Octagonals move into third after season's top showing

OCTAGONALS have moved up into third spot in the premier division of the Devon County Super League with arguably their best performance of the current campaign.

They came away from Royal Anglers (Bideford) with an 8-1 victory and had Mike Pearce (26.37) as their man-of-the-match after he won 4-0 in 18, 16, 18 and 21.

Fred Goldsmith (23.03) and Peter Holland (22.77) both won in four straight legs but after the hosts pulled one back the next five all went the full distance.

Dave Matthews (21.59) secured the seventh leg of his game with a 100 checkout and Lee Agar (20.20) came from 2-0 down before taking the decisive leg with an outshot of 119.

Quinton Taylor (21.70) also had to come from behind but after trailing 3-1 took three on the bounce for a 4-3 victory.

Neil White (23.76) led 3-0 but despite his opponent pulling it back to 3-3, he won the decisive seventh leg in 18 before Lee Rodmell (23.64) was successful, aided by a checkout of 121.

Ker St Social Club are still looking for their first won after they went down 8-1 away at unbeaten joint leaders Muff Boyz (Exmouth).

But the solitary point that they did get was an excellent 4-3 win by Scott Lawrey (25.10) (pictured) who, in winning 4-3, finished an 18-darter with a checkout of 160 before winning the seventh leg in 15 with a kill of 121.

Maritime B were edged out 5-4 in division one after hosting Rowing Club (Paignton).

Shaun Dring (20.79) made it 1-1 with a 4-2 win which was followed by a 4-2 success from Dan Johnson (23.19) who secured the sixth and winning leg in 14.

Only Rich Wheatley (21.90) was a home winner from the next five sets before Phil Hoyle (25.69) won 4-0 after taking the opening leg in 18 with a finish of 100.

Porters are in third place following a 5-4 win away at Kings Molton (South Molton) despite losing the first three sets.

Scott Wapshott (19.27) halted the slide with a 4-0 win followed by a 4-2 victory for Scott Cook (24.46) in 20, 19, 15 and 17.

The hosts took the next one, before Porters took three on the bounce for victory.

Mark Shears (26.91) stepped up to the plate and delivered a 4-1 win, which included a leg in 15, followed by a 4-0 success for Paul Palmer (22.77).

But the best was still to come, and with the scoreline evenly poised at 4-4, Antony Hayman secured the team’s success when winning 4-0 in 18, 15, 16 and 11 for an excellent 33.40 average.