Hatherley win is not enough for Indian Inn

MARK Hatherley top-scored in the Steve Chapman 501 League with a game-week high of 16 tons, but still found himself on the wrong end of a 10-1 loss as Indian Inn were downed by Victory A.

- By JAMES COOK

Hatherley was supported by Ian Heggie, who nailed ten tons, whilst at the heart of everything that was good from the home side was Kelvin Rowe's 13 three-figure visits. Rowe's haul was topped up by one of the four maximums as teammate Paul Goundry added a 180 to his ten ton plusses.

Darren Collis was the other maxi hitter for the victors, whilst Brian Gourlay netted a solitary three treble visit for the defeated party. Goundry came through a hard-fought 3-2 win against Hatherley with legs in 15 and 18 darts sitting nicely alongside a 128 checkout in that triumph.

The 15-ton haul that lit up Cameron O'Brien's evening included one of the ten maximums put on between O'Brien's Cherry Tree D and King Billy in an 8-3 win for the latter. The most prolific maxi hitter was O'Brien's teammate Martin Pearson, who nailed three on his way to ten scores of a ton or more.

In a rare occurrence, every one of the victor's cohort added a 180 as Paddy Archibald, Andrew Cook, Scott Cook, Lewis Byrne, Frankie Stout, and Ant Pearn all struck. Archibald also managed a 120 checkout, whilst both Pearn and Andrew Cook reached 11 ton-plusses, with Scott Cook and Stout walking away with ten tons each.

Archibald's combination meant a 112 from Lee Wickett and a 100 kill from O'Brien settled for second and third best in the finishing stakes. O'Brien and Kev Lofthouse (32.49) teamed in the doubles to put away 1202 points in just 37 darts, with 18 and 19 darters completing a 2-0 win.