Devon Youth win to set up championship decider

DEVON remain on target to top section three of the Southern Counties Youth Darts Championship at the end of the campaign after an emphatic 8-7 victory over one of their main rivals, Bristol.

After losing the opening set of the Under 18s, Jordan Grimshaw (pictured) came from a leg down to deliver a 3-1 victory in 18, 16 and 18, achieving the day’s highest average of 27.32.

Cliff Townsley (15.87) then edged Devon in front for the first time with a 3-2 win before a 3-0 victory from Kyle Grant (20.88) put the visitors 3-1 in command.

Bristol responded by taking two on the bounce before Frankie Stout (18.05), despite going 2-0 down, held his nerve to deliver a 3-2 victory.

With the Devon squad now edging it 4-3, they pushed that scoreline along to 6-4 when Rhea Winsor and Emma Leverett both won 3-2 in the Ladies’ fixture.

The hosts pulled once back at the start of the Under 21s match only for Curtis Green to restore Devon’s two-game advantage when he won 3-1.

Green showed excellent finishing prowess when taking the opening leg in 18 with a kill of 125, followed by a checkout of 111 to win in 21 before going on to claim an overall 3-1 victory.

Devon just needed one more from the last three but were made to sweat it out after Bristol won the third and fourth set to tie the match at 7-7.

A Devon victory was now in the hands of Harry Bull (23.12) and he did not disappoint.

The Plymouth teenager (pictured right) won the opening leg in 15 when finishing at the first time of asking from 96 before taking the next two legs with aplomb for a spirited Devon victory.

Devon currently top the table with a 10-point advantage over Glamorgan and Bristol who tie for second spot.

They each have a game in hand but Devon’s one remaining fixture, which is scheduled for May 6, could be the title decider when they entertain . . . Glamorgan.