Dorset are Destroyers (From Dorset Echo)

Dorset are Destroyers

9:20am Thursday 24th January 2013 in Sport By Echo Reporter

Dorset Destroyers 164 Somerset 69

FOLLOWING their dramatic last-end win in the Atherley Trophy, Dorset Ladies got back to league duty as they attempt to defend their South West Counties title – and they provided an imperious display to sweep past Somerset with the minimum of fuss.

Playing a weakened Somer-set side at Dorchester, the visitors were put to the sword with devastating effect as all six Dorset rinks turned in winning performances to earn them maximum points and record the county’s biggest ever league victory.

Three Dorset skips topped 30 shots and it was the county’s 10th consecutive success in the South West Counties League and keeps them ahead of the pack at the top of the table.

The writing was on the wall for Somerset from the outset as Dorset skips Jill Bryant and Penny Cresswell both opened their accounts with six shots as the hosts held a 21-3 lead after just one end.

Jenny Wilson, Mary Lucas, Janet Emmerson and Kath Desmond took a while to settle against the Somerset rink skipped by Shirley Nicholls but soon took command and were never troubled in their 25-11 win.

Ann Ankers, Sandi Smith, Brenda Streater and Joan Halli-well opened their account by scoring five shots to lead 18-7 before being hauled in at 19-16.

Elsewhere, Penny Cresswell – supported by Sally Williams, Wendy Hardy and Sue Dadson – roared into a 19-2 winning position and took 15 of the 21 ends to amass a 31-10 result.

The rink comprising Margaret Hooper and Margaret Crawford of Moonfleet and the back end pair of Linda Johnson and high-flying Dorchester skip Annette Hallett, had a battle royal against the Somerset rink led by Sue Osborne.

The visitors held a narrow 14-12 advantage after 15 ends before Hallett collected a brace of fours and won five of the final six ends to earn a commendable 25-17 outcome.

Meanwhile, the regular Dorset Atherley rink of Julia Eatwell, June Searle, Lyn Howard and skip Jill Bryant were making hay against the luckless Som-erset four skipped by Muriel Coley, who crashed to a 32-9 defeat.

The top rink performance came from Val Farrant, Margaret Clapp, Isabelle Addison, and this season’s newly-appointed Ather-ley skip Freda Yates, who was flying high at 27-1 in front and went on to post a massive 32-6 triumph against Somerset’s Sue Bird and co.

Dorset will need to maintain their current form when they face Devon in the next league game, which could decide the outcome of this season’s title.