Saturday produced another fascinating day of competitive darts, with 26 tournaments added to the Q4QS database.
The headline individual performance came from Daniel Astbury, who recorded a superb 111.33 average at The Church Wicketts in Dawley. But there were plenty of other stories, including a double triumph for Beau Greaves on the PDC Women's Series, a dominant display from Carl Batchelor at the Nigel Birch Memorial Open and another impressive title for Pete Hughes.
There was also a WADC tournament in Wallasey, three Junior Volts events and a busy Portsmouth Saturday Series.
One of the things I enjoy about these daily roundups is the variety. On the same day, we're looking at international-standard women's darts, highly competitive open tournaments, regular Vault events and youngsters taking their first steps in competitive darts.
Astbury hits 111.33 and takes Dawley title
The highest average in Saturday's results belonged to Daniel Astbury at The Church Wicketts in Dawley.
Astbury recorded 111.33 against Brandon Jones, adding averages of 93.94 against Steve Jones Wasp and 91.09 against Ace Lumantas.
Those are three excellent performances in the same competition.
He eventually defeated Jake B-Smith 3–1 in the final, finishing with eight victories.
B-Smith collected seven wins, while Nathan Grice finished with six.
Paul Rowley also impressed at Dawley, recording averages of 100.20 and 93.94.
Interestingly, Astbury's final opponent had also enjoyed a successful evening elsewhere.
Jake B-Smith wins at Shrewsbury and reaches another final
At the Inn On The Green in Shrewsbury, Jake B-Smith collected eight victories and defeated Paul Rowley 3–0 in the final.
B-Smith recorded a 96.97 average against Rowley, while Rowley himself produced a superb 102.48 against Soxy O Callaghan.
Rowley also hit 91.80 and twice recorded 88.41.
B-Smith therefore appears in Saturday's results as both a tournament winner and a runner-up at two separate Vault events.
That's a particularly noteworthy day's work, although the data doesn't establish the precise running order of the two competitions.
Beau Greaves completes PDC Women's Series double
The biggest story away from the grassroots Vault circuit was another remarkable day for Beau Greaves.
At the PDC Women's Series, Greaves won both Event 21 and Event 22.
In Event 21, she defeated Vicky Pruim 5–3 in the final after producing a brilliant 101.55 average in her 5–0 victory over Rhian O'Sullivan.
She also recorded 93.94 against Ruby Grey and 93.50 against Aileen de Graaf.
Gemma Hayter produced 91.69 against Lindsey Ashton, while O'Sullivan recorded 91.59 against Natalie Gilbert.
Greaves then returned for Event 22 and defeated Gemma Hayter 5–3 in the final, averaging 92.44, with Hayter responding with an excellent 90.51.
That made it two tournament titles in a single day.
The wider significance was considerable too. Saturday's results came during the final Women's Series weekend, with World Championship qualification places still a major talking point.
It's another example of the extraordinary standard at the top of the women's game. Greaves continues to set the benchmark, but there is considerable quality throughout these fields.
Carl Batchelor dominates Nigel Birch Memorial Open
One of the performances that really stood out to me came at the 3rd Nigel Birch Memorial Open.
Carl Batchelor recorded two separate 100.20 averages, against Jake Jones and Tim Ely.
He then produced 94.98 in the final against James Richardson, winning the match 6–1.
Batchelor also recorded 86.21 against Michael Cooper and finished with six victories.
Richardson collected four wins on his way to the final, while Jon Platt reached 91.25 during the tournament.
Batchelor's figures are particularly impressive because he didn't just produce one outstanding match. He delivered quality throughout his run and finished it with a convincing final victory.
For me, that's one of Saturday's strongest overall tournament performances.
Pete Hughes wins at Wych Elm as Craddock hits 107.36
The Wych Elm event in Burntwood produced another excellent collection of averages.
Mark Craddock recorded 107.36 against Lisa Morley and followed it with 100.20 against David Barnett (Willett).
Despite those impressive figures, Craddock didn't take the title.
That went to Pete Hughes, who recorded 103.66 against Charlie Gibson and added 88.41 and 85.89 in other matches.
Hughes finished with eight victories and defeated Ryan Herrington 3–1 in the final.
Herrington recorded seven wins, while Nath Coley collected six.
Another event showing why the biggest individual average and the tournament winner aren't always the same player.
Lleyton Molyneux leads the way in Wallasey
At Great Float Social Club in Wallasey, Lleyton Molyneux produced one of the most impressive Vault-winning performances of the day.
Molyneux averaged 98.02 against Dylan Blackwell and added 83.50, 81.33 and 81.24.
He eventually defeated Ellis Hancock 3–2 in the final, finishing with eight victories.
Hancock collected seven wins, while Luke Humphreys recorded six.
It was a strong event, and Molyneux's combination of high scoring and consistency deservedly puts him among Saturday's leading performers.
WADC: Jennifer Taylor wins at Great Float
There was also a women's Vault event at the same Wallasey venue.
The WADC Vault 3.0 at Great Float Social Club recorded 15 matches, with Jennifer Taylor defeating Pam Courts 3–2 in the final.
Both players finished with four victories.
Courts produced the highest recorded average of the competition at 48.48, while Taylor recorded 48.38, 46.25 and 45.81.
Lizzie Hackett and Victoria Simmonds each collected two victories.
I've said before that I think it's important to give these competitions proper coverage, regardless of field size or the averages involved.
The WADC doesn't need every tournament to feature 80 or 90 averages to justify its place in competitive darts.
The important thing is that there is an organised competition, players are getting meaningful match experience, and another venue is providing an opportunity for women to compete.
And with the regular Vault also taking place at Great Float, this is exactly the sort of setup I'd like to see more venues consider.
Welsh Vault results: Bargoed and Neath
There were two further Vault winners in Wales worth highlighting.
At Butters Bar in Bargoed, Edward Manley defeated Gareth Hughes 3–1 in the final, finishing with eight victories.
Manley recorded 85.89 and 81.24, while Martin Lynch reached 85.08 and Liam Cook hit 83.50.
At Shooter's SportsBar in Neath, Les Morgan won the tournament against Lee Oneill, taking the final 3–1 and finishing with seven victories.
The biggest average in Neath came from Stephen Cake, who hit 96.97 against Ashley Lewis, followed by 90.19 and 88.41.
Timothy Jones also impressed, recording 90.18 against Cake and collecting six wins.
Two different tournaments, with strong scoring and plenty of competitive matches.
Portsmouth Phoenix Saturday Series attracts a big field
The Portsmouth Phoenix Saturday Series Event 2 was one of the busiest competitions in Saturday's export, with 155 matches recorded.
Samuel Palmer won the tournament, defeating Shane Williams 5–4 in the final.
Palmer finished with ten victories, while Williams collected eight.
Daniel Eade, Adam Lipscombe and Danny Smith each recorded seven wins.
The highest individual average belonged to Marvin Meal, who hit 96.97 against Frank Wilson.
Lipscombe also produced 91.09 and 85.89 during his run.
A ten-win tournament victory deserves recognition, particularly in an event with that many recorded matches.
More Saturday tournament winners
There were several other performances worth picking out.
At Nambucca in London, Aaron Beeney won eight matches and defeated Adam Finch 3–2 in the final. Beeney recorded 90.18, 85.56 and 83.50.
At the Hoop and Mallet in Warrington, Jordan Howarth won seven matches and defeated Charlie Cooper 3–2. James Welding recorded two separate 93.94 averages.
At John Selden in Worthing, Ethan Yates collected six wins and defeated Adam Griffiths 3–2 in the final.
At Pot Black in Shanklin, Jay Moore won six matches and beat Connor Mitchell 3–2.
At The Millrace in Milton, Martin Williams defeated Jamie Mountford 3–2 to take the title.
Away from the Vault circuit, Adam Warner won the Kenny Greenall Memorial GSOD against PJ Lynskey, while Keith Croxford produced the competition's highest average of 95.94.
At the Darts for Hearts charity event, Joseph Gargaro defeated James McCann 4–2 in the final, with both players recording six victories.
And in the Money In Money Out KO, Dan Broad defeated Bailey Ward 3–2, while Rhys Wareham produced averages of 93.94 and 91.09.
Junior darts: Freddie Argyle and three Junior Volts winners
Saturday also produced an encouraging set of junior results.
At Alford Sports & Social Club in Warrington, Freddie Argyle won the Under-16 round robin, defeating Rhys Brown 3–0 in the final.
Argyle produced an excellent 85.08 average in the final, as well as 76.42, 75.15 and 72.73 during the event.
Both Argyle and Brown finished with seven victories.
There were also three Junior Volts events.
At Bostin Darts 180 Bar in Blackheath, Charlie Lowin defeated Jack Turner 3–1 in the final, with both players recording five victories.
Tyler Shuck produced the highest average at 77.08, while Theo Machin recorded two separate 75.15 averages.
At Glanyrafon Arms in Llandysul, Rowan Fielding defeated Steffan Thomas 3–2 in the final.
Thomas recorded the highest average of 73.92 and collected five wins, while Fielding and Callum Williams each finished with four.
At the Bullseye Bar in Lichfield, Sam Jones defeated Michael Solloway 3–0 in the final.
Harvey-Lee Nelson-Harris produced the competition's highest average of 85.89, while Noah Howe recorded 79.11.
Jones and Solloway both finished with six victories.
There is plenty of emerging talent appearing in these junior events, and the Q4QS database is gradually building a useful picture of their development.
Saturday's standout performances
Five players particularly caught my eye:
- Daniel Astbury – 111.33 and the Dawley title. The highest average of the day, backed up by eight victories.
- Beau Greaves – two Women's Series titles. A 101.55 average and victories in both Events 21 and 22.
- Carl Batchelor – two 100.20 averages and the Nigel Birch Memorial title. An excellent sequence of performances.
- Pete Hughes – 103.66 and the Wych Elm title. Eight victories in a strong field.
- Lleyton Molyneux – 98.02 and the Wallasey title. Consistent scoring and eight wins.
Mark Craddock's 107.36 and Paul Rowley's 102.48 also deserve a mention, even though neither topped the final results at those venues.
Another 26 tournaments added to Q4QS
Saturday was a good example of the variety of darts being played across the country.
At one end, Beau Greaves was winning back-to-back professional Women's Series events. Elsewhere, Daniel Astbury, Pete Hughes and Carl Batchelor were putting together exceptional performances in competitive open and Vault tournaments.
At Great Float, the WADC was providing another opportunity for women to compete. And across the Junior Volts events, the next generation was gaining valuable tournament experience.
That's exactly the breadth of competitive darts I want Q4QS to capture.
Twenty-six more tournaments, hundreds of matches and plenty more information for the Q4QS rankings, player histories and venue records.
Explore more grassroots darts results, rankings and player statistics at Quest For Q School.
