A SECOND defeat of the season for Andrew McDermott saw his lead at the top of the table cut to just one point as two previous ADC winners piled pressure on.

Mark Samways rolled back the years and produced some fantastic darts in his 4-2 victory over McDermott, hitting a maximum in the last leg to set up the win.

This win for Samways was one of three in four matches. Opening the evening with another 4-2 success over Mel Burton, Samways ended the night with a comfortable 4-0 win over Arnie Quinn.

McDermott, who started the night with real intent as he took out three legs in 16 darts or less in a 4-1 win over Chris Burton, only picked up one victory as Andy Masters also took a point off the leader in a battling 3-3 draw.

Danny Aplin and Sam Ward both took full advantage of points dropped by McDermott by winning all three of their matches and only dropping one leg each along the way.

Aplin still occupies second spot as he defeated Adam McKay and Paul Dormer 4-0 hitting a 120 for the match against Dormer either side of a 4-1 win over Simon Churchill.

Ward hit two 180s and an exhibition 92 out shot with a single twenty, double double 18 finish in his 4-0 win over Matty Betts. Nige Davis was the only player able to take a leg off Ward all night as the reigning champion defeated him 4-1 before going on to beat Stewart Masters 4-0.

Defeat for Masters against Ward meant father Andy overtook his son to fourth in the table.

Along with his draw to McDermott, Masters started the evening with another draw before ending the night with a 103 out shot and a 4-1 win over Drew Tweedy.

Playing with an injured back Tweedy, who has arguably been the in-form player of recent weeks, had to battle hard in his other match of the night as he Drew 3-3 with Shaun Lampard, who hit a 103 checkout for a 2-1 lead.

A recent dip in form from Mel Burton has seen him slide from third to seventh as he could only pick up two draws out of three matches.

Playing Quinn in his second match this was a big chance for both to cement their play-off places but neither could take advantage of missed doubles and the draw was inevitable. Burton’s other draw came against Andy Masters.

Quinn was another left frustrated as he opened up with a 16-dart leg and 4-0 win over Davis before his draw with Burton and a 4-0 loss to Samways.

Stewart Masters was faultless in his first two matches, beating Churchill and Lampard 4-0.

Wayne Jordan was unbeaten, picking up five points overall. A great 130 out shot on the bull saw Jordan secure a 4-1 win over Betts.

Dave Butler took out a cheeky 104 out shot in his draw with Jordan hitting treble 18, bull in two darts.

A 4-0 win over Jordan Caughlin secured Jordan a second victory of the evening.

Caughlin also opened the night with a 3-3 draw with Paul Dormer. Caughlin took out 110 to gain a point and retain his outside chance of reaching finals night.

This point and high shot out was only highlight for Caughlin as he suffered a second 4-0 loss to the ever improving C Burton. Burton now sits only seven points off a place in the top 12 as he won his last match 4-0 over Butler.

Butler had a confidence-boosting opening win as he beat Nathan Smith 4-2 in their contest, while it was a disappointing night for Smith who also suffered defeat to Lampard by the same scoreline. Smith’s only win came in a 4-2 success over Betts.

180s: Ward (2); McDermott (2); Churchill; Davis; Samways

100+ checkouts: W Jordan 130; Caughlin 110; Butler 104; Masters 103; Lampard 103

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