Who would deny emphatic Patriots the league title?

PORTERS Patriots showed why they are undefeated after 22 matches with an emphatic 11-0 victory that will undoubtedly lead to another Porters Function Room 501 Top 20 League title come June.

They put no fewer than 73 scores of a ton or more on the chalkboard which included a brace of 180s which John Mann (pictured top) hit in his singles.

He produced an outstanding 34.16 average when winning 3-0 in 12, 13 and 19 and was well supported by Andy Bates, who notched legs in 12 and 14 and also Antony Hayman (100x17) who hit two 14-darters before winning 3-1.

Their 20-point advantage looks unassailable but behind them, there is an intriguing battle brewing for second place.

Maritime Marauders are currently in that position, but have had their advantage over third placed Victory Inn A cut to just two points, after they could only win by the narrowest of margins when hosting Porters Pretenders.

Mike Pearce (25.91) caught the eye in the individual phases when he emerged a 3-0 winner in 18, 19 and 21.

Victory Inn A won 8-3 away at Maritime Musketeers and had Paul Flower emerging a 3-1 winner in 14, 18 and 20, while team-mate Neil White (100x13) was also prominent, and in winning 3-1, achieved his best legs in 16 and 17.

At the other end of the table, Compton Social Club had won only twice from their previous 21 fixtures but turned that poor form around and returned to winning ways when they defeated Cherry Tree 7-4 on their own board.

Two maximums from Fred Goldsmith in a 3-0 singles success was the highlight of Fawn B’s 9-2 win over Maritime Nutters while Kings Arms defeated Indian Inn 8-3 and Victory B emerged 7-4 winners when hosting Melbourne Inn.

Brewery Tap returned from Indian Inn B with a 9-2 victory buoyed by a 3-0 singles win from Kieran Burns (28.36) in 17, 21 and 15.

Lewis Dare (100x14) inspired Falstaff to victory once again and threw his best game in 14 for a 3-0 singles success, before the Southway side went on to defeat Fawn A 7-4.

Two stand-out performances led to Maritime Governors edging The Office 6-5 in a well contested fixture.

Jason Pinkerton (31.31), who top scored with 15 throws of a ton or more, achieved a 3-0 singles success in 19, 15 and 14 and team mate Sean Burkitt (pictured bottom) registered the top checkout of the week when finishing at the first time of asking from 152.

Other notable outshots were also achieved by: Tony Tasker (141), Andy Bates (121), Lee Agar (117), Tony Perkin (116), Harry Harrison (116), Graham Farrow (114), Paul Flower (112), Phil Hoyle (111), Marie Slide (100).