Alan Towe's BICC Preview - 15th/16th September
Tyne and Wear v Shropshire Shropshire have not enjoyed the best of results over the last couple of seasons in division four of the BDO Inter County Championships where they have won just one of their nine fixtures. They will not have the easiest of starts this new season when in their curtain raiser they play away against Tyne and Wear who are newly demoted form division three and will be certainly looking for a quick return to that division. With a few new faces in the Shropshire line up hopes will be high for a more rewarding season and perhaps even promotion may be on the cards. Selected to play for Shropshire will be Men's A:- Keith Allman, Jamie Barrowman, Derek Coulson, Justin Evans, Steve Gilliam, Lee Hodgkiss, Sam Hamilton, Danny James, Andy Jervis, Men's B:- Steve Blewitt, Reece Cook-Lucas, Luke Griffiths, Mike Hampson, Rob Henderson, Chris Hill, Clive Lucking, James Mansell, Richard Parker, Trevor Smith, Scott Towers, Rob Trumper, Reserves:- Glyn Humphreys, Dave Bayton, Paul Vickers, Dan Jones, Simon Pritchard, Adam Thackray, Andy Gilbert, Andy Sandiford, Neville Quinton, Nathan Storar, Brian Hickman, Women’s ‘A’:- Debbie Davies, Sophie Fawcett, Allison Gallagher, Sue Lane, Michele Pritchard, Marie Riggs, Women’s ‘B’:- Jenna Ball, Suzie Barnham, Cloey Davies, Julie Griffiths, Cally Jones, Tracey Knox, Reserves:- Deana Sheldon.
West Midlands v Northamptonshire After retaining the Premier Division status last season West Midlands will begin their second campaign in the top flight with a home tie at Gilberts Bar, Willenhall, WV13 2NY against newly promoted Northamptonshire. With two wins, a draw and only one defeat in their first four games in the premier West Midlands were riding high in the table, unfortunately fortunes reversed in the last five fixtures as they lost all five to finish just above the relegation zone, four points to the good on next to bottom and relegated Devon. With a season’s experience now under their belts West Midlands will be hoping to finish a little higher up the table this season and with a few new signings that could well be the case. Selected to play for West Midlands are Men’s ‘A’:- Gavin Baker, Scott Baker, Mark Craddock, Matthew Dicken, Adam Edgar, Nick Fullwell, Kevin Harris, Alfie Jacques, Ian Jones, Liam Kelly, Glen McGrandle, Dan Nicholls, Men’s ’B’:- Michael Baker, Jeff Batham, Reece Colley, Martin Greenwood, Ash Khayatt, Jonathan Platt, Neil Pointon, Shane Price, Mark Rollinson, Avtar Singh, Robert Smith, Paul Wells, Reserves:- Trevor Brennan, Kevin Bambrick, Matthew Coleman, Danny Coyle, Stephen Jones, Jamie Rollinson, Jordan Singh, Women’s ‘A’:- Sarah Roberts, Lisa Badger, Debbie Loon, Kath Jenkins, Gemma Barrett, Cheryl Alcock, Women’s ‘B’:- Lizzy Arnold, Shellbie Simmons, Heather Wright, Kat McLean, Jacqueline Maiden, Shannon Hall, Reserves:- Kim Fellows (Capt), Sophie Singh, Grace Angell, Samantha Maiden, Claire Hobbs.
Merseyside v Derbyshire Derbyshire had a terrible start to last season’s campaign in division three of the BDO Inter County Championships when they lost all four of their opening games. Nevertheless they rallied and came back in style as they then won the next four and rounded of the season with an 18-18 draw with divisional runners up Berkshire, to finish in a respectable fourth place in the table and just twelve points short of Berkshire. Derbyshire will be hoping for a better start to the new season and will be looking to avenge their 14-22 defeat to Merseyside when they once again face them in the opening game with Merseyside having the home advantage. Lining up for Derbyshire will be Men’s ‘A’:- Paul Baker, Pete Burgoyne, Ian Clarke, Tim Daniels, David Fritchley, Richard Hanson, Ryan Hassell, Rob Hawker, Benjamin Holmes, Steve Paling, Steve Soar, Lee Stanley, Men’s ‘B’:- Ian Allcock, Lee Arkwright, Henry Coates, Keith Cooper, Gary Fenn, Andy Gillott, Connor Hodgkinson, Sean Lambert, Scott McCabe, Tim Rippon, Steve Thompson, Paul Williams, Reserves:- Andy Baker, Gary Barker, Loz Barnes, Rob Needham, Neil Parkin, Michael Ryall, Pete Slater, Andy Whittington, Women’s ‘A’:- Rchael Ayres, Terri Bellamy, Rebecca Hoyland, Sammi Marshall, Louise Rawson, Jackie Sweet, Women’s ‘B’:- Dee Fenn, Sara-Jane Harrison, Emily Jones Jenny McCormick, Emma Varnam, Carol Western, Reserves:- Dawn Buckley, Debbie Caven, Michelle Cunningham, Rose Mort.
By Alan Towe Website: www.alantowedarts.co.uk