Queens still rule the roost ahead of the run-in
QUEENS remain top of the Macclesfield Mens 501 Darts League with six games left to play, after a convincing 6-1 win over third-placed Spinners.
The high-flyers took a 3-0 lead with Neil Podmore, Bryan Jones and Andy Jackson on form.
Captain Glen Valentine had the chance to close the tie out but Spinners’ Steve Sellars hit a brave 18-dart leg to give hope for the visitors with a 2-1 win.
But a superb 16-darter from Mark Turner ensured victory for Queens.
Simon Goda hit a fabulous 17-dart leg to see off Spinners’ new signing Rick Smith, and Valentine and Turner stayed firm in the doubles to complete a 6-1 win and put more vital points on the board.
British Flag slipped to a narrow 4-3 loss at home to current league champions Broken Cross.
Cross have had a mixed season, finding the going tougher than last term, but they got off to a flyer against Flag as they took a 3-0 lead.
But as Broken Cross had the chance to close the match, Flag staged a valiant fightback with Mark Whitehurst, skipper Nigel Steele and Mark Barber bringing it back to 3-3.
With everything hinging on the doubles, Mark Whitehurst and Nigel Steele had the showdown with Mark Cairney and Martin McDonnell to snatch a 4-3 win for the visitors.
Lord Byron earned a massive result, beating Flowerpot 6-1, which keeps them in the title hunt and five behind Queens A.
The Nags A stayed in fourth spot and closed the gap to one point after a comfortable 5-2 win against Bruce A.
The Bruce’s small points injection keeps them on the coat tails of Sporting B.
Railway View recorded a 5-2 victory at Bruce B in the battle for midtable.
An edgy start saw Ian Armitt put Railway into the lead, before captain Derek Tuner made it 1-1.
But Railway pulled away from Bruce’s view to take the scoring to 5-1, before Bruce kicked back in the doubles.
Sporting B came back from 3-1 down to run out 4-3 winners against Nags B, while Queens B closed the gap to five points behind Sporting A following their hardfought 4-3 win.