Porters suffer rare defeat but remain top of the table

PORTERS suffered a rare defeat in the Plymouth City Super League but still top the table, although their advantage has been cut to three points.

In a well contested fixture away at Octagon Social Club the scoreline stood at 5-5, before Lee Hellings (pictured) won the decisive point, aided by the week’s top checkout of 156 after being taken the full five legs by Malcolm Johns.

The fixture also produced five maximum scores of 180, three of which were achieved by Porters’ John Mann.

Second placed Maritime A were taken the distance by hosts Plympton Cons A before winning by the narrowest of margins, but it remains very competitive at the top of the table with only five points separating the top four places.

Mike Bingham (100x12) top scored for Victoria but could not prevent a 7-4 defeat away at Compton Social Club while Cherry Tree won by the odd game in 11 away at The Fawn when Shane Roberts clinched the last singles by a 3-0 margin.

Ker St Social Club won the last two singles of their encounter at Kings Arms to prevail 6-5 while Plympton Cons B won 8-3 at The Albermarle and The Bluebird triumphed 7-4 away at The Clifton.

Maritime B trailed 3-1 and 5-4 but rallied to take the last two points when Jonathon Easterbrook and Mark Gilbery (180x2) both won their singles by a 3-1 margin.

Phil Hoyle was also prominent for Maritime B and top scored with 12 throws of a ton or more.

Paul Carpenter was on target with a brace of 180s but finished up on the wrong end of a 9-2 scoreline when Ships Tavern were defeated by Maritime C.

The Staddy consolidated fourth spot and remain in the mix after they won 10-1 away at St Levan Inn, the only side to win in double figures.

Tony Gordon caught the eye when winning his individual game in three straight legs, aided by a win in 12, while Dave Algar was on target with an outshot of 130.

Other prominent checkouts were achieved by: Sean Burkitt (127), Steve Brocklesby (125), Teresa Brookshaw (110), Roger Bailey (110), John Donald (107), James Duke (101).