A week later than the rest of the UKDA, Kent started their campaign in their return to the Premiership division with a local derby at home to Essex, led by their new Team Manager Pete Allen.
Ladies B got off to a superb start with a return to county darts for Su Holt who came away with a 3.2 win with the games going against the throw. Another returnee to the Ladies B was Sandrine Valverde who also won 3.2. Sue Bird on 3rd carried on as last season with a 3.1 win and claiming Kent’s Lady of the Match with a 17.87 average. Rebecca Garrett on 4th was very unlucky in her match as she lost 3.2. Ida Heravi carried on the superb start with a 3.1 win and Lisa Dunford on last showed some real strength as she battled through to a 3.2 win. Making it Kent 5 Essex 1 a good start to the day.
The Men’s B started with Carl Wilson (Kent’s new selector for the Men) and he came home with a 4.3 win. Trevor Thompson lost 4.1 and Harry Lane lost 4.3. Pat Scurfield up against Keegan Brown came away with a 4.1 win. Peter Mitchell also won 4.1 and claimed Kent’s Man of the Match with a 28.90 average. Dean Owen won his match 4.2, however returnee Keith Montgomery, unfortunately, lost 4.0. Paul Fox won his game 4.3 with the legs each going with the throw. On next was James Hannan in his debut for Kent and although he lost the 1st 2 legs he battled back to win 4.2. Another debut player in Mike Brett on 10th won his match 4.2. Both Paul Reid and Richard Elms lost their matches 4.0. Kent 7 Essex 5, making it Kent 12 Essex 6 overnight.
Kent Ladies A started with Julie Handley, who carried on as she had last season winning her match 3.1. Emma Martin had a cracking match with the legs going with the throw winning 3.2 and claiming Kent’s Lady of the match with a 19.25 average. Unfortunately, Kent lost the next 4 games with Violet Wood losing 3.0, Stacey Dawkins lost 3.1 and both Emma Dunford and Kelly Westlake lost 3.0. Ladies score Kent 2 Essex 4.
Men’s A started with Kevin Smith, who having brought the match back to 3 all lost the last leg to lose 4.3. Ryan Hope carried on his winning ways with a 4.2 win. David Heath went into a 3.1 win but lost all the remaining legs to lose 4.3. Nigel Payne lost 4.0. The next 3 games Kevin Reed, Ian Cunliffe and Mark Legg, saw Kent’s players losing 4.3 in their games. Paul Dawkins won 4.1 Phil Gibson lost 4.1. Tyler Reynolds lost 4.0. Peter Allen came away with a 4.0 win and claimed Kent’s Man of the Match with a 29.91 average. Ricki O’Brien on last lost 4.0. Men’s result Kent 3 Essex 9 a very rare result for them.
Overall score Kent 17 Essex 19.
Thanks to our callers over the weekend Johnny Stefano, Andrew Curling and David Dempsey. Onwards to the away game against Lancashire at the beginning of October.
Kent Youth
First of all absolutely fantastic to see them back amongst the county league again with some old faces & some new one’s & of course under new management Scott Artiss.
The day started off with under 18s boy’s Kent started where they left off from last season winning 6-1 wins from Ed (3-1) & Oli Dunham (3-0), Sid (3-0) & Alfie Lloyd (3-1) Alfie taking out a fantastic 135, Hayden Robbie (3-0) MOM and new lad Brandon Mcleod (3-1).
Unlucky for our big man Jack Peacock who came up against another of our old guard Jacky-Boy Johnson losing (1-3) who was on fire in the first leg & I would say stunning everyone watching with an impressive 12 darter 60,140,137,164 checkouts (remember your band now Jack ).
Girl’s
A great start to the girls this season obviously a long way to go yet but was great to have 4 of the 7 girls for us today as last season we struggled for girl players so well done girl’s on a fantastic 3-0 win on her debut Gabi Motuzaite who only started playing darts just a few months ago picked up a (3-0) win over a new player for London Lacie Heath who Scott told me she had only just picked up a set of darts on Friday so well done to her.
Our very own Jess Shilling (LOM) taking nothing away from her here also picked up a (3-0) to someone I picked as my player of the day young Ashleigh Artiss who wasn’t down on the team sheet to play but London only having 1 girl due to play I asked Scott if Ashleigh would to play & finding out she had not played at full length oche or board hight before she jumped in & played absolutely brilliantly.
Finally, for the girls 2 new player’s for Kent both playing each other Scarlett porter(Sophie Hunter) & Chloe Wood who both played 1 leg with Chloe taking the win (Well done girl’s)
Under 21s
Well our under 21s take a new look this season with Kurtis Hollyhock & Shane Weeks both jumping into some big shoes from our old guard Fred Box & William Caleb Bristow I hope the boys did you both proud along with the rest of the team picking up a 4-1 win
Kurtis was unlucky losing out 1-3 to London’s Harry Kelly, Tom Davison (3-0), Shane Weeks (3-1) MOM
and new lad Ben Pulham (3-2) and new squad captain Nathan Lloyd even after snapping his point before he’s game so had to use a spare set of darts & picking up a (3-1) win
Rounding up a fantastic day at the office 13-2 to Kent
—-ENDS—
Words: Yvonne McCarthy
Images: As Supplied
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