Monday brought another 58 tournaments into the Q4QS Database, and there were some remarkable performances among them.
The headline has to be a 115.62 average from junior player Jayden Walker in Salisbury. We also had a 109.98 from Lee Evans in a Llanelli final, a 111.33 at the North Star Club in Calne and some excellent darts at Bengeworth Club in Evesham.
There were seven WADC Vault competitions, eight Junior Volts events and plenty of local and regional tournaments to look through.
What particularly interested me was the mixture of established players, youngsters and local regulars producing some of the day's strongest performances.
Jayden Walker produces a remarkable 115.62 in Salisbury
I'm not sure how many people would have expected the highest average of Monday's results to come from a Junior Volts competition, but that's exactly what happened at Stratford Social Club in Salisbury.
Jayden Walker defeated Zachary Petty 3–0 in the final, completing an impressive nine victories.
But the result only tells part of the story.
Walker recorded a remarkable 115.62 average against Jacob Stott, followed by another three-figure performance of 100.20 against Joshua Stott.
He also produced averages of 88.41 against Zachary Byford and 79.11 in the final.
Nine victories, two averages above 100 and a tournament title. That's an exceptional evening at any level, never mind junior darts.
Charlie Grearson, Joshua Stott and Zachary Petty all finished with six victories, but Walker was clearly the standout performer.
I always think it's important to remember that individual averages can be affected by the length of a match. Even allowing for that, 115.62 is an extraordinary figure.
Lee Evans produces 109.98 in the Llanelli final
One of my favourite performances from Monday came at Cambrian Sports Bar in Llanelli.
Lee Evans defeated Nenin Jones 3–0 in the final, averaging 109.98.
Producing your best darts in a final is always impressive, and Evans certainly managed that.
His other leading averages were:
- 95.94 against Tyrone Pritchard
- 92.02 against Roger James
- 91.09 against Adrian Davies
Evans finished with six victories, while Jones and Roger James both collected five.
Jones also produced an excellent 103.66 average against Oscar Bourne.
This was a particularly strong evening at Cambrian Sports Bar, with both finalists contributing three-figure averages.
Vince Tipple takes the title at Bengeworth Club
The Monday Vault competition at Bengeworth Club in Evesham produced another strong set of results.
Vince Tipple defeated Paul Jones 3–2 in the final, finishing with seven victories.
Tipple's best average was 90.57 against Jones, and he also recorded 85.89 against Alfie Lewis and 85.23 against Jason Reeve.
However, the highest average of the competition came from Shaun Vernall, who produced 96.97 against Luis Cowley-Bryenton.
Jones also impressed, recording 88.50 against Tipple.
Vernall finished with six victories and Jones with five, but Tipple came through a close final to secure the title.
It's another good example of why I like looking beyond the highest average. Vernall produced the best individual performance, but Tipple was the player who ultimately won the tournament.
Ashley Melvin impresses in Salisbury
Stratford Social Club also hosted its regular adult Vault competition, and there were some very good averages recorded.
Des Stevens defeated Luke Yates 3–2 in the final, with both Stevens and Ashley Melvin finishing on six victories.
Melvin recorded two separate 96.97 averages, against Kelsey Haigh and Jamie Rhodes.
Liam Glister also collected six victories, while Yates finished with five.
Although Melvin produced the strongest individual averages, Stevens did enough to take the title.
With Walker's exceptional Junior Volts performance taking place at the same venue, Stratford Social Club certainly had a memorable Monday.
Scott Mc records 111.33 in Calne
At the North Star Club in Calne, the highest recorded average was 111.33 from Scott Mc against Daniel Fitchett.
That's the second-highest individual average in Monday's report.
I should mention that the player is recorded as Scott Mc in the results, so I'm keeping that name as supplied rather than assuming a full surname.
The tournament itself was won by Gary Hiscock, who defeated Aidan Wiltshire 3–1 in the final.
Hiscock finished with six victories and recorded a best average of 88.41 against Lee Andrews.
Rich Griffee also produced 96.97, while Alfie Barney and Shoey Ayres both recorded 91.09.
A strong night at one of the regular Wiltshire venues.
Other impressive Monday performances
There were several more results worth picking out.
At Hindley Social Club, Jonathan Kavanagh defeated Anthony Paul Hitchen 4–2, recording a 105.47 average against Jason Walkley and 95.13 against Connor Mather.
At the Academy in Basingstoke, Jason Collins defeated Paul Hogan 3–0. Hogan and Callum Grealis both recorded 103.66 and 100.20 during the competition.
At the Clive Arms in Cardiff, Kurt Parry defeated Jose Van Angeles 3–1, producing a 102.48 average against Edward Manley.
At the Green Star in Smallthorne, Carl Batchelor defeated Ash Dale 3–0, winning eight matches. His leading averages were 100.20, 98.02, 91.09 and two performances of 88.41.
At Wattsville National Club, Connor Hopkins defeated Alec Small 3–1. Hopkins recorded two 100.20 averages, along with 95.94.
At Nantyffyllon Non Political Club in Maesteg, Mike Huntley defeated Bryan Williams 3–2, finishing with eight victories. Huntley produced 100.20, 96.97, 95.94 and 91.09.
At Legends Sports Bar in Wisbech, Brett Claydon defeated Scott Carter 3–1, winning eight matches and recording 97.28, 96.97 and 88.41.
At the Banckers Draught in Minehead, Dave Fisher defeated Jack Walker 3–0, completing eight victories. Dan Williams produced the highest average of the competition at 100.20.
And at the 49 Club's Under-60 Series, Billy Titchener defeated Ian Stringer 4–2, finishing with seven victories. Kirky Godbeer recorded the event's highest average of 75.15.
There was plenty of quality across the country, but what stood out was the number of players producing several strong performances in the same competition.
WADC: Anna Pearce wins in Plymouth as seven Vault events take place
There were seven WADC Vault 3.0 competitions in Monday's results, and I'm pleased to see the regular women's tournaments continuing across different parts of the country.
At Legends Darts Lounge in Plymouth, Anna Pearce defeated Heather Toney 3–1, completing five victories.
Pearce recorded averages of 59.33 against Jodie Hawton and 57.30 against Toney.
Toney produced the competition's highest average of 63.09.
Elsewhere, Monday's WADC winners were:
| Winner | Venue | Final result |
|---|---|---|
| Stacey Price | Bagley Sports & Social Club, Shrewsbury | Beat Emma Tapp 3–1 |
| Janet Hardman | Derby Arms, Birkenhead | Beat Leanne Topper 3–1 |
| Kate Drake | Hotshots Sports Bar, Bletchley | Beat Gill Clark 3–1 |
| Anna Pearce | Legends Darts Lounge, Plymouth | Beat Heather Toney 3–1 |
| Angharad Bessent Smith | Loughor WMC, Swansea | Beat Gaynor Jones 3–0 |
| Kelly Stevens | Newark Railway Sports & Social Club | Beat Nikki Rainbow 3–0 |
| Amanda Harwood | Pinches Cue Club, Norwich | Beat Lynsey Childs 3–2 |
Janet Hardman recorded the highest WADC average of the day, 69.91 against Molly Brash, while Stacey Price produced 66.80 against Emma Tapp.
Angharad Bessent Smith also impressed, recording 63.51 in the Swansea final.
These competitions may not always produce the headline averages, but they are an important part of grassroots darts. Regular competitive opportunities matter, and it's encouraging to see the WADC programme continuing across so many venues.
Junior Volts: Ben Lundstrom breaks 100 as eight competitions take place
Jayden Walker's 115.62 wasn't the only excellent performance from Monday's Junior Volts programme.
There were eight Junior Volts competitions in the results, with some very encouraging averages.
Ben Lundstrom produces 100.20
At McNamara's Sports Bar and Academy, Ben Lundstrom defeated Ralph Healing 3–0 in the final, finishing with six victories.
Lundstrom produced an outstanding 100.20 average against Freddie Kaufman and followed that with 88.41 in the final.
He also recorded 78.93 against Francis Woods.
Healing finished with five victories and recorded 76.42 against William Shaw.
That's an impressive collection of performances from Lundstrom, particularly when you consider he backed up his three-figure average by winning the tournament.
Cooper Cornish wins at Highbridge
At Highbridge Social Club, Cooper Cornish defeated Tai Anderson 3–2, winning six matches.
Cornish produced the highest average of the competition, 74.00 in the final, while Anderson recorded 72.31 in the same match.
Cornish also recorded 69.14 and 68.32 during the evening.
Archie O'Driscoll finished with five victories, while Anderson collected four.
A good competitive final, with Cornish doing enough to take the title.
Other Junior Volts winners
| Winner | Competition | Final result |
|---|---|---|
| Rowan Fielding | Barry Town United AFC, Barry | Beat Isaac Munro-Morris 3–1 |
| Jay Cottier | Bradley House Bar, Uttoxeter | Beat Jaicee Hill 3–1 |
| Cooper Cornish | Highbridge Social Club | Beat Tai Anderson 3–2 |
| Mason Lyon | MK Sports Bar & Lounge, Milton Keynes | Beat Presley Lamb 3–0 |
| Ben Lundstrom | McNamara's Sports Bar and Academy | Beat Ralph Healing 3–0 |
| Jayden Walker | Stratford Social Club, Salisbury | Beat Zachary Petty 3–0 |
| Jamie Johnson | Empire Clubs, Lancing | Beat Kai Pullinger 3–1 |
Alongside those results, Mason Lyon produced an 81.24 average in Milton Keynes, Noah Howe recorded 71.00 in Uttoxeter and Jamie Johnson collected eight victories in Lancing.
The junior competitions are becoming an increasingly interesting part of these daily reports. Walker's performance was exceptional, but there are plenty of other youngsters producing good darts on a regular basis.
Monday's highest recorded averages
Here are the leading individual match averages from the named tournaments in Monday's report.
| Player | Average | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Jayden Walker | 115.62 | Stratford Social Club, Salisbury |
| Scott Mc | 111.33 | North Star Club, Calne |
| Lee Evans | 109.98 | Cambrian Sports Bar, Llanelli |
| Jonathan Kavanagh | 105.47 | Hindley Social Club |
| Nenin Jones | 103.66 | Cambrian Sports Bar, Llanelli |
| Paul Hogan | 103.66 | The Academy, Basingstoke |
| Callum Grealis | 103.66 | The Academy, Basingstoke |
| Adrian Lingard | 102.48 | David Street Club |
| Kurt Parry | 102.48 | Clive Arms, Cardiff |
| Ben Lundstrom | 100.20 | McNamara's Sports Bar and Academy |
These are individual match averages, not tournament-wide averages. The separate entry labelled "Retry later" has been excluded.
My five standout performances
- Jayden Walker – Nine victories, two averages above 100 and a remarkable 115.62 in the Junior Volts competition at Salisbury.
- Lee Evans – A 109.98 average in the Llanelli final, backed up by several other performances above 90.
- Ben Lundstrom – A 100.20 Junior Volts average, followed by an 88.41 performance in the final.
- Carl Batchelor – Eight victories at Smallthorne, with averages of 100.20, 98.02 and 91.09.
- Vince Tipple – Seven victories and the Bengeworth title, coming through a close final against Paul Jones.
Special mentions go to Jonathan Kavanagh, Mike Huntley, Connor Hopkins, Ashley Melvin and Scott Mc.
Another 58 tournaments added to Q4QS
Monday's results offered another reminder of just how much is happening across grassroots darts.
There were excellent performances from experienced players, some impressive local tournament victories and another strong showing from the Junior Volts.
For me, the biggest story was Jayden Walker's 115.62. It's not every day that a junior player produces the highest average across an entire day's results.
But there was plenty more to appreciate.
Lee Evans delivered his best darts in a final, Vince Tipple came through a competitive field in Evesham, and seven WADC competitions provided more opportunities for women to compete.
With another 58 tournaments added to the Q4QS Database, all of these results contribute to the growing picture of player performance across the country.
You can explore the rankings and player statistics at Quest For Q School.
