Mitchell shines on his England debut (From Thisisdorset)

Mitchell shines on his England debut

8:29pm Friday 10th April 2009

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DORSET darting star Scott ‘The Dog’ Mitchell confessed to shedding tears of joy after doubling up on his England debut.

The Bransgore-based thrower bagged two wins from two matches as England eased to British Internationals glory in Merthyr Tydfil, defeating Scotland’s George Dalglish 3-1 with a 94.56 three-dart average before also seeing off Wales’ David Smith-Hayes 3-2.

England eventually defeated Wales 8-4 and Scotland 9-3.

Mitchell, who starred alongside Lakeside runner-up Tony O’Shea, former world champion Martin Adams and semi-finalist Darryl Fitton, told the Echo: “It’s still a blur to be honest. To average 94 on my debut is unbelievable and I still can’t fathom where it came from.

“We had around 80 supporters come up from Dorset and it was just amazing. One thing I’ll never forget is when I hit the winning double, shook the guy’s hand and looked around to see loads of pockets of Dorset people jumping around all over the place.

“I ended up crying right after I hit the double against Dalglish. New caps don’t win their first games and nobody expects them to so it was just amazing.

“Martin Adams ran up and hugged me and told me to stop being such a big girl, but it meant so much to me to be the first Dorset player for England. That was what got me.”

Mitchell, now ranked 17th in the British Darts Organisation, added: “Darryl Fitton texted me and said ‘You played great and you did your family and friends proud’ and this is a guy who is one of the best. He didn’t have to do that.

“In my second game against Smith-Hayes, it was my point that won the match and that is an absolute dream for me and all the Dorset people were patting me on the back afterwards.

“My family were all there, my wife and kids, and that made it even more special. And Trina Gulliver (seven-times women’s world champion) actually gave my 12-year-old son a kiss which made his life!

“She kissed me as well and I don’t think I’ll forget it either!

“It’s a massive experience, though, and would have been much harder if I hadn’t already been on the BDO tour.

“It will be harder for me from now on, though, as people will know what I’ve done and they won’t be caught cold by little Scotty from Dorset any more.”

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