won by the narrowest of margins in four of their last five fixtures, but still boast a 10-point lead over second placed Exeter Eagles.
The first singles of the night laid the fourendations for a high-quality fixture when Winchester's Owen Bates (26.24) defeated Neil White (28.33) 4-3 with the Plymouth marksman’s legs coming in 16, 17 and 16.
Only Dave Matthews (25.01) was a home winner from the first five encounters, winning 4-1, aided by a checkout of 113 when finishing an 18-dart leg.
Mike Pearce (25.47) began the revival and claimed the top winning average in a 4-1 success, followed by an identical win from Mark Turner (23.47), who opened up with a 15-darter which he finished with a kill of 106.
Maritime wrapped up their 5-4 win when Jason Pinkerton (22.52) and Scott Hutchinson (24.14) both won in straight legs.
STEWART WAS FILLIP FOR PORTERS: Excellent finishing from Phil Stewart helped him to a 4-0 victory in 19, 18, 19 and 18, checking out the two 18-darters with out shots of 145 and 100 respectively.
After five successive defeats, Porters Patriots opened their account when defeating Royal Anglers (Bideford) 6-3.
Rob May (18.39) and Malcolm Johns (24.74) won the first two points for the Barbican side before going 3-0 up following an astute 4-0 victory from John Mann (28.63) in 20, 18, 15 and 17.
Despite Jeff Chambers (20.94) being the only home winner from the next four when winning 4-3, Pete James (23.86) and Phil Stewart (26.37) made sure of victory with 4-0 and 4-3 successes respectively.
James took the opening leg of his encounter with a checkout of 106, while Stewart’s four winning legs were won in 19, 18, 19 and 18, the two 18-darters being claimed with outshots of 145 and 100 respectively.
The top-of-the-table clash in division one saw second placed Ker St go down 6-3 at home to unbeaten leaders Muff Boyz (Exmouth).
Scott Lawrey (23.86) won 4-0, aided by a checkout of 120 while Darren Collis (22.76) won 4-2 and Kelvin Rowe (21.71) came out on the right side of his encounter that went the full seven legs.
Also in division one, Porters Pretenders lost 6-3 when they visited Kings Arms (South Molton).
Mark Shears (28.63) produced yet another sterling display when winning 4-0 in 19, 17, 13 and 21 but he was the only Porters winner from the first seven sets.
In making the scoreline more respectable, Lewis Dare (25.69) and Paul Palmer (25.48) won the last two ties 4-0.
St Levan Inn are the new leaders of ladies’ division one, albeit by a single point, after returning from Bideford with a 7-0 victory.
Angie Trout started the onslaught when she came from 2-1 down to win 3-2, followed by 3-1 victories for Anna Johnson (18.74) and Hayley Brant (19.07).
Maria O’Brien (23.12) then increased the lead to four when she emerged a 3-0 winner, taking the decisive leg in 18, aided by a maximum 180.
Two more 3-1 wins from Sarah Brown and Wendy Johnson followed before Trish Penberthy completed the rout with victory in three straight legs.
All four previous defeats that Maritime Ladies have suffered were by the narrowest of margins and their latest demise, when hosting Shipwrecks (Crediton), was no different.
Jodie Hawton (20.92) caught the eye with a solid 3-2 victory and there were encouraging wins also from Lisa Aston and Mel Sharp, who both won 3-1, before the Keyham side again lost 4-3.
