Away v Humberside - Saturday 26th / Sunday 27th February 2022
Week ending 26th - 27th February saw Dorset playing an away match against Humberside. Nearly all of us travelled up Friday setting off in the morning as it was a good 5-6 hours away. Humberside’s home venue was at The Inglemire Club in Hull, a nice venue with plenty of practice boards we arrived by coach nice and early Saturday and made ourselves at home. Humberside were sat 8th in the league table some 19 points below us we were 4th, but anything can happen in darts. So how did we do?
Womens B
Up first for Dorset Lily Woodrow who came from 0-2 down to force a deciding leg but Lily loses 2-3. Julie Boggust (17.15) up next back in the squad v Cheryl McLoughun (16.82) Julie always seems to score well but struggles at times around the double. Julie goes into a 2-0 lead no messing at the double either, then Cheryl takes the next (Julie missing 32) Julie’s well in front in the 4th leg but it’s all about the double and she gets first crack at tops hitting a big 5 then a 3 to leave 32. Julie hits three doubles (yes 3 doubles) to take a 3-1 win. (WELCOME BACK MATE) Next up Macie Woodrow (21.17) what a cracking finish from Macie 18 18 bull to take the first leg. Close 2nd leg Macie breaking Humberside’s throw to go 2-0 up. Two tons from Macie in the 3rd leg and she’s well in front leaving tops Humberside back on 273 Macie taking a 3-0 win and no surprise takes her 2nd consecutive Lady of the Match trophy for the Ladies B.
Claire Mabey (18.48) v Vicki Tasker (17.98) what a cracking close match this was first 4 legs all close all going with throw to force a decider Claire against the throw. Claire starts the deciding leg well hitting a 125 but it’s an evenly scoring deciding leg Claire poking 68 to take the 3-2 win and guarantee Dorset at least a draw. Roz Annetts (19.05) v Kim Fuller (20.33) up next and another cracking match. Kim starts with a 140 but it’s an evenly scoring first leg both had chances at the double leg to Humberside. Kim pokes 66 and Roz is trailing 0-2. Better 3rd leg from Roz and Kim’s back on 162 as Roz pulls a leg back. Roz well in front in the 4th leg then from nowhere Kim hits the first 180 of the weekend and goes onto take the win and was Humberside’s Lady of the Match. That left Donna Mabbatt on last for the win ? Donna goes into a 2-1 lead, then she’s way back on 147 as Humberside level to force a deciding leg. Nice 140 start for Donna and she’s well in front in the deciding leg leaving 60 Humberside way back on 215 but Donna can’t find that winning double and loses 2-3. So match result Humberside 3 Dorset 3 a draw.
Men's B
Up first for our Mens B Mark Porter (24.00) v Neil Dobson (25.07) and what a close game this was Neil going into a 3-2 lead then missing that winning double which Mark hits to force a deciding leg, Mark with the darts. Not to be this time Humberside breaking to take the win. Next up Matty Woodhouse. Close first leg Matty sat on 52 as leg goes with throw to Humberside. Matty levels then breaks to go 2-1 up Humberside’s Robbie Smith gives it loads as he levels at 2-2. Matty breaks again then can’t find that winning double missing 3@32 then 3@8 a very relieved Matty Woodhouse takes a 4-2 win. Next Richard Gomm (23.92) v James Janney (23.00). Richard struggling to hit a double finds himself 0-3 down and he’s giving himself a GOOD TALKING TOO up on stage. Richard hits a double and pulls a leg back, then hits his 2nd 180 and a 17 dart leg to trail 2-3. Richard pokes 64 to force a deciding leg. After 15 darts Richard on 60 and goes onto win 4-3 now that’s some come back. Richard Perry up next v Humberside’s Lee Parish (27.45) Lee didn’t miss a lot taking a convincing 4-0 win and was Humberside’s Man of the Match with his 27.45 average. David Elm (Elmo) up next for Dorset rushing into a 3-1 lead then can’t find the double losing 3-4 (gutted that’s darts for you). Robby Morris next up not his usual self up on stage and loses 0-4 so after 6 matches Dorset trail 2-4.
Rob Channing (24.74) next up playing well 16 dart first leg then takes next two to go 3-0 up. Rob hits a 180 in the 4th leg and after 12 darts sat on 36 and it looks all over 6 darts later he finally hits the winning double to take a 4-0 win and give Dorset something to cheer about. Next Steve Alden who makes his return to the County side not to be this time losing 1-4. Liam Blakeley (26.21) v Callum Wildridge (24.65) what an eventful game this was. Callum breaks Liams throw that wakes Liam up after 12 darts Liam sat on 60 but he can’t find a double so many wires. Next leg again Liam scoring well after 12 darts sat on 61 Humberside’s Callum Wildridge hits a 180 Liam finds a double and takes the next to level at 2-2. Liam hits a 180 in the 5th leg and goes onto wire tops Humberside miss 3@56 and then THE FIRE ALARM WENT OFF and computers crash and lights up on stage go off. NIGHTMARE. 10 minutes later the players return to the stage 9 practice darts then back to the match Liam poking 10x first dart to go 3-2 up. Liam goes onto poke 56 and take a 4-2 win and was Dorset's Man of the Match, good head on a very young man’s shoulders.
Then losses for Dorsets Terry Gowans 1-4 Kevin Smith 0-4 and Ryan Mabey despite a 23.34 average 2-4 so Men's B result Humberside 8 Dorset 4 so going into Sunday with the scores at Humberside 11 Dorset 7 not going to plan at all.
Womens A
Up first for Dorset Katie Mitchell (17.47) v Michelle Britton (16.43) first two legs go with throw, Katie hits a 180 on her way to a 16 dart winning leg. Humberside level to force a decider Katie with the throw. Katie has 3@60 Humberside’s Michelle Britton pokes 71 to take the win. Trina Perry (18.17) v Bex Waterfall (17.72) Trina takes the first leg breaking Humberside throw. 3 tons in a row from Bex and she breaks straight back. Trina breaks again, Bex out scores Trina and no messing to break again, and another decider. Both had chances at the double in the decider, yet another break of throw as Trina takes the 3-2 win. Julie Frampton up next goes into a 2-1 lead and pokes 90 to take a 3-1 win and put Dorset 2-1 up.
Sally Old (18.84) v Wendy Dearing (18.27) what a cracking close match this was. Sally moving up to the A team and deservedly so. Sally hits a 123 and follows with a ton and pokes 56 to take the first leg. Humberside scoring well going 85 138 98 140 Sally hitting a180 leg to Wendy. Sally breaks to go 2-1 up. Sally hits 34 to leave tops Humberside back on 107 Sally misses a few doubles leg to Humberside another decider. Humberside with the darts take the win. Cath Campbell (21.05) up next misses a few at the double and Humberside pinch the first leg. A 140 and a 137 and Cathy levels. Cathy scoring well hits a 140 and 122 to leave 38 struggles to hit the double hits 4x to go 2-1 up, and starts the 4th with a 180 and goes on to poke 95 for a 3-1 win and a 21.05 average not to shabby either. That left Sam Kirton (22.43) up last for the win ?
Both players start with scores of 22 Sam follows with back to back tons and a 17 dart winning first leg. Sam busts 48 in the 2nd leg and misses numerous doubles but takes the leg. Sam pokes 112 for a great 15 dart winning leg, and gives it loads up on stage was Dorset's Lady of the Match and what a great shot out and winning average 22.43 with so many missed doubles.
Humberside Ladies 2 Dorset Ladies 4. Giving Dorset a chance now trailing by just two legs.
Men's A
Up first for Dorset Robbie Martin (27.55). No problem first leg for Robbie despite the noise from the bar our Ladies celebrating their win with shots, and takes the next two to go 3-0 up. Robbie wires tops Humberside’s poke out 89. Robbie misses 3@ tops leg to Humberside. Has Robbie gone to sleep poor 6th leg and Humberside level 3-3 another decider. Great deciding leg from Robbie taking the 4-3 win. Next up Dan Perry (29.84) Dan takes the first leg then starts the 2nd with back to back 180s (9 darter?) nice 12 dart winning leg. Dan sat on 24 as Humberside pull a leg back. Dan goes into a 3-1 lead playing well. Humberside’s Karl Corcoran hits a 180 Dan a 140 in a close 5th leg another 180 from Karl to leave 42 and Humberside with throw pull a leg back. After 12 darts in the 6th leg Dan on 120 and goes on to leave 4 the COME ON from Dan tells me he’s hit it for a 4-2 win, and the overall score now standing at 13-13. Next Mark Grimes (29.19) v Tommy Lishman (28.27) now Mark missed the last match due to the dreaded COVID and has been on a bit of a losing streak despite hitting 26+ averages would today be different? Close first leg going to Humberside breaking Mark's throw, and Tommy takes the 2nd with throw. Better 3rd leg from Mark back to back 140s and he takes the leg. Nice 4th leg from Mark 180 100 100 but Tommy hits a 180 to leave 63 Mark pokes out 15 dart leg to level at 2-2. Back to back 140s from Tommy and Mark pokes 155 to go 3-2 WOW darts. Close 6th leg Mark 140 ton ton and 99 to leave 62 and Humberside are right there with him Mark Grimes taking the 4-2 win WELCOME BACK MARK.
Ricky King (30.34) v Dave Ladley (27.57) another cracking game. Ricky breaking Dave’s throw to take the first leg, Humberside poke a 116 to break straight back. After 15 darts Ricky sat on 58 which he hits to break again. A game of broken throws as Dave pokes 97 to level at 2-2. Ricky pokes 81 on the bull to break again. Ricky with the throw goes 3x140s 81 shot out to take a 4-2 win and was Dorset's Man of the Match. Next up for Dorset Steven Early, Steve far from his best crashing out to Humberside’s Lee Budgen (27.42) 1-4. Carl Beattie (24.67) v Shaun Rutter (28.33) up next Carl having a few bounce out which didn’t help having said that Humberside’s Shaun Rutter didn’t miss a lot Carl losing 1-4 Shaun Rutter was Humberside’s Man of the match. Scores after 6 games Humberside 2 Dorset 4 (15-15 match)
Matt Yarrow (28.11) v Mike Atkinson (27.53) another close game. Matt misses 3@40 Mike pokes out breaking Dorsets throw, Matt breaks straight back, then hits 89 to leave tops one dart 2-1 up and takes the next to go 3-1 up. Humberside’s Mike Atkinson hits a 140 and a 123 to leave 24 and pinches the leg. Matt still 3-2 up and the computers go down again and Mike levels at 3-3 nervy decider. Matt saved his best leg to last after 12 darts sat on 32 and he takes the 4-3 win. Richard Gomm (27.90 played yesterday and we needed him today) v Joshua Lowthorpe (27.33) Richard has a bad start like yesterday going 0-2 down missing doubles and giving himself a talking too. 12 dart 3rd leg for Richard Gomm to pull a leg back (where did that come from ?) from there no looking back Richard playing well not missing doubles takes a 4-2 win. That’s the “GOMMY” we know. Richard Wright up next an off day by his standards losing to Humberside’s Daryn Gray (24.80) 2-4
Nigel Lamb (27.32) v Neil Dobson (24.14) Neil played yesterday beating Potty. Nigel slow to start and is back on 286 as Neil is going for 16. Better 2nd leg from Nigel after 12 darts sat on 49 eight darts later he levels at 1-1. No stopping Nigel from there poking 116 to go 2-1, and takes the next. After 12 darts in the 5th leg Nigel on 56 which he pokes to take a deserved 4-1 win. Dale Masterman up next goes 2-0 up then Humberside’s Reece Robinson pokes a 129 to pull a leg back. Humberside’s Reece Robinson comes to life going 135 177 out to level at 2-2. Dale goes onto take the 5th leg poking 48 and the “GO ON” from Dale tells me Dales hit the winning double to win 4-2. Up last for Dorset Tommy Morris (28.48) v Gavin Lewis (25.85) some might say Dorset saved the best for last the most entertaining that’s for sure. After 15 darts Humberside on a double Tommy back on 255 leg to Humberside. Tommy slow to start. After 15 darts in the next leg Tommy sat on 24 but can’t find the double 4 darts later there it is. No looking back from there after 12 Tommy on 36 the “COME ON” from Tommy tells me it’s there. After 15 in the next Tommy on 53 the “COME ON” from Tommy as he goes 3-1 up. Back to back 140s leaving 51 and Tommy Morris gives it loads as he wins 4-1. Mens A Result Humberside 3 Dorset 9. WOW.
MARTIN'S THOUGHTS
Dorset never give up coming from 7-11 down on Saturday to get a 20-16 Victory. What a tremendous team effort and what support, we took over Sunday hardly heard Humberside’s supporters despite their hats and Pom Poms which a few Dorset players were using. Nice we were dancing on the chairs to the walk ons “pretty to watch” and a MOST ENJOYABLE WEEKEND made the 5 hour journey worth it and we’ve moved to 2nd in the league table on 173 games Kent top on 188 games but a chasing pack with only 4 games separating the 4 teams below us. Let’s not get excited yet we need a good result home to Buckinghamshire to make the MAGIC WEEKEND worth while. If we can replicate the support we showed against Humberside then we are unbeatable. Our two youngest players (Dorsets future) Liam and Macie well played.
What a GREAT A teams we have. Green Army marching on and getting stronger. Onwards and upwards.
RESULT
Humberside 16-20 Dorset
Women's B Drew 3-3 // Mens B Lost 4-8
Women's A Won 4-2 // Mens A Won 9-3
Match Report by Martin Maidment
John CLARK
