This weekend Gwent made the long trip down the M4 to Tonbridge to take on a Kent team who had started the season strong with back to back wins. Gwent, having had a bye in September, hosted Cheshire last month and came away with a win (writes Andrew Jenkins).
The new look Women’s B team who showed their skills last month started the weekend off with an incredible straight 6-0 win against the Kent team who were nipping at their heels all the way through. Hollie Williams started the weekend of for Gwent with the first point. Natalie Pyatt returned to the team after a short break and was straight back to winning ways. Caitlin Manley in the 3rd position put in a massive performance taking Lady of the Match with a 17.96 average. Katie Stone and Gabby Mason followed with 2 more points before ex-Welsh International Amanda Rosser who hadn’t stepped on the county stage since 2019 looked like she’d never been away finishing the Women’s B’s with a clean sweep and a 17.48 average.
The Mens B sides started as the women finished with Geraint Harbon taking the first point. After that the Kent side fought back. Scott Lackford for the h0ome team taking the Man of the match award with a 28.70 average. Ieuan Halsall had the best performance in a Gwent shirt once again with a 27.37 average. After 6 games in the mens match it was 3-3 and it looked like it was going to be a close run thing. Gwent though could only add 1 more point to their total as Kent run riot finishing 8-4 winners in the mens games.
At the close of play on Saturday, Gwent finished with their nose just in front taking a 8-10 lead into Sunday.
Sunday morning. Gwent needed 9 points to reach that magic number of 19 to take a win.
Kent ladies started strong with 2 great performances drawing the team level at 10-10. Kelly Westlake took point 3 for Kent and for the first time this weekend Kent had the lead. The final 3 games also went to the home team to make it a complete reversal of the women’s B score. Kent now had a 4 point lead.
Gwents men now had a big task. 9 points from 12 games required to win. Kent took the first point before last months man of the weekend across the division Ieuan Halsall put in another huge performance with a 31.31 average. The 3rd and 4th games game went to Kent as well as Tony Selby put them 2 points from the win. Nick Kenny fresh from the PDC tour took game 5 and started the Gwent team on a run. Welsh international Sam Cankett followed Kenny and posted a 30.42 winning average. Miles took another point for the Gwent team. David Skinner then took Gwents 15 point in a very emotional Game. Steve Stacey bravely took to the stage despite losing his dad last night and we want to send our deepest condolences to Steve and his family.
Hayden Robbie took Kents 18th point and Gwent now needed to take the last points to draw. Nico Ruiz-Roynon kept Gwents hopes alive as he took game 10.
Mike Fleet takes the penultimate game to make it 17 points. Mr steady keeps his nerves to deny Kents Chairman in a deciding leg.
Andrew Hulbert playing his debut today for Gwent, has the job of going last to salvage the draw. Hitting 3 180s and 105 out in the final leg to win 4-2
Final score Kent 18 – 18 Gwent. On reflection a fair end to what has been a fantastic weekend of darts.
Our thanks to our hosts Kent. Many new friends have been made and we look forward to playing you in the future.
Congratulations to Caitlin Manley on achieving Lady of the match for the B’s and to Ieuan Halsall on achieving man of the match in both the A’s and B’s this weekend and taking overall man of the weekend for the second month in a row with a 30+ average.