Warwickshire kicked off our new season, with a new venue, a new committee, and more importantly a fantastic team of existing and new players. As the New Manager, I could not be prouder of the players, parents, committee members, sponsors, and venue for all the support to make it all possible.
Starting with the Ladies – Firstly I would like to praise our team captain Rosie O’Connor for making the tough decision to take a step back and allow fellow players to be picked for stage games. With this, both Kacie and Emmie took the bull by the horns.
First, for the Ladies was Club Captain Isobel Gash who knocked up a 3-0 win with a LOM average of 12.85, Kacie followed up with a 3-1-win 12.64 average and Emmie finished the Ladies’ session with a 3-1 win and 9.85 average. This gave Warwickshire a great foundation and 3-0 lead going into the under 18/21’s section.
After the break the under-18’s started off like an express train with our youngest player Jacob Griffiths at only 10 years old put in an excellent performance to win 3-0 (17.89 Average), Charlie Moreton followed scoring the most amount of Ton scores and edged passed Oliver Oakes 3-2. Keelen Dockerty next to follow with a steady performance and second highest average in the group (18.79) and a dominating 3-0 win.
Next up Ben Gamble put on a display, going 1-0 down he dug deep, re-focused and won the following 3 legs to win 3-1 with a MOM average of 20.25 and also the highest checkout of the under 18 sections.
Finally in the Under 18 our debut player from Staffordshire Owen Quinn stepped onto the stage and displayed a great game of darts (you would never of believed it was his first match for both County & stage match) with a 3-0 win(17.89 average), and several emotional eyes within the crowd – the Under 18’s delivered an impressive 5-0 section win and 8-0 overall team lead, at this stage Warwickshire had won the match overall and couldn’t be caught.
Up stepped the under 21’s with a spring in their step and the team spirit buzzing first stepped up was Harry Franklin with a steady performance and delivered a 3-0 win and with an average (18.33) the points started to be placed on the board. Next up Alfie Busby cool as a cucumber steps on the stage and with his first three darts of the first leg bangs in a 180 great start, completing a 15-dart leg, that meant 1-0. Dean Rocliffe won the next leg to make it 1-1, but then Alfie turned up the gas to win the next two legs to complete a 3-1 victory and the only 180 on the stage in the Warwickshire Team for the day.
After now being 2-0 up in the section and 10-0 overall – our MOM of the section Harry Earp stepped up and fired in an impressive 23.97 average and then delivered the match of the day. Both Harry and his opponent Owen Rhead gave an excellent showcase of Youth darts with Owen hitting 2 x 180’s in the match and Harry hitting 4 ton+ scores this match went down to the final leg. Harry kept his nerve and checked out 64 to win. (Under 21’s leading 3-0 in section and 11-0 overall)
Next up Luke Morris on his debut on the stage, he stepped up and delivered a seamless 3-0 victory with 4-ton scores and 2-ton+ scores the nerves never got to him. As we all know Luke, he is calm and collected but with a major smile from ear to ear we all know he enjoyed that performance. Luke’s average was the second highest of the day 23.48. (Under 21’s leading 4-0 in section and 12-0 overall)
Finally up Sam Mathews our third debut for the day on the stage, with a massive smile on his face and beaming with confidence Sam stepped on the stage to complete the final match of the day. Sam started off well racing to a 2-0 lead with three ton+ scores, his opponent dug deep and brought the match back to 2-2 with Sam having a couple of changes to seal the game in the 3rd/4th leg.
In the final leg the game could of swung either way with Sam hitting the wire several times to take the match but pulled up short with Harry taking out 32 to win the match. For his first match for County and with an average of 18.95 Sam should feel proud of himself and the standard of darts he delivered. This wrapped up the day on the stage with an excellent result 12-1 and a great start for the season.
With an additional two new players to the team Mitch Wann and Campbell O’Hagan playing the reserves for the first time, Mitch stepped up and smashed a 25.69 average very impressive for a 14yr old with a massive County career in front of him. Campbell also impressed with an 18.31 average, both lads played a major part in the team spirit and moral today.
With this stunning and impressive win for Warwickshire, we hope that this can continue throughout the season. And finally, a massive thank you for all the spectators & supporters that turned up today and look forward to you coming back on the 23rd of October 2022 v Lancashire at the Radford Social Club Coventry 12:30 Start doors open at 11:00
If you are a youth player within the Warwickshire area and interested in getting involved, then please email: warwickshireyouthdarts
—–ENDS—–
Images: As Supplied
Words: Paul Moreton
Originally published Darts World Extra 6 Available Free: Darts World Extra 6
Darts World Magazine (Issue 580) and fantastic value bundle offers:
Subscribe or purchase your copy
