Christmas celebrations came early for the Cornwall County Darts team with a 21-15 win over Somerset at Mount Charles Social Club last Saturday and Sunday (11th/12th) extending their lead to eight points in division two of the British Inter-County championships.
Somerset, like Cornwall, usually fields a strong ladies team leading to entertaining matches between the two counties. This match was no exception and the overall honours were shared, with 4-2 wins for home and away sides on Saturday and Sunday respectively. The B team Lady of the Match award went to Claire Combes who posted an average of 19.85.
A welcome return to form by Man of the Match Kevin Bray (28.14) topped a competent performance by the Men's B team which gave them a 9-3 win setting up a 13-5 home advantage and leaving the match within reach of the Ladies A team. However, the clash between arguably the best two Ladies teams in the division was never going to be one way traffic, and on this occasion it was the visitors who enjoyed a narrow 4-2 victory, with Sue Collins taking Cornwall's Lady of the Match award averaging 22.81. The Men's A needed just four points for an overall win, and in the sixth set Steve Pascoe obliged with a stunning performance taking just 50 darts (16, 16, 18) for three straight legs and averaging 30.06, ensuring him the Man of the Match trophy - and the win for Cornwall. The home team took a further two sets, recording a 6-6 draw for the team and a 21-15 win for the county.
Congratulations to Sue Collins for reaching the World Finals of the Winmau World Masters, played at Lakeside Country Club, Frimley Green earlier this month. One of over 80 qualifiers, Sue lost in her Group Final against Trina Gulliver, the eventual runner-up.
Match details (Cornwall first)
Men's A (Saturday) Score: 6-6; Legs: 24-21; Team average: 23.75-23.77; Tons: 70 + 3 x 180 - 73 + 4 x 180.
Brian Jones 3, Steve Skinner 1; Nigel Trace 0, Kelvin Hart 3; Colin Sibley 0, Simon Austin 3; Colin Pass 3, Paul Durham 0; Nigel Doney 3, Len Howe 1; Steve Pascoe 3, Steve Lewis 0; Mike Cook 3, Ray Summers 1; Ernie Scorer 2, Simon Laws 3; Kevin Pascoe 2, Gordon Fitzpatrick 3; Andy Dunstan 1, Brian Bond 3; Steve 'Tug' Wilson 1, Gordon Jones 3; Ian Hugh 3, Lionel Vining 0.
Women's A (Sunday) S: 2-4; L: 10-15; A: 19.40 - 19.82; T: 31 - 30.
Nikki Furse 1, Marie Geaney 3; Annie Lane 1, Kren Littler 3; Joyce Pugh 1, Dawn Linguard 3; Sue Collins 3, Sally Smith 2; Sylvia Griffin 3, Kay Britton 1; Jane Cummings 1, Merryn Jarman 3.
Men's B (Saturday) S: 9-3; L: 29 - 18; A: 23.48 - 21.91; T: 78 + 2 = 69 + 1.
Robert Timmins 1, Carl Evans 3; Wayne Lawrence 3, David Morris 1; Tony Teal 3; Darren Godfrey 1; Kevin Bray 3, Jamie Brown 1; Neil Symons 3, Glyn Watts 1; Alan Stephens 3, Ray Byrd 0; Dave Wyatt 0, Mike Knowles 3; Ronnie Cook 3, Jason Watkins 2; Ian Knowles 3, Ray Godwin 0; Chris Southworth 1, Ray Summers 3; Mark Simmons 3, Martin Smith 2; John Goves 3, Dean Lewer 1.
Women's B (Saturday) S: 4-2; L: 15 - 13; A: 16.83 - 16.64; T: 21-19
Claire Combes 3, Micaela Reid 2; Teresa Osborn 1, Lynn Denning 3; Teresa Jasper 3, Niki Durham 1; Sandra Yendle 3, Linda Perry 2; Carol Chapman 2, Caz Hill 3; Sally Van Evelingen 3, Tina Cooper 2.