Home v Hampshire - Saturday 1st / Sunday 2nd November 2014
The first weekend in November was Dorset's second fixture of the BICC season. It turned out to be very much a weekend of two halves.
Saturday started off with the ladies B team looking to avenge their heavy defeat in the opening match against Durham. This time out the ladies match ended all square. Fine wins from Julie Boggust (Lytchett) 3-1 (16.70), Lin Bellingham (Melcombe Regis) 3-1 (15.50) and taking the lady of the match award Claire Whatley (Bournemouth) 3-1 (17.51).
The men's B team were looking to build on the nine points achieved in the previous match. They came very close securing eight more to add to the tally. Wins coming from Sean McMurray (Portland) 3-2 (23.88) and Steve O'Marah (Alderholt) 3-0 (31.98) taking the man of the match award. Steve's superb game also earned him the player of the weekend and best B player in the BICC overall. Alan Ayres (Sherborne) 3-1 (26.81), commanding in what was a must win match for him, Captain Mark Porter (Lytchett) 3-2 (22.55) hanging on for another win. Graham Knight (Dorchester) 3-1 (23.46) and Steve Penney (Lytchett) 3-2 (27.04) both looking solid in their matches. Finally Lee Turle (Kinson) 3-2 (23.17) and Rob Martin (Alderholt) 3-1 (24.26) putting the 10th and 11th points on the board.
Sunday was not quite so successful. The only win in the ladies A match was the first game of the day. What a tremendous game it was, Caroline Carter (Bournemouth) 3-1 (26.55) winning lady of the match, player of the weekend and best A player in the BICC. An average any county player would be proud of, man or lady.
The men's A team seemed to be playing copycat with the ladies, it wasn't until the sixth match that Dorset put another point on the scoresheet. John Bothamley (Poole) 4-1 (19.60). New father Matt Read (Sherborne) 4-1 (25.33) started his match with two 180s, this had the crowd silenced in anticipation of the perfect leg. A close match followed and the second win. No 9-darter but there's always next time Mooster. A superb game from Nigel Lamb (Sherborne) 4-1 (27.52) made it seem that the tide may have been turning. However this wasn't to be, the only other win coming from Kevin Smith (Poole) 4-1 (22.91) making the men's score 4-8.
The final match score was 16-20 to our visitors from Hampshire.
