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. 

Monday 6 July Results Round-Up – Andy Steed, Johnny Haines and Rich Griffee Shine

 

Monday night's action produced another packed evening of grassroots darts across the South West, with ADC Vault 18 events once again attracting strong fields and some outstanding performances.

From Paignton, Barnstaple, Calne, Salisbury, Minehead and Didcot to the latest action in Evesham, players continued to produce impressive displays as the summer darts calendar gathers momentum.

Andy Steed Continues His Outstanding Form

Andy Steed's excellent run continued at Vault 18 in Paignton, where he defeated Luke Grantham 3-0 in the final.

Steed recorded a tournament-high 93.94 average on two occasions and never looked far from top gear throughout the evening. His consistency continues to make him one of the form players in the South West.

Johnny Haines Lifts The Didcot Title

Another player enjoying an excellent spell is Johnny Haines, who claimed the Didcot Vault 18 title.

Haines defeated Roger Crook 3-1 in the final after producing several excellent performances, including averages of 96.97 and 93.94. Another impressive evening adds to an already strong season.

Rich Griffee Wins In Calne

One of the strongest fields of the night assembled at the North Star Club, Calne.

Rich Griffee edged Samuel King 3-2 in an entertaining final, while Gary Hiscock produced two of the night's best individual averages with 93.94 and 91.09 before falling in the semi-finals. The quality on show demonstrated once again why the Calne Vault continues to attract some of the region's strongest players.

Kian Gover Takes Barnstaple Honours

In North Devon, Kian Gover lifted the Barnstaple Vault title with a 3-1 victory over Sam Chance.

Neil Ridd posted the highest average of the evening, but Gover's consistency throughout the knockout stages proved decisive as he secured another excellent tournament victory.

Danny Humphries Triumphs In Salisbury

At Stratford Social Club, Danny Humphries came through another competitive field to defeat Shoey Ayres 3-2 in the final.

Humphries topped the averages with a best of 90.18 and continued his recent good form with another impressive Vault title.

Minehead Produces Big Scoring

One of the biggest averages of the South West evening came at The Banckers Draught, Minehead, where David Farmer fired in a superb 107.36 average.

Although he didn't win the tournament, his scoring was one of the standout individual performances of the night, while Jack Walker claimed the title after defeating Taylor Foster in the final.

Evesham Delivers More Quality

The Bengeworth Vault again produced an excellent standard of darts.

Rhys Jackson defeated Pete Hughes in the final, but it was American professional Danny Lauby who grabbed the headlines statistically with a huge 107.36 average during the evening.

South West Winners

🏆 Andy Steed – Paignton

🏆 Johnny Haines – Didcot

🏆 Rich Griffee – Calne

🏆 Kian Gover – Barnstaple

🏆 Danny Humphries – Salisbury

🏆 Jack Walker – Minehead

🏆 Rhys Jackson – Evesham

Another superb evening of grassroots darts highlighted the depth of talent across the South West, with several familiar names continuing their excellent recent form ahead of another busy week of ADC competition.

Which Ranking Gets Closest to the Truth?

 

One of the questions darts fans love to debate is simple:

Who really is the best player in the world?

The official PDC Order of Merit says one thing. Independent rating systems often say something slightly different. At Q4QS, I've developed my own performance-based ranking system, and I thought it would be interesting to see how the four different approaches compare.

For this comparison I've looked at:

• PDC Order of Merit (two-year money list)
• PDC 2026 Calendar Year Order of Merit
• Darts Orakel Ratings
• Q4QS Rankings

I'm not trying to prove one system is right and another is wrong. In reality, they all measure something slightly different.

The PDC Order of Merit measures prize money over two years.

The calendar-year Order of Merit tells us who has earned the most during 2026.

Orakel uses a sophisticated rating system based on player strength and results.

Q4QS is built around current match performance against quality opposition, rewarding consistency rather than prize money alone.

That's why comparing them is so fascinating.

The Top Is Surprisingly Stable

Perhaps the biggest takeaway is that the elite players remain elite whichever ranking you choose.

Luke Littler and Luke Humphries occupy the top two places in every system, simply swapping positions depending on the methodology.

Gerwyn Price also remains firmly inside every top four despite not sitting second on any individual list.

When completely different ranking systems all point towards the same handful of players, it's a good indication that those players genuinely belong among the world's elite.

Wessel Nijman Is Knocking On The Door

If one player stands out more than anyone else, it's Wessel Nijman.

His official PDC Order of Merit position still sits outside the very top names, but every performance-based system clearly believes he's already among the elite.

• PDC Order of Merit: 14th
• 2026 Order of Merit: 2nd
• Orakel: 3rd
• Q4QS: 4th

That suggests his results over the last few months have been exceptional, even if his two-year prize money hasn't quite caught up yet.

Form Versus History

The calendar-year Order of Merit produces some fascinating movements.

Kevin Doets jumps into the top ten.

Ross Smith climbs as high as third.

Luke Woodhouse also reaches the top ten.

Meanwhile, established stars such as Michael van Gerwen fall outside the top fifteen despite remaining inside the world's elite overall.

That doesn't necessarily mean they're playing poorly.

It simply shows how powerful recent form can be when you remove the previous year's prize money from the equation.

Where Q4QS Differs

One thing that immediately stands out is how closely Q4QS and Orakel agree.

Players such as:

• Wessel Nijman
• Kevin Doets
• Luke Woodhouse
• Ross Smith
• Rob Cross

all appear in very similar positions.

That isn't by design. The two systems use different methods, but both are trying to answer a similar question:

How well is this player actually performing right now?

By contrast, the official Order of Merit has to reward tournament success because that's exactly what it was designed to do.

Winning major titles should carry enormous weight—and it does.

The Players That Divide Opinion

Every ranking has a few names that generate debate.

Q4QS places Sebastian Bialecki inside the world's top ten, reflecting outstanding performances across a huge number of matches.

Similarly, players such as Cristo Reyes, Jeffrey De Graaf and Derek Coulson all rate considerably higher than they do on the official Order of Merit.

On the other hand, Gian van Veen sits third on the official Order of Merit but only 21st on the current Q4QS rankings.

That doesn't mean either ranking is incorrect.

It simply reflects the different questions being asked.

One measures prize money.

The other measures sustained match performance.

Does Prize Money Always Equal Ranking Strength?

Perhaps the biggest discussion point is whether prize money always reflects who is currently playing the best darts.

Players compete in different numbers of Players Championship events.

Some players qualify for more televised tournaments.

Major championships carry vastly more prize money than floor events.

All of those factors influence the official rankings—and rightly so, because that's exactly how the PDC system is intended to work.

Performance ratings such as Q4QS and Orakel remove much of that financial weighting and instead focus more heavily on how players actually perform whenever they step on stage or to the oche.

There Isn't One Perfect Ranking

After comparing all four systems, one thing becomes clear.

There probably isn't a single "correct" ranking.

The official Order of Merit tells us who has earned the most.

The calendar-year ranking tells us who is hottest right now.

Orakel measures playing strength.

Q4QS measures sustained performance against opposition.

Each offers a different lens through which to view the professional game.

Perhaps the best way to judge a player isn't by looking at just one ranking—but by seeing where they consistently appear across them all.

When every ranking agrees, you've probably found a genuine world-class player.

When they disagree, that's where the debate really begins.

Sunday Results Round-Up – Andy Steed, Ben Dean and Henry Cooper Among Sunday's Winners

 

Sunday produced another outstanding day of grassroots darts across the South West, with Vault 18 events attracting strong fields and several players continuing their excellent summer form.

From Taunton and Gloucester to Shaftesbury, Cinderford and Evesham, there were impressive performances throughout the day, with some remarkable averages lighting up the Q4QS database.

Andy Steed Continues Outstanding Season

One of the standout performances came at The Queens Arms, Taunton, where Andy Steed claimed another ADC Vault 18 title.

Steed defeated Jack Bellingham 3-0 in the final, producing averages of 93.94 and 92.02 during another commanding display. Jack Bellingham also impressed throughout the day with two 91+ averages as both players underlined their quality.

Ben Dean Wins Strong Gloucester Vault

Another excellent field assembled at Matson Rugby Club in Gloucester.

Ben Dean lifted the title after defeating Dave Legg 3-1 in the final, but one of the biggest stories came from Shaun Vernall, who produced sensational averages of 107.36, 103.66 and 96.97 during the competition.

Although Vernall fell short of the title, his scoring once again demonstrated why he remains one of the region's most dangerous players.

Henry Cooper Maintains Superb Run

Henry Cooper continued his remarkable consistency at Shaftesbury Football Club.

While the final result wasn't available in the exported data, Cooper once again featured among the tournament's leading performers, recording a highest average of 96.97 and finishing among the day's top winners. His excellent run of form shows no sign of slowing down.

Pete Hughes Fires In Redditch

Pete Hughes produced one of the performances of the day at Abbeydale Social Club.

He defeated Tom Garfield 3-0 in the final while recording a magnificent 118.66 average, one of the highest seen anywhere in the Q4QS database this season. It was an outstanding display from the Redditch player.

Neil Wild Wins High-Quality Evesham Event

The 501 Round Robin Contender Board at Evesham produced some extraordinary scoring.

Neil Wild edged Joe Quiney 4-3 in a superb final, with both players producing incredible averages throughout the tournament.

Joe Quiney topped the averages with 125.25 and 120.05, while Neil Wild responded with 119.55 and 115.71 during one of the highest-quality local competitions of the weekend.

Other South West Highlights

• Andy Steed captured the Taunton Vault title.
• Adrian Williams claimed victory at The Nags Head, Cinderford.
• Ricky King won at Swanage RBL, producing four averages over 88.
• Johnny Haines reached another Vault final at Frimley Green, recording the event's highest average of 93.94.

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South West Standout Performers

🏆 Andy Steed – Taunton Vault Champion

🏆 Ben Dean – Gloucester Vault Champion

🏆 Pete Hughes – Redditch Vault Champion (118.66 average)

🏆 Neil Wild – Evesham Round Robin Champion

🏆 Adrian Williams – Cinderford Champion

🏆 Ricky King – Swanage Champion

🔥 Performance of the Day: Joe Quiney – 125.25 average

Another excellent Sunday highlighted the exceptional standard of grassroots darts across the South West, with several players producing remarkable scoring displays and continuing impressive runs of form.

Gibraltar Open & Classic Review: Clark, Lawrie and Jacklin Star Across WDF Weekend

The Gibraltar Open & Classic weekend produced four WDF titles across two busy days of darts, with Matt Clark, Mitchell Lawrie and Paula Jacklin leaving Gibraltar with the silverware.

Across the men’s and ladies’ events, the weekend had a strong international feel and plenty of quality, with the Gibraltar Open, Gibraltar Open Ladies, Gibraltar Classic and Gibraltar Classic Ladies all forming part of a competitive WDF programme.

Weekend at a Glance

Gibraltar Open: Matt Clark
Gibraltar Classic: Mitchell Lawrie
Gibraltar Open Ladies: Paula Jacklin
Gibraltar Classic Ladies: Paula Jacklin

Clark Claims Gibraltar Open Title

The Gibraltar Open title went to Matt Clark, who came through the men’s field to take one of the main trophies of the weekend.

Clark’s victory gave the weekend an excellent opening headline, with a well-earned WDF title added to his record. In a field containing several dangerous players, winning the Gibraltar Open required consistency across the draw rather than just one standout performance.

It also set the tone for a weekend where familiar names were pushed hard, and where the standard in the men’s events remained competitive deep into the knockout stages.

Lawrie Lights Up the Classic

If Clark took the Open, the Gibraltar Classic belonged to Mitchell Lawrie.

Lawrie produced one of the strongest individual tournament runs of the weekend, defeating Marcus Maier 5–2 in the final and averaging 93.69 in the title match. His standout performance came earlier in the tournament, where he produced a superb 109.25 average in his Top 32 win over Ruben Cañas Lopez.

Lawrie also came through a tough semi-final against Lewis Gurney, edging it 4–3, before finishing the job impressively in the final. Maier also deserves plenty of credit for reaching the final, with strong wins over Daniel Zapata and Ryan Branley on his route through the draw.

There were several other eye-catching performances in the Classic, including Daniel Zapata’s 105.47 average, Dom Taylor’s 98.44, and strong runs from Ryan Branley, Lewis Gurney, Nick Fullwell and Christopher Holt.

Jacklin Does the Ladies Double

The outstanding story in the ladies’ events was Paula Jacklin, who completed a superb double by winning both the Gibraltar Open Ladies and Gibraltar Classic Ladies titles.

In one of the finals, Jacklin defeated Irina Armstrong 5–2, showing her experience and match-play strength to come through another competitive women’s draw.

Armstrong also had an excellent weekend, reaching a final and producing some of the best numbers in the ladies’ event, including a 65.95 average in the last 16 and a 62.09 in her semi-final victory over Tami Kelley.

Jacklin’s double made her one of the clear players of the weekend. Winning one WDF title is difficult enough; winning both ladies’ events across the same weekend shows real consistency and composure.

Other Ladies Standouts

While Jacklin took the headlines, there were strong performances from several others.

Tami Kelley produced the highest ladies’ average shown in the data with 69.48 in her quarter-final win over Margaret Sutton. Lisa Vandekerckhove reached the semi-finals, while Hannah Meek, Laima Upeniece, Sandija Andersone and Margaret Sutton all featured in the latter stages.

The ladies’ events may not have had the same size of field as the men’s tournaments, but they still produced competitive matches and a clear weekend storyline through Jacklin’s double success.

Players of the Weekend

Paula Jacklin has to be right at the top after winning both ladies’ titles.

Mitchell Lawrie produced the biggest statistical performance of the weekend and backed it up by winning the Gibraltar Classic.

Matt Clark took the Gibraltar Open crown and ensured the men’s titles were shared across the weekend.

Marcus Maier impressed with a strong run to the Classic final.

Irina Armstrong was a major presence in the ladies’ events and pushed Jacklin in the final.

Final Thoughts

The Gibraltar Open & Classic weekend delivered four WDF titles and several strong storylines.

Matt Clark claimed the Gibraltar Open, Mitchell Lawrie produced a brilliant Gibraltar Classic run, and Paula Jacklin dominated the ladies’ side of the weekend by winning both women’s events.

For Q4QS, this is exactly the kind of WDF weekend that deserves proper coverage: multiple titles, international fields, strong averages, and players building momentum on the wider circuit.

Gibraltar once again provided a valuable stop on the WDF calendar, and the winners will leave with ranking points, confidence and a strong weekend behind them. 

MODUS Super Series Week 11 Preview – Can Anybody Stop The Form Players?

The MODUS Super Series rolls into Week 11, bringing together another fascinating mix of experienced professionals, former tour card holders, international representatives and in-form ADC competitors.

As always, the unique MODUS format rewards consistency as much as brilliance. A fast start can be invaluable, but momentum often shifts throughout the week as players become accustomed to the pace and pressure of live streaming.

Several players arrive carrying excellent recent form, while others will be hoping that experience on the big stage can carry them deep into the competition.

Ron Meulenkamp Arrives Full Of Confidence

Dutch ace Ron Meulenkamp heads into the week as one of the standout players.

His recent form has been exceptional, reaching the final of the Swiss Open while averaging over 91, alongside an outstanding 9 wins from his last 10 matches in the Q4QS database. He's producing heavy scoring and looks capable of going all the way if he settles quickly.

Lewis Pride Looking To Build Momentum

Young English talent Lewis Pride continues to impress.

A recent ADC Winmau Championship finalist, Pride has already shown he can compete with established professionals. His 8-2 record over his last ten matches suggests he is arriving full of confidence and could be one of the week's biggest dangers.

Experience Counts

The field also contains several hugely experienced names.

Former World Cup representative Devon Petersen brings years of televised experience and remains one of the game's most entertaining characters.

Former Players Championship winner Kevin Painter needs little introduction and will always be dangerous if he finds his scoring rhythm.

Irish veteran John O'Shea has enjoyed success throughout his long career and knows exactly how to handle pressure situations.

Meanwhile, former Lakeside World Champion Richie Burnett possesses the pedigree to beat anybody on his day, even if recent results haven't quite matched his highest standards.

The Outside Contenders

One of the attractions of the MODUS Super Series is that there is usually room for a surprise package.

Lee Evans arrives after winning a recent Vault 18 title and boasts a superb 9-1 record from his last ten matches, making him an intriguing outsider.

Adrian Gray has quietly pieced together several deep runs recently, including a semi-final appearance and a quarter-final in the ADC Winmau Championship South.

Carl Wilson has shown plenty of scoring power over recent months and could spring one or two surprises if he settles into the format quickly.

Players To Watch

While several former professionals will naturally attract attention, recent form suggests this week's competition could be more open than many expect.

If Ron Meulenkamp and Lewis Pride reproduce the form they've shown over the past month, they look capable of making deep runs, but the experienced campaigners in the field are more than capable of turning the tournament on its head.

With live streaming, short-format matches and daily league tables, another entertaining week of MODUS Super Series darts looks guaranteed.

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🎯 Q4QS Six To Follow

🇳🇱 Ron Meulenkamp

The form player. A recent Swiss Open finalist with a 9-1 record over his last ten matches.

🏴 Lewis Pride

One of the rising stars in the field. Already proving he can compete with established professionals.

🏴 Lee Evans

Recent Vault winner who arrives with plenty of confidence and could surprise a few people.

🏴 Adrian Gray

Quietly putting together consistent performances and looks ready to take another step forward.

🏴 Carl Wilson

Heavy scorer capable of producing match-winning averages when everything clicks.

🇿🇦 Devon Petersen

Experience, personality and proven quality. Never underestimate what he can produce on the MODUS stage.