Two city sides vie for top spot in Devon super league

MARITIME and Ker St Social Club are the only two undefeated sides in the premier division of the Devon Super League with just a single point separating the leading duo after three matches.

Tabletoppers Maritime won 6-3 away at Muff Boyz (Exmouth) and had John Mann (26.69) as their leading exponent after winning 4-3.

Captain Danny Allen (25.51) led by example and came out on top after being pushed the full seven legs, aided by a checkout of 126.

Jason Pinkerton (22.21) won 4-1 while Lee Hellings (24.30) and Danny Bull (24.61), who was making his Maritime debut, both won 4-2 while Glyn Wells (24.49) won 4-3.

They followed that victory up with another 6-3 success when hosting Royal Anglers (Bideford) with some outstanding performances, none more so than from Wells (left) who won 4-0 in 17, 19, 13 and 17 for a 28.33 average.

Close behind was Mann (28.23) who also won without loss which included a leg in 12 while Allen (25.66) won 4-1 and achieved a checkout of 118.

There were also victories for Kieran Burns (22.41), Danny Bull (21.32) and Shaun Dring (21.44).

Ker St Social Club defeated Exeter Eagles 6-3, inspired by top performer Marc Cresswell (below) (25.58) who hit two maximums and a 14-dart leg before going on to win 4-1.

Also on target were Dave Roberts, Darren Collis and Dave Algar who all won 4-2 while Tony Teal and Scott Lawrey were also successful after being taken the full distance.

The Devonport side kept their unbeaten record intact when they emerged 5-4 winners from their encounter away at Royal Anglers (Bideford).

Gary Phillips (23.90) was their man of the match, coming from 3-1 down to win 4-3 which included a 14-darter which he finished in two darts from 100.

Scott Lawrey emerged a 4-3 winner and took out a finish of 140 while Tom James also showed his finishing prowess and made a kill of 116 in a 4-2 victory.

Wins were also achieved by Dave Algar (4-3) and Dan Sheikh (4-1).

Porters went down by the odd game of nine from their visit to Racehorse (Tiverton) despite a good performance from Scott Wapshott (26.16) who won 4-2.

Shaun Bailey also won 4-2 while there were 4-0 successes for both Lewis Dare and Mark Shears.

Poison Ivy (Westward Inn) lost for the first time in division one when they lost 6-3 when hosting Rowing Club (Paignton).

Tex Pearce (24.79) finished a 15-darter with a kill of 116 before going on to a 4-1 victory while Pete Holland (4-1) and Dan Puleston (4-0) were also prominent.

Bluebird, in their debut season, are making big strides in division two and top the table with an eight-point advantage.

They were 8-1 winners over Royal Anchor (Bideford) with Mark Henley (23.70) topping the averages in a 4-2 victory, followed by Rob Thorning (21.55) and Steve Barnes (20.33).

The team’s other winners were: Tony Reid (4-1), Rich Coombes (4-1) and Shaun Kittle (4-2) while Lee Soper and Stewart Roberts both won after going the full distance.

Coombes claimed an excellent man of the match nomination in Bluebird’s 6-3 win at Racehorse Stallions (Tiverton) when, in winning 4-1, he hit a 26.03 average.

Stewart Roberts (21.55) won in four straight legs and Rob Thorning prevailed 4-1 while the trio of John Owen, Matt Lang and Alan McIlhiney all won by the odd leg in seven.

Maritime Ladies have reached lofty heights in ladies’ division one and find themselves top of the table after three matches with an eight-point advantage.

They edged Loco Ladies (Exeter) 4-3 and had all their winners claiming success without dropping a leg.

Kayleigh Adams began the assault, aided by a checkout of 100 and was supported by Jodie Hawton, Mel Sharpe and Sue Pullen.