Decider up next as both Victory and Packet B eye title

VICTORY Inn A took advantage of Steam Packet B’s inactivity in the Monday Premier League to inflict a 7-4 defeat on Porters A, but the Honicknowle side have returned to the top of the table with just a four-point advantage and have now played a game more than their title rivals.

Porters A were eyeing a major upset when leading 4-1, only for the title contenders to reel off all six singles which included a 3-1 victory for Tony Conn, aided by three maximums and a 3-1 success for Keelan Kay whose best leg was won in 14.

The title could be decided in the next round of fixtures to be played on Monday, June 3, when Steam Packet B have to play Victory A on their own patch.

Prince Maurice A secured all but one of the 11 points away at Hyde Park and not for the first time this season, Glenn Halford (pictured) was again their talisman.

Halford (31.31) emerged a 3-0 winner in 15, 15 and 18 and top scored with 11 throws of a ton or more which included checkouts of 101 and the week’s best of 127.

Bluebird B won by the narrowest of margins on their visit to Maritime Social but in a well contested fixture, Alan Masters secured the all-important sixth point with his best legs being won in 15 and 17.

He also top scored with 15 throws of a ton or more which included a brace of 180s.

Prince Maurice B defeated Ford Hotel 7-4, the same winning scoreline that was also achieved by Victory B when hosting Porters B and who had Paul Freeman emerging a 3-1 winner, aided by a 15-darter.

Paul Barclay was on target with two maximums as Octagon B overcame City Social by a 10-1 margin while Brewery Tap defeated Bluebird A 9-2.

Tap had Antony Hayman (29.47) winning 3-1in 14, 21, 16 and he also top scored with 14 ton plus throws which included two 180s.

Darren Smith emerged a 3-0 winner, aided by a leg in 13, but finished up on the wrong side of a 7-4 scoreline when Cherry Tree were defeated by Octagon A.

Firkin Scholar led Plympton Cons 3-0 and 4-2 but went down 6-5 when, with the scoreline evenly poised at 5-5, Paul Bowen (100x14) emerged a 3-1 winner.

Notable checkouts were achieved by: Lisa Aston (121), Glyn Brooks (110), Keith Whitley (108), Tony Teal (106), Danny Bull (103), Mike Whatley (102), Dan Scott (100).