Warner has final say as anglers edge out leaders

DARTS

The top game in the Herne Bay & District Winter Darts League on Monday saw unbeaten Premier Division leaders Divers Arms A upset at second-placed Angling Club.

The Divers went into the match six points clear and knew a 9-2 victory would see them successfully defend their title and be crowned champions.

However the Anglers raced into a 2-0 lead, and although Divers rallied to tie the game at 5-5, in the decisive last singles game, a superb match with both players having shots at a winning double, Anglers Jack Warner defeated Divers’ skipper Paul Knight 2-1 to secure a superb 6-5 win.

Anglers moved within three points of the top and dented The Smugglers Inn’s hopes of a top-two finish despite their 7-4 away win over the Run of the Mill C.

Smugglers man-of-the-match Sean Purcell hit a maximum 180.

The Monument kept their slim top-two hopes alive with a hard fought 6-5 win at relegation battlers Chislet Colliery Club. Monument’s Simon Annett hit two 180s.

In the clash of the bottom two, Four Fathoms A won 8-3 at Rising Sun A to move out of the relegation places on leg difference, dropping the Chislet Club into the drop zone.

Division 1 leaders Rising Sun B won 6-5 away to the Four Fathoms B to all but secure promotion to the Premier Division.

The Fathoms took an early 2-0 lead, only to see the Riser fight back with man-of- the-match Tim Baker Snr, aided by a maximum 180, securing the win.

A 10-1 home win for the Heron over the Run of the Mill B saw the Heron move onto level points with the Fathoms, but stay third due to the Fathoms superior leg difference. Rebekah Stemp hit a maximum 180. The Huntsman & Horn won 7-4 away to the Catholic Club to move to within three points of second place. Vic Judge and Damien Newell each weighed in with a maximum 180.

The Divers Arms B edged away from the foot of the table with a 6-5 away win over the Golden Lion who are still in a battle to avoid to the wooden spoon.

There was a surprise result in the quarter-finals of the Whitstable & District League Shield competition on Thursday night with the exit of the holders.

Two Brewers B from Division 2 hammered Division 1 Monument A 20-5 with Megan Crocombe and brother Ollie winning all five, and Daniel Evans four.

The holders, British Legion from Division 2, narrowly lost to Division 1 side Smack A 13-12, Ian Ball, Dan Bergin and Chris Dadd doing just enough to make sure there will be a new name on the shield. Monument C had a comfortable win over Angling Club 13-2. Dan Thompson, Bill Boyce and Pete Lawrence with 100% records, while East Kent eased out the Labour Club A 13-5.

Dean Owen had a 100% record, four 140s and a 180. Andy White also won all his games and hit a 105 checkout, while Nick Holness finished the game off with a 180.