Away v London - Saturday 26th / Sunday 27th November 2016
Week ending Saturday 26th / Sunday 27th saw Dorset travel away to Kent to play against London. Dorset were sitting 3rd in the league and London were holding the league up in last place but only 5 games behind us that's how close this league is. Dorset were hoping for a good win following there defeat against Cornwall at home who on the day were sharper than us and didn't miss as many doubles, so how did we get on.
Our women's B team in my opinion is one of the strongest in this league and as always we were relying on them to give us a good start and they certainly didn't disappoint. Up 1st Cathy Campbell winning 3-1 with a 18.77 average followed by Trina Perry (down from the A) winning 3-0, then on her DEPUT up steps Sam Kirton who had a TREMENDOUS game hitting 2x180s in the process her opponent Dee Belcher not to be out done also hit a 180, I can't remember a time (in the ladies game) when 3x180s were hit in the same match in the A let alone the B side. The game deservedly going to a deciding leg, Dee hitting a 18.25 average but your winner and lady of the match for us Sam Kirton with an amazing 21.71 average now that's SOME DEBUT. Wins from our last 3 ladies Sally Old, Carol Llewellyn and Katie Mitchell gave us A DREAM START London 0 Dorset 6 what could possible go wrong. Bring on the Men's B team.
Up first Matt Woodhouse (down from the A) who had a good game hitting a 26.38 average but lost in a deciding leg. Matt Mooster read followed next, again hitting a 25.78 average but again losing in a deciding leg. Colin Littlecott up next won 3-1 (21.97) so the men trailed by 1-2. Then the wheels fell off with losses for Nigel Lamb, Carl Beattie, Bryan Pearson, Terry Prowse, Tommy Morris (despite hitting a 25.74 average) this put London 7-1 up and the women's great start now gone. Robby Morris up next gave us something to cheer about winning 3-0 and was our man of the match with a 22.10 average Robby winning easy enough but was disappointed with his game but as I said you beat what was in front of you and got the all IMPORTANT WIN. Then losses for Dan Walker 0-3, Tim Poole 1-3 and up last Daniel Perry 0-3 the Men's B suffered one of its worst defeats losing 2-10 to a good London B team, if only the draw had been a little kinder to us. Anyway that's Darts and our ladies 6-0 start and Men's 2-10 defeat meant we were going into Sunday 8-10 down. But Sunday's another day maybe luck would be on our side.
Now what can I say about ALL our ladies well they certainly support each other and cheer each other on good team spirit is what wins the girls games, and I hoped today would be no different. Up 1st Peri Yarrow (18.20) who lost 1-3 then Donna Mabbatt (moved upto the A after a run of wins) losing 0-3 (19.23) to London's lady of the Match Casey Gallagher who hit a 23.86 average, then next Julie Frampton who won 3-0 hitting a 22.77 average. Julie played Leanne Topper another good dart player who hit a 22.98 average. Julie not missing her doubles didn't give Leanne a chance to get into the game. Sarah Chick up next and winning 3-0 with a 22.77 average gave joint women of the match awards to Julie and Sarah. So women all even at 2 games each. Julie Boggust up next missing doubles to lose 1-3 and up last Suzy Trickett whose game went to a deciding leg which she lost still hitting a 18.99 average. So women so close losing 2-4 but they certainly gave the London Ladies team a scare. Up next Men's A.
Now who better to give us a good start but Scott Mitchell x world champion and he certainly didn't disappoint playing London's Wayne Brown who himself hit a 30.60 average, but Scott as always playing his game at his pace and speed looked totally in control winning 4-1 with a Man of the Match average of 32.91 WOW T.V DARTS. Next up and follow that Thomas Chant, Thomas's game going to a deciding leg Thomas just missing out but still hitting a 25.19 average. Next up Mark Grimes (27.07) playing without the help of alcohol (as he drove for once) losing to London's Gene Hill who beat Mark 4-2 with a Man of the Match for London of 28.79. Then losses for Lee Edwardson (23.32) Kevin Smith (24.74 back up in the A) put Dorset's Men 1-5 behind. Potty up next Mark Porter (27.31) had a great game and was very disappointed to lose in a deciding leg, Then next up Lee Turle (26.21) now what can I say about Lee's run of bad luck he always plays well mostly averaging around 27-28 but seems to get the in form player, well today was to be no different coming up against London's Conan Whitehead who was running 7th in the County averages, and what a battle it was the game going to a deserved final leg, that leg going all the way to a double. Conan missing a winning double Lee turning to the audience raising his hand for an encouraging cheer which he got and then some stepped up and hit the winning double WELL DESERVED AND ABOUT TIME, now that's brave asking for audience participation it could of gone so wrong but it worked for him WELL PLAYED. Then wins for Robbie Martin (26.24) and Dale Masterman (24.83) both games going to a deciding nervous last leg. Dorset Men now trailing 4-5. Then losses for John Clark (25.07), Mike Bowden (25.10) and Matty Yarrow (25.96) meant the Men's A lost 4-8. Overall a loss for Dorset, one of Dorset's worst for a while.
The weekend was certainly full of HIGHS and LOWS
HIGHS, Women's B team result and the Deput of Sam Kirton the wall of intimidation working well MOSTLY, GREAT games from Scott (what with the worlds coming up he's 16/1 to win an outsider and we all love the under dog) Lee Turle finally getting the win he deserves. LOWS, well that will be the overall result and now pushes us towards the bottom of the table 7th with only 10 in it and Dorset only a few games ahead of lower teams we need a good win and hopefully our next game at home January 21st-22nd to West Midlands will provide us with that.
Green Army marching onwards and hopefully UPWARDS.
RESULT
London 22 - 14 Dorset
Women's B Won 6-0 // Mens B Lost 2-10
Women's A Lost 2-4 // Mens A Lost 4-8
Match Report by Martin Maidment
John CLARK
