Home v Glamorgan - Saturday 6th / Sunday 7th February 2016
Week ending Saturday 6th Sunday 7th of February saw Dorset hosting the league leaders Glamorgan. Glamorgan were relegated from the top division last season and after 5 games played were 26 games clear at the top of the league and both of there A and B teams were ALL undefeated and a return to top flight of darts looks almost certain so things didn't look great for a Dorset win but with any sport you never really know, and as a team we do BELIEVE. So how did we get on?
Up 1st and playing only her 2nd game for Dorset was Joan Calvert who did take the 1st leg but lost 1-3, Julie Boggust on next won 3-0 with a 19.78 average followed by the ladies captain Sally Old who lost 0-3. Cath Campbell one of our most consistent players took her match to a deciding leg, she didn't play near her best but pinched the win. Next up Katie Mitchell was our lady of the match who had a great game and hit her 1st 20+ average winning 3-0 with a 20.88 throwing consistently well and never looked like losing. Last on Donna Mabbatt (I think maybe she is getting the hang of this game, yes hitting 3 doubles) who won 3-0 so Dorset Ladies B did the unbelievable beating Glamorgan ladies 4-2 yes Glamorgan's ladies B 1st defeat this season. So bring on the Men's teams.
Up 1st Nigel Lamb (down from the A side) who went 0-2 down but snatched the win, followed by our 14 year old Daniel Perry who had a real battle on his hands against Ashley Pascoe the match going to a deciding 5th leg both players having darts to win but Ashley JUST pinched it. Then the wheels fell off a little with losses from Dan Walker, Terry Gowans, Bryan Pearson, Sean McMurray and Alan Ayres. Robbie Martin won 3-1 and gave us some hope, and something to cheer about.
John Clark... Dorset's Manager playing in his 325th game for Dorset (now let's put that into perspective 9 games a season that's over 36 years playing for his County WOW there can't be many out there than can say that) John's experience won the day winning 3-1 so the men's B stood at 3-6 with 3 to play. Losses for Robby Morris 2-3 (he doesn't lose many) and Matty Woodhouse put us 3-8 down. Last up and an EXCITING game between James Lane and Clayton Williams with the game going to a deserved final leg. Clayton coming out the winner (Glamorgan's Man of the Match) James hit a 27.70 average to Clayton's 29.12. So Glamorgan's Men's B gave us a lesson Dorset 3 Glamorgan 9 and going into Sunday Dorset were 7-11 down and with it all to do.
Now Glamorgan's Ladies A haven't been beaten, up 1st for Dorset Claire Rogers who took her game to a deciding leg which Glamorgan's Nikki O'Donovan won, Peri Yarrow up next had a good game against Alannah Waters both players hitting 20+ averages but Peri took it 3-0 with a Lady of the Match average of 21.47. Wins for Suzy Trickett, Julie Frampton (who hit a 20.56 average) and Sarah Chick (20.71) gave Dorset a 4-1 lead. Last game on Trina Perry v Rhian Edwards (a Welsh International player) both players again hitting 20+ averages Trina taking the match 3-1 so Dorset ladies did the unbelievable beating Glamorgan's ladies A team 5-1 putting in one of their best performances of the season, that brought the overall match score to 12-12 so it was REALLY UP TO THE MEN'S A TEAMS.
Glamorgan's Men's A team have 5 players in the top 30 running averages so it wasn't going to be easy but who would of thought the Ladies would give us a fighting chance.
1st on Matt Read who took the first two legs but lost 2-4 followed by losses for Kevin Smith and Thomas Chant. Mark Porter (Dorset's Captain) brought Dorset back into the fray winning 4-2 with a 142 followed by 94 on the bull to win. Unfortunately a loss for Lee Edwardson followed with Lloyd Browning taking out 160 to win, putting us 1-4 down. Scotty Dog Mitchell won with a 125 game shot on the bull to earn another point for Dorset beating David Neads 4-1 coupled with a man of the match 29.70 average. Following Scott was Mark Grimes winning 4-2 so it gave us some hope and something to cheer about, Dorset now trailing 3-4.
Losses for Matty Yarrow (his game going to a deciding leg, Clive Langford hitting 2x 180s in the last leg) Richard Gomm (who also went to a deciding leg hitting a 28.11 average) and Dale Masterman put us 3-7 behind, all close games which could of gone either way. On 11th Lee Turle had a good game hitting a 28.12 average, excellent darts Richie Edwards 13 darts, an 11 darter for Lee was followed up by a 12 from Richie, Lee lost 1-4 to the newly called up Welsh International who hit the highest average of the weekend 30.40 and was Glamorgan's man of the match. Last up Ryan Gowans who gave us something to cheer about beating Glamorgan's captain Mark Dacey 4-2.
The end result - Dorset 16 Glamorgan 20 no disgrace and a great weekend of darts.
MARTIN'S HIGHLIGHTS
Highlights of the weekend for me seeing our ladies teams play so well the Ladies A giving Glamorgan a real BASHING even Glamorgan's Captain said for Trina (couldn't remember her name) to beat Rhian Edwards as she doesn't lose many, now that was a game "Daniel Perry's mum" that will be TRINA PERRY then, well played. Both Scott and daughter Katie getting man and lady of the match, with our manager teasing how Katie has won more games at County than her dad, no one up man ship there then. John Clark 325 games for Dorset and still playing well. I do think even though we lost 16-20 we can compete at the top level, and with both Nottinghamshire and Gwent (who are 2nd and 3rd in the league) still to play Glamorgan promotion isn't off the table yet.
Our next match is away to Kent at the beginning of March so onwards and UPWARDS, GREEN ARMY marching on and BELIEVING.
Match Report by Martin Maidment
RESULT
Dorset 16 - 20 Glamorgan
Women's B Won 4-2 // Mens B Lost 3-9
Women's A Won 5-1 // Mens A Lost 4-8
John CLARK
