Champions? Despite having 15 matches still to play

DESPITE having to play another 15 matches to complete their Porters Function Room 501 Top 20 League campaign, the Patriots looked to have claimed the championship with a 9-2 victory over their nearest rivals Brookside.

John Mann won 3-1 in 15, 17 and 17 and was well supported by Andy Bates who emerged a 3-1 success in 15, 15 and 16 while Malcolm Johns top scored with 15 throws of a ton or more.

Brookside’s Scott Lawrey (100x15) finished a 15 leg with an out shot of 101 but found John Mann too good on the day.

The victory, in a match that produced 109 throws of a ton or more, has now put an unassailable 34 points between the two sides. There were no fewer than eight maximums recorded, two each for Mann, Bates and Brookside’s Gary Phillips.

PLAUDITS: Maritime's Billy Evans earned the plaudits when he emerged a 3-1 winner in 18, 17 and 21 and hit checkouts of 118 and the week's highest of 131.

Billy Evans (26.84) earned the plaudits as Maritime Misfits secured all but one of the 11 points that were on offer when they hosted Compton Social Club.

He emerged a 3-0 winner in 18, 17 and 21 and posted checkouts of 118 and the week’s highest of 131.

Team mate Dan Scott also caught the eye when he hit three scores of 180 in a 3-1 singles victory.

Fred Goldsmith (100x14) top scored for Fawn B in their 8-3 victory against Torpoint Cons while Octagon Social Club were 9-2 winners when hosting Indian Inn.

Dave Pethick (100x13) emerged a 3-2 winner in 20, 20 and 17 while Indian’s only individual winner, Paul Gavican, hit a brace of 180s.

Porters Pretenders led City Social 4-0 but still had to rely on Mark Shears winning the 11th and decisive point for victory while also winning by the narrowest of margins were Maritime Musketeers against Plympton Cons.

Phil Taylor (100x14) was on target throughout for Brewery Tap as they took all but one of the 11 points that were on offer away at Waterloo Inn.

Maximum points were achieved by Falstaff when they defeated Fawn A and they had Lewis Dare as their top scorer with 10 of his 15 ton plus scores, coming in a 3-0 singles victory.

The Duchy of Cornwall had tasted success only won once from their previous 20 encounters but returned to winning ways when they edged out Kings Arms 6-5.

Other notable outshots from across the boards were achieved by: Steve Packer (124), Andy Malinowski (120), Ian Heggie (110), Gary Phillips (101).