Away v Humberside - Saturday 18th / Sunday 19th January 2020
The weekend Saturday 18th - Sunday 19th saw Dorset playing a County game away to Humberside, nearly all of us made the 5+ hour trip up on the Friday so had time to relax and chill a little before the game. The venue was only a 15 minute coach trip from our hotel. None of us had played Humberside before so the venue was new to us. We wanted to make sure we got a seat with a good view of the stage to support the Dorset players and follow the action. So how did we get on?
Saturday was the turn of our B teams up first our 6 Ladies and no one better to get us on our way than Peri Yarrow (18.40) (Peri had collected LOADS of women of the Match awards for Dorset) What a cracking game to start. Peri wiring tops for a 125 shot out and takes the first leg. Bex Waterfall hits a 140 and a 134 on her way to levelling at 1-1. The Match going to a deserved deciding leg a few nervy darts from both and Peri a little unlucky to come up against an in form Lady from HUMBERSIDE who takes the win with a 20.11 average and was Humberside's Lady of the Match. Next up Lorraine Woodrow, Lily didn't play her normal steady consistent game and loses 1-3. Donna Mabbatt up next goes 0-2 down but doesn't give up and fights back to level at 2-2 to force a deciding leg with the throw. Today not to be and Humberside go into a 3-0 lead. Not going to plan is an understatement but Humberside Ladies B are running joint top in the league, now I can see why.
Next for Dorset a relative new-bee Roz Annetts playing only her 3rd game for Dorset and as yet no win for her. Roz seemed a lot more confident up on stage and hit a few big scores on her way to winning 3-0 a few missed doubles bringing her average down but you could tell what that first win meant to her as that winning double went in, the fist pump and relief plain to see. Next Trina Perry (18.11) slow start for Trina then hits a 180 followed by 96 and gets first crack at a double and hits it and goes onto take the 2nd leg as well. Close 3rd leg both hit 140s both players end up on tops Humberside's Sue Bilby misses 3 clear darts at it, Trina doesn't and wins 3-0 and was our Lady of the Match. Up last for the draw Abi Northover. Abi outscored by Humberside's Karen Hellmore but had her chances when Karen missed loads at the double but today they just DIDN'T GO for Abi losing 0-3 so our Ladies lose 2-4. Bring on the Men's B
Up first Kevin Smith (25.60) v Leon Bailey (25.39) and what a cracking game this was to start. Kev back on 103 as Leon breaks Kev throw and the first leg. Nice 17 dart comeback from Kev to level at 1-1 breaking straight back. Next 4 legs all went with throw Leon poking 141 for a 12 dart leg to level at 3-3. Deciding leg Kev with the throw, Kev close missing three darts at 40 Leon poking out to take the win. Kevin Smith a little unlucky this time you won't lose many in the B with a 25+ average. Next up Daniel Perry and what a battle he had against Ricky Speroni their game going to a deciding leg Ricky with the darts. Dan kept his nerve and saved his best leg for last hitting two 140s on his way to taking a 4-3 win (it's been a long time coming for Dan) the joy and relief plain to see and the cheer he got from the Dorset Massive great to see and hear. Next Ryan Mabey (23.78) Ryan goes into a 3-0 lead until Trevor Holtby (20.82 Humberside) pulls a leg back Ryan sat on a double. Trevor hits a 180 and a 135 to leave 133 but Ryan is still with him and takes a 4-1 win and was Dorset's Man of the Match. Very pleased for Ryan as he's had a unlucky run until now.
Richard Perry up next the last of the trio of Perry's to play. Rich had no problems on his way to a comfortable 4-1 win he needed that been on a losing run for a while but now onwards and upwards. Matty Woodhouse up next goes into a 3-1 lead and you can hear the support from the Dorset Massive (could this be 4 wins in a row?) Matty hits a 140 followed by a 135 then 56 to leave tops and takes the 4-1 win. Roy Pidgeon next takes the first leg then Scott Jackson (25.99 Humberside) kicked into gear outscoring Roy and no messing at the double Roy losing 1-4 so after 6 games Dorset winning 4-2.
Declan Harris up next goes into a 2-0 lead against James Janney, James hits a 180 in the 3rd leg and Declan is sat on 36 when James takes the leg. No looking back from there for Declan a few missed doubles but he wins comfortable 4-1. Allan Chant up next had a battle on his hands against Lee Parrish two evenly matched players, Allan coming from 1-3 down to force a deciding leg against the throw. Nervy last leg from both players Allan sat on a double as Lee pokes 64 to take the win for Humberside. Damian Mudge up next goes 0-2 down to Humberside's Sam Henson who gives it some as the 2nd leg double goes in. Damian pokes a 114 to pull a leg back another fist pump as Sam goes 3-1 up then hits a 180 with a fist pump and you know the winning doubles there when Sam Henson gives it LOADS Damian losing 1-4.
Next up Steven Earley (25.84) v Neil Dobson (27.96) and for me the best game of Saturday. Neil with the throw and that proved decisive. Neil hits a 180 on his way to taking the first leg, Steve levels. 13 dart leg to Neil, Steve hits a 140 to leave 42 returns levels again 2-2. Neil with throw goes 3-2 Steve hits a 133 to leave 24, Neil a 105 to leave tops, Steve pokes out 3-3. Deciding leg Neil starts 125 Steve 140 but again leg and win goes with throw. Neil was Humberside's Man of the Match. Follow that Steve Alden next up. Not to be this time for Steve as he loses 2-4. That leaves Matt Read up last to get us a draw we hoped. Yet another cracking rollercoaster game, after 12 darts Matt sat on 80 which he busts but takes the leg, and then takes the 2nd. Humberside's Robbie Smith fights back to level at 2-2 then goes 3-2 up. Matt fights back and after 15 darts with throw is sat on 36 which he hits to force another deciding leg, against the throw. Both have a nervy time around the double and at last Matt gets one go his way getting a win for himself and a 6-6 draw for the Men's B. So we were going into Sunday with the scoreline HUMBERSIDE 10 DORSET 8.
Sunday Day 2 our A teams, and what a good Ladies A team we have got, undefeated this season with 2 wins and 2 draws.
Up first Katie Mitchell (19.35) v Michelle Briton (19.24) and what a rollercoaster ride Katie took us on. Katie hits a ton to leave 42 returns hits it to take the first leg. Two tons and a 95 to leave 31, Michelle hits 109 to leave 32 both had chances at the double, Michelle levels at 1-1. Scores of a ton and a 140 gave Katie first crack at a shot out but Michelle hits 150 to leave 56 returns and pokes it. Michelle busts 88 in the 4th leg Katie takes the leg to force a deciding leg, Katie with the throw. Inconsistent final leg from Katie she did hit a couple of tons but a couple scores of 30 as well but it's all about the double which a relieved Katie hits to take the win. Next up Sarah Scooby Chick (20.59), Sarah slow to find the range but takes the first leg. Better scoring 2nd leg from Sarah but misses numerous doubles Humberside's Valerie Skidmore hits a 140 that spurs Sarah to hit 2x and go 2-0 up. Valerie out scores Sarah and takes the 3rd leg Sarah way back on 130. Normal service resumed as Sarah goes ton 140 ton and no messing at the double she takes a convincing win. Sam Kirton (21.17) up next, hits so many scores of 60 all on the top wire of the treble but comfortably takes the first two legs. Humberside's Christine Redhead (19.35) hits two tons and an 85 in the 3rd leg but misses 3 darts at tops, Sam taking the win 3-0 and was Dorset's Lady of the Match. What a start for our Ladies 3-0 up.
Suzy Trickett (18.11) up next has a little wobble on the Oche thinking tops was in close returns hits 10x to take first leg. Suzy looking at home on stage takes the 2nd leg and in the 3rd hits double 1x to leave 38 but any double is a good double when you can hit it, no worries a comfortable 3-0 win. Cathy Campbell (18.48) up next. Poor start from Cathy not finding her range at all, half way through the first leg the MC bends over double in pain and another MC takes her place (she did return later on in the Men's game so was ok) leg going to Humberside's Kim Fuller (19.18), close 2nd leg Cathy poking 74 in two darts to level at 1-1. Cathy hits a 137 Kim a 180 missed doubles from Cathy and she goes 1-2 behind. Both have chances at the double in the 4th Cath levels at 2-2. Cathy saved her best leg for last hitting a ton and a 140 and no messing this time at the double to take a 3-2 win. That left Julie Frampton (17.26) for a CLEAN SWEEP, no pressure then. Julie playing Melanie Robinson (20.04) and misses one dart at a double in the first leg Melanie poking out 3rd dart to go 1-0 up. Julie up against an IN FORM HUMBERSIDE player who was Humberside's Lady of the Match beating Julie 3-0.
What a GREAT start from our Ladies 5-1 win giving Dorset a great chance for a win. Bring on our Men's A.
Now our MENS A are top of the league undefeated this season 3 wins and a draw but we were fielding a weaker team like a lot of County sides this weekend as Scott Mitchell, Mark Grimes and Lee Turle were off chasing a tour card from the PDC but are A team has depth so we still hoped for a result.
Up first Henry Cooper (24.14) up against Lee Budgen (23.26) who hits a 140 to leave tops (in the first leg) which forces Henry to poke 74 which he does and Henry goes onto take a convincing 4-0 win. Carl Beattie (27.71) v Mike Atkinson (26.34) now Carl has been throwing some AWESOME darts lately and today was no exception taking the first leg. A 140 followed by a 180 from Mike on his way to level at 1-1. Another 180 from Mike and he pokes 111 to put Carl 1-2 down. Carl from there didn't look back hitting 2x180s on his way to a 4-2 win and was Dorset's Man of the Match. Up next Potty Mark Porter. Potty fast and furious as normal but not on it today losing 1-4.
Next up Matt Yarrow (24.35) who breaks Neil Dobson's (26.32) throw in the first leg, Neil pokes a 157 to level at 1-1 this match then went with throw forcing a final deciding leg Neil with the throw. Matt hits 2x140s Neil 3x100 on his way to taking the win for Humberside. John Clark up next had A MARE against Humberside's Karl Corcoran (25.05) John not finding it at all losing 0-4 (most un John like) up next (to stop the Humberside charge having won the last 3 matches) Paul Allen (27.47) playing Humberside's Gavin Lewis (26.34) as the averages suggest close match Paul breaking Gavin to take first leg. Gavin breaking straight back hitting a 139 to leave tops which he hits. Gavin pokes a ton plus shot out to go 2-1 up Paul 64 to level at 2-2 then pokes 72 to go 3-2 up. Two 140s and a ton and after 12 darts Gavin sat on 36 Paul back on 279 but Gavin missed doubles Paul hits a 180 then 99 shot out to take the win WOW.
Next up Matty Woodhouse put up into the A after winning 4-1 Saturday as we were a player short. Matty went 2-1 up but it wasn't to be this time losing 2-4. Robbie Martin (25.77) v Leon Bailey (28.35) what a match this was. Leon hits scores of 100 140 and 115 to leave 20 but misses the double Robbie doesn't. Good scoring 2nd leg from BOTH players after 12 darts Leon sat on 22 but Robbie with throw pokes 106 to go 2-0 up. Robbie goes into a 3-1 lead then Leon after 12 darts (including a 180) sat on tops which he hits 3-2. Another 180 from Leon and after 15 darts he's sat on 32 and levels at 3-3 ANOTHER deciding leg Robbie against the throw. It looks all over for Robbie as Humberside's Leon Bailey is sat on a double Robbie back on 170. NEVER right Robbie off as he hits THE BIG FISH (will never understand why it's called that) to take a 4-3 win and he turns to the Dorset Massive who are mostly on there feet applauding his GREAT WIN. Follow that Richard Wright who was up next. Richard playing Lee Blakey (26.18) there game going all even at 2-2 then Lee hits two 140s to leave 95 and he takes the leg. Despite hitting a 180 in the 6th leg Richard loses 2-4.
Danny Pearce (26.73) v Robbie Lickiss (25.64) Danny goes 2-0 up (both players missing doubles) then k/o with a 180 in the 3rd leg, but leg goes to Robbie and after 12 darts in the next Robbie on 68 and he levels at 2-2. Danny sat waiting for a go at tops as Robbie goes into a 3-2 lead, Danny pokes a 101 to force a deciding leg against the throw. Robbie starts with a ton Danny a 140 missed doubles from Humberside's Robbie Lickiss and Danny pokes 54 last dart in hand to take the win for himself and guarantee at least a draw for Dorset. Tommy Morris up next went into a 3-1 lead but can't find that winning double and Humberside's Trevor Carlill levels at 3-3 and pokes 118 to take a 4-3 win. Tommy more than a little annoyed with himself for missing so many doubles it happens to all of us at one time or another onwards and upwards to the next one Tommy. Up last for the win Dale Masterman (The big show 28.21) v Craig Owens (29.83) for me the best game of the weekend. Dale misses two at a double Craig pokes out. Dale hits a 180 followed by a 121 and levels 1-1. Craig hits a 180 on his way to taking the 3rd. Dale hits a 180 and 177 in the 4th Craig 2x140s and a 150 and takes the leg. Dale scores well Craig slightly better Dale loses 1-4 but is gracious in defeat praising his opponents play and winning average of 29.83 no surprise Craig Owens was Humberside's deserved Man of the Match getting the DRAW.
MARTIN'S THOUGHTS
What a team Dorset have got. Nice to see ALL the Perry's win just maybe there is more than one good dart player (Trina) in the family. Nice wins for Ryan, Declan and Mooster in the B they all needed the confidence boost. Roz getting her first of many wins. What a performance from our Ladies A, and our Men's A battled well and didn't give up. The ride home would of been terrible IF we had lost. The venue was good and the Humberside team made us feel very welcome. Onwards and upwards to our next game at home to Cheshire on the 8th-9th February. See you all there.
RESULT
Humberside 18-18 Dorset
Women's B Ladies 2-4 // Mens B Drew 6-6
Women's A Won 5-1 // Mens A Lost 5-7
Match Report by Martin Maidment
John CLARK
