Devon's BICC relegation to division one now inevitable

DEVON suffered their sixth defeat on the bounce when losing 21-15 away to Glamorgan in the British Inter County Championship and relegation to division one now looks inevitable, despite some encouraging individual performances and a 5-2 lead.

For the fifth time this season Devon Ladies’ B gave the squad a winning platform when they defeated their Welsh opponents 4-2.

Mo Mortimer (13.38) emerged a 3-2 winner while Lisa Hughes (21.47) and Anna Johnson (16.70) both won in straight legs as did Chrissie Kinnaird (21.17) who was making her 75th Devon county appearance.

Shaun Dring (20.97) battled at the start of the Men’s B fixture and earned a 4-3 victory, aided by back to back 180s in the decisive leg, to put the visitors 5-2 in front, only to lose the next six sets with just two legs won.

TOP PERFORMER: Glyn Well's was Devon's top performer in their 21-15 defeat away at Glamorgan and emerged a 4-1 winner in 18, 20, 15 and 17.

Paul Palmer (23.30) halted the slide with a 4-3 victory and Mark Vellacott (24.57) followed with an identical winning scoreline, coming from 3-1 down to clear up in 17, 18 and 17 with the bonus of a 110 finish.

Danny Allen (23.44) maintained a Devon momentum when winning 4-2, finishing a 15-dart leg with an outshot of 106 which was followed by a 4-3 victory from Scott Lawrey (22.58) and although Glamorgan won the last, the two sides finished the first day at 9-9.

The teams were again level at 12-12 after honours were shared in the Ladies’ A match with 3-0 victories from Maria O’Brien (23.12) and Cat Callard (19.78) and a 3-1 success from Merryl Dennis (20.67).

Callard recorded an out shot of 116 and also secured a 16-dart leg in her victory.

Devon were only 5-3 down after eight sets into the Men’s A match and still in with a shout of salvaging something, only to be thwarted when Glamorgan clinched the last four points for a 9-3 victory.

The scoreline did flatter the hosts somewhat following some excellent Devon performances but it’s doubles that win darts matches and there were only three Devon players who could win four legs.

Danny Allen (28.66) making his second appearance in as many days won 4-1 hitting two maximums in a 13-dart leg and there was a man of the match performance from did Glyn Wells (29.39) who emerged a 4-1 winner in 18, 20, 15 and 17.

Liam Goyne (25.14) was the only other Devon success, emerging a 4-2 winner before Glamorgan triumphed 21-15.