Gloucestershire hold their nerve to edge Shropshire in Division 3 thriller

Gloucestershire claimed a narrow but deserved 19–17 victory over Shropshire in National League Division 3, rounding off an intense two days of darts that went right down to the closing stages of Sunday’s action.

The weekend began positively for Gloucestershire with the Women’s B side producing a confident 4–2 win. A solid all-round team display set the tone early, with Hannah Smith delivering an excellent performance to earn Lady of the Match honours thanks to a 16.93 average.

Momentum shifted in the Men’s B match, where Shropshire fought back to claim a 7–5 victory. Despite the result, Gloucestershire had plenty to take from the contest, with Wesley Cole standing out to earn Man of the Match with a strong 26.96 average.

Sunday began with the Women’s A fixture, where both sides went toe-to-toe in a tightly contested match that finished 3–3. Neither team was able to gain a decisive advantage, with legs traded throughout. Jane Price was the standout performer for Gloucestershire, earning Lady of the Match honours with a composed display and an 18.60 average.

With the overall score finely balanced heading into the Men’s A, the weekend came down to one final, decisive contest. Gloucestershire rose to the challenge when it mattered most, securing a hard-fought 7–5 victory to seal the overall 19–17 win. James Hurrell led from the front with a commanding performance, earning Man of the Match honours after posting an outstanding 30.58 average to guide the side over the line.

The result was a true team effort across all four sections, with the match remaining undecided until the final few games. Gloucestershire’s resilience and composure under pressure once again proved the difference.

Attention now turns to the next National League Division 3 fixture, as Gloucestershire welcome Wirral at home on January 31st – February 1st, looking to build on another positive result.

Appearances & Awards

It was also a weekend to celebrate individual achievements. Pete Smith marked a major milestone by making his 100th appearance for Gloucestershire, a testament to his long-standing commitment and service to the county.

James Hurrell capped off an excellent weekend by also receiving the award for the highest average in Division 3, underlining his quality and impact at this level.

Steve Handley was also presented with his Man of the Match award for his performance against the Isle of Wight in the previous fixture, recognising an outstanding individual display.