Home v Somerset - Saturday 17th / Sunday 18th January 2015
Dorset started 2015 with a home match against Somerset and hopes were high for a convincing win after the disappointment of the Surrey. It was also the first time for us as a County to welcome back our Superstar Scotty 'DOG' Mitchell after his triumphant run at the Lakeside World Championships. Dorset has its very own 'Champion of the World'.
Somerset ladies B team had not lost a game so far this season, having played 4, won 3 and drawn 1 so we knew it was going to be tough. Up first was Cathy Campbell who won convincingly 3-0, followed by Lisa Prowse (back in the B after a break) who came back from 0-2 down to win 3-2. Felicia Blay (also returning to the B after a short time on the bench) was our lady of the match winning 3-1 with a 18.88 average. Suddenly we were 3-0 up and the pressure to win lifted. Then wins from Linda Bellingham and Trina Perry took us into an amazing 5-0 lead. Up last was Wendy Lamb (back in the B after a long lay-off) unfortunately Wendy was the only loser but a 5-1 win was a tremendous start.
Onto the men's B. First up was the manager John Clark. John couldn't seem to get going and lost 0-3. There were a few games we narrowly lost Steve O'Marah, Dale Masterman and Graham Knight all had chances but lost 2-3 but wins from Lee Edwardson, Steve Penney, Matty Woodhouse, Terry Gowans (still holding the tag of the luckiest man in Dorset) Lee Turle and our man of the match Sean McMurray with a 28.36 average got us the draw. A disappointing result for the men given that Somerset's Men's B had not won a game so far this season.
Going into Sunday with the score at 11-7, would a 4 game lead be enough?
Lakeside World Champion 2015 Scott Mitchell - Dorset County Darts Association
Sunday saw the A teams do battle and the first appearance of our world champion in a Dorset shirt. Would Scott be different? Would he cope with all the attention? Would it effect his game?
The ladies A started the proceedings, the girls didn't let us down, first up was Julie Frampton who scored tremendously well but struggled a little on her doubles but won 3-2. We lost the next 2 games Julie Boggust a little unlucky coming back from 0-2 down, she hit a ton plus to leave tops Somerset's Karen Littler missed her double Julie poked out then in the 4th leg she was on 150 and went tops 60 bull to go 2-2. Neither Julie or the audience could believe it, the Bull was right in the middle and you thought just maybe, but Karen played well in the final leg and didn't mess about on the double and was Somerset's woman of the match with a 22.44 average, Julie's 20.28. Wins for Suzy Trickett, Peri-May Yarrow and our lady of the match Sarah Chick 20.72 average gave the girls a 4-2 win. Dorset now in a strong position leading Somerset 14 games to 9. Just needing 5 more games for the win. Well we've been here before, so nothing was guaranteed.
The men's A started well with wins for John Bothamley, Kevin Smith and Steve Earley, putting us 17-11 up. Somerset's George Gardener and Scott Warren won the next 2 and it looked like we were struggling to cross that winning line again, but wins from Thomas Chant, Ryan Gowans, Scott Mitchell, Richard Gomm, Nigel Lamb and Robbie Martin got the Men's A team a great result winning 9-3. Our man of the match was of course our World Champion Scotty 'DOG' Mitchell with a 30.48 average. Final result Dorset 24 Somerset 12
MARTIN'S HIGHLIGHTS
The deafening cheer and who let the dogs out music when Scotty entered the club......The standing ovation......The programme in pink with a special Scotty Mitchell pull-out section......The chance to see the Lakeside Trophy and have a photo with the Champion......Somerset presenting Scott with a tractor for his dad (they had all chipped in to buy) bless, shame it was only a model......Robbie M doing it in the A......Julie's 150 shot-out......Me winning £40 on the tons.
Well onwards and upwards not long to wait until our next game weekending 7th - 8th February, away to Staffordshire. Those of you who missed this home game you missed a BEAUTY. Don't miss the next home game March 28th - 29th against another local county side, Devon.
RESULT
Dorset 24 - 12 Somerset
Women's B Won 5-1 // Mens B Drew 6-6
Women's A Won 4-2 // Mens A Won 9-3
