Away v Surrey - Saturday 29th / Sunday 30th November 2014
Week ending 29th-30th of November saw Dorset travelling to The Royal British Legion Worcester Park to play Surrey. Dorset in need of a win after our last defeat against Hampshire earlier this month at home 16-20.
A lot of the team travelled up on the Friday afternoon. One good thing about Dorset, we have a great team spirit, all of the team want to win and after last season's result we all realise the importance of every single game, missing promotion last year by just one game. So how did we get on?
Up first, the woman's B and wins for Cath Campbell (back in the squad for the first time this season) Linda Bellingham, Trina Perry and lady of the match Julie Boggust got us away to a good start 4-2 up.
The men's B, Richard Perry up first, playing his 150th game for Dorset and a tough one losing 2-3. Wins for Sean McMurray, Lee Turle, Matty Woodhouse, Terry Gowans playing a good game and winning 3-0 with a 24.04 average. Mark Porter (Potty) and up last to get the Men's B a draw with a Man of the Match 26.11 average Robbie Martin.
Going into Sunday we had a 2 game advantage. Surrey 8 Dorset 10.
Surrey have a great ladies A team with the likes of Tricia Wright, Apylee Jones and Sue Shefford all in the top 15 of the averages. Top of the averages is our very own Caroline Carter who going into this game was no 1 in the averages running at 24.84, ahead of Deta Hedman (Oxfordshire) who is running 2nd with 23.40. Caroline went on second and got us our first winning point for the girls and a win by Sarah Chick with a Lady of the Match 23.48 performance got us our only other win. Surrey ladies 4 Dorset ladies 2. Match all square and now up to the Men's A to get us the win.
Up first was Nigel Lamb winning 4-2 with a 27.59 average, then Ryan Gowans also winning 4-2 in a close game, Ryan as always an exciting player to watch, the way he moves across the oche and switches to the 18s frequently going 20 54 54 a joy to watch when they go. Then our very own Scotty 'DOG' Mitchell who had a great game against Ben Burton, Ben played well, in one leg Ben left 170 he hit the 60 wired the 2nd 60 and you heard him Growl, that's how much he wanted it. Scotty banged in a 30.00 average getting him yet another Man of the Match and also won 4-2 and put us into a 3 games to 0 lead. Scotty's playing really well this year and has won many ranking events. Wins also for Steve Earley and Tim Clothier put the men's A 5 games to 2 up with 5 to play. Then as they say the wheels fell off and we lost the last 5 matches.
Final result Surrey 19 Dorset 17
As with all sports you're only as good as your last game but we started like this last season and came on strong at the end and believe me the promotion race isn't over and we as a team have learnt that every game and every player is important, so onwards and upwards, next game home to Somerset week ending 17th - 18th of January.
Dorset play out of the Conservative Club in upper Parkstone or the 'Monkey House' as it's affectionately called. If you like your darts and enjoy watching good games, come along and support the boys and girls of Dorset we would love to see you.
