EAGLE A stayed top of the division two standings in the Braintree Open Darts League, but a shortage of players cost them as they faced second-placed Bocking.

Bocking Club took the ladies' points before losing the pairs 2-1 and the leading duo then played out a draw in the triples. Wins for Ray Grocett, Stuart Wicks and Kelvin Byrne put Eagle further ahead, but Bocking's Colin Barnard and Phil Watkin levelled the overall score and with no further players, the Eagle had to concede both the singles and match.

Meanwhile, Wethersfield Raiders chalked up a 2-1 win in the pairs after conceding the ladies against Cressing B, before they played out a draw in the triples.

Paul Baker increased Cressing's lead with a 2-1 win in the singles before James Copton, Brendan Hand and Phil Hume put the Raiders ahead, however, that didn't last as Cressing took the last three games to win the singles and the match.

In division one, Eagle B took the ladies points against Wethersfield Club, who then claimed the pairs 3-0, followed by a draw in the triples.

The Eagle had singles wins for Alan Abbott and Andy Smith, before Dave Suckling and Steve Sheldrake put Wethersfield back in the hunt, but Bruce Mawdsley delivered match and singles points for the Eagle in the final game.

Notley Sports lost their ladies match against Swiss Bell and although a they had a 2-1 win in the pairs, found themselves further behind after losing the triples to the visitors.

Andy Holland's singles win edged the Swiss nearer the match win and despite Ted Ullmer handing Notley a lifeline, successes for Chris Holden, Russ Farmer, Rob Watson and Ash Chibwe saw Swiss Bell claim the singles and match.

Braintree Football Club's Nicky Bewick and Lynn Kelly won the ladies at Cressing and the visitors followed that with a 2-1 win in the pairs, however, a triples win and singles wins for Martin Compton and Mick Cain put the hosts ahead.

The next two games saw honours shared but wins for Hayden Acott and Alan Dewar left the outcome dependant on the final game, where Paul Cain won to give Cressing the singles points and an overall draw.

Rick Marshall, Graham Chinnery and Shane Smith all hit 180s and high out shots were recorded by Billy Kinight-Woods with a 107 and Nicky Bewick with a 116.