Cambridgeshire v Hampshire Match report

Hampshire trekked up to Cambridgeshire for the first game of the new BICC season. The ‘B’ sides kicked off proceedings on Saturday and with order of play reverting back to the old system, it was down to the Ladies to kick things off.
It was a case of the old guard showing the young guns how it’s done, with Jane Monaghan, Carole Shinar and Pennie ‘Pit Stop’ Lewis all winning their games. Pennie took the Lady of the Match award, with a 3-1 result and a 19.21 average. Tara Power was unlucky to lose 3-0, a result that really didn’t do her justice. She was unfortunate to be up against a very good but exceedingly slow player and probably lost the will after the first three darts. For Gemma Hayter and Charlotte Burgess, it was a case of missed doubles which cost them their matches. Final result was a 3-3 draw.
The Men’s B will be kicking themselves after missing an opportunity to punish a lacklustre Cambridgeshire performance. Again, it was a case of too many missed doubles. Arron monk provided the Men’s team with the perfect start, hitting a 13 dart leg, running out a 3-1 winner and earning himself the Match Award with a 25.77 average. Unfortunately, Dave Bonnett and Ron Atwill were unable to build on the good start and both lost their games before Mark Thorne hit 180 in his final leg to win his game 3-2 with a 25.36 average. At 2-2 Hampshire then had to wait till game nine for their next win and at 6-2 down the comeback was essential. Phil Harty started the ball rolling with a 3-2 win and 24.51 average, followed by a gutsy performance by Kevin Murrell who won 3-1 with a 22.65. Tony Hutchinson was next and woke up after going two nil down, to win 3-2 with a 24.28 average. With the score at 6-5 to the Home side, Hampshire’s hopes rested with experienced campaigner Colin Philpott to bring home a draw. Unfortunately, it was not to be, although he did take it to the wire, narrowly losing 3-2 with a better average than his opponent. The final score of 7-5 to Cambridgeshire flattered them and Hampshire’s Men know that they could have done a lot better.
With the score standing at 10-8 to Cambridgeshire overnight, it was all to play for on Sunday. After their success last season, it was hoped the Ladies would get the ‘A’ teams off to a flying start. Unfortunately, the dreaded doubles again cost them dear. Both Sue Lowther and Wendy Reinstadtler lost games they probably feel they should have won before Sue Thompson stopped the rot with a 3-1 win and 15.93 average. Steffi Smee then made it two all with a comfortable 3-0 win and 19.27 average to take the Lady of the Match award. Elaine Harty was unlucky to lose 3-2 after missing doubles in the final leg, her opponent taking out 280 in 5 darts to win. With the score at 3-2 to Cambridgeshire, it was hoped that Maria Aggozino could seal a draw, but playing the Cambridgeshire team Captain was never going to be easy and Maria lost out 3-0. Final score 4-2 to Cambridgeshire.
With the score at 14-10, the Mens ‘A’ had it all to do and things didn’t get off to a great start as Dennis Murrell and Andy Mitchell both lost. Phil Harty was up next and took his first game for the A side in his stride, winning 3-0 with a 27.83 average. Wins followed from MOM Steve Musson who won 3-0 with a 28.36 average and Captain, Kev Ede, who also won 3-0 with a 26.37. Danny Ballard couldn’t carry on the winning streak after a disappointing game and Graham Hardy also lost out before Nillson Pritchard ground out a 3-1 result with a 22.56 average. Sam Rooney was up next but lost out to Shaun Greatbatch, despite playing well before the baby-faced assassin aka Ricky Williams won 3-1 with a 24.95. Unfortunately, the Smiffys (Mark & Danny) were unable to beat their opponents and the team lost 7-5.
Final score for the weekend was 24-15 to Cambridgeshire, but it really should have been closer. It was a good competition between two equally matched teams, only marred by Cambridgeshire Captain Shaun Greatbatch’s refusal to shake our players hands. Shame on him.