Newcome Arms turn up the heat in title race

Darrell Manchip opened proceedings for Newcome before Shearer took a 2-1 lead thanks to a win from Paul Wain and 16 and 18-dart legs by Jon Bramble.

Newcome regained the lead through Shane Filleul, with an 18-darter, and Del Thomson, who hit two 180s, but Steve Marsh notched a 17-dart effort and 180 to restore parity for Shearer.

An 18-darter from Darren Barnes helped move Newcome within a set of victory, however Shearer’s Bruce Baker took the next leg to force a decider which Frankie Howard won for Newcome, despite Shearer’s Rob Louth scoring 174 against him.

Star & Garter cemented their position in division B’s promotion places as they dispatched Old House at Home A 6-3.

Gary Hayward and Paul Miller put Star 2-0 up but Old House hit straight back with wins from Dale Adams and Gary Bartlett.

Star restored their two-leg advantage through Dave King and Dave Gisby.

Derek Sutton reduced Old House’s deficit but that was all they could muster as Steve Bern and Paul Henty bagged the points for Star.

Druids Arms B pulled away from division C’s relegation zone as they came from behind three times to beat Pembroke 5-4.

Glen Stubbs, Robert Jones and Matt Cook all put Pembroke one leg in front of their opponents but each time Druids hit back as Paul Boden, Steve Hansford and Mark Pearce – 108 check-out – were all on the mark.

Tony Smith put Druids ahead for the first time but Pembroke levelled the match at 4-4 through Martin Downs.

Druids’ Chris Brown won the decisive last leg.

Admiral Drake A overcame Thatchers 5-4.

Thatchers were awarded the first leg as a walkover for Daniel Paddon but Drake moved ahead as Simon Hughes and Craig Pitman struck.

Tommy Hoare squared the match for Thatchers but a win from Richard Lindford and walkover for Dave West put Drake 4-2 up.

Thatchers refused to roll over as Chris Lawrence and Lloyd Stevenson made it 4-4.

But it was Anthony Griffin who took the decider to seal the points for Drake.

Lee Smith (Phoenix North End B) threw an 18-dart leg and 113 finish.

Derek Manchip (Artillery Arms) and Luke Smith (Fawcett Inn) also finished legs in 18 darts, while Pete Curtis (Lord Chichester A) and Laurie Clark (Old House at Home B) hit 104 and 102 game-shots respectively.

Shane Williams (Rose in June B), Jamie Stewart (Phoenix North End B) and Brian Hammond (Raven) all fired in maximums.