Hampshire county darts are still on for promotion after a lucky escape in Devon over the weekend.

Playing at Devon’s Heavitree Social Club home in Exeter, Hampshire Ladies B got off to a fantastic start with all the matches finishing 3-2 in a 4-2 games win which included Sam Pike getting back to winning ways with a 3-2 win over Devon’s Mo Mortimer , Hampshire Men B also claimed a great result to see Hampshire take control of the match with a 7-5 win and a 11-7 lead overnight.

Richie Ford, sponsored by JM White Plastering, was unlucky to lose 3-2 to Kevin Winter after missing six darts at double to win.

Saturday’s players of the match were Paul Winter and Sue Lowther.

Sunday’s matches began with the Ladies A drawing 3-3 with Wendy Reinstadler claiming lady of the match for the fourth time this season.

However, the Mens’ A got off to a dreadful start losing the first six matches in succession which included Mark Thorne failing to find any rhythm.

Somehow Hampshire allowed Devon back into the contest after being in the driving seat for most of the match and Hampshire needed to win five of the last six matches to get the win.

With the support from the Hampshire players and the Andover-based supporters who made the 200 mile round trip down the remaining players were spurred on to victory with man of the match going to Dennis Murrell . News from Andover Invitation Darts in Friday's Advertiser