CLACTON suffered a 7-5 defeat at home to Basildon, in their latest Essex Men’s Darts Superleague match.

The visitors are scrapping to avoid relegation and proved they are up for the fight.

Clacton were still missing two players through illness, along with unavailable duo Andrew Currivan and captain Peter Currivan.

However, they handed a debut to new signing, and ex-London county man, Paul Bailey.

In the first game, Alan Currivan (16.39) and Bailey (25.40, combined 20.48) lost out against Mark Stafford (30.00) and Sam Davidson (28.21, combined 29.44).

Adrian Genery (17.61) and Keith Farthing also ran into a Basildon pair in good form, as Phil Halls (30.33) and 180-scoring Ron Johnson (30.33, combined 30.33) won in 33 darts.

Curtis Hammond (31.00) and Eddie Keary (21.80, combined 26.82) could not stop the rot as they lost to Bradley Halls (27.17) and Carl Smith (28.44, combined 27.81).

The last pairs saw Wayne Bloomfield (21.76) and Nic Groves (27.20, combined 24.41) pull one back with a victory against Paul Tait (15.38) and Keith Ridgway (17.89, combined 16.54).

Genery (23.37) lost the opening singles game 3-0 against Davidson (26.37).

Bloomfield (25.71) found himself 2-1 down against Stafford (23.66), but showed grit and determination to win the last two legs in 16 and 17 darts for a 3-2 victory.

Bailey (20.38) lost the opening leg of his match against Johnson (22.67).

He hit straight back, winning the next leg and taking out tops with his first attempt, but Johnson won the next two to swing the game in Basildon’s favour.

Groves (22.73) raced into a 2-0 lead against Smith (23.19).

Smith pegged him back, winning the next two legs in 18 and 19 darts.

However, Groves held on to secure the victory.

Farthing (19.75) came flying out of the traps as he kicked off with a maximum 180 and won the opening leg in 15 darts.

He then held his nerve to secure a 3-1 win against Ridgway (21.07).

Alan Currivan (22.45) lost 3-0 against county A man Halls (25.05).

He had chances to win the second and third legs, but failed to hit the doubles.

Hammond (29.47) is in scintillating form and produced another brilliant display as he defeated Tait 3-0, with winning legs of 18, 17 and 16 darts.

He secured his second man-of-the-match award in as many weeks.

Keary (25.51) won the opening leg of his game with a 95 finish, but Halls hit back, taking a 2-1 lead with winning legs of 19 and 17 darts as Keary hit a maximum 180.

Keary hit his second 180 but, in the deciding leg, Halls was brilliant as he hit a maximum 180 of his own and won the game with a 15-dart leg, picking up his first Basildon man-of-the-match to secure the 7-5 victory.