Yesterday's grassroots darts roundup (South West)🎯

A busy Friday night on the oche with some huge performances recorded across the Q4QS database.

🏆 101 Knockout
Winner: Craig Difford
Runner-up: Ryan Oakley
Highest recorded average: Tim Strutt – 48.00

🏆 Darts@The Pegasus Ladies Round Robin
Venue: Pegasus 68 Club Ltd
Winner: Ellie Harwood
Runner-up: Shelley Cotterell
Highest average: Ellie Harwood – 83.50

🏆 Darts@The Pegasus Under 65 Avg RR 4.0
Venue: Pegasus 68 Club Ltd
Winner: Brooklyn Anthony
Runner-up: Ryan Greenslade
Highest average: Ryan Greenslade – 85.89

🏆 JDC Wales World Championship Qualifying Event 7
Venue: Pilcs Sports & Social Club
Winner: Spencer Edwards
Runner-up: Ondre Ali
Highest average: Harley Glycos – 86.71

🏆 Money League Division 3 Finals
Venue: Street Darts Organisation
Winner: Jim Park
Runner-up: Ella Hannaford
Highest average: John Park – 61.82

🏆 £500 Open Round Robin Tournament
Winner: Ashton Brown
Runner-up: Paul Meyer
Highest average: Ashton Brown – 102.07 🔥

🎯 Top averages from yesterday:

1. Ashton Brown – 102.07
2. John Brown – 100.20
3. John Brown – 92.49
4. John Brown – 91.41
5. John Brown – 90.58
6. Harley Glycos – 86.71
7. Ryan Greenslade – 85.89
8. Ellie Harwood – 83.50
9. Paul Lewis – 83.50
10. Rhys Evans – 79.29

#Q4QS #GrassrootsDarts #Darts

24th May Tonight's Previews

 Two tournaments previewd tonight - The Open Round Robin in Weston Super Mare and The Vault tournament at Ring O' Bells, Taunton

Open RR - Weston Super Mare Open RR Weston

A strong-looking Weston-super-Mare field tonight, with plenty of storylines beyond the rankings.

Luke Harding arrives after another run of deep finishes, while Ricky Harding brings recent title-winning form and a 9W-1L record across his last 10 logged matches.

Steve Boundy and Warren Ryan add an interesting rivalry angle after recent Six Week Series battles, while Logun Godbeer has already shown he can trouble strong names when his scoring clicks.

Wayne Harding is another one to watch after recently reaching a final before being stopped by Ricky Harding 🎯

Vault 17 Ring O Bells Taunton    Vault 17

Andy Steed heads into tonight’s Taunton event in outstanding recent form after back-to-back title-winning performances at Pegasus 68, including an 83.94 event average during one of those runs.

Jack Walker and C-Jay Pipe also arrive with strong momentum after recent tournament victories, while Dan Davies continues to threaten after another deep run that included wins over Lewis Kendall and Matt Tremlett.

James Male and Ashley Howe add further strength to the field, with both players producing notable recent results across Somerset and Bristol events, while Ryan Greenslade and Jack Davey renew a recent rivalry after meeting in the Taunton U70 RR Super Series final 🎯

Introducing Q4QS Player Profiles

 One of the major aims of the Q4QS project is to go beyond basic averages and win/loss records to create deeper player profiles and performance insights across the grassroots darts scene.

These profiles are designed to bring together rankings, form, venue history, head-to-head records and performance trends into one place, helping to tell the story behind the players and tournaments rather than simply listing results.

The screenshots below are just a few early examples of the type of stats and graphics the database will eventually provide. There is still a huge amount to build and improve — including more venues, player history, tournament previews, reports, rankings and future coverage stretching beyond the South West into selected PDC and WDF events.

Still very much a work in progress, but excited to finally start sharing some of the early stages of the project 🎯

Welcome back to Quest for Q School 🎯

 Over the last few months I’ve been building a grassroots darts database project tracking tournament results, averages, rankings, recent form and player history across the South West darts scene — with plans to gradually expand beyond the region over time.

The aim is to create stats-driven rankings, tournament previews, player spotlights and tournament reports covering local darts, while eventually also expanding into selected PDC and WDF events.

The site aesthetics and features will continue improving as the project develops, so keep checking back as more venues, tournaments, rankings and content are added over the coming months.

Still very much in testing phase, but excited to finally start sharing some of the early preview and rankings content 🎯

Hungary: Darts’ Next Emerging Powerhouse?

 

One of the things I enjoy most about being around the sport, whether studying results or spotting talent while marking and refereeing, is seeing the next generation before they burst onto the big stage. In recent years, Belgium and Germany have evolved from fringe nations into bona fide darts powerhouses, producing world‑class players to challenge the traditional dominance of the UK and the Netherlands. Poland and Czechia aren’t far behind either, each producing a steady stream of capable young talent.

But the nation I’ve been watching most closely lately? Hungary.

A Nation on a Steep Upward Trajectory

Hungary is not new to the world of darts, having competed at every PDC World Cup of Darts since 2012. But while they’ve always fielded solid representatives, they’ve yet to produce a consistent TV‑level star or a Tour Card‑holding regular who pushes deep in major events.

Based on what we’re seeing right now, that might be about to change.

The domestic structure in Hungary has been growing rapidly. The Budapest Open, Hungarian Classic, Hungarian Masters, and a now thriving WDF calendar have all recorded increasing participation numbers, including a record turnout at the Budapest Open in 2024. These events have become natural proving grounds for emerging players.

On the youth side, the progression is even more striking. Hungarian youngsters regularly feature in WDF youth events such as the International Youth Challenge Open Hungary, which continues to be held annually and showcases national U18 and U23 divisions. These events are producing a growing batch of competitive players who now test themselves internationally. 

Names Already Making Noise in the WDF

Hungary has long had a healthy presence on the WDF circuit, and several players have been picking up strong results in recent seasons. Some of the names worth mentioning include:

Greta Tekauer – a standout Hungarian women’s player with consistent WDF performances.

Gergely Lakatos

Gábor Jagicza

Nándor Major

András Borbély

These players have been representing Hungary across various WDF and European events, including the Hungarian Darts Trophy and other PDC‑affiliated tournaments, which offer host‑nation qualifying spots. In fact, the Host Nation Qualifier for the 2025 Hungarian Darts Trophy included Nándor Major, András Borbély, Nándor Prés and Levente Sarai, all gaining valuable experience on the PDC stage. 

This blend of national structure, youth development, and increased international exposure is exactly what helps produce the next breakthrough star.

A New Wave Is Coming - And One Name Stands Out

If there’s one thing that signals a nation’s imminent rise, it’s appearances on the PDC Development Tour, where the next generation of professionals cut their teeth. And last week, we saw a Hungarian player step up in a big way.

⭐ Peter Kelemen – A Name to Remember

During the opening weekend of the 2026 PDC Development Tour, Peter Kelemen reached the quarter‑finals of Event One, defeating Charlie Manby 5–4 before narrowly losing out to Dylan Slevin in the semis. 

This is a huge result for a Hungarian competitor on the Development Tour, an environment traditionally dominated by English, Dutch, and German youth players. Kelemen’s run puts him firmly on the radar and may well signal the arrival of a genuinely competitive Hungarian prospect capable of earning a Tour Card in the next couple of seasons.

He’s not alone either. Increasingly, Hungarian youth names such as Adam Sepsi, Zsolt Csajbok, and Benedek Szabó are appearing in WDF youth brackets, regularly winning matches in events like the 2025 International Youth Challenge.

Momentum on the Professional Stage

The PDC European Tour’s Hungarian Darts Trophy, now a staple since 2021, has become a major focal point for darts in the region. Hungary has welcomed world starsV such as van Gerwen, Price, Littler, Humphries etc,while also giving home players a shot at competing through host‑nation qualifiers. The 2025 edition again showcased Hungarian talent on stage, with players like Nándor Major and András Borbély earning valuable experience against world‑class opponents.

As the sport grows, Budapest itself has become something of a darts hub. The MVM Dome hosts the Hungarian Darts Trophy yearly, and the atmosphere and crowd engagement have been praised repeatedly across coverage. Hungary hosting the World Masters and World Championship qualifiers for the WDF further cements its status as a rising darts nation. 

So When Will Hungary Produce a TV‑Level Breakthrough Star?

Whether it happens in 2026 is still uncertain. But within the next two to three years, it feels increasingly likely that Hungary will produce a Tour Card holder capable of qualifying for TV majors, especially given:

A rapidly expanding WDF and national tournament calendar

A thriving and competitive youth system

More host‑nation opportunities on the PDC European Tour

A landmark Development Tour quarter‑final run by Peter Kelemen, signaling that Hungarian players are now competitive at the highest youth level

Hungary may not yet be a darts powerhouse, but the foundations are undeniably there. The trend lines are all pointing upward, and when the breakthrough comes, it won’t be a surprise to anyone paying attention.

 

Saturday 21st February – Hangar 61 Tournament: Bristol’s Darting Future on Full Display

 Living in Bristol, I’ve always felt fortunate when it comes to darts. The city has a thriving scene, countless local competitions, and an unbelievable pool of talent to learn from. But what’s happening right now around Hangar 61 and the JDC Southern Hub feels like something different , something bigger.

With Bristol now officially the home of the JDC’s Southern Hub  and with former Pro Tour player Steve Brown, its founder and chairman, driving youth darts forward, the pathway for young players has never looked healthier. The passion behind the setup has sparked a genuine surge in young talent, some of whom already look frighteningly good.

And with the hub officially opening at Hangar 61 in March, we may genuinely be watching the next generation of stars being moulded right in our backyard.

A Venue Built for the Future

Hangar 61 is an incredible venue.

For Saturday’s first ever Open competition, it immediately impressed:

• 18 match boards in the main competition area

• Additional boards across the bars and function rooms for practice

• A genuine professional feel ,the kind you associate with major youth or development events

It’s exactly the kind of environment that shows where youth darts is heading: structured, serious, and driven by people who genuinely care about the next generation.

Over 100 Players – All Levels Represented

The tournament attracted more than 100 players, starting with a round-robin phase before moving into the knockout stages. The field was brilliantly mixed:

• Former Tour players such as John Brown and Arron Monk

• Modus Super Series regulars

• Challenge Tour talent

• Some of the best current JDC prospects

• Reigning WDF Women’s World Champion Deta Hedman

• And, of course, players like me, improving, competing, and seeing how far we can go

It made for a proper test. Every group match felt meaningful, and every board had something worth watching.

A Slow Start… Then My Darts Came Alive

I’ll be honest  I was running on fumes early on.

The night before, I’d only just made it home before midnight after marking at the Development Tour in Leicester, and it took a few matches to settle in.

I didn’t qualify for the knockout stages, but toward the end of the round robin something definitely clicked. The throw loosened up, the scoring improved, and everything started to flow naturally.

And then came the highlight of the day:

A 143 Checkout – My Highest in Any Competition

That one won’t be forgotten in a hurry.

Moments like that make all the hours of practice worthwhile. The scoring across the session was consistent, a few strong legs were built well, and that checkout stood out like a gem.

It wasn’t a tournament-winning performance, but it felt like progress.

The Winner and the Wider Picture

Arron Monk took the title, a reminder of the class he still possesses when in full flow. His composure and experience shone through in a very strong field.

But just as impressive were the performances from the younger players. Several JDC prospects picked up excellent wins and looked fearless in tough matches. The depth of talent coming through the Southern system is remarkable.

Bristol’s Darting Boom

If Saturday proved anything, it’s that Bristol is rapidly becoming one of the most important cities in the UK for youth and development darts.

With the JDC Southern Hub about to open fully, and venues like Hangar 61 embracing the sport in a professional, forward-thinking way, the region feels primed to produce real success stories in the years ahead.

And I wouldn’t be surprised if many of them start with the same sentence:

“It all began at Hangar 61.”

Spotting Tomorrow’s Stars – My Day Marking at the PDC Development Tour

 I recently had the chance to help out as a marker/referee at the latest PDC Development Tour —and what a brilliant experience it turned out to be.

With more than 400 players per event, it was a long day. I marked around 30 matches in total, so there wasn’t much downtime. But the standard, the atmosphere, and the sheer range of talent on display made every minute worthwhile.

A Wide Mix of Players

One of the things I love most about the Development Tour is the variety of players who step onto the oche. You see everything from established Pro Tour competitors sharpening their game to teenagers taking their very first steps into the PDC system.

It was also great to see several former JDC players involved, a real sign that the pathway from junior darts to the professional ranks is becoming stronger and more structured.

As the day progressed and the draw tightened, the quality noticeably lifted. The scoring became heavier, the finishing sharper, and those pressure legs really separated the serious prospects from the rest.

Two Hot Prospects on My Board

I was fortunate enough to mark matches involving two players who are very much ones to watch on the world stage right now: Jenson Walker of England and Sebastian Bialecki of Poland.

Walker has been in tremendous form recently and currently sits as the number one ranked WDF player. Bialecki, meanwhile, continues to impress on the Pro Tour, showing composure and maturity well beyond his years.

Both played exactly as you’d expect  crisp scoring, confident finishing, and that natural rhythm you tend to see in players heading toward the very top of the game.

New Names to Keep an Eye On

One of the most enjoyable parts of marking Development Tour events is discovering players you hadn’t previously heard of — and realising you might be watching a breakthrough moment.

Two players really stood out.

Kyle Manton (England)
A name I hadn’t come across before, but he immediately caught the eye. Strong overall game, very tidy on the treble 20, and a calm presence at the board. He lost his board final to the talented Dutch prospect Jami van den Herik, and if anything, it looked like nerves rather than ability that cost him. He’s definitely someone I’ll be watching closely this year.

Carl van Mens (Germany)
Another impressive performer. Van Mens looked composed from the first dart I saw him throw with a smooth action, good temperament, and consistent scoring throughout. His run ended at the hands of an in-form Jenson Walker, which says a lot about the level he reached. Germany’s development structure seems to be strengthening year by year, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see more German names pushing through soon.

A Long Day - But a Rewarding One

When there are over 400 players involved, you don’t get much rest as a marker. But being that close to the next generation of talent is fascinating.

You see raw ability.
You see nerves.
You see breakthrough performances.
And occasionally, you see something special.

The Development Tour truly offers a glimpse into the future of darts  and after what I witnessed, the future looks very bright indeed.

I’ll definitely be keeping tabs on many of the names I encountered. Because I’m certain a few of them will be appearing on our TV screens sooner rather than later.