Bradford inspires Sussex to shock darts success

Playing in front of 120 spectators at a packed Roffey Sports Club, Bradford’s win contributed to a crucial 7-5 success for Sussex Men’s B team against their conterparts.

The win lifted Sussex six points clear of Shropshire who are their next opponents in Bridgnorth in February.

There were three changes to the squad which gained a draw last month in Anglesey, Sussex replacing Mark

Harwood with Gary Blackwood in the Men’s “B”, and the return of Norma Self and Crystal Woodrow to the Ladies teams. With Cleveland still recovering from their 300-mile overnight coach journey, Saturday’s Ladies B match saw Sussex romp to a 2-0 lead, thanks to wins by Bridget Guilford, Lewes and Laura MacIntosh from Littlehampton who gained her second consecutive Lady-of-the-Match award with a 14.28 average. The visitors turned on the pressure to take all four remaining games, outscoring Sussex by 17 tons to 5 and winning the match 4-2.

Sussex Men’s B side continued their recent run of form and cruised to a 5-0 lead, with wins by Littlehampton players Gary Blackwood and Terry Howse, Brighton’s Mark Davis and Andy Macintosh and a splendid Man-of-the-Match performance by Mid Sussex star Dan Grimmet, with a winning 26.10 average.

Cleveland fought back to take five of the last seven games but wins by Crawley’s Dan Bradford and Littlehampton’s Pete Stoner, Worthing meant a 7-5 result for Sussex.

Both teams scored 69 tons each and the visitors hit two maximums to the one scored by Gary Blackwood.

Results: Saturday - Ladies B: Sussex 2 Cleveland 4, Men’s B: Sussex 7 Cleveland 5, Sunday - Ladies A: Sussex 3 Cleveland 3, Men’s A: Sussex 7 Cleveland 5