CAMBRIDGESHIRE on the 11th /12th FEBRUARY 2006

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Match report and highlights from the Cambridgeshire match Sat/Sun 11th & 12th February 2006

Looking at the pre match stats Cambridgeshire were always going to be formidable opponents.  Their Ladies teams have been very instrumental in their successes. Their Men's squad have some big names (Martin Adams, Shaun Greatbatch, Steve Roberts and Dave Harbour) playing for the 1st time at home this weekend since their appearance in the World Professional Championships at The Lakeside. Their position in the league puts them just 2 points above us.

Game on ! !

Ladies B

Julie Scott was drawn out as No 1 for her debut appearance. Julie took the 1st leg but tough opponent Joanne Barber lifted her game to take the next 3 legs.

Emma Little levelled the score winning 3-0.

Ged Carney hit a 19.00 average and took her game to 5 legs but was denied the winning double.

Another debut game for Kent introduced Tara Dean. Tara caught Ronnie Johnson on top form losing 3-1 after taking the first leg. Unlucky not to level the game 2-2 after chances on elusive doubles.  Ironically, Ronnie Johnson damaged her Achilles tendon on Saturday Night and appeared on Sunday using crutches. 1 point for Cambridgeshire in the nick of time.

Chris Austen lost 3-0 confirming Cambridgeshire's strength in their ladies B team.

4-1 down and

Lisa Behan had her work cut out. In 4 hard fought legs, Lisa's opponent scored 5 tons and a 180. but Lisa's strength was in her consistent scoring, seventeen 60s and over shots including the winning shot of treble 15 double 11. Lady of the Match 18.70ave. Well played Lisa.

Ladies B 4 - 2 to Cambridgeshire

Men's B  

Russ Herbert must have been pleased with his performance. A great start to the men's games, Russ walloped 12.62 tons to win 3-2 claiming the final leg in 14 darts. Well played Russ.

Robbie Turner won the first leg in what was a fairly even leg, leaving his opponent Ron Pettit requiring 80. Strange thing happened then. Although Ron Pettit hadn't hit over 85 in the first leg, his second leg was abysmal, scoring only one 60, five 40+ and a 26???  it looked as if he had forgotten how to play!! Robbie cleaned up the second leg leaving Ron's score on an embarrassing 204. I watched thinking I wish I was playing, I reckon I could beat this guy. Leg three was a complete transformation,  so much so I was shell-shocked to witness a precision leg of just 11 darts and still requiring 308 so was Robbie. The momentum continued and Ron proved no fluke as 15 darts stitched up the 4th leg to leave it all square at 2-2. Realizing the picnic was over Robbie dug deep and took command of the final leg finishing on a 100 out shot. Nice darts Robbie

Paul McDine had a maximum start and left just 24 after 12 darts, however, the double finish was to prove a cruel injustice as the 1st leg slipped away. Paul recovered to make it 1-1 but subsequently lost 3-1.

Andy Howell lost 3-0 and would have needed top darts to rumble Cambridgeshire's man of the match (26.37ave.) Paul Wenn.

COME ONNNNN  Gary Ellis won 3-2 in a game that went with the dart advantage on each leg. COMMMMMMME ONNNNNNNNNN

Lee Mant converted 4 legs into a point with ease scoring well and picking up man of the match with a 28.51ave. Well played Lee.

Scott Marsh became the fourth fresh face in the squad. Settling in well, Scott converted the 1st leg with a 125 finish and subsequently took advantage of the throw by winning the 3rd & 5th leg.

Owen Olsinia lost 3-1 falling foul to some unlucky darts.

Chris Willard lost 3-1 unable to recover from a less than average first 2 legs.

Ross Smith  lost 3-2 following in a similar vein as the previous game. Not displaying usual form, Ross found himself 2-0 down. Finding his mark Ross pulled back well taking the next 2 legs in 15 & 17 darts.  The throw advantage allowed the final leg to be snatched away.

 Lee Guildford hit a ton with the first 3 darts and then spent the next 15 darts with the hand brake on. I was beginning to feel real uneasy. Too many players had suffered unusual but consistent difficulty hitting regular scores. 1-0 down, Lee brought some comfort back by playing much better and winning the next 3 legs.

Paul Farnes had a reassuring good game hitting at least one 137 or 140 in every leg, winning a stress free 3-2.

Mens B 5 - 7 to Kent

Saturday closed with a  9 - 9 score line

Ladies A

Sally Cridland won 3-0 playing some of her best darts this season. Well played Sal.

Wendy Wanstall lost 3-2 but made Brenda Lee (Ranked 7th by the BDO 11th by WDF) earn her point. Wendy was in front  2-1 at the end of the 3rd leg. Brenda raised her game and scored an average of 27.83 over the final two winning legs.

Tricia Wright troubled by a shoulder problem was clearly suffering some discomfort during her game. Tricia's form, even so, was enough to win 3-2 sinking 7.26 tons on the way.

Jackie Holman drew Welsh International player Sandra Greatbatch. Sandra hit 4 tons in the first leg including a 101 finish. Having set the pace, Sandra pushed on to a 3 -0 win.

Hayley Plume drew Juliet Findley. Juliet, unbeaten all season and only one average below 20 was on Hayley's list as the one bound to be drawn against. Desperate for a win, Hayley attacked the game with determination. Double top away, although not needed, Hayley scored a mean 400 in her 1st 12 darts. Dominating all 3 legs Hayley set her sights on a win and came back with it, finishing the 3rd and final leg on 72 in two darts (treble 16 double 12). Great average of 23.86 and all set up for Lady of the match. Rain check that award, here comes Sally.

Sally Dowell played top darts to win 3-0. It looked for a moment that Hayley's average was going to be just out of reach but Sally's 3rd and final leg surpassed it with this display : 100, 140, 100, 137 and a 24 shot out. Well played Sal. (24.24ave.)

Ladies A 2 - 4 to Kent

Mens A 

Phil Blackwell won 3-1  with a respectable 27.06 average

Graham Judge lost 3-1. tight game evenly matched, but last 9 darts in the 4th leg sealed the fate and gave the opportunity for opponent Eddie Martin to steal the show.

Vince Walsh won 3-1  with a respectable average and a 180 under his belt.

Paul Wratten lost 3-1. After hitting a 180 in the first leg, a 135 finish by Mark Spight put the leg to bed in 18 darts. A second 180 from Paul in the 2nd leg allowed him to level the game in 17 darts. The throw advantage cost Paul the 3rd leg and the 4th and final leg of the game was dashed after an unlucky miss for a finish which Mark capitalized on by pinning double top to win.

Kirk Shepherd drew England Captain Martin Adams. The first two legs looked like Kirk was playing the master not the board and his darts reflected it. However good you are, it can't be easy composing your game in the presence of a professional of Martin's Stature . Kirk's game did improve though. Leg 3 and Martin, thankfully, after 6 unsuccessful darts at a finish, allowed Kirk to take advantage of the situation and bury the 3rd leg.  4th leg and Martin, with the dart advantage, hit three 140's in a row, leaving just 81 to check out for the match. Kirk required 206 after the same amount of throws and it looked like curtains. Wow, 9 darts later and Martin Adams had not closed the game, so Kirk did. The 5th and deciding leg and  Kirk had the dart advantage. We were all willing Kirk on, hoping he could produce the darts necessary. Kirk shot 245 in 9 darts leaving 256, Martin in contrast hit 2 x 100 & a 180 to leave a 121 finish. Kirk needed  a 180 and for Martin to miss the 121 shot out to stand a glimmer of hope at a finish. To a rapturous applause Kirk produced a 180 leaving just 76 and creating an element of pressure. Martin was unable to stitch things up and scored 97 leaving double 12. Kirk stepped up to the oche and to Kent's elation he hit 60 double 8 to clinch the point. A good experience for Kirk and a lesson for us all. It ain't over til the large lady sings. 

Danny Russell drew the short straw again and, I'm sure, wished he'd played Martin Adams. Danny lost 3-1 to man of the match Ian Brand who had a 31.10 average. Danny's average 30.20. Unlucky Dan, 11.6 tons includi