West Midlands first fixture of the New Year in the Premier Division of the BDO Inter County Championships saw them slump to a 23-13 defeat away to reigning champions Yorkshire and yet the weekend got off to quite a good start as after the opening day’s play the overall score stood at 9-9.
The ladies ‘B’ team opened up a 2-0 lead thanks to wins from Heather Wright and lady of the match Sophie Singh (19.95) but then had to wait until the final game before securing their 3-3 draw when Jacqueline Maiden came from 2-0 down against Linda Moorhouse to fight back and win 3-2.
The men’s ‘B’ trailed 4-0, drew level at 4-4 went 6-4 down and with wins in the last two games from Owen Maiden and Avtar Singh earned a 6-6 draw. Jonathan Platt was their man of the match with a 4-2 win over Graham Elvidge and a 29.04 average.
Sunday was a different ball game completely as the ladies lost 4-2 with Sarah Roberts (21.78) their top player and the men suffered a huge 10-2 defeat with just Ian Jones and Gareth Watts recording wins. Ian Jones was man of the match as he beat Justin Hobson 4-0 with a magnificent 33.40 average including outshots of 98,121 and 110 and legs of 17,12,15 and 16 darts.
The overall result has left West Midlands with just one win in five games and lying just two places off the foot of the table with 79 points the same number as Essex just below them and only seven to the good on bottom of the table Cheshire who they take on at home next month.
Full Results:Premier Division:Yorkshire v West Midlands (23-13):Yorkshire names first):Men’s ‘A’:- Garry Thompson 4 Matthew Dicken 1, Ash Taylor 4 Shane Price 2, Mark Wilson 4 Kevin Bambrick 0, Trevor Burkhill 4 Matthew Coleman 3, Brian Dawson 4 Neil Pointon 0, Justin Hobson 0 Ian Jones 4, John Walton 4 Trevor Brennon 0, Keith Flint 4 Gavin Baker 3, David Copley 4 Glen McGrandle 1, Tony Hull 0 Gareth Watts 4, Michael Dawson 4 Mark Craddock 2, James Wilson 4 John Morris 2, Men’s ‘B’:- Jim Gordon 4 Shane Price 3, Stephen Blower 4 Alfie Jacques 3, Paul Moore 4 Kevin Harris 0, Simon Birkett 4 Martin Greenwood 1, Ady Newsholme 3 Mark Craddock 4, Graham Elvidge 2 Jonathan Platt 4, Darren Layden 1 Stephan Jones 4, Grahan Harrison 2 Matthew Dicken 4, Tony Molyneux 4 Gareth Johnston 2, Derek Lumley 4 Mathew Tedstone 3, Steve Stacey 2 Owen Maiden 4, Michael Ridge 2 Avtar Singh 4, Women’s ‘A’:- Beau Greaves 3 Cheryl Alcock 1, Giffy Khaosoi 3 Debbie Loon 0, Dee bateman 3 Kat McLean 1, Rachel Brooks 3 Lisa Badger 0, Paula Burgess 0, Sarah Roberts 3, Courtney Hine 1 Jacqueline Maiden 3, Women’s ‘B’:- Sara Mortimer 3 Heather Wright 2, Louise Stockings 1 Sophie Singh 3, Sally Whiting 3 Kath Jenkins 1, Anna Gale 3 Stella Sims 0, Marie Tuinstra 2 Shellbie Simmons 3, Linda Moorhouse 2 Jacqueline Maiden 3.
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