Victory out in front but very close between top quartet

VICTORY A were 9-2 winners away at Cherry Tree A to top the Monday Premier League with a three-point advantage, but just a single point separates the next three sides.

These include Brewery Tap who were surprisingly edged out 6-5 by Plympton Cons.

Antony Hayman brought the two sides level at 5-5 when emerging a 3-1 winner, aided by a leg in 14, before Andy Bond won the 11th and decisive point.

Paul Bowen also caught the eye in Cons’ victory, taking a game in 15 before winning his singles by the odd leg in five.

Cherry Tree won 8-3 on their visit to Steam Packet A and had Stewart Roberts top scoring with 11 three-figure throws, 10 of which came in a 3-1 singles success.

Brian Lumsdon (100x16) was on target for Firkin Scholar in their 9-2 defeat of Hyde Park Social Club while Steam Packet were the only team to win in double figures, inflicting a 10-1 defeat on The Bluebird.

Quinton Taylor emerged a 3-0 winner, with his best legs being won in 16 and 19 and on the back of this result, Packet have now moved up into joint second spot.

Teresa Brookshaw hit three maximum scores in a 3-0 singles win, the third leg being taken in 15, which enabled Indian B to draw level at 5-5, only for Ryan Harris to emerge a 3-1 winner in the next for Victory B to win 6-5.

Porters B were another side to win by the narrowest of margins against visitors Prince Maurice B as were The Tradesman, next door at Octagon A.

In a close encounter that went to 5-5, Mike O’Brien won the 11th and decisive point in three straight legs, the third being claimed in 15.

Porters A won 7-4 at Prince Maurice A and will finish the year in fourth spot but still in contention for honours.

They had Lewis Dare top scoring with 16 ton plus throws which included three maximums and in winning his singles by a 3-1 margin, finished a 15-darter with a checkout of 137.

Team mate Matt Ansell also took out a 15-darter before going on to a 3-0 singles victory.

Best for the Eggbuckland side was Glenn Halford (100x12) whose best legs in a 3-0 singles victory were won in 18 and 16.

Mike Whatley (pictured) inspired Indian Inn A to win by the narrowest of margins against Octagon B, top scoring with 15 throws of a ton or more which included the week’s highest checkout of 143.

Others on target were: Paul Bowen (141), Keith Lemon (130), Andrew Nation (130), Paul Barclay (130), Alan Masters (122), Eric Leddell (118), Paul Freeman (101), Matt Abbott (101), Mark Williams (100).