ADC National Finals Weekend 2026: Women's Vault Finals and UK & Ireland Classic – Who Can Take the Titles?

 

Two national titles, £16,200 in combined prize money and a place in the ADC Global Championship at stake

The ADC National Finals Weekend continues at Bradmoor Farm in Aylesbury, and two of the competitions particularly interest me.

The Women's Vault National Finals brings together qualifiers from the women's circuit, with £3,000 in prize money available. Alongside it, the UK & Ireland Classic offers £13,200, with the champion collecting £3,000 and, perhaps more importantly, qualification for the ADC Global Championship.

Both are straight knockout competitions, so there is no opportunity to recover from a poor group stage. One bad match, and you're going home.

I've been looking through the Q4QS database to see who might be worth following. There are some obvious contenders, but there are also a few interesting stories that might not immediately stand out from the rankings.

Women's Vault National Finals – Can Recent Form Make the Difference?

One thing that strikes me about the women's competition is the contrast between players who have been competing regularly on the PDC Women's Series and those who have built their form through local Vault tournaments.

It makes the event particularly interesting because the averages tell us only part of the story.

Gemma Hayter brings Women's Series form

On the available Q4QS figures, Gemma Hayter looks one of the strongest contenders.

Her Q4QS average is 78.68, and she has won eight of her last ten recorded matches.

More importantly, her recent performances have come against some very strong opposition.

At PDC Women's Series Event 22, Hayter reached the final with a tournament average of 79.83 before losing to Beau Greaves.

She also reached the quarter-finals of Events 21 and 23, with Greaves again ending her run in the latter.

Among her recent victories are wins against Aurora Fochesato, Aoife McCormack and Robyn Byrne.

If she reproduces that standard, she will be difficult to beat.

However, the nature of knockout darts means that being the strongest statistical player doesn't necessarily make you the eventual winner.

Jo Locke has been mixing it with established names

Jo Locke is another player whose recent record deserves attention.

She reached the semi-finals of PDC Women's Series Event 20, averaging 74.75 across the tournament before losing to Aileen de Graaf.

Her results include a 5-3 victory over Deta Hedman, as well as wins against Kim Holden and Kirsi Viinikainen.

Locke also reached the semi-finals of a recent mixed Vault tournament at Bradmoor Farm itself, winning six matches before Sean Holley ended her run.

That experience of the venue might be useful, although I wouldn't put too much weight on it.

With seven wins from her last ten recorded matches, she looks capable of going a long way.

Rebecca Allen is another player moving in the right direction

Rebecca Allen has an interesting mixture of youth and senior competition experience in the database.

She won the JDC Nations Cup 2026 with a 64.70 tournament average and has since been competing on the PDC Women's Series.

Her recent Women's Series results include a last-32 appearance, followed by a quarter-final at Event 24, where Beau Greaves stopped her.

Allen's eight wins from her last ten matches suggest that she is finding results at the right time.

I wouldn't necessarily put her ahead of Hayter on the figures, but she certainly belongs in the conversation.

The Welsh contingent and the local Vault specialists

Sue Davies has one of the more eye-catching recent records.

She has won her last ten recorded matches and collected a succession of WADC Vault titles at Caernarfon and Denbigh.

Her best recent tournament average was 67.92, and she has produced individual match averages above 80.

That is excellent winning form, although the standard and format of opposition will be different here.

Tracy Ford-Jenkins has also been busy in Wales, reaching a quarter-final at Arrows in Resolven and winning seven of her last ten matches.

Meanwhile, Tracey Dean has reached a Severn Darts Organisation Challenge Series final, although her most recent results have been less encouraging.

It will be interesting to see whether the confidence gained from local events can translate into results on a national finals stage.

A rivalry worth watching

Two names I noticed were Juliet Findley and Millie Jolley.

Both have been competing regularly in WADC events at The Men of March.

Findley has collected several titles there, while Jolley reached a recent final before losing to Findley.

There have also been occasions when Jolley has got the better of her rival.

If the draw brings them together again, it would be an interesting continuation of a rivalry that has already developed on the regional circuit.

Neither has the overall average of the leading Women's Series players, but both know how to win matches.

Don't overlook the younger players

Katie-Lee Parish has JDC Girls Series experience, while several others in the field are building their competitive records through women's and mixed tournaments.

I always think these national finals are valuable for players who might not yet be among the leading names.

Even one or two victories against established opponents can be an important step forward.

And occasionally, somebody arrives at an event like this and produces a performance well above anything their previous figures suggested.

Q4QS Six to Follow – Women's Vault National Finals

1. Gemma Hayter – The strongest recent scoring record in the supplied field, backed by a PDC Women's Series final.

2. Jo Locke – Women's Series semi-finalist with strong opposition experience and recent success at Bradmoor Farm.

3. Rebecca Allen – JDC Nations Cup winner and a recent Women's Series quarter-finalist.

4. Sue Davies – Multiple recent WADC Vault titles and ten consecutive recorded match wins.

5. Juliet Findley – A regular winner at The Men of March who knows how to navigate tournament matches.

6. Millie Jolley – My outside selection, with recent finals experience and an established rivalry with Findley.

My statistical preference would be Hayter, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Locke or Allen involved at the business end.

UK & Ireland Classic – A Much Deeper Field

The UK & Ireland Classic is a rather different proposition.

There are 32 qualified players, a £13,200 prize fund and a place in the ADC Global Championship for the winner.

And looking at the entry list, I think this is a very difficult tournament to predict.

The field contains players with substantial PDC Challenge Tour and Development Tour experience, recent England Masters success, and an impressive number of Vault winners.

Several of the players are averaging comfortably into the 80s.

The interesting question is whether recent winning momentum or experience against stronger opposition will prove more important.

Archie Self and Chas Barstow arrive in outstanding form

If I were looking purely at recent results, Archie Self and Chas Barstow would be near the top of my list.

Self has won his last ten recorded matches and recently collected two titles at the England Masters & Classic.

In one of those events he averaged 92.49 across eight victories, while another title came with a 91.50 tournament average.

His recent wins include victories against Callum Francis, Harry Lane and Ben Townley.

He followed those performances by winning a Vault tournament at the Crucible Sports and Social Club in Newbury, averaging 88.00.

Barstow's recent figures are equally impressive.

He also has ten consecutive recorded wins and claimed an England Masters & Classic title with a 93.94 tournament average.

Perhaps the most striking result was his 5-0 victory over Robbie Martin, in which Barstow averaged 110.51.

That is an extraordinary performance, particularly against somebody who has been playing as well as Martin.

Barstow also recently won an unbeaten Vault tournament at the Sportsman Club in Winchester.

If these two reproduce their best form, they will take some stopping.

Robbie Martin has a point to prove

Robbie Martin is another player I would expect to be involved.

He has won nine of his last ten recorded matches, with a Q4QS average of 85.67.

Recent performances include a 91.29 tournament average when winning at Dorchester Trinity Club, another Vault victory at The Newtown in Poole, and a final at St Ives Club.

But there is an interesting additional storyline.

Martin reached an England Masters & Classic final and lost 5-0 to Chas Barstow.

Should the draw bring them together again, Martin would have the opportunity to put that result behind him.

His recent performances suggest he has the ability to do exactly that.

Lewis Pride and Callum Goffin – Can Experience Count?

Lewis Pride has the highest Q4QS ranking among the supplied Classic entrants, sitting at number 70 with an average of 87.68.

His recent PDC Challenge Tour results include a 97.15 match average in a 5-1 victory over Dean Brown.

Callum Goffin is ranked number 100 and has an overall average of 85.84.

However, Goffin has won only three of his last ten recorded matches.

That contrast is worth noting.

Both have the scoring ability to challenge anyone here, but the recent results suggest that Pride is arriving in somewhat better form.

A knockout competition can change very quickly, though, and a player who has struggled for results can suddenly find his game.

A familiar name from the National Finals Weekend

William Borland has already enjoyed a good run during the weekend.

He reached the semi-finals of the Level Up RISE Final, averaging 81.86 across the event before losing to Adam Winspear.

His victories included a 5-2 win over Dylan Sinclair with a 93.05 average.

He also reached the quarter-finals of the Level Up qualifier, averaging 89.60.

That means Borland has already demonstrated that he can produce results in the National Finals environment.

Whether the additional matches help him settle or leave him with less energy is something we cannot know, but his recent form makes him a serious contender.

Colin McCaughern also reached the Level Up RISE quarter-finals, losing to Winspear, and comes into the Classic with nine wins from his last ten recorded matches.

The Vault winners who cannot be ignored

This is where the depth of the field really becomes apparent.

Michael Wiles has collected several Vault titles at the Len Forge Centre in Southend, regularly averaging around the 80 mark and sometimes considerably higher.

Johnny Haines has also been in excellent form, with victories at Frimley Green, Wheatley, Didcot and Banbury. His Didcot title came with a 91.53 average.

Sean Holley has been particularly successful around Chinnor and Bradmoor Farm, including a recent unbeaten tournament victory at the National Finals venue.

Ciaran Forde won at Barnsley WMC with an 86.11 average and followed that with finals at Staincross and Sheffield.

Harrison Leigh has been playing on the PDC Development Tour and reached the quarter-finals of the World Youth Championship Finals, where Luke Littler ended his run.

And Lewis Cook has been collecting Vault titles in Braintree, as well as appearing in the PDC World Youth Championship Finals.

I could make a case for several of these players reaching the last four.

That is why I think the Classic is such an attractive tournament.

Q4QS Six to Follow – UK & Ireland Classic

1. Archie Self – Two recent England Masters & Classic titles and ten consecutive recorded wins.

2. Chas Barstow – Outstanding recent scoring, including that 110.51 average against Robbie Martin.

3. Robbie Martin – Consistent tournament runs, several recent titles and the ability to average well into the 90s.

4. Lewis Pride – The highest-ranked player in the supplied Q4QS field, with proven Challenge Tour scoring ability.

5. William Borland – Already a semi-finalist during the National Finals Weekend and arriving in strong form.

6. Johnny Haines – My outside selection from a very strong field, with several recent Vault titles and a 91.53 tournament average at Didcot.

There are some very good players missing from that six, which probably says more about the strength of the competition than it does about those left out.

Two Competitions, Two Different Challenges

What I like about these two tournaments is that they provide a useful comparison.

In the Women's Vault National Finals, the leading Women's Series players appear to have a scoring advantage, but there are plenty of regional winners who arrive with confidence and tournament experience.

In the UK & Ireland Classic, the overall standard is exceptionally competitive. Even the players outside my Six to Follow have recent results that would make them favourites in many ordinary Vault events.

The knockout format adds another complication.

There are no second chances, and the player with the best average across the last few months isn't necessarily the player who produces the best darts when the deciding leg arrives.

For the Women's Finals, my preference is Gemma Hayter.

For the Classic, I find it much harder to separate Archie Self and Chas Barstow, although Robbie Martin and Lewis Pride certainly have the ability to win.

I'll be following both competitions with interest.

And whatever happens, these are precisely the sorts of events that make the Q4QS database interesting to explore. We can compare the form beforehand, but the players still have to go out and produce it.

Tournament information

ADC Women's Vault National Finals 2026

• Venue: Bradmoor Farm, Aylesbury

• Prize fund: £3,000

• Winner: £800

• Format: 501 singles, knockout

• Tournament details and draw

ADC UK & Ireland Classic 2026

• Venue: Bradmoor Farm, Aylesbury

• Prize fund: £13,200

• Winner: £3,000 plus qualification for the ADC Global Championship

• Format: 501 singles, knockout

• Tournament details and draw

The previews are based on the supplied entry lists and Q4QS database records. Averages, rankings and recent form are statistical guides rather than guarantees of tournament performance.

Yesterday's Darts Results: James Wright Hits 107.36, Stuart Dutton Records 115.62 and ADC National Finals Get Underway – 16 October 2026

Friday brought another 60 tournaments into the Q4QS database, but this was more than an ordinary Friday night of grassroots darts.

The ADC National Finals weekend got underway, James Wright produced a superb series of averages in Evesham, and Stuart Dutton recorded a remarkable 115.62 in Banbury. Mike Gillet also broke the 110 barrier in Winchester.

There were victories across the South West, Wales and the rest of the country, alongside two WADC competitions and another opportunity to see the next generation in action through the Junior Volts.

James Wright dominates at the Bengeworth

There are occasions when a player wins a tournament without necessarily producing the best darts throughout the evening. That certainly wasn't the case for James Wright at the Bengeworth Club in Evesham.

Wright won all eight of his matches, defeating Jamie Vadasz 3–0 in the final.

What impressed me most was the consistency of his scoring. He recorded averages of 107.36, 96.97, 93.94, 93.94 and 88.41 among his leading performances.

The 107.36 came against Dave Davis, while his 96.97 was recorded against Vadasz.

Reece Pinches and Vadasz both finished with six victories, but Wright was clearly the standout performer.

It's one thing to produce a single three-figure average. It's another to back it up repeatedly and win the tournament.

Stuart Dutton produces the highest average of the day

At Danny's Bar in Banbury, Stuart Dutton defeated Chris Howse 3–1 in the final.

However, the result was only part of the story.

Dutton produced a staggering 115.62 average against Martin Williams, the highest individual match average recorded in Friday's results.

He also registered 95.69, 94.16 and 91.71 during the competition.

Both Dutton and Howse finished with seven victories, and Howse contributed a 93.27 average of his own.

It's worth remembering that individual match averages can be influenced by match length, but 115.62 is still an exceptional performance at any level.

Mike Gillet breaks the 110 barrier in Winchester

At the Worthies Sports and Social Club, Mike Gillet won eight matches and defeated Jarred Cole 3–1 in the final.

Gillet's best performance was a 111.33 average against Darren Andrews.

Cole also produced a three-figure average, recording 100.20 against Robin Whyte, and finished with seven victories.

The two finalists were clearly among the strongest performers at the venue, although Gillet ultimately had the better evening.

With Dutton's 115.62, Gillet's 111.33 and Wright's 107.36, Friday certainly wasn't short of high-quality darts.

Robbie Roy wins in Yeovil

Robbie Roy took the title at Bullets Sports Bar in Yeovil, defeating Steven Tavener 3–1 in the final.

Roy finished with five victories and produced the highest average of the competition, 81.24 against Jacob Manley.

He also recorded 79.97 against Ben Collins, while Collins himself produced 74.35.

Tavener finished with four victories, but Roy did enough to secure another Friday night title.

Jayden Scadden wins in Taunton

At Pegasus 68 Club in Taunton, Jayden Scadden enjoyed a particularly successful evening.

Scadden won eight matches and defeated James Sewell 3–0 in the final.

He also recorded the highest average of the competition, 80.52 against Kelsey Wyatt, alongside a 75.15 against Warren Bowditch.

Bowditch and Sewell each collected five victories.

It was a convincing performance from Scadden, who combined the most victories with the best recorded average.

Martin Thomas produces a superb final in Aberystwyth

One of the most impressive performances of the evening came at Min-Y-Ddol in Aberystwyth.

Martin Thomas defeated Keenan Thomas 3–1 in the final, averaging 104.89 in the deciding match.

Keenan Thomas also played well, recording 97.00 in defeat.

Martin's other leading averages included 93.94, 90.18 and 88.41, while he finished with seven victories.

As with Joshua Russell in Cardiff on Thursday, there's something particularly impressive about producing your best darts in the final.

Martin Thomas certainly did that.

ADC National Finals: Mal Dallas and Adam Winspear take the honours

Friday also saw the ADC National Finals weekend begin, with the Emerging and Rise finals providing plenty of competitive darts.

In the Level Up Emerging Final, Mal Dallas defeated Lewis Kendall 5–2 to claim the title.

Dallas finished with eight victories, while Kendall won seven.

Jayden Moss recorded the highest average of the competition at 88.41, followed by Kendall's 85.89 and Sid Stovold's 82.18.

In the Level Up Rise Final, Adam Winspear defeated Craig Vickers 5–4 in a much closer final.

Winspear also finished with eight victories, with Vickers collecting seven.

Mat Caste produced the highest recorded average of 97.03, while William Borland recorded 93.05 and Andy Steed 92.64.

I think it's worth giving these competitions particular attention. For players who spend much of their time competing in local and regional tournaments, the opportunity to test themselves at a national final is an important part of the grassroots game.

And with both finals decided, congratulations to Mal Dallas and Adam Winspear.

WADC: Eve Watson and Kayleigh Brown take Friday's titles

Two WADC Vault 3.0 competitions were recorded on Friday, with particularly impressive darts from Eve Watson in South Wales.

At Briton Ferry Workingmen's Club, Eve Watson defeated Shelley Casley 3–0 in the final, completing a six-win evening.

Watson's averages tell their own story: 85.89, 77.08, 72.73, 70.45 and 66.80.

That is an excellent sequence of performances, with the 85.89 the highest average across Friday's WADC results.

At United Services Club in Harwich, Kayleigh Brown defeated Kimberley Self 3–0 in the final.

Brown won five matches and produced the event's best average of 62.63 against Amy Attridge. She also recorded 57.08 and 55.67.

I think it's important that these results remain part of the daily roundup rather than being treated as something separate. The WADC competitions are adding more opportunities for women to compete regularly, and performances like Watson's deserve recognition alongside those in the open events.

Junior darts: Freddie Greenwood and Reggie Woodmore win

There were two Junior Volts competitions in Friday's results.

At Aylesford Village Club, Freddie Greenwood defeated Drake Porter 3–0 in the final, winning seven matches.

Freddy Turner recorded the highest average of the competition at 88.41, while Lewis Williams produced 83.82.

At Simeon Arms in Ryde, Reggie Woodmore defeated Jenson Hunt 3–2 in the final.

Both finalists collected six victories, while Finley Reeve produced the highest average of 77.08.

Elsewhere, Charlie Lowin won the Soccer Zone Under-16 Junior League competition, defeating Codey Exall 3–1 in the final.

It's encouraging to see these junior competitions continuing to provide regular opportunities, and there were some very respectable averages among Friday's younger players.

Other Friday night winners worth mentioning

There was plenty more happening beyond the featured tournaments.

Kevin Leadenham produced a particularly impressive performance at the Black Swan in Melton Mowbray, winning eight matches and defeating Darren Tyler 3–1 in the final. His leading averages were 100.20, 100.20, 98.02 and 96.97.

Brett Claydon also won eight matches at the Boulevard in Peterborough, recording 103.66, 100.20 and 95.94 before defeating Colin Hopkins 3–0 in the final.

Andy Smith won at the New Club in Wheatley, defeating Colin Sulston 3–0. He recorded 103.66, 100.20 and 96.97.

Freddie Argyle took the title at Groves Sports & Social Club in Shotton, producing a 100.20 average during his seven-win evening.

Closer to the South West, Gary Witcombe won the opening week of the CDP Slam Series at Clandown Darts Promotions, defeating Will Hillier 3–0. Eddie Hughes produced the competition's best average of 103.66.

CJ Ayres won the Street Darts Organisation Open Series event, defeating Kieran Spurdle 3–1 and collecting nine victories.

There were also victories for Cody Hughes at Bigyn Darts Masters, Liam Corten at Newport Darts Community and Leo Howard in the Starfish Kids Camp Charity Darts Open.

Friday's highest recorded averages

Player	Average	Tournament / venue
Stuart Dutton	115.62	Danny's Bar, Banbury
Mike Gillet	111.33	Worthies, Winchester
James Wright	107.36	Bengeworth Club, Evesham
Martin Thomas	104.89	Min-Y-Ddol, Aberystwyth
Eddie Hughes	103.66	CDP Slam Series
David Routledge	103.66	Chaukees Grand Slam
Jody Givens	103.66	Friday Night Comp Series
Adam Mould	103.66	Bradmoor Farm, Aylesbury
Brett Claydon	103.66	The Boulevard, Peterborough
Aaron Stevens	103.66	The New Club, Wheatley

What stands out here is the number of different venues producing three-figure averages. It wasn't simply one particularly strong tournament dominating the figures.

My five standout performances

1. Stuart Dutton – A 115.62 average and the Banbury title.
2. James Wright – Eight wins in Evesham, with five leading averages above 88.
3. Mike Gillet – A 111.33 average and eight victories in Winchester.
4. Martin Thomas – A 104.89 average in the Aberystwyth final.
5. Eve Watson – Six WADC victories and an 85.89 average at Briton Ferry.

Special mentions also go to Kevin Leadenham, Brett Claydon, Andy Smith and the two ADC National Finals champions, Mal Dallas and Adam Winspear.

Another 60 tournaments added to Q4QS

Friday's results offered a good reminder of how much is happening across grassroots darts.

We had two national finals, excellent local performances, junior competitions and another two WADC events.

For me, the most interesting aspect wasn't simply Stuart Dutton's 115.62, although that was clearly exceptional. It was the number of players backing up strong averages with tournament victories.

That's where the Q4QS database becomes increasingly useful. One exceptional match is worth recognising, but sustained performances across several matches and tournaments tell us much more.

Full results, rankings and player statistics are available at QuestForQSchool.

National Finals Doubles 2026: Who Looks Strongest on Paper?

 

245 partnerships, nearly 500 players and plenty of potential contenders. But which teams look strongest when we examine the numbers?

With the National Finals Doubles approaching, I've been having a look through the provisional entry list and comparing it against the Q4QS database.

At the time of writing, there are 245 partnerships entered, with the possibility of a few late additions. That's a substantial field, and one which should produce some fascinating matches.

Rather than simply pick out the familiar names, I wanted to see which partnerships stood out statistically.

There is, of course, one rather important consideration.

Doubles is a different game.

Two outstanding singles players don't necessarily make an outstanding doubles partnership. Players need to complement one another, cope with the different rhythm of throwing every other visit, and perhaps most importantly, trust their partner.

None of that can easily be measured using singles statistics.

What I can do, however, is examine the individual records of both players and establish which partnerships look particularly strong on paper.

And the results are quite interesting.

The Statistical Favourites

Of the 245 partnerships, I was able to match both players reliably to the Q4QS database in 207 cases.

For the main rankings, I've concentrated on the 139 partnerships where both players have competed in at least six recorded tournaments. That gives us a more meaningful comparison and avoids putting too much emphasis on players who have only appeared once or twice.

The leading ten partnerships, based on their combined Q4QS ratings, are:

Pos	Partnership	Combined Q4QS rating
1	Graham Usher / Sam Spivey	647.59
2	Darren Brown / Jack Main	612.26
3	Sean McKeon / Dylan Slevin	607.26
4	Mike Huntley / Archie Self	605.51
5	Daryl Hunt / Joe Hunt	601.93
6	Carl Wilson / Jack Johnson	600.02
7	Harrison Leigh / Joseph Heywood	591.84
8	Jamie Kelling / Chas Barstow	587.95
9	Stuart Dutton / Danny Lauby	585.25
10	Kevin Edwards / Michael Wiles	581.05

Combined rating is the mean of the two individual Q4QS ratings, rather than an official doubles ranking.

There are some familiar names in there, but perhaps the most interesting thing is the difference in how the partnerships arrive at their positions.

Usher and Spivey Set the Standard

On the figures available, Graham Usher and Sam Spivey are the strongest partnership in the competition.

Usher has a recorded average of 85.35, while Spivey is remarkably close at 85.02.

Their combined figure of 85.19 is the highest of the partnerships with sufficient tournament history.

Usher also arrives in excellent form, winning nine of his last ten recorded matches. His recent British Open & Classic success, where he averaged 86.00 across the event, is further evidence of his quality.

Spivey's recent results are less impressive, with four wins in his last ten, but his overall scoring figures remain strong.

If both reproduce their usual standard, they should be extremely difficult opponents.

Could Brown and Main Be the Most Balanced Pair?

Darren Brown and Jack Main sit second in the combined Q4QS ratings, but another figure caught my attention.

Brown's recorded average is 82.84.

Main's is 82.88.

Just 0.04 separates them.

Of course, virtually identical averages don't guarantee a successful partnership. But it does suggest two players capable of contributing at almost exactly the same scoring level.

Main has won nine of his last ten recorded matches, while Brown has won seven.

There is also plenty of recent tournament success between them.

They look like a very solid pairing, and one that wouldn't surprise me at all if they went deep into the competition.

Huntley and Self: Two Players in Form

Mike Huntley and Archie Self are fourth in the combined ratings, but they might be one of the most interesting partnerships in the field.

Self has been producing some outstanding results.

His recorded average is 86.17, and he has won all ten of his most recent database matches.

He also won an England Masters & Classic event with a 92.49 tournament average.

Huntley, meanwhile, has an average of 82.25 and has won nine of his last ten matches.

Between them, that's 19 victories from their last 20 recorded matches.

Both also have substantial tournament histories in the database, with more than 100 events apiece.

If we're looking for a partnership arriving with a combination of experience, scoring power and current form, they certainly qualify.

Wilson and Johnson: Another Serious Threat

Carl Wilson and Jack Johnson are sixth in the combined Q4QS ratings, but second when ranking partnerships purely by their combined scoring averages.

Wilson averages 86.50 and Johnson 82.98, giving them a combined figure of 84.74.

Those numbers are impressive enough, but their recent form makes them even more interesting.

Wilson has won his last ten recorded matches, with Johnson winning eight of his last ten.

Wilson's recent Rusthall Club victory included a tournament average of 90.06, while Johnson has also produced tournament-winning performances above 90.

There is plenty of evidence that both are capable of performing at a high level.

They are certainly among the teams I'd be watching closely.

The Most Balanced High-Scoring Partnerships

One question I wanted to explore was whether having two similarly strong players might be more valuable than having one outstanding player alongside somebody averaging considerably less.

We cannot answer that definitively using singles data, but we can identify the partnerships with the smallest differences in scoring averages.

Among the stronger partnerships, these caught my eye:

Partnership	Player averages	Difference
Brown / Main	82.84 / 82.88	0.04
Edwards / Wiles	84.39 / 84.19	0.20
Usher / Spivey	85.35 / 85.02	0.33
Evans / Hall	84.05 / 84.83	0.78
Kay / Meneer	83.25 / 82.18	1.07

Kevin Edwards and Michael Wiles are particularly interesting.

Their averages are almost identical, and both have won nine of their last ten recorded matches.

Lee Evans and Graham Hall also have an impressive combined scoring record, supported by considerable tournament experience.

These partnerships might not necessarily attract the most attention, but statistically there is very little weakness in either player's scoring figures.

What About the Partnerships With One Outstanding Player?

There is another side to the argument.

A player capable of producing exceptionally high averages might be able to transform a partnership, even if the other player's usual scoring level is lower.

Daryl Hunt and Joe Hunt are an interesting example.

Joe has a recorded average of 89.02, one of the strongest individual figures in the field. His recent Challenge Tour results include an event victory with a 95.71 average.

Daryl averages 75.25, leaving a considerable difference between the two players.

That doesn't necessarily make them a weaker doubles partnership. It simply means that their individual scoring records are quite different.

Sean McKeon and Dylan Slevin provide another example.

Slevin averages 85.98 and has recent Development Tour semi-final experience. McKeon's recorded average is 75.34.

Could the higher-scoring player make enough of an impact to carry the team through difficult matches?

Or would a partnership containing two consistently strong scorers have the advantage?

That's one of the questions I'll be interested in seeing answered on the day.

The Dangerous Outsiders

Looking beyond the leading ten, several partnerships deserve attention.

Jamie Kay and Neil Meneer

Their averages of 83.25 and 82.18 place them among the stronger scoring combinations in the field. Both have won seven of their last ten recorded matches, suggesting a reasonable level of consistency.

James Richardson and Steve Haggerty

Richardson averages 80.35 and Haggerty 85.00. More interestingly, their combined recent record is 19 wins from their last 20 recorded matches.

They sit outside the leading ten by combined Q4QS rating, but their scoring and form suggest they could be underestimated.

Henry Cooper and Ricky King

Another pairing with strong overall scoring figures, averaging 83.26 and 81.97 respectively.

Between them, they have won 19 of their last 20 recorded matches.

Curtis Hammond and Brett Claydon

Hammond averages 80.67 and Claydon 84.22, giving them a combined figure of 82.45.

Both have won their last ten recorded matches.

That's 20 wins from 20 across the two players' latest database records. It doesn't guarantee anything in doubles, of course, but it's difficult to ignore.

Experience Could Matter Too

With such a large field, there will inevitably be difficult periods during matches.

A missed opportunity at doubles, a poor scoring leg or a sudden burst of brilliance from an opponent can change everything.

For that reason, I also think tournament experience is worth considering.

Stuart Dutton and Danny Lauby have 316 recorded tournament appearances between them.

Lee Evans and Graham Hall have 212, while Mike Huntley and Archie Self have 241.

These figures don't measure experience of playing together, but they do demonstrate plenty of exposure to competitive darts.

In a long tournament, that could be useful.

My Statistical Shortlist

If I had to narrow the field to six partnerships purely from the information available, I'd go with:

1. Graham Usher / Sam Spivey — The strongest combined Q4QS rating and highest combined scoring average.

2. Carl Wilson / Jack Johnson — Excellent scoring figures supported by very strong recent form.

3. Mike Huntley / Archie Self — Two experienced players, both producing excellent recent results.

4. Darren Brown / Jack Main — Almost identical scoring averages and a strong combined rating.

5. Jamie Kelling / Chas Barstow — One of the strongest scoring combinations, with both players in excellent recent form.

6. Kevin Edwards / Michael Wiles — Balanced scoring, with both players arriving on nine wins from their last ten.

And if I were looking slightly further down for a partnership that could upset the predictions, Curtis Hammond and Brett Claydon would certainly be on my list.

A Final Thought

I enjoy looking at darts statistically because sometimes the numbers confirm what we already suspect, while occasionally they highlight players or partnerships who might otherwise be overlooked.

But this is one competition where I would be particularly careful about treating statistics as predictions.

Doubles brings an entirely different set of challenges.

A player might feel more relaxed with a partner alongside them. Another might struggle to find their rhythm when throwing less frequently. Some partnerships will have played together regularly, while others may be relatively new combinations.

My analysis doesn't attempt to measure any of those factors.

It simply asks a question:

If we judge these partnerships on the individual performances recorded in the Q4QS database, who looks strongest?

On that basis, Graham Usher and Sam Spivey lead the way.

Whether they — or any of the other leading partnerships — can turn that statistical advantage into a successful doubles campaign is another matter altogether.

And that's what makes the competition interesting.

Analysis based on Q4QS database exports dated 16 October 2026. Entry list provisional. Partnerships without sufficient verified individual data have not been ranked in the main statistical comparison.

Electronic Scoring in Darts: Are We Forgetting How to Count?

 

I was at a darts tournament recently where something happened that got me thinking.

Nothing particularly unusual about the tournament itself, except that the scoring was being done the old-fashioned way. No tablets, no electronic scoring systems. Just a whiteboard, a pen and somebody having to do the arithmetic.

And it was interesting.

A few players seemed a little uncomfortable with it. Some appeared to have lost confidence in their counting, and I have to admit, I wasn't anywhere near as quick as I used to be either.

That got me wondering whether, with all the advances we've made in darts scoring, we're slowly losing one of the skills that used to be such an important part of the game.

I'm Not Against Electronic Scoring

Far from it.

I think electronic scoring has been a fantastic development for darts, particularly at grassroots level.

You can turn up at a tournament, have your scores recorded automatically, see your average, look back at your matches and, in many cases, follow what's happening in the rest of the competition.

From an organiser's point of view, there are obvious advantages too. Results can be collected quickly, tournament progress is easier to monitor, and players don't have to rely on somebody transferring scores from sheets of paper.

And, of course, I'm hardly in a position to complain about technology in darts. I've spent a considerable amount of time developing Q4QS, which relies on precisely the sort of information that electronic scoring makes possible.

Without it, much of what I'm doing simply wouldn't exist.

So this certainly isn't an argument for throwing away the tablets and returning to chalkboards.

But I do wonder whether we're losing something along the way.

When Counting Was Part of Playing Darts

For years, if you played darts regularly, you generally had to learn to count.

Not necessarily because you were particularly good at mathematics, but because it was part of the game.

You'd finish your match, pick up the chalk or pen and mark the next one.

You needed to know your trebles, subtract scores fairly quickly and work out what somebody had left.

And you learned through doing it.

I can remember counting being almost automatic after a while. You didn't necessarily think about the calculation. You just knew what the score was.

Of course, everybody made mistakes occasionally. I certainly did.

But the more matches you marked, the quicker you became.

Now, in some competitions, it's perfectly possible to play darts regularly without ever having to subtract a score yourself.

The machine does it for you.

And that raises a question. If we stop practising a skill, should we be surprised when we get a bit rusty?

The Whiteboard Experience

What struck me about the tournament I attended wasn't that anybody was incapable of counting.

It was more that some people seemed uncertain.

And I include myself in that.

I've marked and scored an awful lot of darts over the years, but standing there with a pen in my hand again, I realised I wasn't quite as sharp as I remembered.

It wasn't a disaster. The scores still got calculated.

But I found myself having to think about things that once seemed automatic.

I suspect I'm not alone.

And I wonder whether somebody who has only ever played with electronic scoring would feel comfortable suddenly being asked to mark a match manually.

Some undoubtedly would. Others might find it a bit daunting.

That doesn't mean they're bad darts players. It just means they haven't necessarily had the same experience.

But Electronic Scoring Has Solved Plenty of Problems

We shouldn't forget the disadvantages of the old system either.

Not everybody enjoys marking, and not everybody is confident doing mental arithmetic in front of other players.

There's a certain pressure involved when two people are waiting for you to work out what somebody has scored, particularly if the match is moving quickly.

We've all probably witnessed a scorer getting flustered, making a mistake and then having somebody offer a not particularly helpful correction from behind them.

Electronic scoring removes a lot of that.

It can make tournaments more accessible to people who might otherwise be reluctant to enter, and it allows organisers to run competitions more efficiently.

There's also the question of accuracy. A tablet isn't guaranteed to prevent mistakes, because somebody still has to enter the correct score, but calculating the remaining total automatically removes one opportunity for human error.

And for players who enjoy statistics, being able to look back at their performances is a huge bonus.

I certainly wouldn't want to lose that.

There's a Difference Between Scoring and Knowing Your Own Finishes

This is perhaps the part I find most interesting.

Even if you never mark another match in your life, surely knowing your way around a dartboard is still an important part of being a good player?

If you're left with 126, you should have some idea of how you want to approach it.

If you have 62 remaining and your first dart lands in the single 10, you should know what options you've got without needing somebody to tell you.

That's not quite the same as adding up three darts and subtracting the total from 501.

But the two skills are related.

Players who have spent years counting tend to become very familiar with the numbers on a dartboard.

Does electronic scoring affect that familiarity, or do players still develop it naturally through playing?

I'm not sure.

You can have an electronic scoreboard doing all the arithmetic and still be an excellent player who knows every finish and combination.

Equally, I wonder whether some newer players are becoming increasingly dependent on being shown what they have left, rather than working it out themselves.

And if they are, does it actually matter?

Are We Simply Moving With the Times?

Perhaps this is just what happens when technology improves.

We don't generally insist that somebody should be able to navigate with a paper map before they're allowed to use satellite navigation.

And plenty of us rely on calculators for sums we could once do in our heads.

Technology makes things easier, saves time and allows us to concentrate on other things.

Why should darts be any different?

Maybe counting simply isn't as important as it once was.

After all, the object of darts is to win legs and matches, not to demonstrate how quickly you can subtract 137 from 501.

But I can't help feeling there's something quite satisfying about being able to look at three darts, know instantly what they've scored and what the player has left.

It's a skill, even if it's one we don't necessarily need as often.

So Where Do We Go From Here?

I certainly don't think we should abandon electronic scoring. The advantages are far too great, and the information it provides has opened up all sorts of possibilities for grassroots darts.

But perhaps there's still a place for encouraging players to learn the traditional skills.

Maybe it's something that could be taught more often when youngsters first start playing.

Perhaps clubs could occasionally use manual scoring during practice sessions.

Or maybe it really doesn't matter, and I'm simply remembering an era when everybody had to do things differently.

I don't know the answer.

What I do know is that my recent experience with a whiteboard made me realise how quickly a skill can become rusty when you stop using it.

And if it happened to me, I wonder how many others have experienced the same thing.

I'd be interested to hear what other players think.

Do you prefer electronic scoring or the traditional whiteboard?

Have you found your counting has got slower since tablets became commonplace?

And, perhaps most importantly, do you think being able to count quickly is still an essential part of being a darts player, or is it a skill that technology has made less important?

Country Spotlight: South Korea – A Darts Nation With Two Different Worlds

 

My Country Spotlight series continues through Asia this week, and I've arrived at a country that presents a rather different challenge when it comes to assessing its darts strength.

South Korea.

When we think about Asian darts, countries such as Japan and the Philippines tend to dominate the conversation. Both have produced players who have made their mark internationally, particularly through the PDC Asian Tour.

But South Korea has an interesting darts story of its own.

There is an established domestic scene, organised competitions, international representation and a growing connection with the wider darts world.

And yet, compared with some of its Asian neighbours, South Korea hasn't produced the same number of familiar names on the international steel-tip circuit.

Why is that?

Well, I think part of the answer lies in the fact that South Korean darts has developed in a rather different way.

This is a country where two versions of the same sport have developed alongside one another.

And that makes it particularly interesting to investigate.

A Different Kind Of Darts Culture

One thing I've noticed while researching countries for this series is that darts doesn't necessarily develop in the same way everywhere.

Here in Britain, when somebody mentions darts, we almost automatically think of steel-tip darts.

We think about traditional dartboards, pub leagues, the PDC, the WDF and the countless local tournaments taking place every week.

But in parts of Asia, electronic soft-tip darts have become a major part of the sport.

South Korea is one of those countries.

Electronic dartboards are well established, and the country has developed an organised competitive structure around them.

Professional Darts Korea established a domestic professional soft-tip circuit in 2016, providing players with regular competition.

That gives South Korea something important.

A competitive environment in which players can develop their skills.

But it also makes the country's overall darts strength more difficult to assess.

Because while the two forms of darts share many of the same skills, they aren't identical.

The equipment is different, the scoring formats can vary, and the competitive environment isn't necessarily the same.

And, crucially for my own research, not all of those domestic electronic darts results appear in the Q4QS database.

So while I can examine South Korean players competing in international steel-tip events, that doesn't automatically give me a complete picture of the country's darts scene.

South Korea Welcomes The World

One of the most significant developments in South Korean darts came in September 2025.

The country hosted the WDF World Cup, welcoming competitors from 47 nations.

That's a major event for any darts nation.

The World Cup brings together men's, women's and youth teams from around the world, with individual and team competitions taking place.

Hosting an event of that scale requires considerable organisation.

It also demonstrates a commitment to developing the sport.

And for South Korean players, it provided an opportunity to compete against international opposition on home soil.

I think achievements like this sometimes get overlooked when we discuss the strength of a country's darts scene.

We tend to concentrate on individual players reaching televised PDC tournaments.

But international tournaments don't happen without national organisations, volunteers, venues and people willing to put the work in.

South Korea has demonstrated that it can play a significant part in that side of the sport.

The next challenge is translating more of that activity into competitive international results.

The Players Representing South Korea

South Korea has continued to produce players who compete internationally.

Among the names appearing in national-team selections and international events are ChiYong An, WoongHee Han, MinSeok Choi, Jinwook Lee and JinHyeok Lee.

MinSeok Choi is an interesting example because of his involvement in domestic soft-tip competition and his selection for the 2025 WDF World Cup team.

He's the sort of player who illustrates the connection between South Korea's domestic darts culture and its international ambitions.

Meanwhile, ChiYong An secured South Korea's qualifying place for the 2026 PDC Asian Championship through a national qualifying event.

That's another indication that opportunities exist for Korean players looking to compete on the wider Asian steel-tip circuit.

For my Q4QS analysis, I've selected two players whose recent Asian Tour results provide a useful starting point.

They aren't the only South Korean players in my database, but their profiles offer an opportunity to look more closely at actual match performances.

Jinwook Lee – Encouraging Scoring Performances

The first player is Jinwook Lee.

My database contains eight matches across four PDC Asian Tour events in April 2026.

He won four and lost four, giving him a 50% win rate.

His overall match average was 76.91, with a best performance of 90.80.

That best average came in a 4–1 defeat against Pupo Teng-Lieh.

Now, that's interesting in itself.

A player averaging over 90 and still losing relatively comfortably tells us something about the standard of opposition he was facing.

Lee also averaged 82.92 in defeat against Royden Lam.

His best winning performance was an 80.16 average in a 4–0 victory over Kouga Matsubara.

He also recorded victories against Lourenco Sun, Tomohiro Kikuya and Yoichi Yunoki.

In Asian Tour Event 8, Lee reached the last 32 before losing a deciding-leg match against Akito Yamagata.

Looking at those results, I think there's certainly something to work with.

An overall average approaching 77 is respectable.

A best average above 90 demonstrates that he can produce a considerably higher standard.

But the next step is consistency.

Producing a good average in one match is useful.

Producing it regularly enough to win several matches in succession is what separates competitive players from tournament contenders.

And that's the challenge for Lee.

Junsoo Park – Another Player With Potential

The second player I've selected is Junsoo Park.

Like Lee, his recorded performances come from four PDC Asian Tour events in April 2026.

Park played seven matches, winning three and losing four.

That gives him a 42.9% win rate.

His overall match average was 68.00, with a best of 77.78.

His highest average came in a 4–1 victory over Yoichi Yunoki.

He also produced a 76.22 average in a 4–2 win against Odkhüü Khundaganai.

Both are encouraging performances.

Park reached the last 32 of Asian Tour Event 8, where he lost to Mitsuhiko Tatsunami.

However, his other recorded averages were generally in the 60s.

That suggests he has some work to do before he can consistently challenge stronger Asian Tour opposition.

And that's not intended as criticism.

The whole purpose of looking at the Q4QS numbers is to see where players currently stand.

Park has demonstrated that he can win matches at this level.

The next challenge is raising his average performance and becoming more consistent.

What The Q4QS Numbers Tell Us

Here's how the two players compare.

Player	Matches	Wins	Win %	Match Average	Best
Jinwook Lee	8	4	50.0%	76.91	90.80
Junsoo Park	7	3	42.9%	68.00	77.78

Neither player has yet reached the six-event threshold required for an official Q4QS Average.

So these are their overall match averages, rather than the adjusted Q4QS measure.

It's also important to explain that these two profiles are a selection from the South Korean players represented in my database.

They are not intended to represent every player competing in the country.

And with just 15 matches between them, it would be a mistake to draw sweeping conclusions about South Korean darts.

What they do provide is an indication of the standard being produced by two players competing on the PDC Asian Tour.

Lee has demonstrated some good scoring ability.

Park has shown that he can win matches.

But neither has yet produced the sustained run of results that would establish him among Asia's leading players.

At least, not within the results I've examined here.

Are Soft-Tip And Steel-Tip Two Separate Worlds?

This is probably the part of South Korea's darts story that interests me most.

If somebody is successful in domestic soft-tip competition, how easily can that success transfer to steel-tip?

The basic skill is obviously similar.

You're throwing darts at a target.

Accuracy, concentration, rhythm and handling pressure all matter.

But there are differences.

Soft-tip darts are generally lighter, electronic boards have different dimensions, and the formats used in competition can vary.

A player who has spent years developing their game around one format may need time to adjust to another.

And there's another consideration.

Not every successful soft-tip player necessarily wants to make that transition.

Some may be perfectly happy competing within the domestic electronic darts scene.

Others may see the PDC Asian Tour as an opportunity to test themselves against different opposition.

Neither approach is necessarily right or wrong.

But it does create an interesting situation.

South Korea could have players capable of producing excellent performances who aren't regularly appearing in international steel-tip results.

And until more of those players compete in events where their performances can be measured, it will be difficult to know how strong the country's wider player base really is.

The PDC Asian Tour Opportunity

The development of the PDC Asian Tour has created a clearer pathway for players across the region.

South Korean players can compete against established international opposition and gain experience of high-standard steel-tip competition.

That's particularly valuable for players who may have developed primarily through electronic darts.

It gives them an opportunity to discover where they stand.

And it gives players a reason to improve.

Looking at Lee's results, he's already encountered opponents capable of producing very strong averages.

That experience should be useful.

But I think regular participation is important.

Four events can provide a useful introduction.

Competing across a much larger part of the season would give us a clearer picture of a player's progress.

It would also make comparisons with other Asian countries more meaningful.

And What About The Women's Game?

South Korea also has a history of women's international representation.

Players including SukHee Song and Areum Kim have appeared in national-team selections across different years.

And the country's involvement in WDF competition provides opportunities beyond the PDC Asian Tour.

This is another area where the distinction between domestic electronic darts and international steel-tip darts becomes important.

There may be successful female players competing regularly within South Korea whose results aren't reflected in the data I currently use.

Without a sufficiently detailed set of match results, I don't think it would be fair to start comparing those players with the leading women from other countries in this series.

But it's certainly an area worth following.

Especially if South Korea continues to develop its international participation.

So How Strong Is South Korean Darts?

I think this is a harder question to answer than it first appears.

If we judge South Korea purely by its leading international steel-tip results, it doesn't currently have the same profile as countries such as Japan or the Philippines.

But that isn't the whole picture.

South Korea has an established domestic darts structure.

It has a professional soft-tip circuit.

It has players representing the country internationally.

And it has demonstrated the organisational ability to host a major international championship.

Those are all positives.

The challenge is measuring how much of that domestic strength is translating into international steel-tip performances.

And that's where I think South Korea still has something to prove.

Not because the players lack ability.

But because sustained results at the highest Asian steel-tip level are what ultimately establish a country's competitive reputation.

Looking Ahead

I think South Korea has an interesting opportunity over the next few years.

The domestic structure already exists.

There are players with international experience.

And the PDC Asian Tour provides a route into a wider competitive environment.

What I'd like to see is greater crossover between the domestic electronic darts scene and international steel-tip competition.

More players entering Asian Tour events.

More regular participation.

More players recording competitive averages across an entire season.

And eventually, somebody emerging as a consistent challenger for major Asian titles.

Perhaps Jinwook Lee can develop further.

Perhaps ChiYong An can build on his Asian Championship qualification.

Or perhaps the next breakthrough player is somebody currently making a name for themselves on South Korea's soft-tip circuit.

That's the fascinating thing about this country.

We may not yet be seeing the full extent of its darts talent in the international results.

And that makes it a nation worth revisiting.

Q4QS Darts Nation Rating

Current Strength: 5.5/10

Participation & Depth: 6.5/10

International Achievement: 5.5/10

Future Potential: 6.5/10

Overall Q4QS Nation Rating: 6.0/10

I'm giving South Korea 6/10.

This is a provisional assessment, and perhaps one of the more difficult ratings I've had to make in this series.

The country deserves recognition for its domestic darts structure, established soft-tip scene and involvement in international competition.

Hosting the 2025 WDF World Cup is another significant positive.

But when assessing international steel-tip strength, I haven't yet seen enough sustained high-level results to place South Korea alongside the strongest Asian nations.

The two Q4QS profiles I've examined show some encouraging performances, particularly from Jinwook Lee.

However, those profiles are only part of the wider picture and aren't enough on their own to establish the country's overall strength or depth.

The potential is certainly there.

And if more of South Korea's domestic players begin competing regularly on the international steel-tip circuit, its rating could change considerably.

South Korea already has a darts culture. The next challenge is making a bigger impact on the international steel-tip stage.

And I suspect this is one country I'll want to return to as the series develops.

Yesterday's Darts Results: Jamie Kay Wins Again, Scott Hill Hits 107.36 and Joshua Russell Shines as 78 Tournaments Are Added

Thursday brought another 78 tournaments into the Q4QS database, with plenty of excellent darts across the country.

There was a particularly interesting story developing in Cornwall, where Jamie Kay collected another title, having already won in Bodmin on Wednesday. This time, he came through a close final against Scott Hill at St Breward AFC & Social Club.

Hill may have lost the final, but his 107.36 average was one of the standout performances of the evening.

Elsewhere, Robbie Long won at Hangar61 in Patchway, Finlay Cleave took the Torquay title, Tommy Sperring won at DartAsylum HQ, George Whyte impressed in Bromley and Joshua Russell produced an outstanding performance in Cardiff.

And it wasn't just the winners who caught my attention. There were several three-figure averages, strong performances from runners-up and four WADC competitions to add to the growing women's darts results.

Jamie Kay continues his winning run in Cornwall

There are some players whose names seem to keep appearing in these results, and Jamie Kay is certainly one of them this week.

After winning at Bodmin Band & Social Club on Wednesday, Kay returned to action at St Breward AFC & Social Club, where he defeated Scott Hill 3–2 in the final.

Kay finished with seven victories and produced a superb 100.20 average against Mason Dower.

However, Scott Hill deserves just as much recognition. His 107.36 against Joshua Meneer was the highest average at the venue, and he followed it with 97.77 against Kieran Gill.

Andrew Cook recorded 96.97 against Laura Kay, while Chris Gill produced 93.94 against Jacob Nurse.

That's five averages above 93 in one competition, with four different players involved.

For me, this was one of the strongest tournaments of Thursday evening, particularly given the quality throughout the field.

And Kay's second title in two days is another developing story worth watching.

Robbie Long takes the Hangar61 title

At Hangar61 in Patchway, Robbie Long defeated Shoey Ayres 3–0 in the final of the Thursday night round robin.

Long collected six victories and recorded a best average of 91.09 against Thomas Goodrich, along with 83.50 against Jamie Harvey.

Interestingly, two other players matched that 91.09 average: Shoey Ayres against Stefan Williams and Martin Harries, also against Williams.

Ayres actually finished with the most victories on the evening, winning eight matches, while Liam Moore and Corey Oates collected six each.

That makes Long's title particularly interesting. He wasn't the player with the most wins across the competition, but he delivered when it mattered.

Finlay Cleave wins a close Torquay final

At Cue Sports Academy in Torquay, Finlay Cleave defeated Jamie Chamberlain 3–2 in the final.

Cleave won six matches and recorded two 75.15 averages, against Jesse Cavanagh and Esteban Richards.

Charlie Sanderson produced the highest average of the event, 81.24 against George Butcher, while Ricky Lait and Chamberlain each recorded five victories.

It was a competitive evening without the enormous averages seen elsewhere, but that's part of what makes grassroots darts interesting.

Not every tournament needs a 100-plus average to produce a worthwhile story.

Tommy Sperring wins at DartAsylum HQ

Tommy Sperring collected seven victories at DartAsylum HQ, defeating Glenn Pearce 3–0 in the final.

Pearce finished with six wins and produced the best average of the competition, 82.26 against Louis Hamblin.

Hamblin recorded 79.60 in the same match, while Jack Wright and Pearce both registered 75.15 averages elsewhere in the event.

Sperring's seven wins made him the most successful player on the night, and he finished the job with a convincing final victory.

George Whyte impresses in Bromley

At Bromley Common Social and Athletic Club, George Whyte defeated Riley James 3–0 in the final.

Whyte recorded eight victories and produced an outstanding 107.36 average against Kiran Patel, followed by 91.09 against Joshua Hogan and 89.82 against James Shulver.

But the highest average of the competition belonged to Tyler Gabriel, who recorded 111.33 against Jay Smith.

Riley James also produced 96.97 against Dan Day and finished with seven victories.

It was another competition where the winner combined a strong run of results with some excellent scoring.

Joshua Russell produces a superb Cardiff performance

At Cardiff County Conservative Club, Joshua Russell defeated Mike Huntley 3–1 in the final.

Russell finished with eight victories and saved his best average for the final itself, producing 104.67 against Huntley.

He also recorded 93.94 against James Lawrence.

Huntley was impressive throughout, with averages of 95.94, 95.93 and 91.19 among his results, finishing with seven victories.

What makes Russell's performance particularly impressive is that the 104.67 came in the match that decided the tournament.

That's a very good way to finish an evening.

More excellent darts around the country

There were several other performances that deserve a mention.

At Brynmawr Social Club, Bryan Flew recorded 107.36 against Dylan Ruck-Havard, although the tournament title went to Marc Hughes, who defeated Aaran Richards 3–1.

At Darfield Conservative Club in Barnsley, both Jack Hill and Tom Outwin hit 107.36 averages, while Carl Wilkinson recorded 100.20 and 96.97. The title went to Josh Ryan, who defeated Steve Wood 3–1.

At Rusthall Club in Tunbridge Wells, Carl Wilson defeated Jack Johnson 3–1 in the final. Johnson produced 107.36 earlier in the evening, but Wilson's averages of 100.20, 98.02 and 96.70 were particularly impressive.

At Pinches Cue Club in Norwich, Darren Brown produced 104.86, 103.66 and 96.97, but James Hubbard took the title after defeating Jack Main 3–2.

At The Wolversdene Club in Andover, Jack Steer defeated David Moule 3–2, despite Moule recording 100.20 earlier in the event.

And at Rushden Windmill Club, James Richardson produced a 100.20 average in his 3–0 final victory over Josh Richardson, completing an eight-win evening.

There's a familiar pattern here. The highest average doesn't always belong to the eventual winner, and that's one of the reasons I like looking at the entire tournament rather than just picking out the biggest numbers.

WADC: Four competitions and four winners

There were four WADC Vault 3.0 tournaments recorded on Thursday, and some particularly good performances among them.

Joanne Oldershaw – Sir John Warren, Ilkeston

Joanne Oldershaw defeated Michelle Adkin 3–1 in the final, recording four victories.

Oldershaw produced the highest average across Thursday's WADC events, 79.03 against Lisa Davie, and also recorded 71.57 and 69.37.

That's an impressive series of averages, and she was my standout WADC performer of the evening.

Kasey Smith – Higher Irlam Social Club

Kasey Smith defeated Danyela Parish-Bolton 3–1 in the final.

Smith produced 59.85 in the deciding match, with both finalists collecting three victories.

Zoe Lane – Bar One, Brynmawr

Zoe Lane defeated Tracey Hickey 2–1 in the final.

Hickey recorded the most victories with four and produced the event's best average of 51.83, but Lane took the title.

Shaunna Hughes – Upper Dovercourt Social Club, Harwich

Shaunna Hughes defeated Kimberley Self 3–1 in the final, winning five matches.

Hughes also recorded the competition's best average, 54.70 against Honie Summerfield.

Four tournaments might not be the busiest WADC evening we've recorded, but there was plenty to recognise, especially Oldershaw's performances in Ilkeston.

Junior Volts: Harrison Doherty impresses in Manchester

There were two JDC Junior Volts events in Thursday's results.

At Higher Irlam Social Club in Manchester, Harrison Doherty defeated James Parr 3–2 in the final.

Doherty won six matches and produced an outstanding 93.94 average against Georgie Gallacher. He also recorded 81.24, 76.33 and 71.57.

That's a strong collection of averages for a junior competition.

At Cogan Coronation in Penarth, Theo Everton defeated Jacob Ingram 3–1 in the final.

Everton recorded six victories, while Ingram finished with five. Dylan Person produced the best average of the competition, 71.57, followed by 65.35.

Doherty's performance in Manchester was particularly impressive, and another reminder of the quality coming through the junior game.

Thursday's standout averages

These are the leading individual match averages recorded in the results.

Player	Average	Venue
Tyler Gabriel	111.33	Bromley Common
Scott Hill	107.36	St Breward
George Whyte	107.36	Bromley Common
Bryan Flew	107.36	Brynmawr
Jack Hill	107.36	Darfield
Tom Outwin	107.36	Darfield
Jack Johnson	107.36	Rusthall
Darren Brown	104.86	Pinches Cue Club
Joshua Russell	104.67	Cardiff County Conservative Club
Andreas Hajimina	103.66	The Glebe, Stevenage

Darren Brown also recorded 103.66 at Norwich, and there were several other averages above 100.

My five standout performances

1. Jamie Kay – A second tournament title in two days, this time at St Breward, with a 100.20 average.
2. Scott Hill – A 107.36 average, a further 97.77 and a place in the St Breward final.
3. Joshua Russell – Eight victories in Cardiff and a 104.67 average in the final.
4. George Whyte – Eight wins, the Bromley title and a 107.36 average.
5. Harrison Doherty – Six wins and an outstanding 93.94 average in the Manchester Junior Volts event.

Special mentions go to Robbie Long, Darren Brown, Carl Wilson, Joanne Oldershaw and Tyler Gabriel.

Another 78 tournaments added to Q4QS

Thursday's results provided another good mixture of grassroots darts.

We've had established players producing excellent averages, local tournament regulars adding more titles, developing junior talent and another four WADC events.

But the most interesting story for me is Jamie Kay.

Two titles in two days, against different opponents, with another three-figure average thrown in.

It's exactly the sort of form that becomes more meaningful as the Q4QS database grows.

I'll continue following these performances, because the bigger picture is often much more interesting than one isolated result.

Full results, player rankings and performance statistics are available at questforqschool.com.

Yesterday's Darts Results: Ryan Palmer Wins Again, Paul Rowley Hits 120.24 and 93 Tournaments Added – 14 October 2026

Another Wednesday evening, another enormous collection of grassroots darts results.

A total of 93 tournaments were added to the Q4QS database, covering ADC Vault competitions, WADC events, Junior Volts and independent tournaments across England and Wales.

And there was plenty of quality on show.

Paul Rowley recorded a magnificent 120.24 average in Shrewsbury, Keegan Brown produced 115.62 and 111.33 on the Isle of Wight, and Ryan Palmer continued his impressive form with a second tournament victory in two days.

Closer to home, there were wins for Danny Humphries in Salisbury, Alex Cantillion in Stonehouse, Jamie Kay in Bodmin, Shaun Vernall in Evesham and Kieran Spurdle in Chard.

There were also nine WADC competitions and another busy evening for the JDC Junior Volts.

It's the mixture of big averages, local rivalries and developing stories that makes these daily results so interesting.

Ryan Palmer makes it two titles in two days

One of the most interesting developments this week is the form of Ryan Palmer.

On Tuesday, Palmer won at Widden Rugby Club in Gloucester, producing a magnificent 109.98 average in the final.

Twenty-four hours later, he was back in action at Sartan Club in Bishopsworth, Bristol, and once again came away with the title.

Palmer defeated Ricky Palmer 3–0 in the final, collecting seven victories across the evening.

His best average was 103.66 against Kyle Matthews, while he also recorded 92.12 against Steve Brown and 90.18 in the final.

Ricky Palmer and Steve Brown each finished with five wins.

What interests me most isn't simply the 103.66. It's the consistency across consecutive evenings, at different venues and against different opposition.

Two titles in two days, including another three-figure average, is an impressive run.

Danny Humphries produces the goods in Salisbury

At Stratford Social Club in Salisbury, Danny Humphries defeated Lewis Tarrant 3–1 in the final.

Humphries won seven matches and produced an excellent 99.13 average against Kyle Butcher, along with 83.50 against Beau Murton.

Tarrant collected six victories and recorded 83.50 against Lewis Newman, while Liam Glister produced 81.98.

Another strong Wednesday evening in Salisbury, and an impressive performance from Humphries.

Alex Cantillion takes Stonehouse title

At Magpies Social Club in Stonehouse, Alex Cantillion defeated Paul Meyer 3–2 in the final.

Cantillion produced the competition's best average, 95.94 against Cameron Oram, and also recorded 76.42 against Simon Ferris.

It was a smaller event, with seven matches recorded, but Cantillion won all three of his matches to take the title.

It's worth recognising these smaller competitions alongside the larger Vault events. They all contribute to the local competitive darts scene.

Jamie Kay wins a close Bodmin final

At Bodmin Band & Social Club, Jamie Kay came through a tight final against Logan Symons Jnr, winning 3–2.

Kay recorded 92.02 against Jamie Pollard and 86.96 in the final, collecting seven victories.

Logan Symons Jnr was also in good form, recording 91.09 against Matt Wilson and 86.71 against Alfie Dawes.

James Chudleigh and William Chaffe each finished with six wins.

With both finalists producing strong averages, this was one of the better South West contests of the evening.

Shaun Vernall wins a competitive Evesham Vault

The Bengeworth Club in Evesham provided another interesting result.

Shaun Vernall defeated Pete Hughes 3–2 in the final, with both players recording seven victories.

Vernall produced 90.43 against Danny Lauby, 87.44 in the final and 85.89 against Reece Pinches.

Danny Lauby recorded 91.09, while Reece Pinches hit 88.41.

With Hughes, Vernall, Lauby and Jason Reeve all collecting at least six wins, there was plenty of competition for the title.

Kieran Spurdle wins in Chard

At The Choughs Hotel in Chard, Kieran Spurdle defeated Paul Gardiner 3–2 in the final.

Spurdle collected seven victories and produced 90.82 against Gardiner, who finished with five wins.

Warren Bowditch also recorded five victories and averaged 76.31 in a win against Spurdle.

A good night for Spurdle, who was another of Wednesday's featured South West winners.

Paul Rowley hits 120.24 and wins in Shrewsbury

One of the most impressive individual performances of the evening came at Bagley Sports & Social Club in Shrewsbury.

Paul Rowley recorded an exceptional 120.24 average against Wayne Hardman.

He followed that with 98.02 against Jake B-Smith and went on to defeat Archie Wright 3–2 in the final.

Rowley finished with seven victories, while Wright recorded six.

What makes Rowley's performance particularly noteworthy is that he combined the huge average with the tournament title.

That's a much more complete story than simply recording the highest average of the evening.

Keegan Brown puts on a show on the Isle of Wight

At The Simeon Arms in Ryde, Keegan Brown produced two exceptional averages during his run to the title.

He recorded 115.62 against Ethan Barsdell and 111.33 against Mark Feakes.

Brown went on to defeat Lee Simpkins 3–1 in the final, finishing with eight victories.

Simpkins collected six wins, while Daryl Hunt, Tom McInnes and Jay Moore each recorded five.

Two averages above 110 in one competition certainly deserve recognition.

Other outstanding performances around the country

Wednesday's results included several other players producing exceptional darts.

Callum Wallace – ADC National Finals Warm Up

Callum Wallace defeated Ian Phillips 3–0 in the final, winning nine matches. His best averages were 107.36, 103.66 and 91.09. Phillips also had an impressive eight victories.

Daniel Astbury – Hednesford

Daniel Astbury won at Chase Social Workers Club, defeating Codey Exall 3–2 in the final. He recorded 111.33 against Kim Darby and collected eight victories.

George Cressey – Crowborough

George Cressey defeated John Penny 3–0 in the final, winning eight matches and recording 111.33 against Harry Hannam, followed by two 91.09 averages.

Oliver Guest – Shotton

Oliver Guest defeated Chris Dobbins 3–1 in the final at Groves Sports & Social Club. His standout average was 111.33 against Sam Johnson.

Colin Hopkins – Whittlesey

Colin Hopkins produced 111.33 against Spencer Fage, although the title went to Phil Johnson-Hale, who defeated Connor Arberry 3–1.

James Lawson – Oswaldtwistle

James Lawson defeated John Spencer 3–1 in the final, recording 107.36, 100.20, 97.08, 91.09 and 88.41 during an eight-win performance.

Of those performances, Lawson's consistency particularly stands out. Five strong averages in one event tell us more about sustained performance than a single exceptional match.

South West: more winners worth mentioning

There were plenty of other results across the region.

At The Pitch Sports Bar in St Austell, Andrew Cook defeated Freddie Rich 3–1 in the final. Cook won eight matches and recorded 93.94, 85.89, 85.00 and 84.46.

At Break N Dish in Street, Dean Baker defeated Mervyn Adams 3–0, winning eight matches and recording 88.41.

At Barnstaple Town FC, Oscar Yeaman defeated Neil Ridd 3–0, producing 81.98 against Matt Lambert.

At the Devizes Town Under-70 Round Robin, Steve Perkins defeated Aaron Croft 4–1 in the final. Both Perkins and Chris Hiscock recorded 91.09 averages.

At Purton's Under-70 competition, Wayne Millin defeated Jamie Forbes 4–3, winning eight matches. Samuel King recorded the best average of 77.08.

And at the Red Lion Paulton Under-55 round robin, Grayson The Grenade defeated Elliot Gregory 2–1 in the final, collecting eight victories.

These average-restricted competitions continue to provide opportunities for players at different stages of their darts development.

WADC: Nine tournaments and nine winners

Wednesday also brought nine WADC Vault 3.0 competitions, with events across England and Wales.

The winners were:

• Donna Buckley – Arrows, Resolven, defeating Tia Sterio 3–1.
• Pennie Lewis – BRWCA, Hampshire, defeating Milly Milligan 3–2.
• Cerys Skyrme-Davies – Bradmoor Farm, Aylesbury, defeating Keri Stinton 3–2.
• Kim Martin – Challow British Legion, defeating Michelle Ewins-Pointin 3–0.
• Donna Thomas – Duffy's, Pontypridd, defeating Celyn Saunders 3–2.
• Tracey Hancock – MK Lounge, Bodmin, defeating Courtney Hancock 3–0.
• Jane Price – Bengeworth Club, Evesham, defeating Kelly-Marie Selby 3–0.
• Juliet Findley – The Men of March, defeating Millie Jolley 3–0.
• Suzanne Price – Monty Club, Newtown, defeating Rhian Evans 3–0.

There were several performances worth highlighting.

Juliet Findley recorded 79.11 in the final against Millie Jolley, who averaged 72.16 in the same match. Findley also produced 69.91 earlier in the competition.

At Aylesbury, Keri Stinton recorded 71.57, although Cerys Skyrme-Davies took the title.

In Bodmin, Anna Pearce hit 71.57, but Tracey Hancock won the event, recording 68.32 in the final.

Pennie Lewis and Milly Milligan both recorded 68.32 in Hampshire, while Paula Collins produced the same average at Newtown.

It's good to see nine WADC competitions taking place on a Wednesday evening. Regular opportunities to compete are essential, and these results show a mixture of close finals, improving performances and some excellent individual averages.

Junior Volts: Joshua Russell leads the way

Another busy evening for the JDC Junior Volts programme, with some impressive averages and close finals.

At PILCS Sports & Social Club in Pontypool, Joshua Russell defeated Nico Adams 3–2 in the final.

Russell collected seven victories and produced averages of 93.94, 90.18 and 86.14.

That's an excellent series of performances and, for me, the standout junior result of the evening.

At King Alfred in Lowestoft, Oakley Smith defeated Rhys Tonkes 3–0 in the final. Both players recorded eight victories, while Tonkes produced 85.89.

At Pinches Cue Club in Norwich, Jenson Page defeated Alfie Winter 3–2, collecting eight victories. Rikki Sayer recorded the event's highest average of 84.87.

At The Bull Room in Stowmarket, Ethan Goudy defeated Remy Stapleton 3–1 in the final. Stapleton recorded 85.89 and 79.11.

At The Kings Pub in Exeter, Oliver Hutchings defeated Aaron Rea 3–1. Both players collected six victories, while Lewis Woods produced the highest average of 69.91.

Elsewhere, Gruff Davies won in Llandysul, Will Tomkinson won in Crewe, and Mason Parks took the NJDA Contenders Event 1 title.

The junior programme continues to produce an enormous amount of competitive darts, and Russell's performance in Pontypool was particularly impressive.

My five standout performances

With 93 tournaments recorded, there were plenty of candidates. These are the five that caught my attention most.

1. Paul Rowley – A 120.24 average and the tournament title in Shrewsbury.
2. Keegan Brown – Averages of 115.62 and 111.33, plus eight wins and the title in Ryde.
3. Ryan Palmer – A second title in two days, this time at Sartan Club, with a 103.66 average.
4. James Lawson – Five impressive averages, including 107.36 and 100.20, on his way to winning in Oswaldtwistle.
5. Joshua Russell – An outstanding junior performance in Pontypool, recording 93.94, 90.18 and 86.14 on his way to the title.

Special mentions also go to Callum Wallace, Daniel Astbury, George Cressey, Oliver Guest and Juliet Findley.

Another 93 tournaments added to Q4QS

The more results I add, the more interesting the wider picture becomes.

We're seeing players compete at multiple venues, strong performances across consecutive evenings, and a growing number of women's and junior competitions contributing to the database.

Ryan Palmer's two titles in two days are a good example of the stories that emerge when we look beyond individual tournaments.

And with players like Paul Rowley, Keegan Brown and James Lawson producing such impressive numbers, there's certainly no shortage of quality at grassroots level.

That's what I want Q4QS to keep doing: not just recording who won, but showing the performances, form and developing stories behind grassroots darts.

Full results, player rankings and performance statistics are available at questforqschool.com.