Last Thursday saw the return leg of the annual ‘Ashes’ challenge away at Stoke Fleming.

Darts were aware they had a mountain to climb having lost the home leg by a significant 26 shots.

Rink one of A Hawkins, R Swinden and skip P Caddy saw a tight encounter all the way through. Darts managed a three-shot gain on the last two ends to achieve a creditable draw 16-16.

For rink two with M Durston, T Taylor and skip W Varnam, a significant six-shot gain just after the tea interval proved to be the turning point in this game, with Darts running out the winners 20-13.

This meant the overall deficit was now down to 19 shots.

Rink three comprising B Brehout, T Deigh­ton and skip P Hanna­ford never looked back after an excellent start, being 13-0 ahead after 10 ends.

Stoke were unable to turn things around and Darts clinched a 21-9 victory, cutting the overall deficit to just seven shots.

Rink four of J Bow­den, S Shaw and skip D Sherlock saw two good ends in the middle of the match give Stoke a six-shot lead after 12 ends.

However, Darts turned the tables and sneaked into a three-shot lead with one end to go, only to see Stoke take a three-shot gain to force a draw 17-17.

Stoke therefore regained the ‘Ashes’ trophy with a final seven-shot overall advantage. Next year will see the challenge resume.

Dart travelled to Totnes still hoping to achieve an elusive away victory.

Rink one consisting of T Deighton, S Ivey, P Hannaford and skip P Caddy went into a three-shot lead at the tea interval and were never headed thereafter, gaining a much-needed win 27-21.

Rink two with A Hawkins, B Brehout, R Swinden and skip M Hawkins had taken a 9-1 lead after five ends, but then it became a real struggle as they dropped 12 consecutive shots.

Recovery proved difficult as they eventually succumbed to a 31-20 defeat.

Rink three of J Hawkins, P Walton, S Shaw and skip D Sher­lock had a splendid start, 14-1 ahead after seven ends. Totnes then fought back but Darts kept their concentration to run out worthy winners 22-17.

Rink four comprising T Taylor, H Crossman, M Durston and skip W Varnam had a pretty close match, with shots being exchanged regularly.

After 18 ends the score were level at 14 all. The other rinks had finished, so all attention was on this quartet as it was hoped that first away win was in sight.

Sadly it was not to be as five shots were lost on the last three ends, finishing in a 19-14 defeat.

This proved to be the difference between the two sides with the overall points being 83-88, but four valuable league points were gained.