DORSET’S darts team could be on the cusp of an historic promotion to the British Inter County Championship’s top flight after they saw off London 21-15 over the weekend.

The victory at Branksome & Upper Parkstone Conservative Club saw Dorset retain the second promotion spot in Division One going into the final round of fixtures at the end of May.

Four teams are in contention on the last day with Lincolnshire, Devon and Hampshire all within touching distance ahead of Dorset’s daunting trip to runaway champions Cornwall in their last match.

But with a first stint in the top tier on offer, county talisman and first-team regular Scott Mitchell called on his compatriots to seize their opportunity to shoot for the big time, despite the odds being stacked against them.

Mitchell told the Daily Echo: “For a little county we have really punched above our weight. We are really up against it in the final game but this is by far and away our best chance to reach the Premier Division and the closest we have ever got.

“The standard has been pretty good and our division has been very closely contested. It would be pretty special for us to have a year against the big shots like Yorkshire and Lancashire.

“A lot of people have put in some serious miles, going to places like County Durham and Cumbria over the years. It has been a way of life for many of us and promotion would be a fitting reward for the dedication it has taken.”