Leaders run close, but it's 20 wins on the bounce

FIRKIN Scholar gave a good account of themselves when they played Maritime A and took them to the wire before the Monday Premier League table-toppers edged it 6-5, for their 20th consecutive victory of the campaign.

Scott Hutchinson (100x15) top scored for the winners and had Tony Lamerton (25.91) emerging a 3-0 winner in 20, 21 and 17.

Jim Orchard caught the eye when winning 3-1 in 19, 20 and 19 for Scholar and in a 2-0 double’s win for Mark Hatherley and Brian Lumsden, they finished in style when taking the second 601 leg in 16 darts.

Porters A moved to within five points of the unbeaten leaders when they secured all but one of the 11 points that were on offer away at Indian Inn B.

WINNER: Tony Lamerton was a 3-1 winner for Maritime A in 20, 21 and 17 as the league

leaders made it 20 wins on the bounce.

Mike Miller saved the whitewash for the Stoke side with a clinical showing and John Mann and Kevin Lofthouse clinched a doubles leg in 18 before going on to a 2-0 win.

Prince Maurice plundered maximum points from their visit to Ford Hotel and another win in double figures saw Indian Inn A returning from The Bluebird with a 10-1 victory.

The A side won the bragging rights when they defeated their stablemates Brookside B 9-2, the highlight being a 3-0 singles victory for Scott Lawrey, aided by legs in 15 and 16.

Steam Packet won 8-3 at City Social and Octagon Social Club were also victorious on the road with a 7-4 success at Prince Maurice B.

No fewer than seven of the nine fixtures were won by the away sides and that included a 7-4 victory for Maritime B at Porters B with Kieran Burns (100x12) as their leading marksman.

Shakespeare were edged out 6-5 on their visit to Steam Packet B despite two good performances.

Rich Coombs was consistent throughout and top scored with 16 throws of a ton or more while Alan Masters won 3-1 and hit checkouts of 107 and the week’s best of 156.

Also on target were: Mark Hatherley (115), Al Rowe (114), Mike Miller (113), Brian Lumsdon (111), Jordan Grimshaw (102), Mike Whatley (100).