Yesterday's South West Results Round-Up – Friday 24 July 2026

 

Friday was another busy evening on the grassroots circuit, with players competing across Gloucestershire, Somerset, Dorset, Devon and beyond as another packed night of Vault 18 action was added to the Q4QS database. While impressive performances came from around the country, the South West once again provided plenty of talking points.

Lee Bradley Claims Gloucester Honours

One of the standout stories came at Vault 18.0 @ Saintbridge Sports Club, Gloucester, where Lee Bradley produced an excellent run to lift the title.

Bradley edged out the in-form Joe Bagguley 3-2 in a closely contested final, denying Bagguley what would have been another Vault success. Joshua Lewis also enjoyed an outstanding evening, recording tournament highs of 93.94 and 85.89 during his run.

Steven Rees Triumphs In Taunton

At Pegasus 68 Club, Taunton, it was Steven Rees who stole the show.

Rees defeated Jack Davey in the final and produced an impressive 96.97 average, one of the best performances anywhere in the South West on Friday evening. Logun Godbeer also enjoyed an excellent tournament with a 90.18 average.

Jim Chappell Wins In Yeovil

There was another strong performance at Bullets Sports Bar, Yeovil, where Jim Chappell lifted the Vault 18 title.

Chappell defeated Daren Field in the final and also posted a superb 96.97 average earlier in the evening. Zac Rendell impressed throughout the tournament with a pair of 80+ averages.

Neil Meneer Continues His Excellent Form

The standard remained high in Bodmin, where Neil Meneer defeated Jamie Kay to win the Vault 18 event at St Breward AFC & Social Club.

Jamie Kay produced several outstanding performances, including a 93.94 average, but Meneer proved too strong when the title was on the line.

Joe Quiney Tops Strong Field At Evesham

At The Bengeworth, Evesham, Joe Quiney continued his fine run of form with another Vault 18 title.

Pete Hughes produced a superb 103.66 average during the evening, but Quiney was outstanding throughout and finished the job with victory in the final.

More South West Winners

There were further victories for:

• 🏆 Alfie Yarrow – Dorchester
• 🏆 Sam Chance – Ilfracombe
• 🏆 Al Ayres – Sturminster
• 🏆 Tammy Jones – WADC Vault at Evesham

South West Performances That Caught My Eye

Several players produced exceptional darts despite not winning their events.

• 🎯 Pete Hughes – 103.66
• 🎯 Steven Rees – 96.97
• 🎯 Jim Chappell – 96.97
• 🎯 Jamie Kay – 93.94
• 🎯 Joshua Lewis – 93.94
• 🎯 Robbie Martin – 96.97 despite finishing runner-up in Dorchester.

Looking Ahead

With another busy Saturday schedule to come, momentum is beginning to build across the region. Friday's results showed once again just how competitive the South West circuit has become, with established names continuing to win titles while plenty of challengers are pushing them all the way.

Congratulations to all of Friday's winners and everyone who took to the oche.

Remember if you want to see live scores from further afield (Wales,Midlands,South Ease,Sout, South West England) then head to the section in the main menu that says 'Darts Score,Results and Vidiprinter. Live Vidiprinter in action every evening!

Country Spotlight: Norway

 

Here is another country on the weekly feature called Country Spotlight.

Each week I take a closer look at a different darts nation from around the world. Some have a rich history in the sport, while others are steadily building their reputation on the international stage.

This week, the spotlight turns to Norway.

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Where is Norway?

Situated on the western side of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Norway is renowned for its breathtaking fjords, dramatic mountain landscapes and the spectacular Northern Lights.

Home to around 5.6 million people, Norway consistently ranks among the world's happiest and highest-quality countries to live in. While winter sports dominate the headlines, darts has quietly established itself as one of the country's fastest-growing indoor sports.

Today, Norwegian players are becoming increasingly familiar names on both the WDF and PDC Nordic & Baltic circuits.

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Growing the Game

Norwegian darts has developed significantly over the last decade.

The Norwegian Darts Association has helped expand the sport through regional leagues, national ranking events and opportunities for players to compete internationally.

More Norwegian players are now travelling across Europe to gain experience against stronger opposition, helping to raise standards throughout the country.

While Norway may not yet have the depth of neighbouring Denmark, the progress made in recent years has been impressive.

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Norway on the International Stage

Norway regularly competes in the WDF Europe Cup, WDF World Cup and PDC Nordic & Baltic Tour.

Although the nation is still searching for a major international breakthrough, Norwegian players continue to improve through regular competition against some of Europe's strongest talent.

The country is beginning to establish itself as one of the more competitive nations within the Nordic region.

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Players to Watch

Norway's leading current player is Cor Dekker, whose performances demonstrate that Norwegian darts now has a player capable of competing at a genuinely high professional level.

The Q4QS database currently contains 88 recorded matches, with 45 victories, an overall match average of 89.69, a Q4QS Average of 89.52 and an outstanding best recorded average of 102.49. During 2026 he has also recorded victories over established professionals including Andrew Gilding, Danny Noppert and Kim Huybrechts, highlighting the standard he is capable of producing.

Another player enjoying a solid season is Kent Jøran Sivertsen. Across 17 recorded Q4QS matches, he has won 7, producing a Q4QS Average of 75.78 with a best recorded average of 85.48. His regular appearances on the PDC Nordic & Baltic Tour show the increasing depth of Norwegian darts.

Robert Wagner is another well-known Norwegian international. While the current Q4QS database contains only a single recorded match, his experience means he remains an important figure within Norwegian darts and someone many fans will recognise.

As the Q4QS database continues to expand, I'll continue to track Norway's leading players and the next generation aiming to make their mark on the international stage.

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Why Norway Matters

Norway represents one of the most steadily improving nations in Nordic darts.

The country has invested in player development, increased international participation and strengthened its domestic competition, creating a platform for future success.

With players now regularly testing themselves against stronger opposition, Norwegian darts appears to be moving firmly in the right direction.

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Looking Ahead

The future looks encouraging.

With experienced internationals leading the way and more young players gaining valuable experience on the Nordic & Baltic Tour, Norway has every opportunity to continue climbing the European rankings.

A major international breakthrough may not be too far away.

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Q4QS Darts Nation Rating

Current Strength: 7/10

Participation: 7/10

International Success: 6.5/10

Future Potential: 8/10

Overall Q4QS Nation Rating: 7/10

Norway continues to strengthen its position within Nordic darts. While there is still ground to make up on the region's traditional powerhouses, the foundations are firmly in place for continued progress.

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Useful Links

Norwegian Darts Association

https://dartnorge.no

World Darts Federation

https://dartswdf.com

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Coming Next...

The Country Spotlight series continues next week as I explore another fascinating darts nation from around the world.

Yesterday's Grassroots Darts Round-Up – 23 July 2026

 Thursday is always one of the busiest nights of the week on the grassroots circuit, and yesterday was no exception. I added 42 tournaments to the Q4QS database, with hundreds of players competing across England and Wales in Vault 18 events, local leagues, round robins and junior competitions.

The evening produced some outstanding performances, with several players breaking the 100-average barrier and plenty of familiar names continuing their excellent recent form.

Robbie Long Continues His Incredible Run

One of the standout stories came at Hangar61, where Robbie Long defeated Cori Wiltshire 3-2 in a closely fought final.

Robbie's recent form has been exceptional and another tournament victory continues an impressive winning streak. Although Ashton Brown recorded the highest average of the night at the venue with 105.68, Robbie produced two 96+ averages on his way to lifting the trophy, showing both scoring power and consistency.

Andy Steed Claims Plymouth Honours

At Vault 18.0 @ Legends Lounge, Plymouth, Andy Steed enjoyed another excellent evening, defeating Finlay Cleave 3-0 in the final.

Steed also produced the highest average of the tournament at 91.09, underlining why he continues to be one of the strongest performers in the South West.

Robbie Martin Stars In Yeovil

The performance of the night in the South West arguably belonged to Robbie Martin, who won the Vault 18.0 event at Yeovil Labour Club.

Martin defeated Mike Harper in the final and produced a superb 111.33 average, one of the highest recorded anywhere in the country during Thursday's action.

Henry Cooper Hits A Huge Average

The highest average recorded across all competitions came from Henry Cooper, whose incredible 115.62 average helped him win the Vault 18.0 event at The Kings Arms, Wallisdown.

It's a performance that will certainly catch plenty of attention and demonstrates the quality regularly being produced on the grassroots circuit.

Other Notable Winners

Elsewhere there were victories for:

• Johnny Haines at Farnborough.
• Jamie Kelling at Andover.
• Jack Seymour at Locks Heath.
• Lee McNulty at Fareham.
• Pete Hughes at Worcester.
• Keith Selby and Brandon Appleby in the two Crawley Green events.
• Shane Turner at Bradmoor Farm.
• Bryan Flew at Brynmawr.
• Sion Thomas at Llanelli.
• Dean Reynolds at Cardiff.
• Craig Gaynor at Faringdon.

Standout Performances

A number of players produced outstanding individual averages during the evening.

• Henry Cooper – 115.62
• Joseph James Blunt Quiney – 111.33
• Robbie Martin – 111.33
• Lloyd Walker – 107.36
• Ashton Brown – 105.68
• Stuart Dutton – 104.86
• James Richardson – 104.42
• Sion Thomas – 103.66
• Joey Cole – 103.66

Looking Ahead

With another busy weekend of darts just around the corner, there will be plenty more opportunities for players to climb the Q4QS rankings.

As always, congratulations to everyone who picked up titles, reached finals or produced personal best performances,

Q4QS Yesterday's Results South and South West – 22 July 2026

A busy Wednesday night as Vault 18 rolls on

Wednesday nights continue to be one of the busiest evenings on the grassroots darts calendar, with another 56 tournaments added to the Q4QS database covering local leagues, Under-55 competitions, JDC events and the ever-growing Vault 18 circuit.

From a South West perspective there was plenty to catch the eye, with familiar names continuing their excellent recent form alongside several new winners adding valuable ranking points.

Neil Meneer continued his impressive season by taking the Vault 18 event in Bodmin, overcoming Troi Day in the final. Meneer has been one of the most consistent performers in the region throughout 2026 and another title only strengthens his position.

At the Magpies Social Club in Stonehouse, Josh McCarthy claimed another Vault title after defeating Mitch McCarthy in the final. McCarthy also produced the highest average of the evening at the venue, highlighting another strong all-round performance.

There was success in Dorset too, where Dale Mills edged Steve Stone in a deciding leg to win the Stalbridge Vault, while Lee Evans lifted the Salisbury title after overcoming Carlton Hope in the final.

Further south, Sam Chance produced another excellent display to defeat Andy Steed in Ilfracombe, while Sean Penney came through a competitive field at The Kings Arms in Wallisdown.

Outside the Vault circuit, Dave Fisher claimed victory in Week 3 of the Pawlett Pavilion Grand Prix after a closely fought final against David Williams.

The junior game also enjoyed another busy evening. Exeter's JDC VOLTS event was won by Joseph Lauridsen, while Ethan Williams, Oliver Williams, James Prettyjohn and Rhys Evans all collected victories elsewhere around the country.

Highest averages of the day

The standard was exceptionally high across the country with several players breaking the 100 average barrier.

Leading the way was Daniel Astbury, who produced a superb 107.36 average at the Telford Vault. Stuart Dutton (104.86), Shane Turner (103.66), Clayton Ford (103.66), Keenan Thomas (103.66), Bryan Flew (102.48) and Sean Holley (101.11) also enjoyed outstanding performances.

As always, these nightly events continue to demonstrate the strength and depth of grassroots darts across the UK, with established names maintaining their form while new players continue to make their mark. 

Yesterday's Results Round-Up – 21 July 2026

 

Another busy evening of grassroots darts saw 49 tournaments added to the Q4QS database, with action stretching from local round robins and ADC Vault events to junior competitions across the UK.

Closer to home, Liam Moore enjoyed another excellent night at Tuesday Night Sub 70 Average Round Robin at DartAsylum HQ, defeating Dan Cornes 3-1 in the final to continue his impressive recent run of form. It was another reminder of why he's becoming one of the in-form players on the South West circuit, while Dan can also take plenty of positives from another deep tournament run.

Elsewhere in the South West, Neil Meneer claimed the Vault 18.0 title at Elmore Football Club, Tiverton, edging Todd Woodberry 3-2 in a high-quality final. In Chard, Kieran Spurdle lifted the honours at The Choughs Hotel, while Elliot Straughan-Horwood was victorious at the Bristol Vault hosted at Bessellscotts. Joe Quiney also impressed by taking the Bretforton title with several excellent performances throughout the evening.

At Portishead Workmen's Darts, Steve Boundy won the Tuesday Open, overcoming John Maggs in the final after another consistent night's work.

The junior game also enjoyed another busy evening with six JDC VOLTS events taking place around the country. Among the winners were Rhys Evans, Freddie Rowlands, Jack Turner, Ryan Elliott, Lucas Milligan and Jenson Swift, highlighting the depth of talent coming through the ranks.

South West Winners

• 🏆 Liam Moore – Tuesday Night Sub 70 Average Round Robin (DartAsylum HQ)
• 🏆 Steve Boundy – Tuesday Open (Portishead Workmen's Darts)
• 🏆 Neil Meneer – Vault 18.0 (Tiverton)
• 🏆 Elliot Straughan-Horwood – Vault 18.0 (Bristol)
• 🏆 Joe Quiney – Vault 18.0 (Bretforton)
• 🏆 Kieran Spurdle – Vault 18.0 (Chard)

Yesterday's Results Round-Up – Monday 20 July 2026

 

Monday saw another busy evening on the grassroots darts circuit, with 39 tournaments added to the Q4QS database. As always, this roundup focuses primarily on the South West, where several familiar names continued their excellent recent form and another handful of standout performances caught the eye.

Andy Steed Keeps the Winning Run Going

One player who simply refuses to slow down is Andy Steed.

Andy claimed another Vault 18.0 title at 8 Ball Bar & Sports, Paignton, adding yet another trophy to what has become a remarkable spell of form. He also produced a superb 91.09 average during the evening, once again showing why he remains one of the hottest players on the South West circuit.

With titles continuing to arrive week after week, Andy is enjoying one of the strongest runs of the summer.

Mitch McCarthy Wins Strong North Star Field

The North Star Club, Calne once again attracted a competitive field, and it was Mitch McCarthy who came away with the title.

While Mitch lifted the trophy, the event also produced some exceptional darts. Gary Hiscock fired a magnificent 104.86 average, while Josh McCarthy added performances of 100.20, 99.21 and 94.02, underlining the quality throughout the night.

It was another reminder that Calne continues to produce some of the strongest Monday night darts in the region.

Ben Collins Triumphs in Salisbury

At Stratford Social Club, Ben Collins enjoyed an excellent evening to take the latest Monday Vault title.

Billy Kelly pushed him all the way during the competition, while Zachary Petty recorded the highest average of the night at 88.29. It was another closely contested event that showcased the depth of talent in Salisbury.

Craig Britten Tops the Under-65 Event

The Clandown Darts Promotions Under-65 Average Round Robin produced another entertaining evening.

Craig Britten lifted the title after a consistent day's work and also recorded the highest average of the tournament at 81.24, rounding off an excellent performance from start to finish.

George Humphreys Continues His Excellent Form

Another player to impress was George Humphreys, who claimed victory in the JDC VOLTS Series 7 at Stratford Social Club, Salisbury.

George once again demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the brightest junior talents, adding another title to his growing collection after another confident display.

Codi Wagstaff Wins in Weston-super-Mare

The 49 Club Under-55 Round Robin produced another competitive local event.

Codi Wagstaff emerged victorious after a strong evening, while Bart Mansfield recorded the highest average of the competition with 69.91. It was another well-supported event with plenty of competitive matches throughout.

Performance of the Day

Although Andy Steed continued his superb winning run, the individual performance of the evening arguably belonged to Gary Hiscock, whose outstanding 104.86 average at North Star Club was one of the highest recorded anywhere in the Q4QS database on Monday.

The standard continues to rise across the South West, and if Monday night's action is anything to go by, there will be plenty more storylines to follow over the coming week.

Congratulations to all of Monday's winners, and good luck to everyone back on the oche over the next few days.

Just How Difficult Is It To Break Into The PDC Top 20?

 

One of the biggest debates in professional darts centres around the PDC Order of Merit. Are the world's top players simply the best players, or does the structure of the professional game make it harder than ever for new names to break into the elite?

It's a question I've heard discussed countless times, particularly around the European Tour. The Top 16 receive automatic entry and seeded positions, while those further down the rankings often have to battle through qualifiers before they've even thrown a dart on the main stage.

Rather than simply offering an opinion, I wanted to look at the numbers.

A remarkably exclusive club

Looking at the year-end PDC Top 20 between 2010 and 2025 reveals just how difficult it is to join the sport's elite.

Across those sixteen seasons there were 321 Top 20 positions available (2019 included a tie for 20th), yet they were occupied by just 63 different players.

That immediately tells us one thing.

Breaking into the Top 20 is far harder than many people probably realise.

Even more striking is the annual turnover. On average, over 82% of the previous year's Top 20 remained there the following season. In a typical year, only three or four places became available.

Think about that for a moment.

A player isn't realistically competing for one of twenty places. They're competing for one of perhaps three opportunities, while the remaining positions are occupied by players who have already established themselves.

Staying there is just as impressive

Once players reach the elite, many stay there for years.

James Wade appeared in every year-end Top 20 from 2010 through to 2025.

Michael van Gerwen has spent fourteen consecutive years inside the Top 20.

Dave Chisnall has managed thirteen consecutive appearances, while Peter Wright and Simon Whitlock both enjoyed runs of twelve straight seasons.

This isn't simply a list of talented players. It demonstrates remarkable consistency over long periods.

At the other end of the scale, only eleven players appeared in the year-end Top 20 on just one occasion during the study period. Reaching the Top 20 is rarely a one-season fluke.

So is the system fair?

This is where opinions begin to differ.

One argument is simple.

The best players win the biggest tournaments, therefore they deserve to be seeded, receive automatic entries and benefit from those rewards.

It's difficult to argue against success being rewarded.

However, there is another side to the debate.

Once a player reaches the Top 16, they gain regular access to the biggest ranking events, avoid qualification for many tournaments and often receive more favourable draws through seeding.

Those advantages don't guarantee victories, but they do provide more opportunities to earn ranking money than players trying to break through from outside the elite.

The statistics alone don't prove that the system keeps players in the Top 20.

What they do show is that very few places become available each year, meaning the pathway into the elite is incredibly narrow.

Is there a changing of the guard?

Yes, but perhaps not as quickly as many people think.

The early part of the study was dominated by names such as Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis, Raymond van Barneveld, Terry Jenkins and Simon Whitlock.

Gradually they were replaced by Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, Peter Wright, Michael Smith and Gerwyn Price.

Now we're seeing another generation emerge, led by Luke Humphries, Luke Littler, Gian van Veen, Josh Rock and Martin Schindler.

What's interesting is that this change rarely happens overnight.

Most players don't jump from outside the Top 100 into the Top 20 in a single season. Instead they tend to climb steadily over several years before finally making the breakthrough.

Luke Littler is the obvious exception. His rise has been extraordinary and almost certainly shouldn't be viewed as the normal route to the top.

Can we spot the next breakthrough?

This is where I think statistics become really interesting.

The PDC Order of Merit measures prize money won over a two-year period.

My own Q4QS rankings are designed to measure current playing strength using a different methodology.

That means they don't always agree.

Sometimes a player appears high in the Q4QS rankings long before they reach the very top of the PDC Order of Merit.

That doesn't mean they'll definitely become a Top 20 player.

But history suggests that players who consistently produce high averages, win regularly and continue to climb the rankings often follow a similar pathway to those who have broken through before them.

Over the coming months, I'll be comparing today's Q4QS leaders with previous generations of players to see whether we can identify the next stars before they establish themselves on the biggest stages.

The verdict

The figures leave little doubt that breaking into the PDC Top 20 is one of the hardest achievements in professional darts.

With only a handful of places changing hands each year, new players need sustained excellence rather than one outstanding season.

Whether the current structure simply rewards the very best players or also makes it harder for newcomers to force their way through is a debate that will continue.

What the numbers do prove is that reaching the Top 20 is only half the battle.

Staying there is an achievement in itself.

This is only the first part of the research. Over the coming weeks I'll be looking more closely at the journeys of previous breakthrough players, comparing them with today's emerging talent and asking one simple question:

Who will be the next player to force their way into the PDC's elite?