DEVON find themselves languishing in the relegation zone after they suffered their fourth Division Two defeat of the season away to Buckinghamshire.

They did not have the best of starts when the ladies' B side let themselves down with some indifferent finishing. Only Marie Martin (17.86), aided by a checkout of 107, emerged a winner in a 5-1 defeat.

A good start by the men's B side was now crucial and Chris Hunt (24.58) opened their account with a 3-2 win.

But any thoughts of a comeback were dashed when the hosts reeled off the next five to lead 10-2.

Ian Knight (23.70) pulled one back and Paul Milford (20.59) then raised hopes with a 3-0 victory before the hosts again delivered.

Roger Wright (26.11) put in the best performance of the day after coming from behind to win 3-1, only for Buckinghamshire to take the last two and close out the first day in a commanding position at 13-5.

Devon ladies' A began the following day in good form with Christine Kinnaird (17.48) taking the opener in straight legs.

Despite losing the second set, wins from Karen Atkinson (20.88), Jane Wiltshire (21.17) and Merryl Dennis (20.60) pushed the scoreline along to 4-1 before Bucks took the last.

To make up a deficit of 15-9 was a tall order and so it proved, but not before the men's A side gave a good account of themselves.

Andrew Jackson (28.36) put in a man-of-the-match performance to level it up at 1-1 and, after losing the third, Richard Dennis (25.74) caught the eye as he came back from 2-1 down to edge it 3-2.

Pete Rice (25.88) won the next for the visitors, but the sixth set went to Bucks to tie at 3-3.

Devon men's A nudged in front again when Andy Taylor (23.86) emerged a 3-0 winner, but the teams were all square again after the hosts won the eighth set.

Devon then hit a purple patch and reeled off three on the bounce as Matt Dickinson (23.48), Mike Edwards (26.37) and Lee Watts (23.55) all won, before the last point of the day and the overall result went to Buckinghamshire by a 20-16 margin.

The shock result of the week came in Division Two, where table-toppers Topsham lost 7-2 to Gladstones.

The football club had only lost once in their previous nine matches, but Gladstones emerged convincing winners.

Alphington RBL are now on the same number of points as Topsham, but with a game in hand.

Alphington Sports Club beat Whipton Labour D 6-3, while St Thomas B and Willeys A were both 7-2 winners at Whipton Social A and Jubilee B respectively.

Division One leaders GWR West B made it 10 wins from as many starts when they beat Jubilee A 6-3 and had Martin Horn finishing from 115.

GWR South consolidated second place when winning 7-2 at Willeys B. But in the GWR West A v GWR West C fixture, there was an unfortunate issue relating to the start time and, with no games played, West C claimed a 9-0 walkover.

Whipton Social Club B remain anchored to the bottom and are still looking for their first win of the campaign after losing 8-1 at Whipton Labour B.

An inaugural open doubles competition with a blind draw is to take place on Sunday, February 28, at GWR West in Cowick Street, Exeter.

The Bryan Barrett Memorial Tournament has been sponsored by Martin Rhodes and Kevin Hollamby and, although entry is free, a prize draw will be made on the day, with all proceeds going to the RNIB.

Barrett was well known within the Exeter darting fraternity and began playing in the late 1950s in the former Whitebread League. He was also one of the first players to compete in the Devon Super League, turning out for Exeter Eagles.

There will be trophies for both winners and runners-up and players are asked to sign in from 12.30pm for a 1.30pm start.

More details from Philip Barrett on 07950 649309.

Heavitree Brewery League, Premier Division: Locomotive Inn v Royal Oak (Oke St), Crawford C v Kings C, Wonford Inn A v Royal Oak (Oke St) A, Railwayman A v Barley Mow A

Division One: Barley Mow B v Crawford A, Crawford B v Devon Yeoman A, Huntsman Inn v Railwayman D, New Inn v Clifton Inn A

Division Two: Kings B v Longbrooke, Port Royal v Heavitree, Showman v Heart of Oak A, Heart of Oak B v Poltimore Arms

Division Three: Green Gables v King Billy, Jolly Porter v Winchester Club, Devon Yeoman D v Duke of York, Stowey Arms v Village Inn B

Division Four: Royal Oak (Nadderwater) v Wonford Inn B, Flying Horse v Bishops Blaize B, Bishops Blaize A v Crawford D

Division Five: Windsor Castle v Railwayman C, Stoke Arms B v Ship & Pelican, Royal Oak (Oke St) B v Devon Yeoman B, Village Inn A v Stoke Arms A