Hants darts squad crash to first defeat (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Hants darts squad crash to first defeat

7:00am Saturday 16th February 2013 in Sport By Clive Downton

Hampshire lost their first county darts match of the season when they were beaten on home soil by Gwent.

The home county set themselves up with a two-game advantage after the first day’s play – but were left defeated when the men’s A side struggled.

Tara Power, Dawn Simmonds and Kelly Palmer forced a draw for the women’s B side. The men’s second side then produced a two-point cushion with victories for Ben Bran, Steve West, Paul Winter, Andy Mitchell, Paul Gibbs, Mick Street and Mark Thorne.

Another 3-3 draw from the women – successes coming from Sue Lowther, Elaine Harty and Wendy Reinstadtler – kept Hampshire ahead.

And things looked rosy when Dave Bonnett, Sam Rooney and Dean Jones kicked off with wins in the men’s A clash.

But, from there, Hampshire’s only victory came from Danny Smith as Gwent went home with a 19-17 win, plus three bonus points.

The defeat drops Hampshire down to fifth place, below Dorset who defeated Nottinghamshire.

Clive Downton's weekly darts review is in today's Daily Echo