THE Retreat are top of the pairs and singles standings in the Braintree Open Darts League after wins against the Horse and Groom.

A draw in the triples followed a 3-0 pairs win for the Retreat and successes for Peter Hinkson and Ryan Smith extended their overall match lead.

Mark Worster chalked up a 2-0 win over Tom Roberts in the third to offer the Groom a lifeline, however, with Wayne Goodwin and Steve O'Neil winning the next two, the Retreat had the singles and match won.

Overall league leaders Cressing A made the trip to Wethersfield Club and, with a 2-1 win in the pairs followed by a win in the triples, they had the match advantage going into the singles.

Three wins gave them the match points, but Wethersfield had Billy Knight-Wood, Steve Sheldrake and Tony Boreham winning to make sure the singles result hinged on the final game.

A 2-0 win for Bryan Willis ensured Cressing had the singles secured as well, though.

Notley Sports hosted Eagle A and a 2-1 loss in the pairs, a draw in the triples and Barry Old's opening singles win gave the visitors the overall advantage.

Notley came back with wins for Ted Ullmer, Graham Chinnery and Mick Hyam, before Kelvin Byrne squared the match with a win in the fifth, but Jon Islip and Stewart Thorogood took the last two games to earn the points for the hosts.

Wethersfield Raiders had a slight match advantage going into the singles at Eagle B after a 2-1 pairs win and a triples draw.

Honours were shared throughout the singles, but Bruce Mawdsley's 2-0 win in the final game meant it was to be the Raiders' night as they took the singles 4-3 and the overall match.

Cressing B had a a 2-1 pairs win as they took on Bocking Club, who responded with a win in the triples for a slight match advantage going into the singles.

However, that advantage was not stretched, with Cressing winning six of the singles games.

Braintree Football Club lost the pairs against visiting Legends, before bouncing back with a win in the triples, however the visitors claimed five wins in the singles as they had those points and the match points secured.

Chris Cook, Chris Holden, Barry Old, Kevin Byrne, Alex Chandler, Shane Smith, Dave Joyce and Dave Benfield all hit 180s and high out shot were recorded by Shane Smith (108), Barry Old (120) and Andi Thomas (143).