Weston Raddy’s defeat Highbridge in their first Somerset Super Dart League fixture.

WESTON Raddy’s began this season’s Somerset Super League darts campaign with a visit to near neighbours Highbridge.

Despite both teams missing key players, a terrific match took place in a good spirit. The match started with Highbridge taking an early lead, but Neil May got Raddys on the board averaging 21.25 and hitting seven tons in his win. Highbridge restored their lead, but Terry Hayes then levelled winning 3-0 with a respectable 22.77 average.

The custodians made it 3-2 before Carl Evans again brought parity to proceedings also winning 3-0 with a nice 22.11 average. Raddys finally took the lead when Adam McNally produced some quality darts averaging 24.00 and a 14 dart leg to boot.

Highbridge then took the next two rubbers to lead 5-4. Then Dave Sheppard threw some off the best darts by any Raddys player in their Super League history and lit the night up.

He hit two 180s, averaged an incredible 30.69, hit a 14 dart leg and then finished it with a sensational 10 darter which took the roof off. When order was back the two teams traded the last two singles with captain Mike Harding winning for Raddys with a 21.48 average.

This meant that with the pairs to come, Highbridge led by 22-21. Evans and McNally won 3-2 to make it 24-24. Highbridge then won 3-0, but Hadley and impressive debutant Ian Dunnidge won 3-0 to keep the match in the balance.

The home team took the lead in the next tie 3-2, but with the pressure rising, the Weston team came through as Thirkettle and Harding won 3-0 followed by Smith and Sheppard 3-2 to give Raddys a hard fought 35-32 win.

Man of the match was undoubtedly Dave Sheppard. Captain Mike Harding was pleased to get the win, but also wanted to praise the Highbridge team for their effort and for bringing some exciting young players.