WARWICKSHIRE County Youth darts team secured an 8-5 win against Merseyside to maintain their perfect start to the season with a third straight victory at the end of last month.
And, in what was Warwickshire’s first away game of the season, ladies team captain Rosie O’Connor made the tough decision to allow fellow players to be selected for stage games for the third fixture in a row.
Emmie O’Connor ensured Warwickshire made a winning start to the match with a 3-2 victory and 9.99 average in a tight affair as her grit and determination shone through.
And Kacie O’Connor also claimed a 3-2 win with an impressive average of 12.01 although club captain Isobel Gash fell to a 3-1 defeat despite throwing a 12.24 average and some lovely darts to suffer her first defeat of the season.
However, wins for both Emmie and Kacie ensured Warwickshire won the section 2-1.
After the break, the under-18’s took to the oche as Mitch Richardson produced a remarkable comeback from two-nil down to win 3-2 with an average of 16.92.
Warwickshire’s youngest player, 10-year-old Jacob Griffiths, put in a steady performance in a 3-2 defeat with a 17.51 defeat.
However, a comfortable 3-0 win for Charlie Moreton ensured Warwickshire took a 4-2 lead heading into the final two under-18’s matches which included an exhibition style 100 finish (double 20, double 20, double 10) and an 11.93 average.
And three perfect legs from Keelan Dockerty secured another 3-0 for Warwickshire with an impressive average of 22.10 – his highest of the season so far.
Despite a 3-2 defeat for Owen Quinn in the final under-18’s match-up, Warwickshire led 5-3 with five matches left to play.
Next up were the under-21’s as Alfie Busby raced into a two-nil lead only to suffer a 3-2 defeat, as his opponent staged a fine comeback, despite Alfie’s 21.29 average.
Warwickshire put themselves back in command when 14-year-old Luke Morris secured a 3-0 victory in a cool, calm and collected performance with an average of 23.86.
And Harry Earp held his nerve to clinch a 3-2 win in the next match with an average of 19.20 before Sam Mathews was beaten 3-0 by a tough opponent as he averaged 19.49 in an energetic and enthusiastic display.
Harry Franklin earned a 3-1 win in the final game of the under-21’s section which included a 180 and four treble 20 throws in a row before sealing victory with an 18-dart leg.
Warwickshire’s three additional players, Campbell O’Hagan Cooper, Krystal O’Connor and Alfie Dunn all played in reserve games.
Alfie, aged eight, was beaten 2-0 but showed fighting spirit to average 12.10 and hit 74 in the first leg before Campbell also lost 2-0 despite an 18.60 average.
All three players in the reserve games played a major part in the team spirit and moral for the whole day, as Krystal was beaten 2-1 in a close game that went to the final leg.
Warwickshire host rivals Worcestershire at home on Sunday, December 18 with the game set to start at 12.30pm at Radford Social Club in Coventry.
