Home v Cornwall - Saturday 29th / Sunday 30th October 2016
Week ending 29th/30th of October saw Dorset's 2nd home game against Cornwall, last time we played them at their venue where the B teams gave us a good start winning 11-7 but unusually the ladies A lost 1-5 and the men's A only managed a draw so match ended up at 18-18 this time with the home advantage and off a good win against Co Durham hopes of getting a win were high but a good start was needed as Cornwall's ladies and mens A teams were both strong. So how did we do?
Up 1st for our girls the captain Sally Old who had a tough game which she took to a deciding leg and won throwing some of her best darts so far this season, next Cath Campbell whose throwing some great darts at the moment and she didn't disappoint winning 3-0 with a woman of the match 21.78 average. Next Lin Bellingham who lost to Cornwall's Emma Dow (19.01) who was their lady of the match, followed up by wins for both Carol Llewellyn and Donna Mabbatt (who is having a good winning run at the moment) put Dorset 4-1 up. Up last Katie Mitchell whose game went to a deciding leg but too many missed doubles especially 3x in last leg cost her, so the ladies gave us a nice 4-2 lead.
Bring on the Men's B. Up 1st Tim Poole who got us off to a good start winning 3-1 followed by a great consistent game from Mike Bowden winning 3-0 with a man of the match 28.90 average good to watch. Men 2-0 up and I thought "here we go" but it wasn't to be with losses from Terry Prowse (game going to a deciding leg) Alan Ayres and Dan Walker despite hitting a 24.54 average but Dennis Bryant (Cornwall) was a little better hitting a Man of the Match 27.72 for Cornwall, so our 2-0 soon turned around to 2-3 down.
Next a win for Robby Morris who won 3-1 but wasn't pleased with his game as far from his best but as I said A WINS A WIN and that's all that matters so Match at 3-3. Next a loss for Matt Read who hit a 24.13 average but lost the deciding leg, and a loss for Richard Hutley. Kevin Smith won 3-2, a loss then for Daniel Perry and Colin Littlecott (another deciding leg going Cornwall's way) put Dorset 4-7 down. On last a welcome return for Tommy Morris whose been sat on the reserves bench for the past two games, a good youngster who didn't disappoint you could see the fire and need to win running out a 3-0 winner with a 24.64 average, good start and I think he will be a great plus for Dorset.
So after Saturdays games match stood all even at 9-9 would it be enough?
Remember last time Cornwall's ladies A TRASHED us 5-1 this time we needed it to be so different. Up 1st Sarah Chick who gave us the start we needed winning 3-1 with a woman of the match 21.49. Next Julie Boggust who lost to Cornwall's lady of the match Nikki Furse (19.45) Trina Perry up next losing in a deciding leg put Cornwall 2-1 up. Next a great consistent game from Julie Frampton (21.17) gave her a 3-0 win. Suzy Trickett up fifth lost her match again another deciding leg going Cornwall's way. Up last for the draw Peri May Yarrow. Peri played well (21.17) and won her match 3-0 so the ladies as always did their bit getting the draw. So now it was up to the Men's A to get the win.
Up 1st Lee Turle (28.65) another game going Cornwall's way in a deciding leg, what's Lee got to do to get a win he's playing very well really wants it but seems to get the in form players who JUST seem to pinch the win. Next up Ex CHAMPION OF THE WORLD (still got a nice ring to it) Scotty Dog Mitchell who won 4-1 with a man of the match 27.13 average lost count how many M.O.M he won for Dorset still a JOY to watch.
Captain Potty (24.47) Mark Porter lost followed by Matty Woodhouse (23.06) another last leg decider going Cornwall's way. Mark Grimes (25.04) missing doubles cost Mark and he lost 1-4 Mark doesn't lose many, that put us 1-4 down. Dorset's heads didn't drop and wins for Lee Edwardson (22.71) and Thomas Chant (23.58) brought us back in it at 3-4.
Wasn't to be as losses for our manager John Clark (22.59), Matty Yarrow despite hitting a 26.39 average and Robbie Martin (25.47) gave Cornwall the win with two games to play.
On Eleventh Nigel Lamb (25.25) who came up against Cornwall's NEIL MENEER, Neil Cornwall's M.O.M last game (29.50) hit an unbeaten 32.32 average (wow tv darts pretty to watch) beating Nigel 4-0. Up last Dale (The Big Show) Masterman (25.47), Dale had a great game winning (one of the few to go Dorset's way) the deciding leg.
All the ands if buts and maybes come into my head but for me our Men's B just didn't perform as well as normal and fair play to Cornwall they hit the doubles and BIG NUMBERS to leave doubles and we will TAKE IT ON THE CHIN and improve for our next game away to London Nov 26th/27th we were 3rd in the league and will drop further away but DON'T EVER RULE DORSET OUT, Onwards and upwards Dorset's "GREEN ARMY" marching onwards and upwards.
RESULT
Dorset 16 - 20 Cornwall
Women's B Won 4-2 // Mens B Lost 5-7
Women's A Drew 3-3 // Mens A Lost 4-8
Match Report by Martin Maidment
John CLARK
