A close finish is destined to establish league honours

A DIFFERENCE of 18 points cover the first three places of the Plymouth City Super League but when all outstanding matches have been played, one of the closest title run-ins for several seasons looks inevitable.

Current leaders Porters B, who have now gone 31 matches undefeated, overcame Plympton Cons B 9-2, aided by some very good individual performances.

John Mann top scored with 19 throws of a ton or more which included three maximums and Mike Beard grabbed himself a brace as well as a checkout of 142, but his mark for the week’s highest outshot was beaten by team-mate Malcolm Johns who, in winning 3-1, made a kill of 151.

WEEK'S BEST: Malcolm Johns was on target with the week's best checkout when he finished at the first time of asking from 151.

Dartsworld have two games in hand on the leaders but made inroads when they were the only team to win in double figures, securing all 11 points from their visit to Victoria, aided by two good performances from Paul Palmer (100x17) and Lewis Dare (100x14) who won 3-1 and 3-0 respectively.

Lee Doncaster (100x15) caught the eye as Clifton A defeated Hyde Park Social Club 9-2 while Plympton Cons A overcame Kings Arms A 8-3, in a fixture that produced six maximum scores.

Andy Pengelly recorded a couple of 180s but was one of only two winners for visitors Clifton B who went down 7-4 away at Ship’s Tavern.

The Albemarle edged out Ker St Social Club 6-5 while Kings Arms B and Maritime B both won7-4 against Compton SC and Porters A respectively.

Maritime A defeated The Fawn 8-3 while The Staddy, one of the three title contenders, put in an admirable performance to defeat Octagon Social Club 7-4.

In a high-quality fixture that produced eight maximum scores, Tony Gordon led the way with three, two of the 180s coming in a 3-0 singles victory that included a leg in 14.

Notable outshots were achieved by: Warren Gordon (128), Phil Hoyle (125), Steve Brocklesby (115), Paul Hoare (110).