Title race takes another twist as Victory A are defeated

THE race for the Monday Premier League title took another twist this week when previous leaders Victory Inn A were defeated 6-5 and subsequently, they drop down into second place.

Third placed Maritime were the team to inflict on the Honicknowle side their seventh defeat of the campaign, but Victory had Keelan Kay catching the eye with three maximums, two of the 180s coming in a 3-1 singles victory.

Steam Packet B are the new leaders, boasting a three-point advantage following their 9-2 win away at The Tradesman.

Neil White top scored with 14 throws of a ton or more and Quinton Taylor emerged a 3-1 singles winner with his best leg being won in 15.

Cherry Tree won the last two singles of their fixture away at Ford Hotel to prevail by the narrowest of margins while Firkin Scholar and Victory Inn B were both 7-4 winners against Steam Packet A and City Social respectively.

Alfie Ford (pictured) rolled back the years with an outstanding performance but could not prevent Octagon B from being edged out 6-5 away at Prince Maurice A.

Ford was at 2-2 in his singles when he threw 100-180-100 before checking out from 121 for a win in 12 darts.

That victory put Octagon 5-4 up but wins from Tony Teal (3-1) and a 3-0 success from Glenn Halford (100x12) enabled the hosts to clinch a slender victory.

Another close encounter took place at Porters B when Indian Inn A won by the narrowest of margins.

Eddy Bull made it 5-5 when he won 3-2, aided by a leg in 15 before the sixth and decisive point was achieved by Charlie Mitchell in three straight legs.

Prince Maurice B took the last three points away at Bluebird B which gave them a 7-4 victory while Bluebird A defeated Hyde Park Social Club 8-3.

Indian Inn B took Plympton Cons to 5-5 before Andy Bond won the last point by a 3-2 margin, aided by a leg in 15.

Octagon A defeated Brewery Tap 8-3 and had Dave Pethick (100x12) emerging a 3-1 winner with his best leg being claimed in 15.

Antony Hayman won 3-1 for the visitors in 17, 17, 16 and was also on target with a brace of 180s while team-mate John Carr threw the week’s top checkout with a mark of 126.

Other notable outshots were achieved by: Neil Holder (121/110), Paul Barclay (120), Alfie Ford (116), Keelan Kay (113), Gary Clarke (113), Dave Cotton (104), Frankie Stout (102), Mark Henley (100), Steve Barnes (100).