Patriots look title favourites . . . after just 12 matches

THE Porters Function Room 501 Top 20 League does not finish until the end of July, but even at this early stage of the campaign, it is difficult to imagine any other team than Porters Patriots taking the title.

They command a 21-point advantage over the chasing pack after 12 straight victories and were again in a rich vein of form when winning 7-4 at Maritime Musketeers, recording 58 ton plus scores which included five maximums.

Andy Bates hit three of them and there was a brace for Antony Hayman who also threw the week’s highest checkout when finishing at the first time of asking from 150.

Fred Goldsmith (100x11) top scored for Fawn B in their 10-1 win over Duchy of Cornwall while Brookside returned from Porters Pretenders with a 9-2 victory.

TOP FINISH: Antony Hayman threw the week's top finish when he checked out at the first time

of asking from 150.

The Honicknowle side had Scott Lawrey top scoring with 14 ton plus throws which included outshots of 106 and 107 while for the hosts, Mark Shears (100x12) won 3-1, aided by a 13-darter.

Warren Gordon (100x13) gave a good account of himself, despite his Kings Arms side being edged out 6-5 at Compton Social and in two other close encounters, there were victories by the narrowest of margins for both Indian Inn and Torpoint Cons against Brewery Tap and Fawn A respectively.

City Social restricted Waterloo to just a single point and had Phil Hoskin winning well, aided by a 15-dart leg, while a solid victory from Glynn Wells was enhanced with a brace of 180s.

Lewis Dare was consistent throughout and took a 15-ton haul, but still finished up on the losing side when Fastaff went down 8-3 at Octagon Social Club.

An entertaining fixture at Plympton Cons saw Maritime Marauders come from behind and take the last two singles through Dan Puleston and Mike Pearce (180x2) to clinch a 6-5 victory.

Best for the hosts was Steve Hiscox (25.91) who emerged a 3-0 winner in 20, 21 and 17.

Notable checkouts from across the boards were delivered by: Paul Bowen (136), Alan Pope (122), Warren Gordon (118), Steve Pearce (115), Nick Bromley (109), Lee Ager (107), Mike Nancholas (105 & 103), Alex Turner (101), Dave Pethick (100), John Mann (100).