Oxfordshire v Dorset - BICC 2017/2018 Season - Dorset County Darts

Weekend ending 21st-22nd of April saw the green army away to Oxfordshire, confidence was high as following our bad start we were on a winning run having won the last 4 matches, our NEWBEES now well settled in and starting to perform. A lot of us travelled up on the Friday (even though for me it was only a two hour drive away) as we like to make a weekend of it and avoid any last minute rush. So how did we do?

Our ladies B team went undefeated last season but with players leaving at the end of the season a new B team was formed and now are starting to show promise and are back to there winning ways. Up first Lorraine Woodrow (whose game has come on in leaps and bounds since last season) Lily didn't disappoint hitting a 18.93 average on her way to a 3-1 win and was Dorset's Lady of the Match. Next up Sally Old (ladies captain) Sally would be the first to admit some times you need a little luck and this game is all about hitting the double and Sally hit 3 of them to take the win. Carol Llewellyn up next back in the squad last game against Surrey, Carol again won 3-1 to put Dorset 3-0 up draw guaranteed but we wanted and expected more. Next up Abi Northover, Abi losing 1-3. Julie Boggust back after missing the game against Surrey, Julie getting used to NOT WEARING glasses as she had her eyes lasored. Didn't affect her throw as she played consistently and won 3-1. Up last Suzy Trickett, now Suzy despite hitting a 18.89 average was up against Carol Smith who didn't miss much and was Oxfordshire's lady of the match with a 19.69 average. So the women did GOOD getting us off to a good start with a 4-2 win. Bring on the Men's B.

Up first Robby Morris, Robby had his chances his game going to a deciding leg which went Oxfordshire's way. Next up Nigel Lamb (26.71) Nigel's been playing well and having a much better season this year. Nigel had a tough game on his hands against Oxfordshire's Simon Tricker (26.89) and the game no surprise went to a deciding leg, Nigel hitting that important winning double and was Dorset's Man of the Match. Then losses for Sam Ward up against Andrew Quinn (24.00) who was Oxfordshire's Man of the Match and Daniel Perry both losing 2-3 and Dorset B were 1-3 down. It didn't get better as Dan Adams had a poor game and losses followed by Carl Beattie (23.10) who also lost, so Dorset 1-5 down, it took Christchurch man Graham Inniss (23.66) to get us back to winning ways. Matt Yarrow up next, now Matt's an A player all day long this was his first game this season, Matt by his normal standards didn't turn up and lost. John Clark (team manager) had no problems running out a 3-1 winner. Next up Declan Harris who had a MARE and was distraught at not losing but losing so poorly. So that put Oxfordshire on the magical 7-3 up. Ryan Mabey (what a find) Ryan (25.05) played well, owned the stage and I'm not going to say NEWBEE because he has well and truly earned his place winning 3-0. That left Tony Dunning (Lonny) up last now Lonny took his game to a deciding leg which he won hitting a 24.37 average, so a SMALL COMEBACK Men's B ending up 5-7 down so after day one the match all even at 9-9 and Dorset with it all to do on Sunday.

Now Oxfordshire has Deta Hedman playing for them (running top of the County averages) and we have Sam Kirton (2nd in the County running averages) now what a dream draw that would be, but it didn't happen as up first it was our Sam v Sandra Cox, Sam starts with a 140 and we ALL thought here we go, but Sam couldn't hit that winning double then found her self 0-1 down. Normal service resumed as she goes on to win 3-1 hitting a 20.24 average. Next up Katie Mitchell (determined to put her disappointing last match behind her) Katie OWNED THE STAGE didn't do much wrong threw some of the best darts I've seen her throw winning 3-1 with the highest average (for the ladies) of the weekend 22.89 and was our Lady of the Match her first of many in the A I'm sure. Claire Mabey up next made easy work of Oxfordshire's Gina Freshwater winning 3-0. Now Peri Yarrow got Deta Hedman, Peri far from her best but took a leg off Deta, who hit a 21.57 average. Next up Trina Perry (20.45) Trina didn't do much wrong but is up against Leanne Jennings (22.10) who didn't miss those important winning doubles and was Oxfordshire's Lady of the Match. So with the scores at Oxfordshire 2 Dorset 3 it left Christchurch lady Julie Frampton to get us the win. Julie didn't disappoint running out a 3-1 winner. So ANOTHER nice start from our ladies. 4-2 lead now in the Men's A's hands.

Up first Matty Woodhouse losing 0-4. Scott Mitchell up next v Ade Larner, first leg went with throw to Ade who then hit a 17 dart winning second leg to go 2-0 up. It takes a 15 dart 3rd leg for Scott to break Ade's throw and he goes onto take the 4th. After 15 darts Ade's on 32 Scott well back on 132 leg going Ade's way, Scott pulls on all his experience to take the next and force a deciding leg against the throw. A game that could of gone either way but an emotional Scott takes the win to keep his unbeaten record this season hitting a 27.01 average, and for me the most exciting game of the weekend.

Next up Danny Pearce (25.05) Danny didn't do much wrong but up against Preben Krabben (29.63) Preben didn't mess about around the double and was Oxfordshire's Man of the Match with his 4-1 win. Next Henry Cooper (not the boxer) Henry on a good run but had the worst game I've seen from him this season not even pinching a leg. Then wins for Robbie Martin (24.92) going 3-0 up like last game kept us on the edge of our seats as he wins the deciding leg to take a deserved win followed by THE JACKET Richard Wright winning 4-2. So with the score in the Men's A sitting at Oxfordshire 3 Dorset 3 it was looking good. Next up Tommy Morris (undefeated so far this season) Tommy couldn't get going and loses 1-4 I'm sure he will come back stronger for that.

Then Thomas Chant up next his game going to a deciding leg which he lost. Then a loss for Dale Masterman (who didn't turn up most unlike him) and Phil Weeks despite hitting a 25.68 average, and Dorset needed the last two matches to get a draw. Up next Potty Mark Porter (25.58) against Oxfordshire's George Grant (27.33) another exciting match George sharper at the doubles, so with Dorset trailing 16-19 it left Mark Grimes who made it into Dorset County Darts history books last match against Surrey hitting a 9 dart leg the first in Dorset's County history Mark playing Peter Hall. What a cracking game this was, Mark taking first leg, Peter poking 116 to level at 1-1. Mark misses three at tops Peter pinches the 3rd leg, Mark hits tops to pull level (so much red pen T.V darts) Peter takes the 5th 14 darts, 3 ton plus scores from Mark gets him the 6th and another deciding leg against the throw for Mark. Nice 180 start for Mark in the deciding leg and to be honest the deciding leg was the worst leg from both players but Mark goes on to poke 56 in two darts to take the win 4-3 with a Man of the Match 27.54 average. Men's A losing 4-8 so over all score Oxfordshire 19 Dorset 17.

That made it a long trip home for me never a good trip when your team loses. That's Oxfordshire's season over sitting at the top of the table, but 6 teams still to play rearranged games (because of the snow) our next game against Northamptonshire will be a tough one as they could win the league.

MARTIN'S THOUGHTS

The women's teams gave us every chance to win this weekend. As always some great games which could of gone either way, nice friendly team Oxfordshire let's do them a favour and BASH UP Northamptonshire our last game, rearranged, again Away but I believe we can get back to our winning ways and give them a fright. Some highs and lows this weekend luck not going our way this time, but onwards and upwards your only as good as your last game this is the last game of this season let's make it a winning one. Green Army marching on.

RESULT

Oxfordshire 19 - 17 Dorset
Women's B Won 4-2 // Mens B Lost 5-7
Women's A Won 4-2 // Mens A Lost 4-8

Match Report by Martin Maidment