Buckinghamshire defeat Suffolk
Bucks eighth game of their 2022/23 campaign in UKDA L-Style Division 1, saw a great away victory to beat Suffolk 20-16 and keep promotion hopes alive!
Bucks lady team manager Ann Wakefield saw her lady B team make a great start and win the opening 4 games through Lorraine Bowen, Janet Weedon, Felicia Blay (pictured left) who was lady of the match winning 3-0 with a great 22.43 average and Gerry Johnson. Suffolk then rallied to win the next 2 through England international Jo Locke (19.08) and Jean Prewitt to make the score 4-2 to Bucks.
Bucks men team manager Tony Hill then saw his B team also make a great start by winning 4 of the opening 5 games through Eddie Ford, Karl Deacon (15 dart leg & 180), Chris Freshwater (30.06, 18,18 & 14 dart legs & 180) (pictured right) who put in an outstanding man of the match performance to win 3-0 & Paul Stefanovic, with Andrew Craine winning for Suffolk. Suffolk then showed why they are currently 2nd in the division by fighting back & winning 6 of the 7 remaining games through Ian Randles (15 dart leg & 118 finish), Andrew Dearing, Gareth Randell, Dan Brown, Darren O’Neill (25.91 & 129 finish) & Paul Woods, with Bucks only win coming through Steven Vaughan (25.56 & 13 dart leg) to level the contest 9-9 after day one.
Bucks lady A team started well by winning the opening 3 games through Ann Wakefield, Dawn Seaman & Lisa Webb. Suffolk won the next game through Shell Heskett. Kirsty Gibbs (24.64, 21,18 & 22 dart legs) (pictured left) and Fallon Sherrock (24.64, 27,14 & 20 dart legs) (pictured right) both put in great performances to win 3-0 & have identical averages, to share lady of the match & make the score 14-10 to Bucks, going into the final round of men A matches.
The opening 6 games were shared with Bucks wins through Martin Hill (25.67, 15 dart leg & 180×2), Cameron Menzies (pictured left) who was Bucks best performer with a superb 29.76 average winning 4-1 in 14,15,17 & 14 dart legs & hitting a 180 & Liam Maughan(28.15, 15 dart leg & 180). Suffolk wins through Stewart Thompson (27.83 & 180), David Ballard-Flatt who was man of the match with a fantastic 29.80 average winning 4-2 in 23,15,13 & 16 darts & Jason Elvin(25.95). Suffolk then won the next 2 through Gary Butcher (25.33 & 13 dart leg) & Rob Warman (27.26 &180). The next 2 games were shared with Damien Fyffe (27.45 & 180) winning for Bucks & Max Haley (27.83, 15 dart leg & 120 finish) winning for Suffolk. Steve Vaughan (26.29, 180 & 177) then followed up his B win on Saturday with a great 4-2 A win on Sunday, to secure the overall win for Bucks 19-16. Jon Woodbridge (25.23, 12 dart leg & 180×2) won the last game 4-1, to make the final score Suffolk 16 Bucks 20.
After the eighth round of matches out of nine Bucks remain 3rd with 172 points (top 196), but have closed the 19 point gap to Suffolk to 12, who stay 2nd with 184 points.
Bucks final match is home to County Durham (10th with 125 points) on 15th & 16th April at Cressex Community Centre & Sports Club, which will be a massive game for Bucks to heavily win & claim the 3 bonus points, to then stand a good chance of promotion, as Suffolk’s final game is away to Derby who are top!