BICC Results by Alan Towe
Warwickshire v Hampshire
Warwickshire played their penultimate home fixture in the Premier Division of the BDO Inter County Championships at home against Hampshire, a fixture that was fully expected to go in favour of the home side but it didn’t quite turn out that way, although the weekend did get off to a good a start thanks to the ladies ‘B’ team.
Melanie Jones opened up for the hosts and after losing the first leg to Pennie Lewis went on to win 3-1. Jo Rolls levelled for Hampshire with a 3-0 win over Lisa Deslandes only to see Chloe McKivett restore Warwickshire’s lead when she also won 3-0 in her tie with Kelly Palmer.
Angela Jones took the advantage along to 3-1 with a 3-1 win against Sue Lowther and the winning game was added by lady of the match Donna Pinch when she beat Dawn Simmonds 3-1 after Simmonds had gone one up. Pinch taking her first match award of the season with a 17.50 average.
The final game saw the visitors reduce the arrears to give a final score of 4-2 to the home side when their Tracy North beat Denise Keyte 3-2, Keyte coming from 1-0 down to go 2-1 up but then losing the last two legs.
Prior to their game the men’s ‘B’ had had a somewhat mixed season with two wins, two draws and two defeats.
Hampshire were first out of the blocks when David Bonnett beat Robert Comben 4-2 and Troy Butler won 4-0 against Luke Kennedy and it took a man of the match performance from Mark Strong to stop the Hampshire charge as he, in 17,15,23 and 21 darts accounted for Steve Musson with a straight 4-0 result and a 26.37 average.
Parity was restored in the fourth thanks to a 4-2 win from James Hykin over Richie Ford and for the first time in the match Warwickshire then went ahead in the fifth when Ian Shaw added his 4-3 win over John Large to their account, Large taking the lead three times in the game before losing the last two legs.
At the midway point it was all square at three each with Dave Coffin winning 4-1 against Gareth Braham.
As in the first half the away team were first to respond as Darren Barnes re-established their lead when he won 4-2 against Karl Reynolds and they went further ahead with a similar 4-2 win for Linton Hickman over Jack Wareing.
With the score at 5-3 to Hampshire Ashley Hykin won Warwickshire’s fourth game when he beat Steve Jannaway 4-1, however that was to be the home team’s last winner as Andy Newcombe, Mick Savvery and Michael Street in turn won 4-2 against Adam Paxton, Mark Carter and Richard Foster to give the visitors an 8-4 win.
After coming off the back of a 5-1 defeat to Cambridgeshire the ladies ‘A’ were hoping to return to winning ways but the first game of the day saw them fall behind as Joanne Senior (Hampshire) won 3-0 against Nina Bolt. Sue Gulliver not only levelled the game but also made it five match awards in seven games as she won 3-0 against Abi Jurd in 22,22 and 20 darts for a superb 23.48 average.
Hampshire went ahead again in the third when Jane Monaghan beat Wendy Adams, again the score was 3-0, however for a second time the home team drew level as Caroline Pike won her tie with Nikki Stevens 3-1.
Game number five was another 3-0 result the fourth of the match as Wendy Reinstadtler gave the away side the lead for a third time by beating Marian Conway and with a 3-1 win for Tara Power-Gillet in the final game against Kat Spanswick the 4-2 result went to Hampshire.
With four wins, one draw and only one defeat the men’s ‘A’ are enjoying a successful season, they began their game by taking the the opening two games as both Mark Westgarth and Kevin Dowling beat respective opponents Mark Thorme and Mike Symes 4-0.
Tom McGlone went 2-0 and 3-1 up against Paul Winter and was unlucky to lose 4-3 but Winter took the last three legs in 14,13 and 14 darts which also earned him his team’s match award.
Warwickshire’s two game buffer was restored in the fourt when Nigel Heydon won his second successive man of the match award for a tremendous 31.00 average in a 4-1 win over Steve Phipps with winning legs of 20,11,15 and 19 darts.
Steve Hine made it 4-1 to the home team when he won 4-2 against Andy Mitchell and by the break the running score was 4-2 when James Nicholson (Hampshire) closed the half with a 4-0 win over Charlie Symons.
Graham Chalk (Hampshire) won the first leg of the second half but it was Warwickshire’s Anthony Allen who got the 4-1 win. Troy Butler made it a personal two wins over the weekend when he came from 1-0 and 2-1 down against Carl Green to win 4-2 and with a 4-3 win against Noel Grant by Robin Hathaway Hampshire were back in the game albeit still trailing 5-4.
Tom Aldridge (Warwickshire) assured his team mates of at least a draw when he took the score along to 6-4 with a 4-1 success over Gary Stafford, however the visitors kept their hopes of sharing the points alive with a 4-1 win from Luke Getty over Tom Ryan in the penultimate game, but it was Warwickshire who got the 7-5 verdict when Simon Power ended the weekend with a 4-1 win over Sam Rooney after Rooney had won the first leg..
The 7-5 win from the men’s ‘A’ was not quite enough for Warwickshire to avoid defeat as the overall 19-17 result went to Hampshire.
Full Results:Warwickshire v Hampshire (17-19):(Warwickshire names first):Men’s ‘A’:- Mark Westgarth 4 Mark Thorne 0, Kevin Dowling 4 Mike Symes 0, Tom McGlone 3 Paul Winter 4, Nigel Heydon 4 Steve Phipps 1, Steve Hine 4 Andy Mitchell 2, Charlie Symons 0 James Nicholson 4, Anthony Allen 4 Graham Chalk 1, Carl Green 2 Troy Butler 4, Noel Grant 3 Robin Hathaway 4, Tom Aldridge 4 Gary Stafford 1, Tom Ryan 1 Luke Getty 4, Simon Power 4 Sam Rooney 1, Men’s ‘B’:- Robert Comben 2 David Bonnett 4, Luke Kennedy 0 Troy Butler 4, Mark Strong 4 Steve Musson 0, James Hykin 4 Richie Ford 2, Ian Shaw 4 John Large 3, Gareth Braham 1 Dave Coffin 4, Karl Reynolds 2 Darren Barnes 4, Jack Wareing 2 Linton Hickman 4, Ashley Hykin 4 Steve Jannaway 1, Adam Paxton 2 Andy Newcombe 4, Mark Carter 2 Mick Savvery 4, Richard Foster 2 Michael Street 4, Ladies ‘A’:- Nina Bolt 0 Joanne Senior 3, Sue Gulliver 3 Abi Jurd 0, Wendy Adams 0 Jane Monaghan 3, Caroline Pike 3 Nikki Stevens 1, Marian Conway 0 Wendy Reinstadtler 3, Kat Spanswick 1 Tara Power 3, Women’s ‘B’:- Melanie Jones 3 Pennie Lewis 1, Lisa Deslandes 0 Jo Rolls 3, Chloe LcKivett 3 Kelly Palmer 0, Angela Jones 3 Sue Lowther 1, Donna Pinch 3 Dawn Simmonds 1, Denise Keyte 2 Tracy North 3.
The Warwickshire Youth squad played hosts to Merseyside in their latest inter county fixture and with another superb performance with wins in all three sections recorded an overall 10-5 victory. Playing at the Parkstone Club, Coventry the Under 18’s won 4-3 thanks to wins from Jordan Ainsworth, Lucy Keyte, Jake Liggins and Matthew Cain while supplying the straight 3-0 win for the Ladies were Skye Pickard, Laura Bowley and Courtney Hine. Rounding off the win with a 3-2 verdict in the Under 21’s were Tom Mills, Lewis Bayliss and Charlie Symons. Warwickshire now top all three divisions and with just three more fixtures to play are odds on favourites for the championship title. Full Results:Warwickshire Youth v Merseyside Youth (10-5):Warwickshire names first:Under 18’s:- Jordan Ainsworth 2 Steven Harding 1, Joe Pitchford-Morris 0 Sam Jones 2, Lucy Keyte 2 Lois Tweedle 1, Mackenzie Nixon 0 Ethan Clayton 2, Jake Liggins 2 Ellie Downie 0, Matthew Cain 2 Ben Cusack 1, Ben Liggins 0 Kyle Easeman 2, Ladies:- Skye Pickard 2 Megan Jones 0, Laura Bowley 2 Chelsea Maxwell 0, Courtney Hine 2 Amelia Lemon 0, Under 21’s:- Tom Mills 3 Lewis Fearon-Abban 2, Jnr Joyce 2 Matt Johnson 3, George Ross 1 Joe Perry 3, Lewis Bayliss 3 Lewis Downey 1, Charlie Symons 3 Aaron Jones 1.
Shropshire v Isle of Wight It just had to happen and happen it did as Shropshire for the first time in twelve games in division four of the BDO Inter County Championships won. In a tight battle between the bottom two teams in the division, next to bottom of the table Shropshire played hosts to bottom of the table Isle of Wight and it was thanks to the ladies teams for the well awaited victory. The ladies ‘B’ gave Shropshire a cracking start as Allison Gallagher and Debbie Davies, the first two players for Shropshire both won in straight 3-0 games against respective opponents Judi Angus and Jackie Gardener. Cally Jones added her 3-1 win over Angie Cotton before lady of the match Sue Lane chalked up the match winner as early as the fourth game when she beat Fiona Pickin 3-1 with a 15.04 average. Lisa Wills (Shropshire) went one up against Val Emm and then 2-1 down but she recovered to win the next two legs and the game 3-2. The last game for the ladies ‘B’ saw Charlotte Collins (Isle of Wight) win 3-0 against Cheryl Owen to give a final score of 5-1 to Shropshire ladies ‘B’ their best win since April 2017 when on that occasion their opponents were once again Isle of Wight. After starting the season with three defeats, the men’s ‘B’ with two wins and a draw had begun to string together some good results but the first half of their game against Isle of Wight had no suggestion of continuing that trend. Shropshire’s Matt Williams and Rob Trumper in turn lost 3-1 to Dan Green and Sean Morrissey and despite Scott Meyrick coming from one down to Jason Collins and winning 3-1, by the halfway stage he turned out to be the only winner as Gordon Penn, Brian Meszynski and Gordy Crews in turn recorded 3-1 wins over Neil Powell, Martin Riggs and Andy Gilbert. The second half began with more promise Andy Mullinder beat Graeme Dutton 3-0 and Darryl Sheldon won 3-1 against Michael Wilkes but the revival didn’t last long as Callum Francis (Isle of Wight) beat Neville Quinton 3-1 and with a 3-2 success for Dale Grove over Joe Cook the result was put beyond Shropshire’s reach as Isle of Wight were then in an unassailable 7-3 lead. It was the eleventh game before Shropshire’s man of the match was decided and it was Andre Knox (21.78) who provided that man of the match performance as he handed out a 3-0 defeat to Connor Greenaugh when he recorded his team’s fourth win. The last game of the day also finished 3-0 but going in the opposite direction to Isle of Wight’s David Witts with Craig Capewell on the receiving end putting the final score at 8-4 to the away team. After a 3-0 defeat for Steph Clarke by Brenda Dyer it was one way traffic for the ladies ‘A’ as Julie Griffiths cancelled out Dyer’s win with a 3-1 victory over Sam Pink, Michele Pritchard handed out a 3-0 whitewash to her opponent Alison Rowe, Kat McLean beat Dawn Basill 3-2 and with another 3-0 win from Marie Riggs, who checked out on 130 in the third leg against Charlotte Collins, the game was won by the fifth as the hosts were then 4-1 up. Although there was four wins in the opening five games the lady of the match was not decided until the final game as Sophie Fawcett, with her team’s third 3-0 win defeated Bonnie Bentley and took the award for her 15.82 average, at the same time emulating the ladies ‘B’ result of 5-1. The men’s ‘A’ team have not had the best of season’s as their first six games have produced just two draws and four defeats. The opening four games saw the home player win the first leg but of those four players Adam Thackray was the sole winner. Opening up for Shropshire was Andi Chatter who narrowly lost out 4-3 to Mark Edwards. Thackray was on at number two he also was taken the full seven legs distance but won his game against Jim Lynott 4-3. Isle of Wight took the lead again in the third when Carl Hiscock beat Chris Fox 4-2, then taking the away team’s lead to 3-1 was Callum Francis who had a 4-3 win over Simon Pritchard. By the halfway point the score were level at 3-3 after Pete Eley won 4-1 against Liam Ridout and Kevin Harris beat Darren Andrews by the same margin. Phillip Burt gave the visitors the lead again in game seven as he won 4-3 against Danny James after James had won the first and drawn level in the sixth. However the score was levelled at 4-4 by Brian Hickman when in six legs he accounted for Dave Robinson. In the ninth game Shropshire took the lead for the first time in the match when Derek Coulson made it two consecutive man of the match awards, a 4-1 win over Peter Collins with winning legs of 17,18,19 and 20 darts giving him a 28.06 average. The lead was short lived as Alex Hall and Mark Breakspear in turn won close 4-3 games against Nathan Storar and Paul Bromley and to round off a 7-5 win for Isle of Wight was Gene Bagley who defeated Richard Parker 4-0 in the final game of the weekend. Despite both men’s teams losing the two 5-1 wins from the ladies teams gave an overall result of 19-17 to Shropshire, increasing their advantage over their opponents in the league table to twelve points with a game in hand. Full Results: Shropshire v Isle of Wight (19-17):(Shropshire names first):Men’s ‘A’:- Andi Chatter 3 Mark Edwards 4, Adam Thackray 4 Jim Lynott 3, Chris Fox 2 Carl Hiscock 4, Simon Pritchard 3 Callum Francis 4, Pete Eley 4 Liam Ridout 1, Kevin Harris 4 Darren Andrews 1, Danny James 3 Phillip Burt 4, Brian Hickman 4 Dave Robinson 2, Derek Coulson 4 Peter Collins 1, Nathan Storar 3 Alex Hall 4, Paul Bromley 3 Mark Breakspear 4, Richard Parker 0 Gene Bagley 4, Men’s ‘B’:- Matt Williams 1 Dan Green 3, Rob Trumper 1 Sean Morrissey 3, Scott Meyrick 3 Jason Collins 1, Neil Powell 1 Gordon Penn 3, Martin Riggs 1 Brian Meszynski 3, Andy Gilbert 1 Gordy Crews 3, Andy Mullinder 3 Graeme Dutton 0, Darryl Sheldon 3 Michael Wilkes 1, Neville Quinton 1 Callum Francis 3, Joe Cook 2 Dale Grove 3, Andre Knox 3 Connor Greenaugh 0, Craig Capewell 0 David Witts 3, Women’s ‘A’:- Steph Clarke 0 Brenda Dyer 3, Julie Griffiths 3 Sam Pink 1, Michele Pritchard 3 Alison Rowe 0, Kat McLean 3 Dawn Basill 2, Marie Riggs 3 Charlotte Collins 0, Sophie Fawcett 3 Bonnie Bentley 0, Women’s ‘B’:- Allison Gallagher 3 Judi Angus 0, Debbie Davies 3 Jackie Gardener 0, Cally Jones 3 Angie Cotton 1, Sue Lane 3 Fiona Pickin 1, Lisa Wills 3 Val Emm 2, Cheryl Owen 0 Charlotte Collins 3.
Leicestershire v Derbyshire After a disappointing start to their campaign in division three of the BDO Inter County Championships whereby Derbyshire lost their opening four games they have now found a new lease of life and regained the kind of form they showed three seasons ago which saw them gain promotion from division two to division one. Following wins against Tyne and Wear and Gloucestershire Derbyshire’s seventh game was an away tie against Leicestershire. Saturday’s games saw the ladies ‘B’ make it three games without defeat and two consecutive draws. Taking the match award in the 3-3 draw was Sara-Jane Harrison with a 19.78 average. The men’s ‘B’ made it three wins in a row with their best result of the season so far 9-3, Robert Hawker their top man with a superb 29.10 average. Sunday also got off to a fine start as the ladies ‘A’ team followed up their 5-1 win over Gloucestershire with a similar result against Leicestershire, Jackie Sweet the lady of the match for a second successive game with a great 21.30 average. It was not such a good weekend for the men’s ‘A’ team as they finished on the wrong side of an 8-4 result with Paul Baker taking the match award for his 25.89 average. Despite the men’s ‘A’ team losing the overall result was a terrific 21-15 win for Derbyshire which has seen them move out of the relegation zone up to seventh in the table on 132 points, however they are not out of the woods yet and cannot afford to be too complacent as both Wiltshire and Norfolk are just one point behind them and bottom placed Tyne and Wear with 129 points have only three points fewer. With just two more fixtures to play Derbyshire have home advantage in both and although one of them is against high riding top of the table Berkshire the other is against Wiltshire which could well be a relegation decider.
By Alan Towe Website: www.alantowedarts.co.uk
The Warwickshire Youth squad played hosts to Merseyside in their latest inter county fixture and with another superb performance with wins in all three sections recorded an overall 10-5 victory. Playing at the Parkstone Club, Coventry the Under 18’s won 4-3 thanks to wins from Jordan Ainsworth, Lucy Keyte, Jake Liggins and Matthew Cain while supplying the straight 3-0 win for the Ladies were Skye Pickard, Laura Bowley and Courtney Hine. Rounding off the win with a 3-2 verdict in the Under 21’s were Tom Mills, Lewis Bayliss and Charlie Symons. Warwickshire now top all three divisions and with just three more fixtures to play are odds on favourites for the championship title. Full Results:Warwickshire Youth v Merseyside Youth (10-5):Warwickshire names first:Under 18’s:- Jordan Ainsworth 2 Steven Harding 1, Joe Pitchford-Morris 0 Sam Jones 2, Lucy Keyte 2 Lois Tweedle 1, Mackenzie Nixon 0 Ethan Clayton 2, Jake Liggins 2 Ellie Downie 0, Matthew Cain 2 Ben Cusack 1, Ben Liggins 0 Kyle Easeman 2, Ladies:- Skye Pickard 2 Megan Jones 0, Laura Bowley 2 Chelsea Maxwell 0, Courtney Hine 2 Amelia Lemon 0, Under 21’s:- Tom Mills 3 Lewis Fearon-Abban 2, Jnr Joyce 2 Matt Johnson 3, George Ross 1 Joe Perry 3, Lewis Bayliss 3 Lewis Downey 1, Charlie Symons 3 Aaron Jones 1.
Shropshire v Isle of Wight It just had to happen and happen it did as Shropshire for the first time in twelve games in division four of the BDO Inter County Championships won. In a tight battle between the bottom two teams in the division, next to bottom of the table Shropshire played hosts to bottom of the table Isle of Wight and it was thanks to the ladies teams for the well awaited victory. The ladies ‘B’ gave Shropshire a cracking start as Allison Gallagher and Debbie Davies, the first two players for Shropshire both won in straight 3-0 games against respective opponents Judi Angus and Jackie Gardener. Cally Jones added her 3-1 win over Angie Cotton before lady of the match Sue Lane chalked up the match winner as early as the fourth game when she beat Fiona Pickin 3-1 with a 15.04 average. Lisa Wills (Shropshire) went one up against Val Emm and then 2-1 down but she recovered to win the next two legs and the game 3-2. The last game for the ladies ‘B’ saw Charlotte Collins (Isle of Wight) win 3-0 against Cheryl Owen to give a final score of 5-1 to Shropshire ladies ‘B’ their best win since April 2017 when on that occasion their opponents were once again Isle of Wight. After starting the season with three defeats, the men’s ‘B’ with two wins and a draw had begun to string together some good results but the first half of their game against Isle of Wight had no suggestion of continuing that trend. Shropshire’s Matt Williams and Rob Trumper in turn lost 3-1 to Dan Green and Sean Morrissey and despite Scott Meyrick coming from one down to Jason Collins and winning 3-1, by the halfway stage he turned out to be the only winner as Gordon Penn, Brian Meszynski and Gordy Crews in turn recorded 3-1 wins over Neil Powell, Martin Riggs and Andy Gilbert. The second half began with more promise Andy Mullinder beat Graeme Dutton 3-0 and Darryl Sheldon won 3-1 against Michael Wilkes but the revival didn’t last long as Callum Francis (Isle of Wight) beat Neville Quinton 3-1 and with a 3-2 success for Dale Grove over Joe Cook the result was put beyond Shropshire’s reach as Isle of Wight were then in an unassailable 7-3 lead. It was the eleventh game before Shropshire’s man of the match was decided and it was Andre Knox (21.78) who provided that man of the match performance as he handed out a 3-0 defeat to Connor Greenaugh when he recorded his team’s fourth win. The last game of the day also finished 3-0 but going in the opposite direction to Isle of Wight’s David Witts with Craig Capewell on the receiving end putting the final score at 8-4 to the away team. After a 3-0 defeat for Steph Clarke by Brenda Dyer it was one way traffic for the ladies ‘A’ as Julie Griffiths cancelled out Dyer’s win with a 3-1 victory over Sam Pink, Michele Pritchard handed out a 3-0 whitewash to her opponent Alison Rowe, Kat McLean beat Dawn Basill 3-2 and with another 3-0 win from Marie Riggs, who checked out on 130 in the third leg against Charlotte Collins, the game was won by the fifth as the hosts were then 4-1 up. Although there was four wins in the opening five games the lady of the match was not decided until the final game as Sophie Fawcett, with her team’s third 3-0 win defeated Bonnie Bentley and took the award for her 15.82 average, at the same time emulating the ladies ‘B’ result of 5-1. The men’s ‘A’ team have not had the best of season’s as their first six games have produced just two draws and four defeats. The opening four games saw the home player win the first leg but of those four players Adam Thackray was the sole winner. Opening up for Shropshire was Andi Chatter who narrowly lost out 4-3 to Mark Edwards. Thackray was on at number two he also was taken the full seven legs distance but won his game against Jim Lynott 4-3. Isle of Wight took the lead again in the third when Carl Hiscock beat Chris Fox 4-2, then taking the away team’s lead to 3-1 was Callum Francis who had a 4-3 win over Simon Pritchard. By the halfway point the score were level at 3-3 after Pete Eley won 4-1 against Liam Ridout and Kevin Harris beat Darren Andrews by the same margin. Phillip Burt gave the visitors the lead again in game seven as he won 4-3 against Danny James after James had won the first and drawn level in the sixth. However the score was levelled at 4-4 by Brian Hickman when in six legs he accounted for Dave Robinson. In the ninth game Shropshire took the lead for the first time in the match when Derek Coulson made it two consecutive man of the match awards, a 4-1 win over Peter Collins with winning legs of 17,18,19 and 20 darts giving him a 28.06 average. The lead was short lived as Alex Hall and Mark Breakspear in turn won close 4-3 games against Nathan Storar and Paul Bromley and to round off a 7-5 win for Isle of Wight was Gene Bagley who defeated Richard Parker 4-0 in the final game of the weekend. Despite both men’s teams losing the two 5-1 wins from the ladies teams gave an overall result of 19-17 to Shropshire, increasing their advantage over their opponents in the league table to twelve points with a game in hand. Full Results: Shropshire v Isle of Wight (19-17):(Shropshire names first):Men’s ‘A’:- Andi Chatter 3 Mark Edwards 4, Adam Thackray 4 Jim Lynott 3, Chris Fox 2 Carl Hiscock 4, Simon Pritchard 3 Callum Francis 4, Pete Eley 4 Liam Ridout 1, Kevin Harris 4 Darren Andrews 1, Danny James 3 Phillip Burt 4, Brian Hickman 4 Dave Robinson 2, Derek Coulson 4 Peter Collins 1, Nathan Storar 3 Alex Hall 4, Paul Bromley 3 Mark Breakspear 4, Richard Parker 0 Gene Bagley 4, Men’s ‘B’:- Matt Williams 1 Dan Green 3, Rob Trumper 1 Sean Morrissey 3, Scott Meyrick 3 Jason Collins 1, Neil Powell 1 Gordon Penn 3, Martin Riggs 1 Brian Meszynski 3, Andy Gilbert 1 Gordy Crews 3, Andy Mullinder 3 Graeme Dutton 0, Darryl Sheldon 3 Michael Wilkes 1, Neville Quinton 1 Callum Francis 3, Joe Cook 2 Dale Grove 3, Andre Knox 3 Connor Greenaugh 0, Craig Capewell 0 David Witts 3, Women’s ‘A’:- Steph Clarke 0 Brenda Dyer 3, Julie Griffiths 3 Sam Pink 1, Michele Pritchard 3 Alison Rowe 0, Kat McLean 3 Dawn Basill 2, Marie Riggs 3 Charlotte Collins 0, Sophie Fawcett 3 Bonnie Bentley 0, Women’s ‘B’:- Allison Gallagher 3 Judi Angus 0, Debbie Davies 3 Jackie Gardener 0, Cally Jones 3 Angie Cotton 1, Sue Lane 3 Fiona Pickin 1, Lisa Wills 3 Val Emm 2, Cheryl Owen 0 Charlotte Collins 3.
Leicestershire v Derbyshire After a disappointing start to their campaign in division three of the BDO Inter County Championships whereby Derbyshire lost their opening four games they have now found a new lease of life and regained the kind of form they showed three seasons ago which saw them gain promotion from division two to division one. Following wins against Tyne and Wear and Gloucestershire Derbyshire’s seventh game was an away tie against Leicestershire. Saturday’s games saw the ladies ‘B’ make it three games without defeat and two consecutive draws. Taking the match award in the 3-3 draw was Sara-Jane Harrison with a 19.78 average. The men’s ‘B’ made it three wins in a row with their best result of the season so far 9-3, Robert Hawker their top man with a superb 29.10 average. Sunday also got off to a fine start as the ladies ‘A’ team followed up their 5-1 win over Gloucestershire with a similar result against Leicestershire, Jackie Sweet the lady of the match for a second successive game with a great 21.30 average. It was not such a good weekend for the men’s ‘A’ team as they finished on the wrong side of an 8-4 result with Paul Baker taking the match award for his 25.89 average. Despite the men’s ‘A’ team losing the overall result was a terrific 21-15 win for Derbyshire which has seen them move out of the relegation zone up to seventh in the table on 132 points, however they are not out of the woods yet and cannot afford to be too complacent as both Wiltshire and Norfolk are just one point behind them and bottom placed Tyne and Wear with 129 points have only three points fewer. With just two more fixtures to play Derbyshire have home advantage in both and although one of them is against high riding top of the table Berkshire the other is against Wiltshire which could well be a relegation decider.
By Alan Towe Website: www.alantowedarts.co.uk