Skegness claim darts revenge over Mablethorpe - but series ends all square
Friday’s result mirrored the score at Mablethorpe seven days earlier, meaning the two-legged contest finished locked at 10-10.
There was some great talent on view from both leagues, Skegness knowing it was important to off the mark quickly.
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Hide AdStalwart Mark Forman (100, 125, 135, 140, 171) got the home side off to a flier as he beat Jonathan Thorndike (131) 3-0.
Next up for Skegness was Martin Bell (2x100, 121, 125, 2x140) who put his side 2-0 up following a 3-1 success against Phil Johnson-Hale (3x100, 2x140).
With the tie level it was game on, Scott Sutton (9x100) beating David Jones (5x100, 131, 140) 3-1 to hand the advantage to the hosts.
Carl Abbiss (140, 2x180) met Mablethorpe’s John Hollins (100, 137, 140, 112 finish) in a hotly-anticipated contest which saw Hollins finish on 110 to claim the 3-0 win.
His three legs were concluded in 18, 15 and 15 darts.
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Hide AdKristian Thein (2x100, 2x134) met Sammy Russel (2x100, 137, 180) in a game that went all the way, Sammy holding his nerve to record a 3-2 win to give Mablethorpe the edge 8-7 going into the break.
When Scott Smith (2x100) had a below-par performance in his 3-0 defeat to Greg Richardson (4x100, 102 finish) Mablethorpe were back in a two-match lead.
Richard Hughes (4x100, 121, 140) had a 3-1 win over Chris Curle (100, 140) to pull one back and Gordon Smith (3x100, 1212, 125, 140 and a 16 darter) beat Steve Allen (2x100, 119, 140) 3-1 to level the contest at 9-9.
The two captains met next as Skegness’s Chris Fletcher (2x100, 140, 103 finish) took on Stephen Backhouse (2x100) in a game that would guarantee the draw for one team.
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Hide AdChris recorded a 3-1 win which meant everything hinged on the last game, where Skegness’s Mr Consistency Wayne Clarke (4x100, 125) was bettered 3-1 by Mablethorpe’s experienced Rob Smith (4x100, 125) in a nervy affair.
Skegness won 6-4 on the night but had to settle for a series draw, the fair result following a fantastic couple of nights.