Shropshire start the season on a losing note
The new season started on a losing note for Shropshire as they were defeated away at Norfolk in their curtain raiser.
The county darters opened another campaign in the BDO British Inter-Counties Championship Division Four last weekend,
Play finished after two days at Rileys Sports Bar, Magdalen Street, Norwich with defeat in all four sections for the visiting sides.
Shropshire will hope for better when they return to action for their first home fixture of the schedule, against the West of England at Castle Hall in Bridgnorth on October 1 and 2.
First to the oche was the women's B team, where the hosts prevailed 4-2. Susan Brittain was the pick of the Norfolk contingent, top scoring with an average of 16.08.
It came in a dramatic 3-2 last leg decider against teenager Grace Angell (14.45), with the 16-year-old losing a county match for the first time in her sixth outing.
Lynne Watton was the best performer for Shropshire, racking up 14.72 against Jan Butters (14.99) in another 3-2 battle.
Their men's B line-up made a fight of their encounter before going down 7-5, with Norfolk's Kevin Walpole notching the highest average of the weekend.
Walpole had 30.06 in a 3-0 victory over Royston Minton (14.79). Paul Bromley replied for Shropshire with 27.29 in a 3-1 success over William Walpole (21.53).
Norfolk surged further ahead with a 6-0 whitewash in the women's A ties. Marie Riggs had the highest losing average of 19.02, after a 3-2 defeat to Norfolk top scorer Mandy Gray (17.72).
Shropshire also came off firmly second best in the men's A finale, where they were drubbed 9-3. Play was upgraded to a best-of-seven legs format.
Vinny Mudd led the way for Norfolk, with 29.89 in a 4-1 verdict over John Cooper (24.42). Danny James mustered the best reply, with 25.82 over a 4-3 vanquishing of Jason Mold (25.75).
Shropshire lost the match 29-10, with three extra points for Norfolk as the winning county. It leaves them eighth out of 10 in the early table.
