Away v London - Saturday 15th / Sunday 16th December 2018
Week ending 15th-16th of December saw Dorset travel away to London for a rearranged game. Dorset unbeaten in there first 3 games so we're on a high and looking forward to playing London. Dorset unfortunately without Henry Cooper, The big show Dale Masterman and Suzy Trickett but we still had depth in our squad and our confidence was still there as we went looking for another win. Special weekend for John Clark (team manager) in his 40th year of TOP FLIGHT DARTS this was to be his 350th game SOME ACHIEVEMENT when you consider there is only 9 games a season. So how did we do?
Up first for Dorset Donna Mabbatt whose first leg seemed to take ages as both struggled to find that winning leg double, double 1 FINALLY giving itself up to London. Donna out scoring London's Debra Watling but a little shaky around the double but goes onto take a 2-1 lead. Debra with throw forces a final leg decider. Donna with the throw in the deciding leg but Debra played her best leg of the match out scoring Donna and taking the win. Next saw the return of Julie Boggust who had no problems winning 3-0 (nice to see her back to her winning ways). Next up Kelly Stroud not the heaviest scorer but if she gets to a double she will hit it. Kelly played Kerry Killick who well out scored Kelly not even giving Kelly a go at a double hitting a 22.43 average and was London's Lady of the Match.
Next up for Dorset Carol Llewellyn, Carol coming off the reserved bench last game and getting an opportunity as Julie Boggust was ill and was Dorset's Woman of the Match last game with a 20+ average how we needed more of that. Carol played Tammy MacKenzie both players were evenly matched both missed doubles in first leg, leg going to Carol close 2nd leg again going Carol's way. No messing at the double and London pull a leg back but Carol saved her best for the 4th leg hitting a 140 on her way to a 3-1 win and was Dorset's Lady of the Match with a 18.52 average London's Tammy hitting a similar average of 18.47. So that made the scores level at 2-2. Next up Lorraine Woodrow who missed that winning double in both of the first two legs, Lily missing numerous doubles ending up at the mad house double one which she hit to pull a leg back but London's Dee Belcher outscored Lily in the 4th leg and didn't mess about at the double. That left Trina Perry hopefully to get us a draw. Trina played London's Joanne Dreamer who took the first leg with the throw Trina no messing at tops took the 2nd to level at 1-1. Joanne outscored Trina who didn't do much wrong hitting a 18.46 average but it wasn't enough as Joanne Dreamer wins 3-1 with a 20.73 average. London 4 Dorset 2 that broke some run from our ladies B team suffering their first defeat for a long time. Bring on the Men's B.
Up first Matt MOOSTER Read. MOOSTER starting with a nice 15 dart winning leg. Matt missed doubles in the 2nd London didn't, 1-1. London's Dean Coughlan hits a 177 putting pressure on Matt to hit his 97 left no problem two darts. Dean misses 3 at a double Matt goes 3-1 up. Matt goes onto win 4-1 and was Dorset's Man of the Match hitting a 27.75 average London's 24.55 great game to start the B. Next up Graham Inniss (23.76 Shinny shoes) who despite hitting 2x180s lost 1-4. Ryan Mabey up next had a mare losing 1-4. Alan Ayres (23.48) on next played London's Nick Cocks, Nick taking the first with throw. Alan pokes 120 (shanghai on twenties) to level at 1-1. Nick in the 3rd leg hits a 180 to leave 36 which he returns and hits. Alan levels it at 2-2 then Nick seemed to go up a gear or two running out a 4-2 winner with a 26.47 average and was London's Man of the Match.
Next up Daniel Perry who had a very close game which just didn't go his way losing 2-4 and Dorset find themselves in trouble trailing 4-1. Matty Woodhouse (Woo woo 23.46) hasn't been able to get a win for a while doing it at superleague but struggling up on stage but today he seemed more relaxed and went into a 3-0 lead. Then Matt got that I only need one more leg for a win mode and London pull two legs back. London's Will Blackwell hits a 180 followed by a 140 and Woo Woo looks in trouble in the 6th leg. Will misses doubles and a relieved Woo Woo takes the 4-2 win.
Richard Perry off the bench (best doorman in Dorset) misses doubles in the first leg and is sat on 24 when London take the 2nd and we all thought here we go AGAIN as he trails 0-2. Rich didn't give up and was rewarded with a 4-2 win ABOUT TIME really pleased for him the first of many I'm sure. Paul Allen (27.38) up next, what a find he's been for Dorset, Paul poking 53 to take the first leg then hitting a 180 on his way to taking the 2nd leg. Paul hit another 180 in the 3rd but London's Robbie Hain hits 2x140s and goes onto take the leg. Paul hits another 180 on his way to taking the 4th leg and yet ANOTHER (his 4th) to win 4-1.
The magic moment next CLARKY (23.04 team manager) John Clark steps up on stage to play his 350th game for his beloved Dorset. John showed his experience breaking a leaving score of ten going big 2 double 4 to take the first leg. Missed doubles from London's Shane Wilson and Clarky's 3-0 up. John goes on to take the win 4-1. Next up Robby Morris (23.91) who had a battle on his hands against Tom McGurn two evenly matched players and the game decided on a final leg. Both started with tons and it took a 61 shot out in two darts for Robby to get the win and put Dorset's Men's B 6-4 up.
Nigel Lamb (24.82) up next found himself 1-3 down but forced his way back to 3-3 to force a final deciding leg both had chances at the double just not to be for Nigel. That left Simon Cross. A few missed doubles found Simon 1-2 behind. Simon hits a 180 on his way to level at 2-2. Simon has 6 poor darts from 125 then London's Gene Hill pokes 130 on the bull to go in front. Gene misses doubles in the next Simon gets a deciding leg. Close deciding leg against the throw Simon missing two darts at 16x a relieved Gene taking the win so a 6-6 draw, and now going into tomorrow with the overall score standing at London 10 Dorset 8 this season we are not used to going into Sunday behind. Bring on the A teams.
We needed the Women's A to give us a good start. Up first Sarah Chick, Sarah playing London's Shaz Debo Costello and what a game they gave us the score line 3-0 to Sarah not really reflecting the great game. Sarah going 2-0 up then hits a 14 dart winning leg hitting a 25.57 average was our lady of the match (her husband MOOSTER getting Man of the Match yesterday in the B) Shaz hitting a 23.87 average the highest average from all the London Girls great game. Next up Cath Campbell playing her first game in the A this season and she wins 3-1 giving us a great start. Katie Mitchell up next had a close first leg but missed numerous doubles leg going to London. Poor 2nd leg from Katie and she goes 0-2 down. Two tons and a 137 put Mandy Solomons well in front and Katie loses 0-3.
Sam Kirton up next unbeaten last season winning all of her 9 games but unable to get a win from the 3 games so far this season. Great first leg from both players both Sam and Steph Stutley hitting two tons and a 140 a piece first leg going to Sam. A 140 gave Steph first go at a double and she takes it 1-1. Scores of 121 and a ton put Steph favourite to take the leg but she misses doubles Sam pinching the leg. No mistakes in the 4th leg Sam hitting a ton followed by a 140 (much more Sam like) and goes onto win 3-1 with a 24.26 average Steph Stutley hitting a 23.28 another great game from the ladies.
Next up Peri May Yarrow (19.03) Peri hitting a 140 on her way to take the first leg. London's Sue Condon busts 61 Peri takes the leg. Peri finding her range better now hitting a 140 followed by a ton on her way to a 3-0 win, guaranteeing us a win as it put us 4-1 up with just our Julie Frampton to play. Julie starts with a ton and hits another on her way to taking the first leg. Su Holt (19.73 London) misses double 16 Julie pinches the leg. Su hits a 133 to leave double 2 returns and hits it. Su hits a 140 on her way to winning the leg breaking Julie's throw and forcing a final deciding leg. Su scores well but Julie stays with her and is sat poised on 64 as Su pokes a 111 to win the game, good darts but a kick in the bum for Julie sat as I said on 64 THATS DARTS. At least the women put us back all even by winning 4-2 role reversal to yesterday. That left our Men's A to get the win.
Up first Mark Porter, Mark hitting three tons on his way to taking the first leg. Mark then seemed a little distracted by his opponent and (Most un Mark like) loses 1-4. Tommy Morris (24.05) what a game Tommy slow to start and goes 0-3 down. Tommy doesn't give up pulls a leg back then a 14 dart leg and he's pumped the COME ON every time he hits a big score but missed doubles at the crucial time and he loses 2-4. Steve Earley (25.69) up next and the dart playing Steve turned up. London's Aaron Beeney starts with a 180 and hit a 140 but Steve pokes 98 to take the leg. No looking back from there as Steve goes onto win decisively 4-0. Next Robbie Martin (26.19) v David Wawrzewski, Robbie hitting a 16 dart leg to break David's throw. Another 16 dart leg from Robbie 2-0. Poor 3rd leg David takes it. Normal service resumed as Robbie hits an 11 dart winning leg to go 3-1 up. David hits 48 in two pulls a leg back 3-2. Robbie WELL IN CONTROL in the 6th leg but can't hit that winning double 3-3. A 14 dart leg give London the win Robbie gutted, that's darts.
Carl Beattie came back from 1-3 down to force a deciding leg Carl well in front gets to the double first but misses numerous and a relieved Stephen Ferguson (24.62) takes the win for London. Next Mark Grimes (28.00) v Gene Hill (28.00) what a great game this was. Mark slow to get going losing the first leg. High scoring game from both players Mark going 3-2 up Mark misses tops for a 15 dart leg but 16 that's not too shabby and he takes the win. Dorset now trailing London 2-4.
Next up Matty Yarrow (23.56) v Conan Whitehead, (28.45) Matty playing the PDC player who has stepped away from the worlds to play for London. Matty missed doubles but still takes the first leg. A 180 and a 177 on his way to an 11 dart leg for Conan 1-1. Legs all went with throw Matt missing 2 darts at a double to win 4-2 deciding leg Matt had the throw but I think the pressure got to him as he loses could of should of springs to mind. Declan Harris up next Man of the Match in the B last game playing his first A game for Dorset a year ago the Man couldn't buy a win now he's on a run and playing well but would he coupe with the added pressure? Declan v Nick Cocks (26.09) Nick with throw two tons and a 140 takes the first leg. Declan hits a 180 on his way to levelling at 1-1. Declan starts 3rd leg with a 132 doesn't do a lot wrong but Nick with throw takes it. Close 4th leg again going with throw 2-2. Good 5th leg after 15 darts Declan on double 10 and breaks Nick to go 3-2 up now throwing for the match. That's the way to start 180 followed by a ton and an 11 dart leg to win 4-2 hitting a 29.11 average and was Dorset's Man of the Match, and he gave it some as the winning double went in. Best I've seen him play.
Danny Pearce (26.45) v Lee Cocks. Lee hits a 180 on his way to taking the first leg, Danny hits a 180 in the 2nd leg but Lee pokes 101. Lee not missing doubles as he pokes 74 to put Danny 0-3 down. Danny hits another 180 in the 4th leg but Lee to good poking out. Lee Cocks hits a 30.83 average best of the weekend was London's Man of the Match even the Dorset Massive applauded his great 30+ average. That put Dorset 3-6 down needing last 3 matches for a draw. Lee Turle (27.52) v Tommy Sanwell (24.61) Lee goes 1-3 down but never gives up pulling it back to 3-3 to get a deserved deciding leg against the throw. Lee saved his best leg for last after 12 darts Lee is sat on tops Lee has 3 clear NERVY DARTS at tops but returns to take a well fought 4-3 win. Next up THE JACKET Richard Wright (24.39) poor first leg from both London pinching it, same in the 2nd this time going our way 1-1. Better 3rd leg 2 scores of 140 got Rich to double first and Rich goes 2-1 up. A nice 118 shot out and Rich goes 3-1 up breaking London's throw. London then poke out 107 to pull a leg back, Rich finds a needed 180 and takes a 4-2 win.
Up last and what a game to finish with Wayne Brown (28.02) v Scott Mitchell (29.14) Wayne with throw, Dorset needing the win to get an overall draw. Nice start for Scotty 15 dart leg with a 141 shot out breaking Wayne's throw. Wayne hits a 180 to leave 38 returns hits it to break Scott's throw 1-1. Scotty breaks straight back poking 56 in three dart (big 7 big 9 double tops) 2-1. Wayne hits a 180 on his way to breaking Scott 2-2. Scott replies with a 13 dart leg to re-take the lead 3-2. Close 6th leg Scott sat on tops Wayne hits a big score to leave 32 but as he's walking back he puts his darts away in his top pocket assuming Scott is going to hit tops and take a 4-2 win how close can you get, VERY but they wouldn't go in, Wayne having to retrieve his darts from his pocket and yes he hits it 3-3 all 6 legs against the throw, need that again as Wayne has the throw. Scott can't find the lipstick in the deciding leg and loses 3-4 Scott as always gracious in defeat, but we all know how much that hurt he LOVES his Dorset Darts as we ALL DO.
So final score London 19 Dorset 17 no win no bonus points moves us to 3rd in the County Table 3 behind Hertfordshire.
MARTIN'S THOUGHTS
So many games could of gone our way so many missed doubles if we can get 17 games playing average just think what we can achieve playing well. Two women's games went to a deciding leg we lost both, 8 men's games went 4-3 we won 2. I believe we have a great squad this season and I'm positive we will win more games. Home against Nottinghamshire next game and we have still to play the two teams above us Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire so KEEP THE FAITH
Well done Clarky 40 years and 350 games top flight darts that's a great achievement
Green Army not disheartened and marching onwards and upwards.
Good Luck to Scotty with the worlds coming up in January a lot of us are taking advantage of the FREE entry tickets and will be there to cheer you on and get you started in your quest to win it again.
Potty and Michelle great as usual with our top table helping London out on Saturday.
RESULT
London 19-17 Dorset
Women's B Lost 2-4 // Mens B Drew 6-6
Women's A Won 4-2 // Mens A Lost 5-7
Match Report by Martin Maidment
John CLARK
