Shears was best player in end-of-season play-offs

MARK Shears proved to be the best player when the Porters Function Room 501 Top 20 League held their end of season play-off for team champions.

He reached the semi-final with 3-0 victories over Dan Hill and Paul Gavican while his last four opponent, Scott Hutchinson, was equally impressive when defeating Mark Webber and Pete Holland, also in straight legs.

In the other half of the draw, John Mann defeated Dave Algar 3-0 before achieving a 3-1 victory over Scott Lawrey, aided by an 11-dart leg.

The last player to make the semi’s was Lewis Dare after wins against Keith Walton (3-0) and Paul Bowen (3-1).

Shears (pictured left), was taken the full distance by Hutchinson but made it through to the final, aided by a checkout of 160 while Dare ended the hopes of pre-tournament favourite John Mann.

Despite Mann taking out a kill of 116, that was the only leg he won, and Dare progressed to the final when taking his three winning legs in 21, 16 and 11.

Unfortunately, though, Dare could not replicate that form and with another ton plus checkout of 104, Shears won the final in three straight legs.

And it all starts again next Tuesday.

Porters Patriots, who won the league title last season with an unblemished record from their 36 games will start the defence of their title against The Office who will be making their league debut.

The full fixture for the first week of the season next Tuesday (Sept 4) is as follows: Porters Patriots v The Office, Maritime Governors v Maritime Musketeers, Octagon SC v Cherry Tree, Brookside A v Fawn B, Compton SC v The Falstaff, Bye v Kings Arms, Fawn A v Brookside B, Indian Inn v Waterloo Inn, Duchy of Cornwall v Maritime Marauders, Brewery Tap v Porters Pretenders.