Devon Super League "derby" honours go to Maritime

TWO Plymouth derby matches were contested last night in the Devon County Super League and Maritime consolidated their position at the top of the premier division with a 6-3 victory away at Porters.

They began well with Dave Matthews (26.05) emerging a 4-3 winner.

He came from 3-2 down to defeat John Mann, taking the last two in 16 and 17 before Mike Pearce (25.44) came from a 2-0 deficit to win 4-2.

Andy Bates (27.09) pulled one back for the hosts when taking the first leg in 18 with an outshot of 108, before clearing up in 16, 19 and 17.

12-DART-LEG: Danny Allen produced a man-of-the-match performance for Maritime, taking the deciding leg in 12 darts with a checkout of 152.

Maritime’s two-game advantage was restored when Lee Hellings (21.74) won 4-2 before a man-of-the-match performance from Danny Allen (27.82) made it 4-1.

Allen was taken the full seven legs but at 3-3, produced a brilliant 12-dart leg which he finished at the first time of asking from 152.

Mark Turner (22.01) won 4-1 for Maritime either side of two Porters successes by Marc Webber (21.65) and Rob May (21.10) before Neil White (22.57) took the last point with a 4-2 victory, securing the match with a win in18, aided by a checkout of 115,

The form book was turned upside down in division when second placed Ker St suffered only their third defeat of the campaign at the hands of Porters Pretenders, who are trying to stave off relegation.

Kelvin Rowe (18.47) took the opening set 4-3, only for Porters to level through Ryan Ring (21.61) after he was taken the full distance.

The hosts then moved in front for the first time when Mark Shears (22.55) emerged a 4-1 winner, taking the last two legs in 15 and 16 before Ker St drew level at 2-2 when Scott Lawrey (24.13) obliged 4-3.

Porters pressed on again and had Lewis Dare (25.71) a 4-1 winner with his best legs coming in16 and 15 before Jon Matlock (22.63) increased their advantage with an identical winning scoreline after taking the opening leg in 15.

Darren Collis (19.45) then defeated George Tucker 4-2, despite the night’s highest checkout of 154 from the Porters’ youngster, before Scott Wapshott (21.47) and Steve Brocklesby (23.58) finished off a resounding 6-3 victory which will undoubtedly help them to preserve their division one status.

Maritime Ladies had only won once from their previous seven matches but returned to winning ways when they defeated Cully Belles (Cullompton) 5-2.

Tracy Dring and Mel Sharpe both won in three straight legs before Jodie Hawton emerged a 3-2 winner with a lady-of-the-match average of 19.45.

Maritime pressed on and achieved a well-deserved victory through Kayleigh Adams (3-1) and Kim White (3-2).