Hampshire v Dorset - BICC 2016/2017 Season - Dorset County Darts

Week ending 11th-12th February saw Dorset travel up to Fareham for a local derby against Hampshire the team some of our youth players went to when Dorset's own youth side folded. Hopes were high true they are top of the league but we had just given West Midland side (who are second in the league) a spanking winning 27-9, so hopes of a repeat performance were high. So how did we do?

Now our ladies B team are top of the league no surprise for me as I do believe we have the strongest ladies B side in the league and I feel a little sorry for the girls on the bench because our girls just keep on winning. Up first for our girls Katie Mitchell who lost to Hampshires Clare Cheney 2-3 (Katie would be the first to tell you she should of won 3-1 just to many missed doubles) it gave Clare Hampshire's Lady of the match, did our girls heads go down NEVER as convincing wins from Carol Llewellyn, Trina Perry and Cath Campbell put us 3-1 up. Next Sally Old team ladies captain whose game went to a deciding leg which went Sally's way, up last Sam Kirton who went 0-2 down against Hampshire's Kelly Palmer (20.43) then Sam's form kicked in and she had 3 great legs in a row to win 3-2 and get Lady of the Match hitting a 23.85 average. So once again our girls done good giving us a great 5-1 start. Could the Men's B also perform?

Up first Scott Hutson, now Scott was a little unlucky last game coming up against West Midland's Man of the Match this time again he had a tough game against Luke Getty (24.98) Scott's game going to a deciding leg which went Scott's way (26.24). Next up Nigel Lamb (26.17) Nigel made it two in a row not only for him but for us as well, then losses for Terry Prowse and Daniel Perry made the scores even at 2-2. Up next and put us back in the lead Tommy Morris, now Tommy plays with passion and is exciting to watch and didn't disappoint hitting a 26.54 average and was our Man of the Match. Next Phil Weeks who had a better game than last time taking it to a deciding leg unfortunately for Phil it was the best leg Conner Bevis (Hampshire) played and Phil lost 2-3. John Clark up next also lost 2-3 against Hampshire's Mike Symes who was Hampshire's Man of the Match with a 25.28 average, then losses for Potty Mark Porter, Bryan Pearson and Tim Poole (26.69) put the Men's B 3-7 down having lost 5 in a row. Next up Dan Walker taking his game to a deciding leg which went Dan's way and up last Matt Mooster Read, and yes MOOSTER finally got his well deserved win so the B team lost 5-7 but with the ladies great win gave us a 2 game lead going into Sunday, would it be enough?

Now Hampshire's ladies A team is undefeated so far this season so we knew it would be tough but again I feel we have the side that can do it. Up first Sarah Chick who was up against Jane Monaghan (22.53) so it was never going to be easy. Sara went into a 2-0 lead and never looked like losing but the games never over until that winning double is hit and Jane battled back to force a deciding leg and the 5th leg was Jane Monaghan's best leg getting her a 3-2 win and Hampshire's Woman of the Match, Sarah gutted but gracious in defeat hitting a 22.38 average herself and what an exciting game to kick off Sunday. Next up Peri Yarrow who showed what a win means to her as she hits the winning double to win 3-2.

Next Christchurch girl Julie Frampton, Julie played a strong consistent game winning 3-0 with a 21.17 average, closely followed by Suzy Trickett who also won 3-0 hitting a lady of the match 21.78 average so our ladies A 3-1 up, and I'm thinking there goes Hampshire's ladies A unbeaten run as draw guaranteed but a win on the cards. Next up Donna Mabbatt who took her game to a deciding leg and for me actually played like an A team player that double 15 will haunt her for a while as she had so many goes at hitting it but that's how it goes some times as she loses 2-3. Up last Julie Boggust who lost 1-3 so the women gave Hampshire's ladies A a scare getting a draw, so now it was up to our Men's A, who won 9-3 against West Midlands.

Now up first Scotty Dog Mitchell, never easy for Scott as since winning the BDO World title it's like having a target on your back, everyone wants to play and beat you. Now we knew he had a fight on his hands playing Chas Barstow who is running first in the County averages winning 5-5 Scott Mitchell a close 2nd in the County averages also 5-5. Scott imposed his authority on the Match from the off some tremendous tv Darts, Scott winning 4-1 with a 31.20 average Chas 29.37, what a game to kick it all off. Next a loss for Matty Woodhouse followed by Mark Grimes (26.97) whose game went to a deciding leg this time not going our way, followed by Lee Edwardson (last games Man of the Match) Lee not showing his normal form losing against Hampshire's Mike Symes who was yesterday's Man of the Match for Hampshire Lee losing 1-4, making it 3 losses in a row for our A team. Next up Thomas (the robot) Chant, Thomas up against Gary Stafford (running 16th in County averages) Thomas had a great game his game going to a deciding leg. Thomas dug in hard and wins (to stop the rot) hitting a 26.54 average and giving us back some belief.

After the excitement of Thomas's game Lee Turle certainly followed it well running out a 4-2 winner against Bradley Kirk (29.17) Lee seemed to be enjoying it up on stage and even beat Scotts 31.20 average hitting himself a money winning 31.62 the highest average of the weekend and getting Dorset's Man of the Match. So Men's A standing at 3-3 only wanting 2 more games for the draw, then as they say THE WHEELS FELL OFF been here before, with losses for Dale Masterman, Robby Morris, Robbie Martin (27.17) whose game went to a deciding leg not to be this time for Robbie against Danny Pitman (28.48) who was Hampshire's Man of the Match, Mike Bowden close but again going Hampshire's way in a deciding leg so suddenly we NEED last two matches to get the draw.

Kevin Smith (27.83) up next did his bit running out a 4-2 winner which left Matty Yarrow (26.73) on last to get the draw. Matty started well going 2-0 up his game going to a deciding leg and it was Hampshire's Nillson Pritchard (28.32) best leg, so Hampshire get the win final score HAMPSHIRE 19 DORSET 17 a little disappointing to say the least.

MARTIN'S THOUGHTS

You all know how I love my DORSET COUNTY side. I enjoy the HIGHS I suffer the LOWS but believe we have a great team. True there are INDIVIDUALS there always is, and both our ladies teams you would NEVER bet against them, this weekend the Men not as good in the Averages (I know averages aren't everything but they are a guide) as last game. This weekend the girls hit 8/12 the men only 9/24 that speaks for itself. I really didn't think Hampshire's Men's teams were as strong as West Midlands yet we destroyed them, and struggled against Hampshire.

Nice to see Scott Hutson playing well, Nigel winning again, Tommy Morris playing with passion, Mooster finally winning well deserved never easy going on last pacing your self. The girls wall of intimidation working well, Scott Mitchell doing what Scott does Thomas and Lee Turle battling and believing and even Smithy getting a win.

Our next two matches are against teams lower in the table than us LET'S SHOW THEM what Dorset can do, Ladies just keep doing what your doing. Onwards and Upwards Dorset Green Army marching on.

RESULT

Hampshire 19 - 17 Dorset
Women's B Won 5-1 // Mens B Lost 5-7
Women's A Drew 3-3 // Mens A Lost 4-8

Match Report by Martin Maidment