Hampshire’s women laid the platform for victory as the county chalked up their second Riley’s British Inter County League Division 1 win.

The victory over Derbyshire at Fareham’s Hill Park Memorial SC over two days keeps Hampshire on track to regain their Premiership status.

The combined women’s sides scored a 10-2 success to go with a draw from the men’s B team and the A side’s 8-4 defeat.

Tara Power, Sam Pike, Pennie Lewis, Jaine Heaton and Dawn Simmonds kicked off with victories on day one.

Steve Ballard, Paul Winter, Tim Hope, Paul Dunn, Ben Bran and Phil Harty then gave the men’s B team a 6-6 draw for an 11-7 overnight lead.

Hampshire were put in the driving seat the following day when the women’s A team brushed aside Derbyshire with wins from Elaine Harty, Gemma Hayter, Sue Lowther, Jane Monaghan and Max Cadwallader.

That was a welcome cushion as the senior men’s side struggled, Andy Mitchell securing victory following wins from Sam Head and Gary Stafford with Danny Smith and Dennis Murrell also triumphant.

Paul Gibbs, playing for the B side as he makes a return to county darts, hit Hampshire’s highest average of the weekend with 27.98, but bizzarely only got one attempt at a double as his opponent won with 26.37.

Full story in today's Daily Echo