Q4QS Live – Public Beta Now Available

 

After several weeks of development and testing, I'm pleased to announce that Q4QS Live has entered Public Beta.

Q4QS Live is a live grassroots darts results broadcast that follows multiple tournaments simultaneously, bringing completed match results together into one easy-to-follow stream. Rather than switching between individual tournaments, you can keep up with the latest action from venues across the South West and beyond in a single TV-style broadcast.

The project is still in beta, and I'll continue making small improvements based on testing and feedback. My focus is on reliability first, followed by presentation, while keeping the broadcast simple and easy to follow.

If you'd like to see it in action, I'd love for you to drop in, have a watch and let me know what you think. Feedback is always welcome as I continue to develop Q4QS Live into the best grassroots darts results service I can.

Tonight's stream will have tournaments from the Midlands, South West, South, South East and Wales.

Note: it only shows knockout games, not group games - scores should start to flow around 90 mins after the tournament start time. (First tournament starts 18.30 UK time)

🎯 Watch Q4QS Live on YouTube:
Darts Vidiprinter

Bristol & South West's Most Improved Players - A Very Important Ranking

 

Winning tournaments will always grab the headlines, but it isn't the only way to measure progress.

One of my favourite features in the Q4QS rankings is the Improvement Report, which compares a player's last 50 recorded legs against their previous 50 legs. Rather than rewarding a single great night or one tournament victory, it highlights players who are genuinely raising their level over time.

In many ways, I think this tells a bigger story than a simple league table.

Every darts player goes through peaks and troughs. We all have evenings where nothing seems to go right, followed by weeks where everything suddenly clicks. That's completely normal. What matters is how you respond after those difficult spells.

Take Ethan Williams, who currently tops the latest Bristol & South West Improvement Rankings.

His numbers are remarkable. Ethan has increased his average from 47.12 over his previous 50 legs to 65.91 across his latest 50 legs – an improvement of 18.79 points, or almost 40%.

That doesn't necessarily mean Ethan has suddenly become a completely different player overnight. It may simply show someone who has worked through a difficult period, found confidence again, and is now producing the level he is capable of.

That is exactly why I enjoy this report so much.

Behind Ethan are several players who continue to move in the right direction, including Christopher Willcocks, Christopher Staples, Joshua Rees, George Freeman, Natalie Baxter, Benny Watkins and Jamie Davey. Each has shown significant improvement over their most recent performances, proving that consistent development often matters more than one-off results.

Improvement isn't always a straight line

It's important to remember that this isn't a permanent ranking.

Players who appear near the top this month may naturally drop back next month once those improved performances become part of their longer-term average. Equally, players who are currently outside the Top 50 may suddenly climb the list after putting together a few strong tournaments.

That's exactly how improvement works.

Nobody keeps getting better every single week forever. Even the best players experience dips in form. The difference is that they recover.

The players to watch

Rank	Player	Previous 50	Last 50	Improvement	Improve %
1	Ethan Williams	47.12	65.91	+18.79	39.88%
2	Christopher Willcocks	51.47	60.40	+8.93	17.35%
3	Christopher Staples	52.34	61.39	+9.05	17.29%
4	Joshua Rees	43.65	50.64	+6.99	16.01%
5	George Freeman	36.24	41.98	+5.74	15.84%
6	Natalie Baxter	48.57	56.19	+7.62	15.69%
7	Benny Watkins	55.22	63.70	+8.48	15.36%
8	Jamie Davey	52.52	60.20	+7.68	14.62%
9	Brooklyn Anthony	57.62	65.63	+8.01	13.90%
10	Cruz Morse	38.20	43.51	+5.31	13.90%
11	Beau Murton	48.88	55.38	+6.50	13.30%
12	Jenson Swift	43.95	49.77	+5.82	13.24%
13	Markk Valentino	48.13	54.39	+6.26	13.01%
14	Gavyn Griffiths	46.95	53.03	+6.08	12.95%
15	Jac Thomas	53.84	60.50	+6.66	12.37%
16	Kieran Thomas	52.83	59.23	+6.40	12.11%
17	Alfie Milroy	28.89	32.35	+3.46	11.98%
18	Logun Godbeer	59.58	66.42	+6.84	11.48%
19	James Pryer	50.15	55.79	+5.64	11.25%
20	Phil Bisset	53.23	59.21	+5.98	11.23%
21	Arnold Szasz	43.18	47.96	+4.78	11.07%
22	Steven Rees	69.26	76.67	+7.41	10.70%
23	Todd Marfell	55.88	61.80	+5.92	10.59%
24	Pec Parkinson	58.33	64.49	+6.16	10.56%
25	James Taviner	55.44	61.08	+5.64	10.17%
26	Kian Baker	41.01	45.08	+4.07	9.92%
27	Reece Harding	53.69	58.90	+5.21	9.70%
28	Harley Hunt	39.30	43.10	+3.80	9.67%
29	Joel Farrell-Humphreys	52.79	57.87	+5.08	9.62%
30	Edward Manley	70.18	76.91	+6.73	9.59%

For me, one of the most encouraging signs is seeing the same names appear in the Improvement Rankings again and again.

If a player can consistently remain inside the Top 50 Improvers, it usually suggests they are steadily developing their game rather than relying on occasional good nights. Those are often the players who quietly climb the Q4QS rankings over the course of a season.

This report isn't designed to replace the main rankings.

Instead, it complements them by answering a different question:

Who's getting better?

Whether you're chasing your first tournament win or trying to break into the top tier of South West darts, improvement is ultimately what matters.

Keep improving, and the results usually follow.

I'll continue updating the Q4QS Improvement Rankings throughout the season, and it'll be fascinating to see who keeps moving upwards as 2026 progresses.

Introducing the 2026 South West Vault Finals Order of Merit

Over the course of 2026 I'm going to be keeping track of a brand-new statistic – the South West Vault Finals Order of Merit.

The idea is simple. Instead of rewarding players for entering lots of tournaments, this table rewards those who consistently perform when it matters most: the knockout stages of the biggest Vault events across the South West.

Every Vault event held during 2026 will contribute towards the table, with players earning points based on how far they progress.

Points System

🏆 Winner – 5 points

🥈 Runner-up – 4 points

🥉 Semi-final – 3 points

Quarter-final – 2 points

Last 16 – 1 point

The aim is to recognise consistency in high-quality competitions. A player who regularly reaches quarter-finals and semi-finals could finish above someone who wins one event but doesn't feature again.

After the opening three Vault events (Vaults 15, 16 and 17), the standings are already taking shape.

Rank	Player	Points
1	Jamie Kay	8
=2	Andy Steed	7
=2	Josh McCarthy	7
4	Neil Meneer	6
=5	Danny Humphries	5
=5	Henry Cooper	5
=5	Ashton Brown	5

One of the early stories is Jamie Kay, who tops the table without winning a Vault. Two semi-final appearances and a quarter-final have rewarded consistency, while Josh McCarthy, Henry Cooper and Ashton Brown have all picked up maximum points by winning a Vault event.

As more Vault competitions take place during the year, I'll continue updating the table to see who really is the standout performer across the South West's premier local events.

It should make for an interesting race throughout the season. 

 

ADC Winmau Championship Tour Returns With Huge Stakes in Events 5 & 6

Some of the biggest names outside the PDC ProTour will head to the ADC Winmau Championship Tour this weekend as Events 5 and 6 take centre stage.

With major opportunities and significant prize money all on the line, the ADC Championship Tour has quickly established itself as one of the premier grassroots circuits in the UK.

To make the series accessible to players across the country, the Championship Tour operates separate North and South circuits. Players aren't restricted to one region, however, and are free to compete on either tour throughout the season.

A Place At The Grand Finals

Every match this weekend carries extra importance.

After the final Championship Tour event, the Top 8 players on the North Ranking Table will qualify for the prestigious Grand Finals at the MODUS Live Lounge in Portsmouth on 17-18 October 2026.

The Finals prize fund has doubled from last season to £10,000, with the champion collecting £3,000 and, perhaps even more importantly, securing a place in the ADC Global Championship.

The Route To £60,000

Finishing inside the Top 2 on the North Rankings also earns qualification for the ADC Global Championship 2026/27.

That event boasts a £150,000 prize fund, including an eye-catching £60,000 first prize, making the Championship Tour one of the most rewarding pathways available outside the professional circuit.

Strong Winners Already Emerging

Four events have already been completed this season, producing three different winners.

• Event 1: David Sumner
• Event 2: Daniel Ayres
• Event 3: Lewis Pride
• Event 4: Daniel Ayres

Daniel Ayres has made the early running with two victories from the opening four tournaments, although there is still plenty of darts to be played before the race for Portsmouth reaches its conclusion.

With Events 5 and 6 now approaching, every ranking point becomes increasingly valuable as players battle for qualification places.

Championship Tour Event Prize Fund

🏆 Winner – £1,000

🥈 Runner-up – £400

🥉 Semi-finalists – £200

Quarter-finalists – £100

Last 16 – £40

Last 32 – £20

Another Huge Weekend Ahead

The standard across the ADC Championship Tour continues to rise each season, with many considering it one of the strongest competitions outside the PDC ranking system.

For players chasing the Grand Finals, the ADC Global Championship and a potential £60,000 payday, Events 5 and 6 could prove pivotal in shaping the rest of the season.

Q4QS Six To Follow

Looking at your player export and the current storylines, I'd avoid simply picking the top six. A mix of favourites, form players and dark horses always makes for a stronger feature.

⭐ Daniel Ayres

Already a two-time Championship Tour winner this season and fresh from a PDC Challenge Tour title. If he finds his best game again, he'll be one of the men everyone has to beat.

⭐ Lewis Pride

An Event 3 winner who continues to impress against professional opposition. His scoring power means he can beat anyone over the shorter formats.

⭐ Oliver Mitchell

The highest-ranked player in the field on Q4QS and someone who has already claimed notable wins over several Tour Card holders this year.

⭐ Steve Lennon

The former Tour Card holder brings plenty of experience and remains capable of producing 90+ averages on demand. A dangerous draw for anyone.

⭐ Lewis Cook (Young Gun)

One of the rising talents in the field. Recent JDC Advanced Tour finals and an 8-2 run in his last ten matches suggest he could spring a surprise.

⭐ Graham Usher (Dark Horse)

Perhaps not among the headline names, but Usher has quietly been putting together some strong performances on the Challenge Tour and could easily make a deep run if the draw opens up.

---

Two More Dark Horses (if you want an "Ones to Watch" section)

Ashley Coleman – Arrives in excellent form after winning a recent Vault event and has gone 9-1 in his last ten matches. Momentum counts in tournaments like these.

William Borland – Easy to overlook, but we all know the quality he possesses. If he settles quickly, he's more than capable of making a quarter-final or better.

Former World Champions Still Chasing Glory – How Are They Performing in Q4QS?

 Winning a World Championship guarantees a place in darts history, but it doesn't guarantee a Tour Card for life.

One of the fascinating aspects of the modern darts landscape is seeing former BDO, WDF and PDC World Champions continuing to compete on the grassroots and open circuit long after their days on the biggest stages.

Using the latest Q4QS rankings database, I took a look at some former World Champions who are still active and how they are performing in 2026.

Scott Waites (BDO World Champion)

Current Q4QS Rank: #28

Arguably the standout performer on this list.

The two-time BDO World Champion sits comfortably inside the Q4QS Top 30 and continues to produce high-quality darts. His average of 89.26 and 64.6% win rate show that he remains one of the most dangerous players on the open circuit.

Many players would still dread seeing Waites appear in their section of the draw.

Neil Duff (WDF World Champion)

Current Q4QS Rank: #99

Neil Duff continues to prove that his Lakeside triumph was no fluke. He boasts one of the strongest records of any former world champion currently outside the professional tour structure.

With 42 wins from 49 matches and an outstanding 85.7% win rate, Duff remains a major force wherever he plays.

Steve Beaton (Former PDC World Champion)

Current Q4QS Rank: #139

"The Bronzed Adonis" may have stepped away from the PDC Tour, but he clearly hasn't stopped winning matches.

Beaton has won 27 of his 37 recorded matches and carries a strong 73.0% win rate. His consistency continues to make him a threat at events around the country.

Lisa Ashton (BDO Women's World Champion)

Current Q4QS Rank: #267

One of the most successful women's players in history, Ashton remains highly competitive.

Her 81.6% win rate is among the best of any player featured in this article, demonstrating that she is still regularly making deep runs in tournaments.

Jelle Klaasen (BDO World Champion)

Current Q4QS Rank: #441

The youngest-ever BDO World Champion is still active and competing regularly.

Klaasen remains capable of producing quality performances and continues to be a recognisable name from one of the most memorable eras of Lakeside darts.Richie Burnett (BDO World Champion)

Current Q4QS Rank: #617

The 1995 World Champion continues to compete and remains a familiar face on the circuit.

While the results are naturally not as dominant as during his peak years, Burnett still maintains a winning record and continues to add matches to an already remarkable darts career.

John Part (PDC World Champion)

Current Q4QS Rank: #676

Three-time World Champion John Part remains one of the most respected figures in the sport.

Although much of his time is now spent in commentary and media work, he still appears in events and continues to test himself against the next generation of players.

Trina Gulliver (BDO Women's World Champion)

Current Q4QS Rank: #1345

A true pioneer of women's darts, Gulliver remains active and continues to record victories more than two decades after establishing herself as one of the sport's greatest champions.

What Does It Tell Us?

One thing becomes clear from the Q4QS database: class doesn't disappear.

Some former world champions are still competing at a level capable of challenging elite players, while others continue to play simply because they love the game.

Whether they are fighting for titles, enjoying the competition, or inspiring the next generation, these former champions continue to leave their mark on the darts scene long after their names were etched onto famous trophies.

🏆 Q4QS SOUTH WEST TOP 100

16 June 2026

Here is a list of the Top 100 players in the South West (England) according to my Q4QS database

Usual caveats apply: Rankings are based on results currently in the Q4QS database. Players must currently have at least 6 qualifying events to appear. Rankings will continue to evolve as additional historical results, venues and tournaments are entered  Ranks based on Average, tournament strength, tournament performance, opponent strength and a couple more things!

Top 100

Rank	Player
1	Josh McCarthy
2	Ashton Brown
3	John Brown
4	Nick Eggbeer
5	Terry Jenkins
6	Geoff James
7	Kieran Smith
8	Bailey White
9	Mike Harper
10	Robbie Long
11	Scott Mc
12	Andy Steed
13	Danny Humphries
14	Luke Harding
15	Ricky Palmer
16	Graham Jenkins
17	Clive Burgess
18	Rich Griffee
19	Joshua Lewis
20	Shaun Vernall
21	Iain Howie
22	Dan Williams
23	Adrian Wood
24	Dean Brown
25	Joe Quiney
26	Zach Quinn
27	Andrew Cook
28	Steve Boundy
29	Declan Cox
30	Mitch McCarthy
31	Lee Andrews
32	Darren Herbert
33	Gary Hiscock
34	Gary Eastwood
35	Steve Brown
36	Ellis Radford
37	Steve Handley
38	Joe Bagguley
39	Matty Rogers
40	C-Jay Pipe
41	Jack Walker
42	Cameron O'Brien
43	Paul Meyer
44	Martyn Freeman
45	Rory Pearce
46	Steve Donohue
47	Woody Jewell
48	Leighton Cox
49	Darren Davies
50	Lewis Kendall
51	Owen Smith
52	Andy Hammond
53	Dave Legg
54	CJ Ayres
55	Jamie Shovelton
56	Joe Sellick
57	Mervyn Adams
58	Joseph Meason
59	Richard Smith
60	Cori Wiltshire
61	Taylor Morgan
62	Ashley Pope
63	Joe Smith
64	James Long
65	Sean Taylor
66	Leslie Higgs
67	Liam Moore
68	Daren Field
69	Steven Rees
70	Jacob Godber
71	Dave Fisher
72	Alfie Barney
73	Mark Wellington
74	Martin Walker
75	Al Ayres
76	Jake Tucker
77	James Wintle-McKay
78	Samuel King
79	SKITZ 007
80	Ben Collins
81	John Maggs
82	Warren Ryan
83	Shay Goff
84	Will Jackson
85	Joe Silvester
86	Craig Britten
87	Brogan Bayford
88	Robbie Roy
89	Brooklyn Anthony
90	Louis Hamblin
91	Matthew Webb
92	Glenn Pearce
93	Liam Rowe
94	Mitchell Atkins
95	Declan Holly
96	Ian Higgs
97	Alfie Palmer
98	Daniel Jeffrey
99	Richie Hunt
100	Collis Palmer

South West Darts Round-Up – 15 June 2026

 

Monday night delivered another packed evening of grassroots darts across the South West, with several standout performances recorded in the Q4QS database.

The headline result came from Bristol's North Star Club, where Josh McCarthy defeated Johnny Haines 3-2 in a high-quality final to claim the North Star Vault Break title. McCarthy also produced the highest average of the tournament with 99.28 and was one of the standout performers of the entire day.

Johnny Haines pushed the champion all the way and recorded a superb 98.02 average of his own, underlining the quality on display in Bristol.

Elsewhere, Jamie Kelling stole the headlines statistically with a 100.20 average on his way to victory in the Money In Money Out Round-Robin at The Wolversdene Club. Kelling won eight matches during the evening and capped the night by defeating Luke Getty in the final.

In Radstock, Bradley Hall lifted the U65 Average Round Robin title at Clandown Darts Promotions, overcoming Jayden Osmond in the final. Craig Britten posted the tournament's highest average with 81.24.

Southwick Sports Club saw Bak Ko take the honours after defeating Ronnie Sumner in the final. Both players enjoyed excellent nights, each recording seven victories during the event.

Away from the South West, several impressive performances were recorded nationwide, including Alec Small's outstanding 112.73 average at the Wattsville Vault Break, the highest individual average logged across all events entered into the database yesterday.

South West Highlights

🏆 Josh McCarthy wins the North Star Vault Break

🎯 Jamie Kelling averages 100.20

🔥 Johnny Haines averages 98.02

🏅 Bradley Hall wins at Clandown Darts Promotions

⭐ Bak Ko claims victory at Southwick Sports Club

Highest Recorded Averages

1. Alec Small – 112.73

2. Connor Hopkins – 109.98

3. Jamie Kelling – 100.20

4. Josh McCarthy – 99.28

5. Johnny Haines – 98.02

Grassroots darts continues to thrive across the South West, with strong fields, quality performances and another busy evening of results feeding into the Q4QS rankings.

South & South West Darts Round-Up: Big Numbers Across The Region (7th June 2026)

 

Sunday produced another busy day of grassroots darts across the South and South West, with strong performances appearing across multiple venues.

In Taunton, Jack Walker lifted the Vault 17 title after defeating Brooklyn Anthony 3-2 in the final. The event also saw C-Jay Pipe fire a superb 93.94 average, while Bailey White added a 91.09 average.

Over in Gloucester, Shaun Vernall claimed the title at The Treddy. Although Vernall took the trophy, some of the biggest averages came from Curtis Greenwood (100.20), Andy Hammond (93.94) and Iain Howie (91.09).

At Kentisbeare, Dean Brown enjoyed a perfect day, winning the event and producing a 93.94 average during his run to the title.

Meanwhile in Christchurch, Tom Crocker took the honours, while Rob Crocker produced the highest average of the day with a brilliant 100.20 average.

Elsewhere, Luke Stallwood won Danny's Open, defeating Luke Peacock 5-1 in the final after another strong day's work.

South & South West Standout Performances

🎯 Curtis Greenwood – 100.20

🎯 Rob Crocker – 100.20

🎯 Dean Brown – 93.94

🎯 C-Jay Pipe – 93.94

🎯 Andy Hammond – 93.94

Another excellent day's action across the region with multiple players breaking through the 90-average barrier and two ton-plus performances recorded.

Q4QS Baltic Sea Darts Open Preview 29th-31st May 2026

 While Quest for Q School mainly focuses on grassroots darts around Bristol and the South West, the database itself also contains a mix of PDC, Challenge Tour, Development Tour and international federation data.

With the Baltic Sea Darts Open taking place this weekend, I thought it would be interesting to run the current field through the Q4QS database and share some of the outputs ahead of the tournament.

Wessel Nijman currently heads the latest Q4QS rankings, with Chris Dobey and Kevin Doets also rating strongly based on recent performances across multiple events in the database. Mike De Decker and Gian van Veen also continue to impress with strong recent form heading into the weekend.

Sebastian Bialecki and Niko Springer appear among the most interesting rising names in the field, while experienced players such as Danny Noppert, Damon Heta and Jermaine Wattimena remain firmly in the mix.

As always, these previews are intended as a fun data-based look at the event, and it will be interesting to see how the current rankings perform over the course of the weekend. 🎯