The Marauders have opened up a nine-point cushion at the top of the men’s division of the Newark and District Double Board Darts League.

The unbeaten reigning champions crushed the Castle & Falcon-based Bellies and Bullseyes 5-0 in their top-of the-table clash.

A tight opening leg was secured by Steven Barnett’s 35 checkout (single-19, double-8) with their opponents lying in wait hoping for a shot at 32 before the Wheatsheaf-based Marauders doubled their advantage in the next in similar style with Mark Neal’s double-8 sealing it with the Bellies once again disappointed as they waited in vain for an attempt at 40.

The third leg was another close affair which saw the Bellies’ Chris Clawson have a dart at double-20 which would have kept the match alive but he was unable to land it and Marauders’ skipper Ryan Holland holed out with a first-dart double-top to secure the win.

The frustrating night continued for the previously unbeaten Castle & Falcon side as they were left to rue numerous missed chances as Barnett’s 72 checkout added the fourth leg before failed opportunities were punished again in the concluding leg with Shane Gallacher’s 48 finish completing the whitewash.

The Marauders are now the only team with a 100% record in the men’s division after Wheatsheaf Arrows suffered their first defeat of the campaign as they were beaten 4-1 by Grove BBC2s for whom Phil Moore hit a hat-trick of finishes.

James Brown’s fifth leg checkout completed a great night for the Grove side who remain sixth whilst Mick Sale’s second leg finish secured the Arrows’ consolation which, despite the heavy defeat, was enough to move them level with the Bellies and Bullseyes in joint-second.

The Taverners have replaced RHP 26ers in fourth spot after they defeated them 4-1 with Matthew Glover landing a hat-trick of checkouts following Stuart Glover’s 58 finish in the opening leg which had had set the Railway Club on their way. Craig Ashley’s third-leg finish earned RHP their consolation point.

Wheatsheaf Phoenix have switched places with Balderton Cricket Club after they fought back to win 3-2 helped by checkouts from Paul Dixon, Mark Jackson and Kevin Oxberry. Earlier finishes from Tim Clipsham and Nick Morley had given the Balderton side a 2-0 lead.

In the ladies’ division, the Castle & Falcon Bull Hitters have opened up a 14-point gap at the top after they maintained their unbeaten start with a terrific 9-6 victory over Railway Youngers in their top-of-the-table clash. Kelly Stevens’ win in the opening singles clash had stretched the league leaders’ early advantage to 5-1 before Linda Gregory’s victory for the Youngers briefly reduced the deficit to 5-3 but further wins from Stacey Grand-Scrutton and Dawn Birkin gave the Hitters an unassailable 9-3 lead. The Youngers responded with Gregory checking out in the team leg but the night belonged to the Hitters.

Queen of Harts have moved into third place after the only other unbeaten side in the division eased to a 14-1 victory over an understrength King’s Jesters, who were playing with a player short. Aimee Wood and Michelle Antcliffe both registered singles wins whilst skipper Andi Atherley, who had drawn her match with opposition captain Emily Parry, checked out in the team leg.

Reigning champions Rutland Bangers remain fourth after singles wins from skipper Karen Whittaker, Mandy Walker and Anita Scott helped them overcome Wheatsheaf Belles 9-6. Wheatsheaf captain Chris Henderson secured the Belles only singles win while Eugene Hallam’s finish secured the team leg.

Railway Club Artists have picked up their second win of the season after singles wins from Kate Slatter and Lyn Dewick plus victories in both pairs matches helped them overcome bottom of the table Collingham FC MC 10-5.

Results: Men’s Division: The Taverners 4-1 RHP 26ers, Wheatsheaf Phoenix 3-2 Balderton Cricket Club, Castle & Falcon Bellies and Bullseyes 0-5 The Marauders (Wheatsheaf), Wheatsheaf Arrows 1-4 Grove BBC2s, RHP Darts of Hazzard P-P Railway Thursday.

Ladies’ Division: Castle & Falcon Bull Hitters 9-6 Railway Youngers, Rutland Bangers 9-6 Wheatsheaf Belles, Railway Club Artists 10-5 Collingham FC MC, The King’s Jesters (King’s Arms) 1-14 Queen of Harts (White Hart).