EAST STIRLINGSHIRE 18 v 10 ANGUS

Team Capitano Tanz McAreavey was up first for Angus and was hoping to continue her winning ways, Tania was up against her opponent and the narrow stage in Falkirk which was restricting her usual stance. Not an excuse for losing 2-1 just an observation of the set up.
Paula Cook up next to get the game back an level terms and she did this by grinding out a 2-1 win. Leza Begg back in the team and she fought hard but just couldnt find her usuall form and was soundly beaten 2-0. Last on for Angus with the task of salvaging a point for the ravens was Amanda Smith. "Little Smiffy" brought home the bacon in style!!! First leg could have been a 23 darter but for bursting 82 but she soon chapped it out to go 1-0 up. Second Leg was a 24 darter and she won the game with an impressive 127 checkout which was the highest out of the day men and women! Amanda was also the Women's B player of the match with a 16.98 average.

Tough day for the Men's teams away in the Lions Den against the Scottish North Champions..... First on for Angus seen a welcome return to the team for Brechin's Martin Taylor. Martin is a cracking player but suffered from nerves and was beaten 3-2 in a close match. Rikki Baker was a reserve for the match and was called up to the team after a call off, What a call up it was!!! Player of the match performance from Rikki winning 3-1 with a 24.86 average. Thats what they mean by making the most of your chance. So the match was tied at 1-1 and on next was a debutaunt Mark Wilkie. East Stirlingshire is not a great place for a debut as they have a very strong side but Mark coped well and was narrowly beaten 3-2. (Nerves when it came to his doubles but a fine debut) Forfar's John Boni was a winner the month before and is a very steady player. Practice darts were flying in but on the stage it just didn't click and he was beaten 3-1. If the Ravens were to even steal a point they would have to win the last 2 matches. Next Up was the Major - Steve Green against a good young player Brian Donaldson. Steve was playing well but soon found himself 2-0 down, then a 19 dart leg rallied the area organiser and gave the team hope. 4th leg Steve started well and it was neck and neck until Brian smashed in a 177 to set up a double which he duely hit to win 3-1. Last on for Angus was Sye Reaney who stepped in to fill the place after call offs. Sye lost 3-0 but he did equip himself well. In the end though, a heavy 5-1 defeat.

The Ladies A are having a good season so far and were looking to keep it going...... First up was the ever present winner Pauline Nicoll. Again a great win 3-1 to get the ladies off to a winning start. The Winning ways continued with Team Captain Elaine Green with a top average for Angus of 14.61 and a 3-2 win. 2 nil up and looking good. Tina Mann who topped the Angus SuperLeague in 2011 was on next but she is yet to transfer her Super League form to the county stage. Tina had chances to win the match but was pipped 3-2. Angie Isbister who has won 3 out of 3 was on next but didnt performe as well as normal. Never fear though as she still won 3-2 and ensured at least a point for the team. Diane Pedgrift was on 5th but was under par and lost 3-0 in a disappointing match for her. Finally Debz Stuart had the chance to win another match for the Ladies A team. Debz has hit 2 x 180's at counties in the past and some more of the same would be nice! No maximums but a 3-2 win and we will settle for that. A big cheer from the Angus Ravens as they continue to do well.

The Men's A draw was done and up first was Alan Soutar who was looking for a 4th straight win, However this would be a tough match as he was paired against John Robertson a consistent performer. The match was very close and at one point in the match John led 2-1 and had 3 darts at 48 for the match. Fortuantely he missed and Alan pegged out 70 with 2 darts. Last leg was equally close and Alan again hit a two dart checkout (66) to win the match 3-2 with top Angus average of 28.76. Next up was Andy Wood who was promoted back into the A team after a few games in the B team. Andy lost 3-0. On third for the ravens was team captain Andy Stott. Stotty has had a tough draw every game so far and again he was paired to play Big Duncan Hastings who was the 2010 John Smiths Peoples Champion at Lakeside. Andy played some cracking darts including his 5th 180 at counties and also a 14 dart leg. This would prove to be the only high point for Stotty as he was beaten 3-1 by a very good player.
The next 3 sets went the way of East Stirlingshire for a depressing scoreline of 5-1. John Barr was beaten 3-1 as was Bill Stirling. Mark Thomson played really well again and almost won his match against former Scotland International, Andy Murray (The Darts player not the Tennis Player lol)

Ally Forsyth was on 7th and put some respect on the scoreline adding to Soots point to get the match back to 5-2 and still not over. Ally played well and fought for a good 3-2 win with a 21.31 average. Forfar's Wayne Law was up next for his first ever match in the A team after a few good performances in the B team. The step up did not create a problem for Wayne as he brushed aside his opponent 3-1 with a 21.13 average.

So with the score now 5-3 to East Stirlingshire the ravens were back in the game......

Looking down the draw for the final 4 sets it was clear to see it was going to be a tall order as "The Shire's" final 4 all boasted the fact that they had Scotland International caps.

Firstly Alex "Beastie" Lister against Allan Begg. Beggsar doesn't let anyone intimidate him and started off great winning the first leg without a dart missing the 20 or treble 20 bed! Alex then pegged the next leg to draw level at 1-1 then comfortably won the 3rd leg. The 4th leg Allan had darts at his double to square the match at 2-2 but missed, which let Beastie in to win the set and ensure the draw for his side at the very least.

Scotty Robertson was again in the A team and paired to play Stevie Johnstone who was a very promising Scotland Youth player.
Stevie rolled out 3 x 18 darters to win the set 3-0 with a 27.83 average. This set secured victory for East Stirlingshire. Scotty had conducted himself well again in the A and was unlucky on the day that he ran into an on form player.

In the penultimate game Paul Fairnington was paired against Scotland North Number 1 player at the moment Craig Baxter. Craig produced a Man of the Match performance to beat PF 3-0 with a 29.47 average and maintain his lead at the top of the standings from Angus player Alan Soutar.

Last on trying to salvage some pride for Angus was Mike Burr. Again paired against a former Scotland International player Don Haughton. Burry again scored well in this match but Don was more consistent and nailed his finishes well to win 3-0 and the match 9-3 for his side.