As an ‘Essex man’ it would be wrong of me not to put something on my website to do with the Essex squad, so here to kick off is some great news from Barry Gilbey about one of our top Essex ladies.
VIV DUNDON IS CALLED UP FOR ENGLAND
Essex County player Viv Dundon, who plays her Superleague darts for, and lives in, Clacton has been called into the England squad for the forthcoming Internationals.
Viv, who has been close to a call up to play for her country on several occasions in the past was given the news on the back of some excellent form for Essex throughout this season. Viv is currently topping the Premier Division averages and has won all five of her Inter County matches. Joining her in the squad will include England team captain Trina Gulliver as well as another Essex girl Sally Dowell who plays her Inter County matches for Kent.
The first match on the agenda for England will be against Wales in the British Internationals at Renfrew in Scotland. Wales include in their strong squad the World Cup winning pair of Julie Gore and Jan Robbins. Julie was also a losing quarter finalist in the Lakeside Women’s World Championship this year.
In April, Viv’s task will be no easier as England host the Rest of Europe at the Lakeside Country Club in Surrey. One name likely to be in the Europe squad is the current ladies’ world champion Anastasia Dobromyslova who will return to the Lakeside stage for the first time since her 2-1 final victory over Trina Gulliver.
All of her colleagues in the Essex squad wish Viv every success in playing for her country. Well done Viv!
© February 2008 Barry Gilbey (with additional text by Patrick Chaplin)
Viv Dundon: A Little More Information 13/2/2008
What an excellent birthday present! To be called up to play for your country. Yes, Viv received her call up on the eve of a very special birthday – and I have her permission to reveal that it was her 50th. (Many congratulations on both counts Viv.)
Viv first started playing and practising darts with her mum and dad at about the age of 17 or 18 years around the pubs near where they lived in Thorpe Le Soken, Essex. Today, she plays her darts on a Tuesday night for the Clacton Ladies Superleague team and on a Thursday evening for the “The Wick Lodge” pub in the Clacton Mid-Week League for the Highwaymen. This league is a mixed league in which Viv plays against men as well as women. “The Highwaymen” team has a good darting reputation and the team and individual players regularly win both the league title and individual competitions played within the league. The cost of any trophies the players win is donated to equally to “The Heart of Darts” and Macmillian Cancer Care charities.
On top of her league commitments, Viv practices as often as she can but normally at least five times a week and has represented her county (Essex) well in excess of 100 times.
Viv works as the Office Manager at Clacton County High School and her hobbies (other than darts) include reading, walking and watching films (especially romantic comedies, fantasy and action).
Viv lives with her partner Peter and they have been together for about 10 years.
© 2008 Barry Gilbey (with additional text by Patrick Chaplin)
Dr Patrick Chaplin 