Hampshire finally had something to smile about after their 22-14 win against local rivals Surrey, in the latest match of the BICC Premier League on 14th/15th February.
Saturday’s games saw the B-sides take to the stage. Both teams have struggled as of late, but produced an excellent performance to gain a 9-3 win for the Men and a 3-3 draw for the Ladies. The games were played in a cracking atmosphere, and it was really good to see all the players get behind each other and produce the kind of darts that everyone knows they are capable of.
Gemma Hayter got things started for the Ladies team, with another accomplished 3-1 win and 18.25 average. Carole Shiner also won 3-1 with a 16.13, before Pennie Lewis stepped up to take her game 3-0 with an excellent Match Award winning 21.17 average. Despite a 180 with her first three darts, Nikki Stevens went down 3-1, as did Mandy Keith and Jane Monaghan.
The Men’s team won their first five matches courtesy of Ricky Williams 3-2 (24.78), Paul Scutt 3-1 (22.53), Paul Reidy 3-1 (23.76) and Dave Bonnett 3-2 (22.32). Men’s Captain, Kev Ede marked his 50th Consecutive appearance for the County with a 3-0 win and 26.84 average. Further wins followed from a very determined Kev Murrell 3-0 (23.86) and from Phil Harty 3-2 (24.51), before two excellent games from Jason Cook 3-1 (27.69) and Match Award Winner Graham Hardy 3-1 (28.87) who hit two 180s and legs of 18,15 & 18 darts.
An overnight score of 12-6 in Hampshire’s favour meant that some of the pressure was lifted from the A sides shoulders for the games on Sunday. However, Surrey did not make things easy, and Hampshire did well to get a 7-5 result for the Men and 3-3 draw for the Ladies.
The Ladies A definitely knew they had a game on their hands when Elaine Harty (18.88) and Maria Agozzino (19.01) both lost to opponents with 20+ averages. Wendy Reinstadtler 3-1 (20.67) and Sue Smee 3-0 (18.56) then steadied things before Sue Lowther was unlucky to lose 3-2 (17.83). With the Score at 3-2 to Surrey, Steph Smee came up against ex-Hampshire player Laura Turner. Both players produced a great game of darts before Steph triumphed 3-2 with a 21.96 Match Award winning average, to give the Ladies their draw.
In the Men’s A side, Nillson Pritchard got back to winning ways with a 3-0 win and 25.47 average, followed by Rick Lowther 3-1 (26.20). Dennis Murrell then stepped up to take the Match Award with a suburb 3-1 win and 31.33 average, hitting three 180s and winning legs of 15,14 and 16 darts. The next few games saw Danny Smith having double trouble, leaving him disappointed with a 3-1 loss and 24.20 average, Andy Mitchell winning 3-1 with a 28.84 average, and Roy Brown winning 3-0 with a 28.90.
Graham Huggett played well in the next game, hitting a 25.69 average, but came up against their Man of the Match and lost 3-0, while Mark Smith left us all on the edge of our seats, nearly letting things slip after being two nil up against another ex-Hampshire player in Aaron turner, but managed to win 3-2 with a 25.25 average. Losses followed from Mick Cookman (25.06) and Steve Musson (25.26) before Danny Ballard secured the team win after beating another Hampshire ex in Alan Yates, 3-2 with a 25.41 average.
All in all a satisfying result for Hampshire which sees them still sitting 5th in the overall league. Unfortunately, other results could have been better for us. The Ladies A remain top of their respective table. The next game is against Essex on 7th/8th March, and here’s hoping the team can carry on and build on the great result it has just had.
One last thing, for all those of you on Facebook, check out and join the Hampshire County darts page – great write up on the games by young Gemma Hayter and lots of familiar faces.
Saturday’s games saw the B-sides take to the stage. Both teams have struggled as of late, but produced an excellent performance to gain a 9-3 win for the Men and a 3-3 draw for the Ladies. The games were played in a cracking atmosphere, and it was really good to see all the players get behind each other and produce the kind of darts that everyone knows they are capable of.
Gemma Hayter got things started for the Ladies team, with another accomplished 3-1 win and 18.25 average. Carole Shiner also won 3-1 with a 16.13, before Pennie Lewis stepped up to take her game 3-0 with an excellent Match Award winning 21.17 average. Despite a 180 with her first three darts, Nikki Stevens went down 3-1, as did Mandy Keith and Jane Monaghan.
The Men’s team won their first five matches courtesy of Ricky Williams 3-2 (24.78), Paul Scutt 3-1 (22.53), Paul Reidy 3-1 (23.76) and Dave Bonnett 3-2 (22.32). Men’s Captain, Kev Ede marked his 50th Consecutive appearance for the County with a 3-0 win and 26.84 average. Further wins followed from a very determined Kev Murrell 3-0 (23.86) and from Phil Harty 3-2 (24.51), before two excellent games from Jason Cook 3-1 (27.69) and Match Award Winner Graham Hardy 3-1 (28.87) who hit two 180s and legs of 18,15 & 18 darts.
An overnight score of 12-6 in Hampshire’s favour meant that some of the pressure was lifted from the A sides shoulders for the games on Sunday. However, Surrey did not make things easy, and Hampshire did well to get a 7-5 result for the Men and 3-3 draw for the Ladies.
The Ladies A definitely knew they had a game on their hands when Elaine Harty (18.88) and Maria Agozzino (19.01) both lost to opponents with 20+ averages. Wendy Reinstadtler 3-1 (20.67) and Sue Smee 3-0 (18.56) then steadied things before Sue Lowther was unlucky to lose 3-2 (17.83). With the Score at 3-2 to Surrey, Steph Smee came up against ex-Hampshire player Laura Turner. Both players produced a great game of darts before Steph triumphed 3-2 with a 21.96 Match Award winning average, to give the Ladies their draw.
In the Men’s A side, Nillson Pritchard got back to winning ways with a 3-0 win and 25.47 average, followed by Rick Lowther 3-1 (26.20). Dennis Murrell then stepped up to take the Match Award with a suburb 3-1 win and 31.33 average, hitting three 180s and winning legs of 15,14 and 16 darts. The next few games saw Danny Smith having double trouble, leaving him disappointed with a 3-1 loss and 24.20 average, Andy Mitchell winning 3-1 with a 28.84 average, and Roy Brown winning 3-0 with a 28.90.
Graham Huggett played well in the next game, hitting a 25.69 average, but came up against their Man of the Match and lost 3-0, while Mark Smith left us all on the edge of our seats, nearly letting things slip after being two nil up against another ex-Hampshire player in Aaron turner, but managed to win 3-2 with a 25.25 average. Losses followed from Mick Cookman (25.06) and Steve Musson (25.26) before Danny Ballard secured the team win after beating another Hampshire ex in Alan Yates, 3-2 with a 25.41 average.
All in all a satisfying result for Hampshire which sees them still sitting 5th in the overall league. Unfortunately, other results could have been better for us. The Ladies A remain top of their respective table. The next game is against Essex on 7th/8th March, and here’s hoping the team can carry on and build on the great result it has just had.
One last thing, for all those of you on Facebook, check out and join the Hampshire County darts page – great write up on the games by young Gemma Hayter and lots of familiar faces.
Photograph shows Dennis Murrell reciving his 'A' Team player of the match award for a tremendous 31.33 average from Chris Wilcox - Hampshire President and Martin Cullip of Surrey
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