Where Is the Toughest Area to Play Darts? Q4QS Area Strength Rankings 2026

 

Over the last few editions of my Tournament Strength series, I've gradually moved closer to the grassroots game.

I've compared tours, individual tournaments and, most recently, the toughest regular venues south of Birmingham. That venue analysis showed Cefn Hengoed narrowly ahead of Sartan and North Star, but it also raised another question.

Does having one exceptionally tough venue mean you live in a particularly strong darts area?

Or is the real test the strength and depth of tournaments available across the whole local scene?

This time, I've gone back into the Q4QS database to find out.

What Do I Mean By An 'Area'?

This is important.

I'm not attempting to produce a definitive county championship or rank every part of Britain.

The Q4QS database is still expanding geographically. My existing rankings already cover the Midlands south of Birmingham, Wales and Southern England, with particularly detailed coverage around the South and South West.

So I've grouped tournaments into recognisable darts areas currently represented sufficiently in the database.

Think of this as the first Q4QS Area Strength table.

As the database expands, more areas will be able to join it.

Tournament Strength Is NOT A Three-Dart Average

One familiar warning before we get to the numbers.

If an area records a Tournament Strength of 62, it does not mean players in that area average 62.

Tournament Strength is the Q4QS field-strength measure. It looks at the quality of the players actually competing rather than simply how well somebody threw on a particular night. That's the same principle I've used throughout this series.

For this article, I've grouped those tournament scores geographically.

That allows us to ask:

If I regularly entered tournaments in this area, what sort of strength would I encounter?

The Early Q4QS Area Strength Picture

Here are some of the best-represented areas in the current database:

Area	Recorded Events	Typical Strength	Median	Peak
Dorset	51	61.49	62.60	68.87
Wiltshire	40	61.01	63.70	67.86
Oxfordshire	162	60.75	61.22	69.51
Buckinghamshire	255	60.70	62.53	89.02
Hampshire	162	59.74	60.38	73.80
Worcestershire	236	59.39	61.68	83.40
Gloucestershire	88	59.35	59.68	68.02
Devon	112	58.62	59.08	75.08
South Wales	505	56.73	58.74	73.57
Somerset	218	56.01	57.39	68.75
Bristol area	293	55.89	56.36	73.33

Figures are based on tournaments I can currently identify confidently within each geographical grouping. Different areas have different levels and types of Q4QS coverage, so these should be viewed as evolving 2026 benchmarks rather than definitive national rankings.

Dorset Takes The Early Lead

This wasn't necessarily the result I expected.

Dorset currently leads the areas I've analysed with a typical Tournament Strength of 61.49.

Its median is even higher at 62.60, suggesting the result isn't simply being inflated by one or two particularly strong tournaments.

That's exactly what this analysis is supposed to uncover.

Dorset doesn't need to contain the single strongest tournament in the database.

Instead, the tournaments currently represented there are producing a consistently strong overall level.

But Wiltshire May Have The Most Interesting Number

Wiltshire is second on mean Tournament Strength at 61.01.

Look at the median, though.

63.70.

That's the highest in this initial group.

North Star in Calne was already third in my individual venue rankings, with a typical Tournament Strength of 64.77.

The area analysis suggests that strength isn't disappearing when we move beyond one individual tournament.

The sample is smaller than some of the other areas, so I wouldn't declare Wiltshire the capital of grassroots darts just yet.

But 63.70 for the median tournament is a serious number.

Oxfordshire Has Depth

Then we reach an area with considerably more data.

Oxfordshire records 162 tournaments and a typical strength of 60.75.

Its peak reaches 69.51.

Faringdon had already caught my attention in the venue analysis because it maintained strong figures across a large number of competitions. Now the wider area is appearing towards the top as well.

That's more significant to me than one enormous tournament.

It's beginning to show depth.

Buckinghamshire Is Fascinating

Buckinghamshire is only fractionally behind Oxfordshire at 60.70, and its median is an impressive 62.53.

But then there's the peak:

89.02.

That comes from the ADC Winmau Championship South level of competition at Bradmoor Farm, Aylesbury – an event that already featured prominently in my toughest individual tournaments analysis. The 89.02 score is considerably beyond normal weekly grassroots territory.

And this demonstrates exactly why I've included both Typical Strength and Peak.

Buckinghamshire can stage an exceptionally strong tournament.

But I'm not allowing that one competition to turn the whole area into an 89-rated darts region.

The typical figure tells us what happens regularly.

The peak tells us how strong it can become.

Worcestershire Has The Same Story

Worcestershire produces another huge peak at 83.40, but its wider typical figure is 59.39.

Again, that's useful.

We already knew from previous Q4QS analysis that Worcestershire could produce extremely strong grassroots environments, with Bengeworth and Redditch both appearing prominently in earlier venue comparisons.

Area Strength adds another layer.

A brilliant venue doesn't necessarily make every tournament in the surrounding area equally difficult.

Bristol Produces The Biggest Surprise

Now for the result I suspect will interest many of my regular readers.

Bristol is bottom of this particular group at 55.89.

Do I therefore think Bristol has the weakest darts scene here?

Absolutely not.

In fact, this may be the most useful result in the entire article.

My Bristol data contains 293 tournaments, and Q4QS coverage around Bristol is particularly extensive. Previous local analysis alone has included thousands of matches and hundreds of different players.

More importantly, Bristol offers an enormous range of competitions.

There are strong open tournaments.

There are ADC Vaults.

There are Under-55 events.

There are Sub-70 competitions.

There are junior events.

There are tournaments specifically designed to give developing and lower-average players competitive darts.

DartAsylum is perhaps the perfect example. Its programme covers a huge range of standards, even though its strongest recorded field has reached 73.33.

So Bristol's lower overall number is partly telling us something positive:

there is competitive darts available for almost everybody.

That's Why Mean And Median Both Matter

This exercise has convinced me that future Area Strength rankings shouldn't rely on one number alone.

Look at Wiltshire.

Mean: 61.01
Median: 63.70

Now Bristol.

Mean: 55.89
Median: 56.36

And Buckinghamshire:

Mean: 60.70
Median: 62.53

We're beginning to see different types of darts ecosystems.

Some areas have predominantly strong open competition.

Some have enormous tournament schedules covering every standard.

Some have a fairly ordinary weekly level but occasionally host fields of almost professional-tour strength.

None of those is necessarily "better".

They're different.

South Wales Is Another Great Example

South Wales currently has a typical figure of 56.73, which might initially look surprising after Cefn Hengoed finished number one in the individual venue ranking.

But look at the sample:

505 tournaments.

That's vastly more than Dorset or Wiltshire.

Cefn Hengoed can produce exceptionally strong regular fields. Cardiff and Brynmawr have also featured prominently in the venue analysis.

But once hundreds of competitions of different standards are included, the overall area figure naturally changes.

And that gives us perhaps the most important lesson from this article.

One Tough Venue Doesn't Make A Tough Area

That was the question I started with.

I think the database is already beginning to answer it.

Venue Strength and Area Strength aren't the same thing.

An area can contain one brutal weekly tournament but relatively little strength elsewhere.

Another can have ten venues consistently producing good fields without ever recording one spectacular score.

And another can have hundreds of competitions deliberately catering for players throughout the ability spectrum.

That's why I don't want Area Strength to become simply another league table where number one is "good" and number ten is "bad".

The numbers are telling us far more than that.

These Rankings Will Change

Perhaps more than any previous article in this series, this one needs to be viewed as a starting point.

Q4QS coverage isn't geographically equal yet.

Some areas have hundreds of tournaments in the database.

Others have dozens.

And there are large parts of Britain I haven't yet incorporated sufficiently to include at all.

That's changing.

As Q4QS expands, new areas will enter the comparison and existing areas will gain more tournaments and venues.

That means today's leader might not remain there.

In fact, I'll be disappointed if this table doesn't change considerably.

That's part of the fun of building it.

Final Thoughts

So, where is the toughest area to play darts?

Among the areas sufficiently represented in this first Q4QS analysis, Dorset currently takes the lead on mean Tournament Strength at 61.49.

But I'd hesitate before simply crowning Dorset and walking away.

Wiltshire has the strongest median at 63.70.

Buckinghamshire has produced a staggering 89.02 peak.

Worcestershire has reached 83.40.

South Wales combines some outstanding venues with an enormous 505-event sample.

And Bristol's comparatively low 55.89 arguably tells us as much about the breadth and accessibility of its darts scene as it does its strength.

That's what I'm increasingly enjoying about Tournament Strength.

Sometimes the most interesting number isn't the biggest one.

It's the number that makes you ask:

Why?

And as more areas join the Q4QS database, I suspect we're going to be asking that question quite a lot.

Where Are the Toughest Places to Play Darts South of Birmingham? Q4QS Venue Rankings 2026

 

Over the past few weeks, I've been using the Q4QS Tournament Strength database to look at darts from a slightly different perspective.

I've compared the major tours.

I've looked at the toughest individual tournaments.

I've compared ADC Vaults with recognised international circuits.

Now I'm bringing things much closer to home.

Where are the toughest venues to regularly play darts south of Birmingham?

Not which venue has produced one spectacular tournament.

Not which has the biggest names or the largest prize fund.

But if you repeatedly turned up and entered tournaments at the same venue, where would you statistically be most likely to encounter a strong field?

This is the first version of the Q4QS venue rankings. My current database coverage is strongest across the southern half of Britain, so rather than pretend it represents every part of the country equally, this opening edition concentrates on venues south of Birmingham.

I'll be expanding the geographical coverage in the very near future as more tournaments and venues are added to the database.

First – What Does Tournament Strength Mean?

As always with this series, an important explanation comes first.

Tournament Strength is NOT a tournament average.

A venue with a Tournament Strength figure of 65 does not mean its players average 65.

The Q4QS Tournament Strength Score is a calculated field-strength measure incorporating factors such as player ratings, recorded performances and the overall quality of the players taking part.

In simple terms:

Tournament average tells us how players performed.

Tournament Strength attempts to tell us how difficult the field was.

For this particular analysis, I've taken that one stage further.

Rather than ranking a venue by the strongest tournament it has ever staged, I've looked at its results across multiple events.

A venue needed at least six qualifying tournament records in the database to make the main table.

That gives us a much better indication of where strong fields appear consistently.

Q4QS Toughest Darts Venues South of Birmingham – 2026 So Far

Rank	Venue	Events	Typical Strength	Peak
1	Lindsay Constitutional Club, Cefn Hengoed	17	65.20	73.44
2	The Sartan Club, Bishopsworth	23	64.89	69.26
3	North Star Club, Calne	25	64.77	67.86
4	Bridley Moor & Batchley Social Club, Redditch	14	64.54	68.31
5	Brynmawr Social Club, Brynmawr	28	64.35	67.85
6	Dorchester Trinity Club, Dorchester	20	64.05	68.51
7	Faringdon Football Club, Faringdon	37	63.74	68.59
8	The Academy, Basingstoke	7	63.60	66.37
9	Windmill Hill Golf Centre, Milton Keynes	21	63.53	66.43
10	The Banckers Draft, Minehead	12	63.51	67.55
11	Bradmoor Farm, Aylesbury	42	63.51	68.72
12	Frimley Green Working Men's Club	6	63.39	65.21
13	County Conservative Club, Cardiff	16	63.28	69.35
14	Woodbridge Hill Working Men's Club, Guildford	7	63.28	65.05
15	Bagley Sports & Social Club, Shrewsbury	20	63.25	66.96
16	Topsham Football Club	13	63.04	66.58
17	St Johns Club, Banbury	23	62.94	66.08
18	The Cue Corner, Worcester	7	62.94	66.55
19	Chalvey WMC, Slough	19	62.93	66.96
20	Phoenix Pub, Portsmouth	12	62.79	67.34

Typical Strength is the mean Q4QS Tournament Strength of the qualifying events currently recorded for that venue. This opening ranking focuses on venues south of Birmingham where the current Q4QS database has sufficient coverage. Figures are for 2026 so far and will change as further tournaments and regions are added.

Cefn Hengoed Takes Number One

Perhaps the first surprise is that the current number one isn't one of the venues that immediately springs to mind when talking about English grassroots darts.

It's in Wales.

Lindsay Constitutional Club in Cefn Hengoed leads the rankings with a typical Tournament Strength of 65.20 across 17 recorded events.

And this isn't simply the result of one huge night.

Its median Tournament Strength is also above 64, while its strongest recorded event reaches 73.44.

That's exactly what I wanted this ranking to identify.

Not somewhere that happened to attract one exceptional field.

Somewhere that repeatedly does it.

Sartan Confirms Its Reputation

Second place probably won't surprise many people who follow the South West darts scene.

The Sartan Club in Bishopsworth scores 64.89 across 23 tournaments.

What's particularly impressive is the consistency.

Its median score is almost identical to its overall figure, and its peak reaches 69.26.

That tells us Sartan isn't being pushed towards the top by one or two exceptional competitions.

Strong fields are simply normal there.

For players around Bristol, that's probably confirmation of something many already suspected.

If you turn up at Sartan, expect a difficult draw.

Calne Might Be the Most Impressive of All

Third-placed North Star Club in Calne is particularly interesting.

Its overall figure is 64.77, but its median is actually slightly higher at 65.22 across 25 tournaments.

That's significant.

It means the typical North Star event is consistently landing around the very top of this entire venue dataset.

Its peak of 67.86 isn't the highest in the rankings.

It doesn't need to be.

North Star's strength is consistency.

There appear to be very few easy nights.

Redditch and Brynmawr Complete the Top Five

Bridley Moor & Batchley Social Club in Redditch sits fourth at 64.54, followed by another Welsh venue, Brynmawr Social Club, at 64.35.

Brynmawr is particularly convincing because that figure comes from 28 recorded tournaments.

That's a sizeable sample.

Once a venue maintains a figure above 64 across that many competitions, it becomes increasingly difficult to dismiss it as a temporary spike.

Then Comes an Interesting Group

Dorchester, Faringdon, Basingstoke, Milton Keynes and Minehead complete the Top 10.

And there's something worth noticing here.

These aren't all venues concentrated in one recognised darts hotbed.

We're seeing strong tournament environments spread across Wales, the South West, the Midlands, the South Coast and the Home Counties.

That's one of the things I've enjoyed most about building this database.

Strong grassroots darts isn't confined to the places that receive the most publicity.

Faringdon and Bradmoor Deserve Special Mention

Sample size matters.

Faringdon Football Club ranks seventh with 37 recorded events.

Bradmoor Farm in Aylesbury ranks 11th with 42.

Those are two of the largest samples anywhere near the top of the ranking.

Maintaining Tournament Strength figures of 63.74 and 63.51 respectively across that many tournaments is arguably more impressive than reaching a slightly higher figure from six or seven events.

It suggests players attending those venues aren't occasionally encountering strong fields.

They're encountering them over and over again.

And What About Paignton?

This is where comparing peak strength with regular strength becomes fascinating.

In the previous ADC analysis, 8 Ball Bar & Sports in Paignton produced the strongest ordinary Vault event I'd found:

75.08.

That's still an exceptional result.

But across its 12 qualifying events in this analysis, Paignton's typical Tournament Strength is 62.64.

That puts it just outside this Top 20.

There is no contradiction.

It simply answers two different questions.

How strong can Paignton get?

Extremely strong.

Is every Paignton tournament played at that level?

No.

And that's precisely why looking at venues over a longer period gives us a different picture.

Peak Strength Still Matters

It would be wrong to completely ignore those exceptional nights.

Some venues outside the Top 10 have demonstrated how strong they can become when the right field assembles.

Among the notable peaks are:

Paignton – 75.08

Cefn Hengoed – 73.44

Cardiff – 69.35

Sartan Club – 69.26

Bradmoor Farm – 68.72

Faringdon – 68.59

Dorchester – 68.51

Those peaks tell us something different from the main ranking.

A venue's regular score tells us what you're likely to encounter.

Its peak tells us how difficult the room can become.

Both are useful.

Wales Is Producing Some Serious Fields

One of the clearest geographical stories in the rankings is Wales.

Cefn Hengoed is number one.

Brynmawr is fifth.

Cardiff is 13th.

That's three Welsh venues inside the Top 13.

Given how much attention English grassroots darts receives, that's worth highlighting.

The data suggests there are some extremely competitive regular tournament environments on the other side of the Severn.

The South West Is Very Much in the Picture

From my usual South West perspective, there is plenty here too.

Sartan is second.

Calne is third.

Minehead is tenth.

Topsham is 16th.

And immediately below the Top 20 are venues including Paignton, Yeovil and Gloucester.

So while Wales currently supplies the number-one venue, the South West has a very strong presence throughout the rankings.

And the numbers reinforce something I've seen repeatedly while covering darts in this region:

There is an enormous amount of quality operating well below the level that receives national attention.

Does This Mean Cefn Hengoed Is the Hardest Venue to Win At?

Not necessarily.

And that's an important distinction.

Tournament Strength measures the quality of the field.

It doesn't account for everything involved in actually winning a tournament.

A 16-player tournament and a 128-player tournament can have identical field-strength ratings but present very different challenges.

Format matters.

Number of entrants matters.

Match length matters.

Seeding matters.

The draw matters.

So this isn't intended to answer:

"Where is it mathematically hardest to lift a trophy?"

It's answering:

"Which regular venues are attracting the strongest fields?"

That's a subtly different – and I think equally interesting – question.

This Is Only the Beginning

There's another important caveat to these rankings.

This isn't yet intended as a definitive ranking of every darts venue in Britain.

The Q4QS database is growing all the time, and its geographical coverage isn't yet equal everywhere.

That's why I've deliberately started with venues south of Birmingham, where I have enough data to make meaningful comparisons.

I'll be expanding the coverage in the very near future.

As more regions and tournaments are added, we'll start to see whether these venues can hold their positions when they come up against the strongest rooms elsewhere.

And that should make the ranking even more interesting.

And What About My Own Regular Venues?

I was obviously curious to see how some of the venues I regularly cover and play at compared.

Hangar 61 in Patchway comes out particularly well. Across 42 recorded events, it has a typical Tournament Strength of 61.65, with its strongest tournament reaching an impressive 70.03. That leaves Hangar just outside the current Top 20, and there have been several particularly strong fields there recently.

DartAsylum HQ produces a very different number, averaging 53.22 across an enormous 132 recorded events, but that figure needs some context.

DartAsylum runs a huge variety of competitions, including Under-55, Sub-70, junior and other restricted events, so its overall venue figure is naturally pulled down by the type of tournaments it stages. When the stronger fields assemble, the numbers can be very different – DartAsylum's peak Tournament Strength this year is an excellent 73.33.

For me, it's a useful example of why the numbers need a little interpretation. These rankings measure the strength of the tournaments being staged at each venue, rather than rating the venue itself.

Final Thoughts

Looking only at the strongest individual tournament tells us where an exceptional field has assembled.

Looking across repeated tournaments tells us something more useful.

Where is strong darts normal?

Right now, among the venues south of Birmingham sufficiently represented in the Q4QS database, the answer is Cefn Hengoed.

But Sartan and North Star are extremely close.

Redditch, Brynmawr and Dorchester aren't far behind.

And venues such as Faringdon and Bradmoor Farm are producing strong numbers across dozens of competitions.

Perhaps most importantly, the difference between many of these venues is tiny.

A player looking for tough competitive darts doesn't need to enter a PDC event.

Across the southern half of Britain, there are plenty of clubs where strong fields are turning up week after week.

And as the Q4QS database expands, we'll find out just how those venues compare with the rest of the country.

Robbie Long Leads the Way on a Busy Thursday Night of Grassroots Darts - Results SOuth and SOuth West 20th August 2026

 

Robbie Long was among the headline winners on another busy night of grassroots darts on Thursday, producing a strong performance to take the honours at Hangar 61.

Results from across the country again demonstrated the depth of the grassroots game, with Keith Selby, Bryan Flew, Stewart Wilde and others producing some of the night's strongest recorded averages.

For Q4QS, though, the standout story from the South West came at Hangar 61.

Long takes the title at Hangar 61

Robbie Long continued his impressive recent form by winning the Thursday night round robin at Hangar 61.

Long defeated Martyn Freeman 3–1 in the final, having also produced the tournament's highest recorded average with an 88.41 during his run. He added an 85.79 later in the competition, while Simon Lloyd recorded an 83.70.

It was another notable result for a player who has been putting together an increasingly impressive run on the local circuit.

Selby breaks the ton at the Local Lock Up

The biggest genuine individual average I'm highlighting from Thursday came from Keith Selby, who produced an excellent 100.20 during Local Lock Up Series 13 Week 7 at Darts In Watford.

Selby ultimately reached the final, where John Ayris claimed the title with a 3–1 victory.

Ayris enjoyed an excellent night himself, recording two 91.09 averages on his way through the competition.

Bull takes MiMo 2008

At Locks Heath Working Men's Club, Nathan Bull emerged victorious in MiMo 2008.

Bull completed an eight-win evening by defeating Carl Houston 3–0 in the final, while Joey Cole produced the highest recorded average from the event with 91.09.

Bull himself reached 83.50 during the competition as he put together an impressive run to the title.

Strong numbers at Brynmawr

There was plenty of quality at Brynmawr Social Club, where Craig Dobbins eventually took the money-in-money-out title.

Dobbins defeated David Watkins 3–2 in the final, but it was Bryan Flew who produced the standout statistical performance.

Flew registered an excellent 93.94, while Cameron Edwards, Dean Rossiter and Watkins all reached 91.09.

That made Brynmawr one of the strongest events of the night in terms of the leading recorded averages.

Bailey survives a marathon in Devizes

There were 75 matches recorded at the Devizes Town Round Robin U70 Average before Christopher Bailey emerged with the title.

Bailey edged Ian Runnacles 4–3 in the final, while Darren Braine recorded the tournament's highest average at 81.24. Mike Barton was next with 78.05.

Hemming wins Inbetween Vault

Wesley Hemming was another of Thursday's winners, taking the Inbetween Vault 1 title after defeating Elliot Smith 3–1 in the final.

The highest recorded average came from Stewart Wilde, who hit an impressive 92.02.

Hemming also produced 84.18 during his title-winning run.

Caste claims Hotshots victory

At Hotshots Sports Bar in Bletchley, Mat Caste took the Vault Break 1 title.

Caste defeated Addison Hefferon 3–1 in the final, with Hefferon having earlier produced the competition's highest recorded average of 90.18.

Charlie Collins also impressed with performances of 88.41 and 86.51.

More winners across the grassroots game

There were plenty more players celebrating tournament victories.

Daniel Killick won the Champagne Shot Darts RR Series U65.9, beating Steve Hylands 4–2 in the final. Hylands' 85.89 was the highest recorded average from the competition.

At The Junction Inn, Finley Bennett defeated Stephen Cake 3–1 to take the title, with George Humphreys producing an 88.41.

Ryan Fuller won Thursday Night MIMO at Legends Darts Lounge, while Aaron Boucher took the Thursday Night Under 60 Average competition at Highridge United Football Club.

And at Samba Darts Academy, Nick Whitehouse came through a close final against Mark Zambra to take the Vault Style Round Robin title.

Alongside Selby's 100.20, Flew's 93.94 and Wilde's 92.02, there was once again plenty of evidence of the quality being produced throughout the grassroots game.

Yesterday's Darts Results South and South West – 2 August 2026

It was another outstanding day for grassroots darts, with 62 tournaments added to the Q4QS database covering the Midlands, Wales and Southern England. From local Vault events to JDC VOLTS competitions and major weekend opens, there was plenty of quality on display.

One of the standout performances came in Plymouth, where Andy Steed captured the Vault 18 title at Legends Lounge. Steed defeated Scott Lawrey 3–1 in the final and also produced the highest average from the featured winners with an excellent 94.80.

In Taunton, C-Jay Pipe continued his excellent form by winning at The Queens Arms. Pipe defeated Jack Walker 3–0 in the final and impressed throughout the day, recording a top average of 91.09.

The latest round of JDC VOLTS Series 7 produced another collection of talented young winners. Logun Godbeer claimed victory at Highbridge Social Club after defeating Alfie Coles in the final, while George Miller lifted the Exeter title with a 3–0 victory over Aaron Rea. Both players continue to build impressive junior records.

Gloucester's Vault 18 event at Matson Rugby Club saw Shaun Vernall come through a strong field, edging Lee Andrews 3–2 in the final after another consistent day's work. Meanwhile, Ryan Greenslade emerged victorious from a competitive Sunday Evening Chuck at Portishead Workmens Darts, defeating Warren Ryan in a deciding leg 

Elsewhere around the South West, there were plenty more notable winners. Steve Boundy came through a strong field at Portishead Workmens Darts, while Paul Gardiner impressed at The Queens Arms in Taunton. Across Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, another busy Sunday of Vault 18 and local competitions provided valuable ranking points as players continue their push up the Q4QS standings.

With August only just underway, every victory and every strong performance has the potential to make a difference in the race for next month's rankings, and another packed week of grassroots darts lies ahead.

Yesterday's Darts Results South and South West– 31 July 2026

 

Thirty-nine tournaments were added to the Q4QS database on Friday, making it another busy evening across the grassroots darts scene. As always, the South West produced plenty of eye-catching performances, with several familiar names lifting Vault titles, while there were also standout displays from around the country featuring some exceptional three-dart averages.

The South West was once again at the heart of the action.

Pete Hughes claimed the Vault 18.0 title at The Bengeworth Club, Evesham, defeating Graham Hall 3-1 in the final. While Hughes lifted the trophy, it was Joe Quiney who produced one of the performances of the night, firing in a superb 111.33 average, with Vince Tipple also breaking the 107 barrier during an excellent evening of darts.

Cornwall also celebrated a winner as Jamie Kay enjoyed an outstanding run to victory at St Breward AFC & Social Club. Kay defeated Dennis Bryant 3-1 in the final and impressed throughout the night, recording four of the venue's five highest averages while winning ten matches across the competition.

Gloucestershire provided another high-quality event where Shaun Vernall edged Joe Bagguley 3-2 in a closely fought final at Saintbridge Sports Club. Paul Meyer produced the headline average of 100.20 during the evening, while Bagguley also recorded two performances above 93, underlining the strength of the field.

In Somerset, Andy Steed lifted the title at Bullets Sports Bar, Yeovil, overcoming Ben Collins 3-1 in the final. Daren Field and George Hughes both posted impressive 96.97 averages, highlighting the quality throughout the competition rather than just the eventual winner.

Taunton's Pegasus 68 Club saw Steven Rees defeat Jack Bellingham 3-0 in the final. Bellingham produced the night's highest averages at the venue, but Rees was clinical when it mattered most to secure another Vault title.

The women's action at Bengeworth saw Jane Price defeat Rachel Curtis 3-2 to take the WADC Vault title, rounding off another successful evening for one of the South West's busiest venues.

Away from the South West there were several exceptional performances.

The standout average of the day belonged to Shane Turner, who produced a stunning 120.24 average at East Challow before Lee Evans eventually claimed the title. Elsewhere, Roger Crook, Mick Rodgers, Jake Eichen and Jack Harvey all featured among the day's highest averages, while Paul Rowley and Luke Harding both exceeded the 104 mark in their respective events.

Another 39 tournaments added to the database demonstrates the incredible depth of grassroots darts currently being played across the UK. Every evening brings new winners, new standout performances and more movement within the Q4QS rankings, with Friday's action providing another excellent snapshot of the strength of local darts.

 

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.

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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.

🏆 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 And South West Darts Round-Up: Radford Claims Rise Up Vault Finals Glory (14th June 2026)

Sunday produced another busy day of grassroots darts action across the South and South West, with regional finals, junior competitions and local opens all contributing to a packed schedule.

Radford Wins South West Rise Up Regional Finals

The biggest event of the day was undoubtedly the ADC South West Vault 17.0 LEVEL UP RISE Regional Finals at the Sartan Club.

A strong field gathered to battle for the title, with Ellis Radford emerging victorious after a 4-2 final win over Rich Griffee. Both players enjoyed excellent campaigns throughout the day, with Griffee and Radford each recording seven victories.

The standard was impressive throughout. Jake Tucker produced the highest average of the tournament with 90.55, while Rich Griffee posted 86.82 and Matty Rogers fired in 85.08. Steve Boundy and Ellis Radford also featured among the day's leading performers.

Junior Talent Shines At Hangar 61

At Hangar 61 in Patchway, the latest JDC VOLTS event showcased some of the region's most promising young talent.

Jacob Godber lifted the title with a 3-0 victory over Robbe Van der Steen in the final. Van der Steen produced the highest average of the day at 88.41, while Eelyas Van Bruyssel and Josh Latham also impressed during the event.

The competition once again highlighted the strength of youth darts in the South West and the importance of events such as these in developing future stars.

Boundy Triumphs In Round Robin Action

Steve Boundy added another title to his growing collection by winning the 16-man Open Round Robin.

Boundy defeated Jamie McKinnon in the final after both players enjoyed outstanding days. McKinnon recorded a superb 100.20 average, while Boundy matched that figure with a century average of his own.

John Maggs and Warren Ryan were also among the standout performers.

Vernall Produces Huge Numbers

Elsewhere, Shaun Vernall claimed victory in The Wahey KO with a dramatic 6-5 final win over Darrel Williams.

Vernall also recorded one of the performances of the day, producing a superb 98.40 average on his way to the title.

Top Performances Of The Day

Some of the highest averages recorded across the database included:

• Riley Milligan – 125.25
• Chas Barstow – 103.66
• Jamie McKinnon – 100.20
• Steve Boundy – 100.20
• Cameron Harris – 100.20
• Mike Huntley – 100.20
• Shaun Vernall – 98.40

Another excellent day of grassroots darts demonstrated the strength and depth of talent currently competing across the South and South West.

Player Profile:Ellis Radford

 A highly active competitor with over 240 matches recorded during 2026. Ellis combines consistency with the ability to produce standout performances, highlighted by a season-best average above the ton and three tournament victories. His strong win percentage demonstrates an ability to regularly progress deep into events and makes him one of the more accomplished players currently featured within the Q4QS database.

Under-Average Darts Competitions – Good for the Game?

 

Few topics in grassroots darts create as much debate as under-average competitions.

Speak to ten players and you'll probably get ten different opinions.

Over the last few years, the rise of the ADC has transformed opportunities for players across the UK. More people than ever are playing competitive darts, and crucially, many of those players are not county stars, former professionals or players averaging 80-plus. They are simply people who enjoy the game and want regular competition against opponents of a similar standard.

For many years, local tournaments often saw the same handful of top players dominating week after week. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, it could sometimes discourage newer or developing players from entering regularly. Nobody particularly enjoys paying an entry fee every week only to be knocked out immediately by a county player averaging 85.

The answer, it seems, has been the growth of under-average competitions.

The Route for Ambitious Players

For players with aspirations of reaching the highest levels of the game, the ADC Vault system has created a genuine pathway.

Players compete over a series of events within their region, earning points throughout the season. The strongest performers qualify for a Finals Day, where the winner can earn an invitation to compete on television in the Modus Super Series, subject to meeting the required average criteria (typically around 77+).

A strong run on the Modus stage can be life-changing. Television exposure brings opportunities for sponsorship, endorsements, prize money and increased recognition, all without necessarily having to navigate the challenges of PDC Q School or qualify for major WDF events.

For ambitious players, the Vault system offers a clear and realistic route to bigger opportunities.

Darts for Everyone

Not every player wants to become a professional.

Many players simply want competitive, enjoyable darts against opponents of a similar standard.

This is where under-average tournaments have become incredibly important.

Across the UK you'll find Under 70, Under 65 and Under 55 competitions, each designed to cater for different ability levels. In some areas there are even Under 45 events aimed at complete beginners and newer players.

The average limit itself is usually determined by the organiser, allowing flexibility depending on the local player base.

An Under 70 event might suit players who are progressing from pub darts or lower-level leagues and want stronger competition. Under 65 tournaments often sit comfortably between recreational and county-level standards. Under 55 events are ideal for newer players who are still developing consistency and confidence.

The beauty of the system is that players can choose the level that suits them best.

A player averaging 45 can still enter an Under 70 competition if they wish. They'll simply face tougher opposition and perhaps gain valuable experience. Equally, a player averaging 68 may choose to test themselves at open events or Vault competitions.

Another positive development is that the ADC pathway doesn't stop at the Vault Finals. Alongside the main Vault structure, competitions such as Core, Emerging and Rise Up provide additional opportunities for players to progress and earn recognition. Importantly, these events are not restricted by carrying average in the same way as many under-average tournaments, meaning players can continue to challenge themselves as they improve. It creates a ladder of progression where virtually every player entering a local ADC event has something to aim for, regardless of their current standard.

My Personal View

Personally, I've always believed that the goal should be to become too good for your current level.

If you're winning regularly at Under 55 level, perhaps it's time to move into Under 65 events. If you're consistently performing well there, maybe Under 70 or open competitions become the next challenge.

Progression is one of the most satisfying parts of darts.

The under-average system doesn't stop players improving. In fact, it often encourages development by giving players achievable stepping stones rather than expecting them to jump straight into events filled with county stars and former professionals.

The Argument Against

Of course, there are criticisms.

The most common argument is that stronger players now have fewer tournaments available to them. Historically, many local events were open to everyone, allowing the best players to compete wherever they wished.

There is certainly some truth in that.

Top players naturally want regular high-quality competition, and some feel that the increasing number of restricted events reduces their opportunities.

However, it's worth asking an important question.

If the same small group of elite players dominated every local tournament, would we see the participation numbers that exist today?

Many players who now compete weekly may never have entered the sport at all without under-average competitions. The confidence gained from competitive matches against players of similar ability often leads to greater participation, league involvement and long-term commitment to the game.

Finding the Balance

The reality is that grassroots darts needs both.

It needs Vault competitions and open events for ambitious players chasing higher honours.

It also needs Under 70, Under 65, Under 55 and beginner-level events to encourage participation and provide enjoyable competition for the vast majority of players.

The ADC is still relatively young, and not every town or city currently offers the same breadth of opportunities. Some areas have a thriving calendar of events at every level, while others are still developing.

But the direction of travel is clear.

Vaults continue to expand. Under-average events continue to attract strong entries. More players are entering competitive darts than ever before.

As long as organisers continue to provide opportunities for players of all abilities, darts remains a game for everyone.

And that's surely a good thing for the future of the sport.