Smugglers leave Sun with sinking feeling

Darts

The Smugglers Inn A maintained their 100% record in the Herne Bay & District Winter Darts League by winning 8-3 at home to the Rising Sun. The Smugglers led 3-2 going into the singles, with manof-the-match Colin Hopkins, helped by a maximum 180, then taking the opening game for the home side. Victory was secured by wins for Steve Peacock and Richard Lee. Divers Arms finished 2017 as the league leaders after winning 9-2 at home to the Chislet Colliery Club. Leading 5-0, an opening singles win from Dan Cameron secured the win for the Divers. Reigning champions Hampton Inn moved into second place with an 8-3 away win over the Angling Club B. The Anglers had taken a 1-0 lead but found themselves trailing 3-2 going into the singles games, where they saw opening singles wins from Clive Johnson and Paul Dawkins put the Hampton into a 5-2 lead. Singles wins for Steve Coker, Steve Moys and Andy Smith gave the visitors victory before a consolation win for Jack Buxton of Anglers. The Heron moved up two places to eighth, leapfrogging their opponents, the Catholic Club, with a 6-5 home win. Angling Club A secured an emphatic 11-0 away win over the Whitstable Labour Club who are still seeking their first points of the season.

Faversham Darts League leaders The Railway Hotel maintained their 100% record with an 8-1 home win against Three Horseshoes A. Castle B put in a dominant performance at home to The Rugby Club to take a 9-0 victory. The home side were leading 3-0 after the pairs, helped by 180s for Keith Ralph and Kyle Boakes, and things didn’t improve for the visitors as Castle B took all six singles matches. Reigning champions Market A also had a clean sweep in their visit to Boughton’s Queens Head taking a 9-0 win. The Football Club secured a 6-3 win over Three Horseshoes B thanks to singles wins for George Harris, Richard Boswell, Neville Boakes and Dave Miles. Chris Bedo and John Edwards replied for Shoes. Castle A were also 6-3 winners when they visited Three Tuns. The away side were leading 2-1 out of the pairs and singles wins for Lee Grigsby, Lewis Gore, Steve Wright and Bob Mason helped them to victory. Benn Swinfield and Rory Gatward replied for The Tuns. Market B beat Brents Tavern 5-4 in a game that went down to the wire. Paul Jones and Dennis Love won the last two matches to give Market B the win. Bull B came away with the bragging rights in the Bull derby after winning 6-3.