Sunderland Echo

Watson up to fifth spot after rediscover­ing his best form

- By Neil Rose nep.sport@jpimedia.co.uk Twitter: @Sunderland­Echo

John Watson looks to be discoverin­g his form of old has he maintained his unbeaten start to the Knack Darts Premier League season with three impressive wins which see's "Washer" move up to fifth spot with a game in hand.

First up he beat Matthew Hodgson 5-2 aided by two 180's and a 102 finish in a best leg of 15 darts.

Barry Rutherford was then beaten by the same scoreline before Watson beat his "better half "Claire Stamper, 5-1.

Dougie Hall withdrew from the league, but his replacemen­t Brian Scollen made a fantastic start on his debut.

Seaham man Scollen's first game was a comfortabl­e 5-1 win over Stephen Squire with a 15 darter the highlight before beating Anth Skelton 5-2.

Dave Prins reclaimed top spotwithtw­ohardfough­twins.

First up was Eddie Ashman with Prins edging it 5-2 despite a 180 and two 17 darters by Ashman.

Next Prins defied three 180's and a 14 darter by John Kippen to win 5-3 win with a 180 of his own.

Kippen was outstandin­g in his first game as he whitewashe­d Cameron Anderson with a brilliant 12 darter completed with a 121 finish and two 15 darters and a match average of over 92.

Mark Wright had a mixed night, firstly he was well beaten 5-1 by Neil Rose, but he recovered to inflict a first defeat of the season on Paul Williams with a 180 and a best leg of 15

darts in a 5-3 win.

Williams was again taken the distance in his opener but a maximum helped Williams take the three points in a 5-3 win over David Morris, Morris drew 4-4 in his other game against Cameron Anderson.

Geordie Morton moved up to seventh with wins over Anth Skelton and Philly Dunn 5-3 & 5-2 respective­ly, Dunn was also held to a 4-4 draw against Barry

Rutherford , Skelton was held to a draw by Laura Patton who had a 110 checkout.

RossGuyear­nedfourpoi­nts on the evening after a 4-4 draw with Michael Naunton before winning a tight game against Laura Patton .

Adam Atkinson remains unbeaten but again he only picked up two points.

In his opener against Tony Wood he hit a fantastic 158 checkout and a 180 but Wood fired in two maximums with a 100 finish and best legs of 14,16 and 17 darts but missed match darts as Atkinson checked in the decider for a 4-4 draw.

Neil Rose was up next and the scenario reversed itself has Adam missed match darts in the deciding leg only for Rose to take advantage and pinch a point.

Wood was excellent in his second game as he beat David Stokell 5-3 aided by a 142 checkout in a 12 dart leg and two 180's while Stokell replied with a 180 and a 104 checkout in a best leg of 15 darts.

Darren Patton hit a tremendous 147 finish (T19, Bull tops) as he brushed a side Andrew Ambler 5-1 with a best leg of 15 darts, he faced Graeme Hills in his second game and they couldn't be separated despite twomaximum­sbyPatton,Amblerdrew­hissecondg­amewith Michael Naunton.

Claire Stamper made it three wins in a row in her first game as she battled back from 2 nil down to beat Graeme Hills 5-2. Dan Gillibrand let a 3-0 lead slip against David Stokell in a 4-4 draw, Gillibrand was 3-1 ahead in his second game against Eddie Ashman but it was Ashman who won 5-3.

 ??  ?? John Watson maintained his unbeaten start to the season.
John Watson maintained his unbeaten start to the season.

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