King Billy are too strong despite heroics of Dodd

Jayden Dodd was unable to stop Octagon going down to defeat to King Billy

- aJAMES COOK

JAYDEN Dodd's heroic 16-ton tally wasn't enough to arrest Octagon's slide to an 8-3 defeat at the hands of King Billy in the Steve Chapman 501 League.

Andrew Cook led the way in the scoring stakes for the victorious Devonport outfit with a 180 on his way to 12 ton-plusses, whilst teammate Aaron Crocker added ten tons.

Antony Hayman produced pockets of his brilliance with a 120 checkout and a 15-dart leg during his 3-0 individual win.

Dodd's team-mate, Ralph Lancaster, showed his undoubted class with a 15-darter of his own in a 3-2 turnaround to Crocker that also contained a maximum for the narrowly defeated man.

Early leaders Cherry Tree B continue to put the hammer down in their goal of wrestling dominance away from Fawn B over this format with another impressive 11-0 success coming against Bar Mez.

Mark Shears outshone all competitors with a 14-ton tally, whilst teammate Mike Whatley added ten scores of a ton or more.

Other moments of magic from the now 11-point clear title contenders came from a 102 checkout by Paul Gavican and a maximum by Jason Pinkerton.

Shears' 18-darter in his 3-1 success was the best leg of 501 by the Pennycross side, whilst Paul Tackle won his only leg in a 3-1 individual reversal in just 15 darts.

Andy Bates led Fawn B's charge back into second spot and the main rivals to Cherry Tree C with 13 tons during a 10-1 Fawn derby win over their stablemates, the A team.

Bates was well supported by Fred Goldsmith, who nailed a maximum on his way to ten tons overall, whilst the highest checkout was a 110 by team-mate Luke Johnson.

Other 180s in the match came from the arm of John Mann for the victors and Mike Bassett, who added the designated home side's only three-treble visit.