Home v Staffordshire - Saturday 14th / Sunday 15th September 2019
Week ending Saturday 14th - Sunday 15th September saw Dorset play their first game at home to Staffordshire. Last time we played them back in April 2015 we were at there venue and won 25-11 it would be nice to get a similar result. Most of our players have only played one (some haven't played any) superleague matches but I've been following a few of the local competitions and was pleased to see several Dorset County players playing well, and our x world champ Scott Mitchell winning not only the England Masters but the Men's Matchplay as well, at Selsey so hopes were high. So how did we do?
Day one Saturday and our B teams were in play. We started with a minutes silence to remember two of our colleagues no longer with us. Nice touch.
Up first for our ladies Donna Mabbatt who took her game to a deciding nervy last leg were BOTH players missed that important winning double the leg giving itself up to Staffordshire's Steph Ryan who was their lady of the Match hitting a 15.52 average. Sally Old (ladies team captain) up next winning 3-1, followed by Trina Perry (18.56) who ran out a comfortable 3-0 winner. Lorraine Woodrow (16.34) also kept her cool and also ran out a 3-0 win.
Kelly Stroud had a tight close game against Staffordshire's Julie Robinson both very even on there scoring and it was no surprise the match was decided with a final leg, Kelly breaking Julie's throw to get the win putting our ladies 4-1 up with just Peri Yarrow to play. Now Peri has had a lot happen in her life the past 12-18 months and at one time we didn't know if she would ever return to darts, having at one time been an A team player so it was a welcome return for her not only winning 3-0 but hitting the highest average of the weekend of 25.91 and was Dorset's Deserved Lady of the Match. What a start for Dorset winning 5-1.
Next the Men's B teams, up first Roy Pidgeon who was out played by Staffordshire's Richard Platt (25.46) losing 1-4. Next up the game of the Saturday for the Men. Dale Masterman (26.50 the Big show) v Callum Mathews (30.91) Dale breaks Callum's throw to go 3-1 up, Callum pokes 120 for a 15 dart leg to break straight back, and takes the next to level at 3-3 forcing a deciding leg. Callum starts that deciding leg 140 180 putting Dale on the ropes and goes onto take the win and with a 30.91 average no surprise he was Staffordshire's Man of the Match.
Next Daniel Perry (24.79) v Martin Wheawall (25.33) another close evenly matched game going to a deserved deciding leg which went Staffordshire's way. Next Richard Perry (23.37) v Kev Johnson (25.58) Rich losing 2-4 and it was the same 2-4 defeat for Kevin Smith up next. Declan Harris (a man whose lost over 6 stone in weight) up next, Declan struggled to find that red bit going down 1-4. So UNBELIEVABLE as it seems Dorset Men's B team are losing 0-6.
Matt MOOSTER Read up next like Ryan Mabey who followed him both went down 0-4 most unlike either of them. Next Robby Morris who never gives up and goes 2-1 in front but found Staffordshire's Nick Burns (24.62) to strong in the later legs and Robby loses 2-4.
Henry Cooper (23.73) up next back to County after a little break having had a baby with his partner, Henry losing 2-4 to Jamie Dunsdon (24.24) Nigel Lamb on next despite hitting a 24.09 average lost to Steve Mason (26.21) 1-4. That left Graham Inniss on last to win and he's guaranteed Man of the Match but it wasn't to be Graham going the same way as all the other Men's B team. So the Men's B lose 0-12 NEVER been known before can't ever remember being white washed before, I must say Staffordshire's men deserved it they out scored us and hit those doubles. So after a DISASTROUS Men's result we go into Sunday trailing, with the scores at Dorset 5 Staffordshire 13 but Sunday's a different day and you never know, but you can't help thinking IF this is there B team WHAT must there A team be like.
Despite the shocking start yesterday the A teams WERE WELL UP FOR IT.
Up first Katie Mitchell (20.31) who played consistently winning 3-0 not messing at the double one leg she's on tops and hits double one double nineteen, nice one she said afterwards I like 19s and 3s just my height. Sam Kirton (22.77) up next had no problems running out a 3-0 winner also and was our Lady of the Match. Next Julie Frampton despite busting 104 in the 2nd leg has no problem winning 3-0 putting our ladies A 3-0 up and the Staffordshire's ladies yet to take even a leg.
Next up Cath Campbell, now this was a game of missed doubles from both players the match going to a deciding leg Cath missing one dart at tops a relieved Collette Dufield taking the win. Sarah Chick (17.59) up next v Ann Allsop (18.29) Sara missed doubles in the first two legs and goes 0-2 down, 3 tons in a row from Sarah Chick in the 3rd leg but again struggles on the double but is far enough in front and pulls a leg back. Two tons and a 140 puts Sarah in control in the 4th leg and she levels to force a deciding leg against the throw. Ann saved her best leg for last Sarah back on 201 as Ann is going for 16 match going to Ann Allsop who was Staffordshire's Lady of the Match. That left Suzy Trickett (18.04) on last to get the win. Suzy rushes into a 2-0 lead and is well in control in the 3rd leg Staffordshire's Ann Price back on 328 as Suzy has a go at 94. That winning double AT TIMES can be so hard to hit and Ann pulls a surprising leg back. Suzy hits 80 to leave tops, no messing and she takes a 3-1 win, and giving our ladies A a 4-2 victory.
Bring on the Men's A. Now you won't be surprised to here all the whispering from Staffordshire's Men was who was going to draw Scott Mitchell I know he's the England skipper but come on Staffordshire we have 12 great Men's A players, would they be good enough to get us a draw though.
Up first Tommy Morris (27.49) v Danny Key (25.95) 4-2. Matt Yarrow (25.85) up next coming from 0-2 down to take a 4-2 win. Mark Grimes (25.01) out scored Karl Merchant (22.96) and goes into a 3-2 lead then it's a game of missed winning doubles and Mark game goes to a deciding leg, both have chances at the winning double match going Staffordshire's way. Next Danny Pearce (24.55) who goes 3-1 up on Staffordshire's Stu Livesley but Stu battles to force a deciding leg with throw. Danny hits a 116 shot out on the bull (9 57 bull) to take the 4-3 win.
Next the game Staffordshire have been waiting for Scott Mitchell (29.91) v Andy Beardmore (23.32) Scott composed as ever as he hits double 5 for a 15 dart first leg. Cracking 14 dart 2nd leg from Scott and not a too shabby 14 dart 3rd leg. After 12 in the 4th leg Scott is on 120 but a few missed doubles pushed him under the 30+average but a comfortable win ALMOST EXHIBITION darts. Needless to say with his 29.91 average he was our Man of the Match. Lee Turle (26.27) v Nick Walton (24.60) up next Lee going into a 3-1 lead but Nick pulls it back to level at 3-3 another deciding leg, Lee with throw starts 180 100 100 and pokes the 121 for a 12 dart match winning leg WOW. So after 6 matches are Men's A are 5-1 up and we're thinking we couldn't could we?
Robbie Martin (24.70) had a comfortable win 4-1 against Karl Hinks just what Robbie needed. Steven Earley up next (not at the races today) so much better than what he produced today losing 0-4. Richard Wright (24.73) v Steven Smith (25.54) up next despite hitting a 180 loses the first leg. The game going 2-2 Steven missing a double in the 5th leg, Richard poking 111 to take a 3-2 advantage and goes onto take the win securing a win for the Men's A with the score now at 7-2.
Paul Allen (23.79) v John Burgess (25.55) close game first 4 legs all against throw John poking a 118 to go 2-1 up Paul a 110 to level at 2-2, Paul misses two at tops Staffordshire go 3-2 up, and a 99 shot out give Staffordshire's John Burgess a 4-2 win and is Staffordshire's Man of the Match. Next Carl Beattie v Benjamin Hilditch who was a snake bite look a like brave Man wearing a hair style like that. Carl's game going 2-2 before Carl goes onto take a 4-2 win missed doubles from Benjamin cost him dearly. So after all this the over all scores stand at Dorset 17 Staffordshire 18 with just Potty Mark Porter to play, no matter the result GREAT fight back from our A. Potty so much pressure on both players Staffordshire's James Hughes as well. For Potty it was a game of missed doubles so close but James takes the win. The Men's A win 8-4 overall so close Dorset 17 Staffordshire 19
MARTIN'S THOUGHTS
Well done team 3 out of the 4 squads positive wins. Men's B true we were out played and out scored by an excellent Staffordshire side but we've just got to forget it and move on. No real damage done ended up a close game overall. At the presentations at the end I'm glad Peri Yarrow got both the Men's and Ladies B Man/Lady of the Match it was only Dale Masterman that beat her average, from the Men's B, well done you long may it last. Great performances from lots of you this weekend let's be positive going into our next away game against Sussex see you all there. Loved the positive attitude from the Ladies and Men's A we have got a great team, and the Ladies B JUST LIKE OF OLD getting a convincing win. No Scott he's off playing for England so I'm sure we ALL wish him well.
Green Army marching on. Sussex bring it on.
RESULT
Dorset 17-19 Staffordshire
Women's B Won 5-1 // Mens B Lost 0-12
Women's A Won 4-2 // Mens A Won 8-4
Match Report by Martin Maidment
John CLARK
