Home v Nottinghamshire - Saturday 19th / Sunday 20th January 2019
Week ending 19th-20th January saw Dorset playing at home at the Conservative Club in Upper Parkstone. Dorset needed a win following our defeat against London 17-19 so many close games not going our way, sometimes you need that little rub of luck and against London it just wasn't there. Last time we played Nottinghamshire we took a 20-16 win, Nottinghamshire are at the moment bottom of the league table so hopes of a good win were high. Dorset had fallen from the top of the league table to 3rd after our London defeat and needed a GOOD WIN. So how did we get on?
Not the best of starts for either team as Nottinghamshire's coach broke down on the M1 and were running over 2 hours late, our team arrived on time which meant A LOT of waiting around everyone getting tired and bored waiting being careful not to over drink or over practice worse I know for Nottinghamshire sat on a cold coach awaiting a replacement coach.
Eventually we got under way and up first for us Trina Perry who got us off to the best start not only winning 3-0 but was our lady of the Match hitting a 18.56 average. Next up Kelly Stroud, now Kelly might not be the heaviest scorer out there but around the double she's good and wins 3-1. Next up Lorraine Woodrow and despite hitting a 18.53 average she missed doubles and lost to Helen Harvey 1-3, Helen was Nottinghamshire's Lady of the Match hitting a 18.90 average. Next for us Carol Llewellyn now Carol hit a run of form lately (long may it last) and today she kept that going winning 3-0. Donna Mabbatt (17.66) up next took her game to a nervy deciding leg but missed numerous winning doubles losing to Kirsty Hansford (18.90) leaving Julie Boggust up last, Julie had no problems up on stage and looked cool and calm running out a 3-1 winner.
So that gave a ladies B team a nice 4-2 win and gave Dorset a nice lead. Bring on the Men's B.
Up first Nigel Lamb (24.74) who lost 1-4, closely followed by Daniel Perry (23.16) v James Hewitt (23.86) Daniel losing 0-4 the score line not reflecting just how close this game was. Next up for Dorset making his DEBUT was Roy Pidgeon, Roy didn't play at his best but still took his match to a deciding leg which went Nottinghamshire's way meaning our 2 game lead given to us from our ladies was now a one game deficit. Next up Matt MOOSTER Read (26.23) v Dave Dawson (25.72) one of the much better games both players playing well and the game going to a deserved final leg which went Dorset's way MOOSTER was Dorset's Man of the Match and stopped Nottinghamshire's 3 game winning run.
Next up Graham Inniss (23.95) who played with confidence up on stage running out a deserved 4-2 winner never looked in doubt. Matty Woodhouse (24.04) up next now Matty practices in trainers then changes into black shoes before going up on stage never understood that but as long as he keeps winning like he did today 4-1 I'm not complaining, and back was our two game advantage.
Ryan Mabey up next now Ryan wins more than he loses but always seems to keep us on the edge of our seats today no different his game going to a deciding leg which went our way. Next for me THE BEST GAME of Saturday two good experienced players who both knew there shots out and how to play the percentages Robby Morris (24.56) v Robert Riley (25.96) Robert taking a 3-2 lead but finding that winning double hard to hit which took the game to a deciding leg, Robert missed one dart at tops, Robby hitting 3 treble 18s to score 162 on his way to take the 4-3 win. Alan Ayres up next losing 2-4 ending Dorset's 5 matches in a row winning run.
Richard Perry (23.11) up next scored well doubled out well and looked well in control rushing to a 3-0 lead, then the WHEELS FELL OFF, Rich struggling to find a big twenty let alone a treble and yes before you know it's 3-3 and not looking good for Richard his body language not good. Missed winning doubles from Stuart Barrowcliffe (22.77) and a VERY RELIEVED Richard Perry takes his 2nd win in a row. Paul Allen up next he knows how to win being undefeated so far for Dorset now Paul today probably played the worse game I've seen him play so far as he goes 2-3 down then picked his game up to go on to take the win 4-3 leaving Simon Cross on last. The hour really late now and everyone flagging as they say Simon not at his best losing 2-4 but the end result from 3-0 down Dorset Men's A take a 7-5 win. Sundays start put back an hour as such a late finish today but a nice start Dorset on top 11-7.
Sunday
Up first Sam Kirton (21.78) last season undefeated winning all 9 games struggling a little this season but won her last game against London hitting her usual 24+ average today no problems winning 3-0, and wins another Lady of the Match award for Dorset. Cath Campbell (18.79) next also winning 3-0. Suzy Trickett (18.32) up next replacing Peri-May Yarrow forced to give her place up through illness (get well soon Peri we all love and miss you) Suzy played well v Kirsty Handford (who played yesterday) taking her game to a deciding leg which went Nottinghamshire's way Kirsty hit a 19.37 today (18.90 yesterday) and was Nottinghamshire's Lady of the Match.
Sarah Chick (20.88) up next played consistently well and wins 3-0. Katie Mitchell up next had a poor first leg, both players struggling to hit a double ending up in the madhouse (double one) but after that had no problems and did more than enough on her way to a 3-0 win. Up last Julie Frampton (18.76) v Margaret Bamford (19.15) a very close match Margaret shouting "AVE IT" as she levels at 2-2, forcing a deciding leg Julie with the throw. Julie gets to the double first but struggles to hit it ending up at madhouse double one. A VERY relieved Julie hits 1x to take the win and our Ladies A a deserved well fought 5-1 win. What a start for Dorset bring on the Men's A, can they keep the wins coming ?
Up first Lee Turle (27.05) v Mark Wilson (24.63) a few missed doubles from Lee and the match is all square at 3-3 when it should be all over forcing a deciding leg Lee against throw. Leg going with throw to Nottinghamshire. Matt Yarrow (25.04) up next (should call him the showman as when he's up on stage and playing well he loves it) played well running out a 4-2 winner. Danny Pearce (24.54) never looked like losing running out a 4-1 winner. Stephen Earley (27.34) v Pete McConville (25.92) was a cracking game which deservedly went to a deciding leg, the final leg being both players worst leg those big scores from the previous legs gone until Pete hits a 133 to leave 33 forcing Steve Earley to poke 84 finishing on the BULL to take the win (CLASS) and put Dorset 19-10 up, win now guaranteed just a case of by how many.
Tommy Morris (24.35) up next always exciting to watch. A few missed doubles and Tommy finds himself 1-3 down, missed darts from Nottinghamshire and Tommy pulls a leg back, a 180 on his way to levelling at 3-3 another deciding leg against throw but Tommy's buzzing having won last two legs and pokes 92 in two darts for a 14 dart last winning leg and gives it the COME ON as he hits that winning double. Up next Mark Grimes (24.79) v Jack Keer (25.14 today 23.16 yesterday) Mark missed loads of doubles (most un Mark like) and loses 2-4 Jack was Nottinghamshire's Man of the Match. So after 6 games Dorset Men 4-2 up.
Richard Wright up next far from his best losing 0-4. Robbie Martin (23.58) takes the first leg playing well few missed doubles and he loses 1-4. Up next Mark Porter (25.78) v Paul Harvey (25.40) what a good close game this was. Mark breaking Paul's throw to go 3-2 up, and goes onto poke 115 to take the win 4-2. Next Declan Harris v Karl Askew the worst game played (my opinion) on Sunday Nottinghamshire taking the win 4-1. Carl Beattie (23.64) v James Hewitt (24.09 today 23.86 yesterday) up next very close game both breaking each other's throw to level at 1-1 both hit 180s in the third and it took a 64 shot out for Carl to take the leg, from nowhere James pokes 164 to level back at 2-2. Carl's match goes to a deserved final deciding leg which went with throw to Nottinghamshire.
Up last Scott Mitchell (35.16) v Jay Holmes (25.54 today 21.04 yesterday) Scott can only be described as a lesson in darts for everyone taking the first leg with throw breaking Jason in 13 darts in the 2nd a 16 dart 3rd leg and a 12 dart 4th leg poking a 121 to take the win AWZOME, that equates out to 105.48 3 dart average no surprise the highest average of the weekend and gets the Dorset Massive up on there feet, great darts.
Men's A getting the draw 6-6 overall result for the weekend Dorset 22 Nottinghamshire 14 and moves Dorset into 2nd in the league 7 games behind Cambridgeshire.
MARTIN'S THOUGHTS
This to me is the home of real darts anyone any good can play you start at pub/club level play a little super league and if averages are there you can play County, real supporters respect the dart players and don't shout out when the players are throwing, you can almost hear a pin drop. How it should be. Love my darts love my County boys and girls I share the highs and lows with you. But what a feeling when YOU'RE WINNING.
Nice to see Dorset back to its winning ways. Good that the Conservative club let us finish our games, it was a really late finish Saturday night for everyone, some having to cancel meals booked for the evening, Michelle and Potty last to get away as always. Great work as always from the bar staff and the two lovely ladies in the kitchen who also stopped late Saturday. A mention for John Clark who wasn't a 100% suffering from GOWT (old mans disease) knew he couldn't give his all playing on stage so gave up his place having played 300+ games but still did his bit MC'ing, team player team manager.
Great to see the will to win back some good averages from not only the A but B teams as well, against London we had no luck, this weekend we had a bit but won on merit we were the better team. We all do our bit whether it's selling the tons or raffle tickets or staying to tidy up at the end. Well done team GREAT team spirit from our supporters nice to hear the cheers of support. Get well soon Peri.
One last thought before you can WIN WELL you have to learn how to take defeat graciously.
Green Army moving back up the league table.
Next game away to Devon weekending 9th-10th February BRING IT ON.
RESULT
Dorset 22-14 Nottinghamshire
Women's B Won 4-2 // Mens B Won 7-5
Women's A Won 5-1 // Mens A Drew 6-6
Match Report by Martin Maidment
John CLARK
