Druids prove they are up for the Challenge
Hallett fires 16-darter to break the resolve of Shearer Arms in quarters
DRUIDS ARMS A have booked their place in the semi-finals of the Denise Neale Challenge Cup.
The Fratton outfit beat Shearer Arms 5-4 in the Portsmouth Men’s Summer League competition’s quarter-finals.
Brett Smith started them off in style with a 160 finish but Bruce Baker immediately levelled.
Druids regained the lead as Ray Marsh was awarded a walkover but Shearer equalised again with a win from Lee Brothers.
Brian Dickson moved Druids ahead for the third time but once more Shearer restored parity with Dan Legg scoring 180.
Druids wasted no further time in securing the match as Neil Hallett, with a 16-darter, and Charlie Hymers gave them an insurmountable lead, leaving Ricky Udy to take a late consolation for Shearer.
Lord Chichester B beat Jolly Taxpayer C 6-3 to knock them out of the competition.
Chichester had a 14-dart leg from Mike Feaver, along with 17-dart efforts by Kevin Gilchrist and Justin Hughes.
Taxpayer also had 17-darters from Steve Humby and David Smith, an 18-dart leg by Gary Smith, and maximums from Humby and Lee O’Donovan.
James Scammell fired a 180 as Stag B became the only side outside the top flight to reach the last four, beating Apsley House 5-3.
Old House at Home progressed to the semi-finals of the Ron Neale Shield with a 7-2 triumph against British Queen.
House rattled off six on the trot as Kevin Gamblin, John O’Shea, Ian Sprake, Barry Longhurst, Bradley Gilmour and Simon Longhurst gave them an insurmountable lead.
Queen’s Steve Clarke got his side off the mark before Adrian Jones added House’s sixth and John Major was awarded a walkover for Queen.
Elsewhere, George & Dragon demolished Newcome Arms B 8-1, while Clarence Gardens and Artillery Arms were gifted walkovers.
Mermaid completed a convincing 8-1 win over Stag A in the Pompey Cup quarterfinals.
Richard Platt, Stuart Edwards, Bill Messenbird, James Woolley, James Poulter, Mick McDaid and Arnie Le Rouge inspired a 7-0 lead before Roy Sands prevented a whitewash.
Jay Gill won the last leg for Mermaid.
Graham Arms and Derby Tavern were awarded walkovers and Harvest Home had a bye.