SUFFOLK returned from Mansfield in Nottinghamshire after suffering a 21-15 defeat in February's British Inter-Counties Championship darts fixture.The weekend started brightly, with the ladies B team recording a 4-2 victory, meaning they've still only lost one game this season.

SUFFOLK returned from Mansfield in Nottinghamshire after suffering a 21-15 defeat in February's British Inter-Counties Championship darts fixture.

The weekend started brightly, with the ladies B team recording a 4-2 victory, meaning they've still only lost one game this season. The winners were Issy Hurren (2-3, 14.99 av.), Nicky Doidge (1-3, 15.14 av.), Sylvia Rogers (1-3, 15.78 av.) and lady of the match Sue Thompson (2-3, 16.01 av.).

Things didn't go according to plan for the men's B team, who were defeated 8-4. The winners were James Philpot (1-3, 21.19 av.), Cavan Thake (1-3, 19.64 av.), Andy Trent (1-3, 21.88 av.) and, in his first appearance of the season and man of the match was Micky Rush (2-3, 25.19 av.).

Suffolk have grown used to an overnight score of 10-8 this season, so everyone was comfortable going into Sunday's A team matches. Once again, the day started brightly with the ladies A team recording a 4-2 victory, meaning they too have only lost once this season.

The winners were Louise Groves (0-3, 17.28 av.), Lady of the Match Harriet Wolton (1-3, 19.68 av.), Nicky Bradley (0-3, 17.68 av.) and captain Sue Talbot (2-3, 18.96 av.). Nicky Bradley also took the highest shot out purse on the day with 114.

The points were all square moving onto the men's A team match, but unfortunately, they crashed out 9-3 to better opposition on the day. The winners were Daniel Wilimott (2-3, 26.67 av.) who secured his game with a 110 shot out in the fifth leg, man of the match Steve Warren (0-3, 27.83 av.) and the team's most consistent player this season, Nicky Bloom (0-3, 21.17 av.).

With eight points from the ladies and just seven from the men, Nottinghamshire got the overall result 21-15 fair and square. The Suffolk team must all pull together and support each other during the remaining matches and lift themselves above the disappointment of this game.

IN the British Inter-County Youth, Northern Section on Sunday Febr-uary 18 saw the re-match between two of the most closely matched sides in the division - Suffolk and Lincolnshire. As some of the Lincolnshire party had Super League commitments in the evening, this match got underway promptly.

It was at 12 noon that Ollie Leggett looked to continue his unbeaten run as the U18 men's matches began.

Ollie didn't let the side down as he cruised to another 2-0 victory.

Wins followed for two more of Suffolk's brightest young players, namely Will Stan-more and Andrew Ward and Suffolk took a commanding 3-0 lead.

Lincolnshire took one back through Dale Thorpe, before Sean Lippett earned himself yet another MOM award with a fine 22.27 average in an apparently effortless performance!

With the section win safe, Suffolk eased up allowing Lincolnshire back into the match and they took the last two points.

Suffolk's U18's have been on fine form this season - keep it up team!

The match moved into the U21 ladies section and Suffolk stalwart Katie Welham, produced some fine scoring as she recorded a 2-0 win, and her 15.42 average was enough for the LOM award.

Harriet Wolton was next on, and due to some indifferent form on double one, she suffered a very rare defeat.

With all to play for, Hannah Rampley displayed some cool finishing against a promising looking newcomer to the Lincolnshire side, Velna Oldroyd, and made sure of a 2-1 victory for the ladies.

And so the overall score stood at 6-4, meaning a 3-2 loss by the U21's would be enough to secure the match.

SUFFOLK'S senior team face Wilthsire at home on March 3 and 4. The players toe-the-oche in the B team matches at 12noon on Saturday and the A teams commence battle at 11am on Sunday. Admission is £3 (which covers both days) and all spectators are welcome.The youth team are home to Bedfordshire on Sunday, March 11. This match will begin at 12.30pm and admission is just £1. Again, all spectators are welcome and if any youngsters are interested in finding out more about playing the sport of darts, they can speak to James, Keith or any of the other Suffolk officials and find out more.

Both matches take place at the home of Suffolk darts, The Riverside Snooker & Social Club, Stowmarket (tel: 01449 675571).