Tuesday evenings are rapidly becoming one of the busiest nights of the grassroots darts week, and this one certainly didn't disappoint.
Another 91 tournaments were added to the Q4QS database, bringing together ADC Vault 19, WADC Vault 3.0, Junior Volts, academy events and independent competitions across England and Wales.
And there were some extraordinary averages.
Kelson Hughes hit 115.62 in Denbigh, Steve Haggerty produced 112.73 and 107.36 in Arnold, and Ryan Palmer averaged 109.98 in the final at Widden Rugby Club in Gloucester.
Meanwhile, Johnny Haines continued his winning streak, Ryan Greenslade took the Taunton Under-70 title, and there were eight WADC competitions, including another impressive victory for Eve Watson.
Plenty to get through!
Ryan Palmer produces a 109.98 final in Gloucester
One of the performances that really caught my attention came at Widden Rugby Club in Gloucester.
Ryan Palmer defeated Alfie Ryan 3–0 in the final, recording an exceptional 109.98 average.
He also produced two separate 107.36 averages, against Paul Allen and Daniel Jeffrey, during his run to the title.
Palmer finished with eight victories, while Alfie Ryan collected six.
It's one thing producing a three-figure average in an early round, but doing it in the final, with the tournament on the line, makes it particularly impressive.
Palmer has featured regularly in the Q4QS results, and this was another significant performance.
It was certainly worthy of the headline position on yesterday's South West graphic.
Kelson Hughes hits 115.62 in Denbigh
The highest average in Tuesday's tournament export came at Castle Arms in Denbigh.
Kelson Hughes produced a remarkable 115.62 against Lucas Martin.
He also recorded 85.89 against Peter Martin and finished with five victories.
But despite that extraordinary scoring, the tournament winner was Baz Tym, who defeated Peter Martin 3–0 in the final.
Tym collected seven victories, while Allan McGuire recorded six.
It's one of the fascinating things about darts. A player can produce the best individual performance of the night and still not win the competition.
Steve Haggerty delivers a scoring masterclass
At Arnold Victory Club, Steve Haggerty produced one of the most complete high-scoring performances of the evening.
His recorded averages included:
- 112.73 against Austin Tetley
- 107.36 against Jenson Snowdon
- 100.20 against Jack Morris
Three averages above 100 in one tournament is impressive at any level.
Haggerty went on to win the event, defeating Toby Saunders 3–0 in the final.
Saunders also produced a 103.66 average during the competition, so there was plenty of quality on show.
For me, Haggerty's combination of three-figure scoring and the title makes this one of Tuesday's standout tournament performances.
Johnny Haines makes it three winning days in a row
Some players are capable of a brilliant evening. Others manage to keep producing the goods night after night.
Johnny Haines is firmly in the second category at the moment.
After winning at Frimley Green on Sunday and Didcot on Monday, Haines was back in the winners' circle at St John's Club in Banbury on Tuesday.
He defeated Matt Kershaw 3–2 in the final, collecting eight victories.
Haines also recorded 107.36 against Steve Tombs.
Kershaw certainly contributed to a high-quality event, recording 103.66 against Scott Wills, while Luke Stallwood reached 100.20.
Three titles in three days is a remarkable run, particularly with the standard of opposition and scoring involved.
Haines is becoming one of the stories of the week.
Andy Steed wins in Tiverton
At Elmore Football Club in Tiverton, Andy Steed defeated Junior Howard 3–0 in the final.
Steed collected seven victories and recorded 95.94 in the final, as well as 85.08 against Gareth Parker.
Tom Head was another standout performer, producing 91.09 against James Head and 85.89 against James Sewell.
Howard and Head each finished with five wins.
A strong night of darts in Devon, and another good result for Steed.
Liam Trotman takes Portishead Tuesday Open
At Portishead Workmens Darts, Liam Trotman won the Tuesday Open, defeating Max Maggs 3–0 in the final.
Trotman collected eight victories and recorded the highest average of the competition, 93.94 against Riley Trotman.
He also hit 80.42 against Christopher Staples and 76.42 against Jenson Dyer.
John Maggs and Max Maggs both finished with six victories, with John recording 81.24.
One important distinction: this was an open tournament offering a prize for the furthest-progressing Under-55 player, rather than a tournament restricted entirely to Under-55 competitors.
Ryan Greenslade wins Taunton Under-70 Super Series
The Taunton U70 Round-Robin Super Series 10.0 continued at Darts @ The Lawns.
Ryan Greenslade defeated James Wellbelove 4–0 in the final, collecting an impressive nine victories.
Greenslade recorded 86.71 against Cameron Adams and 81.24 against Alan Forrest.
Wellbelove finished with seven wins, while Brooklyn Anthony and Tyler Davey each recorded six.
For a competition operating with an Under-70 average format, Greenslade's 86.71 match average was a particularly notable performance.
John Hawkins wins at Bessellscotts, Bristol
At Bessellscotts in Bristol, John Hawkins took the Tuesday Vault title with a 3–2 final victory over Ian Rafferty.
Hawkins collected seven victories, with Thomas Goodrich, Cian McCassey and Rafferty each recording four.
McCassey produced the highest match average of the competition, 71.57 against Joe Gliddon.
It wasn't the highest-scoring event of the evening, but a close five-leg final and seven wins for Hawkins made it a well-earned title.
Josh McCarthy follows Monday's 107.36 with a Swindon title
Here's another developing story worth following.
On Monday, Josh McCarthy recorded 107.36 at North Star Club in Calne.
On Tuesday, he won the Vault at Wiltshire Darts House in Swindon, defeating Scott Mc 3–2 in the final.
McCarthy also produced a 104.50 average against Dave Legg.
That's an impressive couple of evenings, and exactly the sort of consecutive-day form that can easily be missed when looking at tournaments individually.
McCarthy is certainly worth watching.
More South West and southern highlights
There was plenty happening across the wider region.
Chris Gill – Indian Queens, Cornwall
Chris Gill defeated Jack Nankervis 3–1 in the final, collecting seven victories. He recorded 100.20 and 96.97, while Scott Hill hit 95.94 and 93.94.
Jack Bellingham – Portland, Dorset
Jack Bellingham defeated Adam McKay 3–1 in the final, producing an 86.87 average in the deciding match.
Robbie Martin – The Newtown, Poole
Robbie Martin defeated Matt Yarrow 3–1 in the final. Tommy Brooks produced the highest average, 100.20.
Archie Self – Crucible Sports and Social Club, Newbury
Archie Self defeated Jason Heaver 3–1 in the final, with a superb 106.64 against Matthew Fifield and 98.02 against Igor Kuroczycki.
Samuel Palmer – Fareham Social Club
Samuel Palmer collected eight victories and defeated Ben Rowley 3–1 in the final. Rowley recorded 93.94 and 88.41 during his run.
Keegan Brown – Ambassador Freehouse, Isle of Wight
Keegan Brown defeated Tom Dibben 3–1 in the final, collecting eight victories and recording 95.94 against Jay Moore.
Joey Cole – Eastleigh
Joey Cole defeated Jarred Cole 3–0 in the final at Locomotive Engineers Social Club. Both players collected seven victories, while Jarred recorded the event's highest average of 93.94.
The southern Vault circuit continues to provide plenty of quality and a useful mix of established names and developing players.
C-Jay Pipe hits 111.33, but Dave Fisher wins Railway Inn title
One of the best individual averages outside the Vault events came at Darts @ The Railway Inn.
C-Jay Pipe recorded 111.33 against Ryzinger Willis, as well as 96.97 against Rich Hill.
However, Dave Fisher emerged as the tournament winner, defeating Pipe 3–2 in the final.
Fisher collected nine victories, while Pipe finished with seven.
Another example of a huge average not necessarily translating into the title.
Tyler Thorpe hits 104.86 and wins again
At the MDC Round Robin, Tyler Thorpe defeated Darren Malt 4–3 in the final, collecting seven victories.
Thorpe produced 104.86 against Olly Grist, along with 96.97, 91.09 and 90.18.
That's a very strong collection of averages across a single event.
Thorpe had also won at Daventry on Monday, so this represents another impressive consecutive-day performance.
Kirk Shepherd, Patrik Williams and more big averages
There were several other performances that deserve recognition.
Kirk Shepherd – Pendlebury Social Club, Manchester
Kirk Shepherd defeated Steve Green 3–1 in the final, collecting eight victories and recording 107.36, 101.67 and 100.20.
Patrik Williams – JJ's Pool Hall, Liverpool
Patrik Williams defeated Ellis Hancock 3–1 in the final and recorded 110.08 against Kevin Garcia, who averaged 100.94 in the same match.
David Evans – Fairway Fusion, Leyland
David Evans won six matches, defeated Andy An 3–0 in the final and recorded 100.20, 92.02, 88.41, 85.08 and 83.50.
Jack Main – Hethersett Social Club
Jack Main defeated Darren Brown 3–2 in the final. Mark Sadler recorded 107.36, while Brown hit 97.80 in the final.
Mark Hurst – The Brookside, Syston
Mark Hurst defeated Declan Cragg 3–1 in the final and recorded 99.40 against Andrew Hibbert, who had earlier hit 107.36.
Daniel Astbury – The Church Wicketts, Dawley
Daniel Astbury defeated Sam Hamilton 3–0 in the final, recording 92.44, 90.18 and 90.06.
With so many tournaments taking place simultaneously, these are the performances that help illustrate the depth of grassroots darts.
Wales: Connor Hopkins, Bobby Short and Lee Evans among the winners
Tuesday was another busy night across Wales.
At Lindsay Constitutional Club in Cefn Hengoed, Connor Hopkins defeated Keri Dacey 3–1 in the final, collecting seven victories.
Hopkins recorded 96.97 and 92.06, while Ryan Davies produced two separate 100.20 averages.
At Loughor Workingmen's Club in Swansea, Bobby Short defeated Liam Hughes 3–2 in the final.
Both players recorded seven victories, while Short produced 85.89, 81.24 and 80.52.
At Towy Sports Bar in Carmarthen, Lee Evans defeated Sion Thomas 3–2, recording 96.97 during the event.
Elsewhere, Dewi Beynon won at PILCS Club in Pontypool, Finley Bennett took the Tredegar title, and Baz Tym won at Castle Arms in Denbigh.
The Welsh circuit remains an important part of the growing Q4QS picture.
WADC: Eight competitions, with Eve Watson hitting 91.09
There were eight WADC Vault 3.0 competitions in Tuesday's results.
And the standout individual performance came from Eve Watson at The 9 Darter in Port Talbot.
Watson won the competition, defeating Kirsten Casley 3–0 in the final, and recorded an outstanding 91.09 average against the same opponent.
That is a tremendous performance and deserves to be mentioned alongside the leading averages from the wider day's results.
The eight WADC winners were:
- Sue Davies – Castle Arms, Denbigh, defeating Gaynor Williams 3–2.
- Samantha Morrison – Cross Foxes, Prestatyn, defeating Sharon Jones 2–0.
- Lisa Brosnan – London GAA, Ruislip, defeating Cerys Skyrme-Davies 3–1.
- Louise Davies – Shooters Bar, Leominster, defeating Christine Sheen 3–0.
- Eve Watson – The 9 Darter, Port Talbot, defeating Kirsten Casley 3–0.
- Keisha Collins – The Empire Club, Lancing, defeating Bow Hart 3–1.
- Lynsey Childs – Trebles Darts, North Walsham, defeating Gemma Reynolds 3–1.
- Dani Kearns – Wiltshire Darts House, Swindon, defeating Chris Savvery 3–1.
Dani Kearns recorded 73.32 in Swindon, while Sue Davies reached 66.80 in Denbigh.
It's encouraging to see WADC events spread across Wales, the South West, London, the South East and East Anglia.
Eight competitions on a Tuesday evening gives plenty of players an opportunity to compete regularly.
And Watson's 91.09 is a reminder of the standard being produced.
Junior Volts: another tremendous Tuesday
Tuesday's JDC Junior Volts programme was extensive, with events across England and Wales.
Several players deserve particular attention.
Charlie Lowin – Soccer Zone, Halesowen
Charlie Lowin defeated Fraser Waterworth 3–1 in the final, collecting six victories and recording 90.18 against Liam Taylor.
Waterworth hit 88.41, while Codey Exall recorded 85.89.
Ashton John – Arrows, Resolven
Ashton John defeated Rhys Evans 3–1 in the final, collecting an impressive nine victories.
Evans recorded the event's highest average, 88.41, and finished with seven wins.
Jacob Godber – Maxi Lounge, Yate
Jacob Godber defeated Zak Read 3–0 in the final, winning six matches.
He also recorded 83.50 against Owen Porter and 72.73 against Elliott Bunting.
A particularly pleasing local result from Yate.
Luke Bennett – The Banckers Draught, Minehead
Luke Bennett defeated Charlie Ely 3–2 in the final, collecting six victories.
Ely recorded the event's highest average, 74.89, and finished with seven wins.
Jenson Macey – DiceHeads, Gosport
Jenson Macey defeated Sausage Sharp 3–1 in the final, collecting nine victories and recording 81.42 in the final.
Riley Sadd – Wyndham Arms, Ogmore Vale
Riley Sadd defeated Spencer Edwards 4–3 in the final, collecting nine victories.
Edwards produced 85.89 and finished with six wins.
Other Junior Volts winners included Daniel Ashton at Ellesmere Port, Seth White at Burnley, Rwais Barwais at Sheffield and Drew Catania on the Isle of Wight.
And outside Junior Volts, there were further youth and academy victories for Jake Whitehead, Joel Walton, Archie Cave, Hayden Dunlavey and Harley Glycos.
The junior programme is producing an extraordinary amount of competitive darts.
I think it's important that we continue to give these players proper coverage rather than simply placing their names at the bottom of a results list.
My standout performances of the day
With 91 tournaments recorded, narrowing this down isn't easy.
But these are the performances that caught my attention.
- Steve Haggerty – 112.73, 107.36 and 100.20, plus the title at Arnold Victory Club.
- Kelson Hughes – The day's highest recorded average, 115.62 in Denbigh.
- Ryan Palmer – A magnificent 109.98 average in the final at Widden Rugby Club, Gloucester.
- Johnny Haines – A third successive day's tournament victory, this time in Banbury, with a 107.36 average.
- Patrik Williams – 110.08 against Kevin Garcia, who averaged 100.94 in the same match, followed by the Liverpool title.
Very close behind were Kirk Shepherd, Archie Self, Tyler Thorpe, C-Jay Pipe and Eve Watson.
And I'd certainly include Jacob Godber and Charlie Lowin among the junior performances worth following.
The bigger picture
What stands out to me is the sheer amount of darts being played on an ordinary Tuesday evening.
We've got ADC Vault tournaments, WADC competitions, Junior Volts, academy events, Under-55 and Under-70 competitions, and independent round robins all contributing to the same growing database.
But the really interesting stories are beginning to emerge when we look across multiple days.
Johnny Haines has now won on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
Tyler Thorpe has followed Monday's Daventry victory with another win.
Josh McCarthy has backed up Monday's 107.36 with a tournament victory and another three-figure average.
And players like Ryan Palmer, Steve Haggerty and Kelson Hughes are producing averages that deserve recognition far beyond their local venues.
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, rankings and player statistics are available at questforqschool.com.
