High checkouts abound, including new season's best

THERE were some outstanding performances at the business end of games in the Monday Premier League, evident in the fact that no fewer than 14 ton plus checkouts were recorded, seven of those being 130 or greater.

Not surprisingly, a new mark was set for the season’s highest and it came in an excellent fixture that Porters A won 9-2 against Plympton Cons, having scored no fewer than 63 throws of a ton or more.

John Mann (100x18) once again was Porters’ talisman who emerged a 3-1 winner in 15, 16 and 17.

The game that eluded him was won by John Petherick (left), who finished an 18-dart leg with a kill of 167, a brilliant checkout that can only now be beaten by the highest possible of 170.

Despite a good victory, Porters A are five points off the pace in second spot, after leaders Steam Packet B defeated their stablemates Packet A 11-0, while Brookside A in third, overcame Prince Maurice A 8-3 and had Scott Lawrey on target with two 180s.

There were also maximum points for Indian Inn A who won away at Prince Maurice B while Indian Inn B and Bluebird B were both 7-4 winners against Hyde Park SC and Brookside B respectively.

The Tradesman (100x53) took all but one of the 11 points that were on offer when they hosted Porters B, inspired by an excellent performance from Gary Whittles.

The Naval officer top scored with 14 throws of a ton or more which included three maximums and won his singles 3-0 in 12, 18 and 20 for a 30.06 average.

Anthony Pearn (100x11) was the top marksman for Brewery Tap in their 8-3 defeat of Octagon B while Maritime Social Club inflicted on Firkin Scholar their first defeat of the season when beating them 9-2.

In the two remaining fixtures, Cherry Tree and Octagon A both won 8-3 against Bluebird A and Ford Hotel respectively.

Notable checkouts from across the boards were achieved by: Adam Searle (150), John Carr (150), Gary Whittles (148), Rob Thorning (148), Paul Tackle (138), Lee Hellings (130), Steve Bishop (126), John Mann (119), Mike Whatley (112), Scott Wapshott (110), Mark Henley (105), Quinton Taylor (103), Jon Kemp (100).