Home v Oxfordshire - Saturday 22nd / Sunday 23rd April 2017
Week ending 22nd/23rd April saw Dorset at home for the last game of this season to Oxfordshire, all thoughts of relegation and promotion gone but hopes of a good win were high following our good win away to Cleveland 21-15 on April fools day. Nice to see not only the Men's England captain (Scott Mitchell) but the ladies England captain (Deta Hedman) under the same roof but on different sides, both undefeated this season winning 8 from 8, no mean feat in itself pressure on them then. Now our ladies teams have been nothing but great this season the ladies B team already winning the league this season without a dart being thrown this weekend. So how did we do?
Up first for our girls Donna Mabbatt who lost to Laura Ross 3-1 Laura ending up lady of the match for Oxfordshire hitting a 16.48 average. Next Katie Mitchell back to her winning ways followed by Abi Northover (last games lady of the match) whose game went to a deciding leg which went Abi's way putting us 2-1 up. Next Kelly Stroud, who lost followed by our ladies team captain Sally Old, Sally playing a captains game keeping her nerve as her game went to a deciding leg, Sally not only taking the win but had the highest average of the match for the ladies getting her lady of the match and a nice 18.35 average. Last up Carol Llewellyn, Carol having a nice run of wins under her belt this season but today wasn't her day and she loses 1-3 giving Oxfordshire the DRAW 3-3 and our ladies B team remain undefeated all season. Bring on the Men's B.
Up first Nigel Lamb, Nigel's game going to a deciding leg but despite hitting the higher average (25.45) lost out to Oxfordshire's David Fowler who was Oxfordshire Man of the Match with a 24.74 average. Next Phillip Weeks whose game also went to a deciding leg, Phil seemed almost out of it until he hit a 180 (at the right time) and poked 63 to take his match (phew close). Next up Declan Harris playing only his 3rd game for Dorset, Declan unlucky in his first game losing 2-3 came up against GLEN DURRANT in his 2nd game having darts to go 2-0 up but nervous doubles found him 0-2 down Glen winning in the B team 3-0, today another tough game another good average 25.67 again going to a deciding leg which this time went Declan's way, Declan showing how much the WIN meant to him a very happy emotional chappie almost disbelief showing in his expression but I'm SURE that's the first of many for Dorset. Next up POTTY Mark Porter, Potty made short work of it didn't miss much hitting a 26.37 average and winning 3-0. Dan Walker up next again a final leg decider this time going Oxfordshire's way.
Next Matt Mooster Read playing his last game for us as he's taking next season off, Mooster going out on a high hitting a 27.37 average on his way to a 3-1 win. Daniel Perry up next had an incredible game this youngster hitting a 29.18 average the highest of the weekend and earns a well DESERVED Man of the match for Dorset. Nice for him and us to see him do it up on stage cracking game winning 3-1 match over very quickly almost catching out Richard Wright who was up next as he was catching a breath of fresh air before his game, Rich still made it to the stage before his walk on music ended and he played great hitting a 27.33 average on his way to a 3-0 win. Next John Clark, nice 3-0 win for him putting us 7-2 up and getting the Men's B team a win. Scott Hudson up next despite hitting a 25.56 average lost 1-3 followed by losses for Terry Prowse and Tim Poole so Match ended 7-5 to Dorset. Going into Sunday scores stood at Dorset 10 Oxfordshire 8, would it be enough our Ladies A always give it a go so knew a close game on the cards with Oxfordshire's Deta Hedman the player no one really wanted to draw, the Men's A Oxfordshire Men's A UNDEFEATED this season.
Day 2 draw done up first Trina Perry, Trina's game going to a deciding leg which went Dorset's way. Next Julie Frampton v Deta Hedman (England's captain and world ranked no 1) no pressure then. Julie not really in the first leg but getting that out the way she started to play darts hitting the 2nd highest average of the weekend (21.24) but Deta is just another class and Deta went on to win 3-1 hitting a 25.51 average (a lot of men would of been pleased with that) and YES she was Oxfordshire's lady of the match but well played Julie no disgrace being beaten like that and yes you took a leg off of her you can live on that for ages Julie even had to cope with a camera crew filming a story about Deta, big pressure. Deta hard act to follow but wins for Julie Boggust (3-1) and Peri May Yarrow (3-0) put us 3-1 up with just Sarah Chick and Sam Kirton to play.
Sarah also playing her last game for Dorset as she's taking next season out as well. Sarah had a tough game on her hands against Oxfordshire's Kim Ledbury (20.64) her game going to a nail biting deciding leg, Sarah hitting a 20.98 winning average and picks up yet another Lady of the match trophy. Sam Kirton up next v Sandra Cox brought the venue to life both dancing up on stage to Sam's walk on music even the MC joined in (never got my camera ready when I really want it) Samantha going on to win 3-0 giving the ladies A a convincing 5-1 win and pushing the overall score to Dorset 15 Oxfordshire 9 remember Oxfordshire's Men's A undefeated this season so we needed our Men to all perform.
Up first Kevin Smith (25.28) v Preben Krabben, missed doubles from Oxfordshire gave Kev loads of chances and Kev took them and a deciding leg which went Kev's way. Next up Tommy Morris who played with his usual passion and belief giving it the COME ON as he came back from 0-2 down hitting winning double after winning double 140s tons suddenly looked easy and he comes out 4-2 winner hitting a 27.31 average great to watch. Thomas Chant (25.05) up next had a tough game against Oxfordshire's Jon Jukes (28.08) losing 2-4 but playing with passion. Next Dale Masterman (25.39) another battle v Lee Russell (26.54) again it took a deciding leg to split them, the leg going The Big Shows way and what a cheer went up. Next Scott Mitchell (28.29) v Michael Kearns (26.93) game going to a DESERVED final leg BOTH missing winning doubles don't know who was more pleased me Scott or Dorset as the winning double went to Dorset's Scotty Dog Mitchell true ambassador for Dorset England and Darts. Scott winning giving Dorset a guaranteed win reaching the magical 19 fitting that Scott should get us there.
Follow that Robbie Martin I thought. Robbie didn't disappoint playing exceptionally well hitting a 29.47 average on his way to a 4-0 win and a chance for man of the match, Robbie having won a few but never in the A. Next Matt Yarrow whose game against Paul Warwick was a rollercoaster of a ride full of twists and turns and again going to a deciding leg again going Dorset's way. Next up Matty Woodhouse (28.38) again a final leg decider again going our way much to Matty's relief. Next up Lee Turle (turtle) as the MC called him at Cleveland, Lee played with his usual consistency and flair hitting a 27.14 average on his way to a 4-2 win. Next Robby Morris again winning 4-2. Lee Edwardson (27.26) up next had a tough game against Stephen Wright (28.37 not the DJ) Lee took it to yet another deciding leg this one going Oxfordshire's way and Stephen Wright was Oxfordshire's Man of the Match. Up last Mark Grimes, Mark missing a few doubles but ran out 4-1 winner and a Man of the Match average of 30.13 the highest of the whole weekend. I was sat next to Robbie Martin who was pleased with Mark's win but was pipped at the post for best average, next time Robbie it will happen. Did I mention Oxfordshire's Men's A were undefeated well Dorset played at there best winning 10-2 so overall score Dorset 25 Oxford 11 what a cracking win for Dorset.
MARTIN'S THOUGHTS
Congratulations to run away league winners Hampshire some 27 games clear at the top of the table, also West Midlands how close did Dorset come? Just TWO more winning games and we would of got promotion so close AGAIN. We lost to Hampshire away 17-19 trashed West Midlands 27-9 and if we continue with the same belief as we ended the season we can beat any team out there. Some long trips away next season County Durham and Cornwall but the love we all have for our beloved DORSET I'm sure we will all be there giving everyone a run for there money. Good luck to Mooster and Sarah Chick glad you both won your last games and ended on a high. We as a team have some great players let's hope our ladies can continue their good run and judging from our performance against Oxfordshire maybe are men can help you out more next season.
It seems ages away September before we get on the roller coaster that is Dorset darts. Green army marching on and winning.
RESULT
Dorset 25 - 11 Oxfordshire
Women's B Drew 3-3 // Mens B Won 7-5
Women's A Won 5-1 // Mens A Won 10-2
Match Report by Martin Maidment
John CLARK