Yesterday's Darts Results: Lewis Cook Wins UK & Ireland Classic, James Welding Doubles Up and Paul Rowley Hits 111.33 – 17 October 2026

Saturday was a particularly interesting day for grassroots darts, with 60 tournaments added to the Q4QS database, including several major competitions from the ADC National Finals weekend.

There were big titles decided, some outstanding individual performances and plenty of familiar names appearing across the results. Lewis Cook took the UK & Ireland Classic, Gemma Hayter won the Women's Vault National Finals, and James Welding managed to win two tournaments at the same Warrington venue.

Closer to home, Shaun Carter won the Ilfracombe Autumn Open, Billy Maple came through the Under-65 Average Champion of Champions qualifier in Evesham, and the Pegasus in Taunton staged a busy programme of competitions.

And, as always, the WADC and Junior Volts results deserve their place in the roundup.

Lewis Cook wins the UK & Ireland Classic

The ADC UK & Ireland Classic, with its advertised £13,200 prize fund, was one of Saturday's headline competitions.

Cook defeated Chas Barstow 5–1 in the final, completing a five-win campaign and producing some of the best darts recorded anywhere during the day.

His highest average was a superb 108.22 against Shaun Fox. He also recorded 100.08 against Archie Self, 97.20 against Robbie Martin and 96.85 against Barry Watson.

That's an impressive collection of performances in a competition of this stature.

Self also deserves a mention, having recorded 101.80 against Alan Richards, while Jamie Owens reached three victories and Johnny Haines featured among the leading players.

For Cook, though, it was a combination of scoring power and results that made the difference.

Gemma Hayter takes the Women's Vault National Finals

The Women's Vault National Finals, carrying an advertised £3,000 prize fund, provided another important result from the ADC weekend.

Hayter defeated Juliet Findley 5–1 in the final, winning five matches to take the title.

Hayter produced an 81.17 average against Jo Locke and followed that with 78.74 in the final. She also recorded 76.10 against Karen Gallagher.

Locke actually produced the two highest individual averages in the competition, with 83.80 against Sue Davies and 82.36 against Emma Chubb.

Findley finished with four victories, while Peri Yarrow and Locke each collected three.

It's good to see the women's competitions occupying a prominent place at the National Finals. They deserve the same attention as the other major events, particularly when the standard of play is as competitive as this.

Roger Crook and Cooper/King take ADC titles

There were two further ADC competitions worth highlighting.

In the National Finals Money In, Money Out Knockout, Roger Crook defeated Joe Hunt 4–1 in the final.

Crook finished with eight victories, while Hunt collected seven. Lewis Pride produced the highest average of 101.90, followed by Thomas Heggie on 101.63 and Jack Main on 98.56.

With 351 matches recorded, this was a substantial competition, and winning eight matches is no small achievement.

Meanwhile, the Red Dragon Doubles Cup was won by the Cooper/King partnership, who defeated Haines/Court 5–3 in the final.

Cooper/King recorded the competition's highest average of 98.43 and finished with eight victories. Huntley/Self also produced an impressive 98.09.

Doubles deserves its own consideration rather than simply being treated as two singles players added together. Partnerships, finishing combinations and the ability to work together all matter, and it was encouraging to see a sizeable doubles event forming part of the weekend.

Paul Rowley produces Saturday's highest average

Away from the major ADC competitions, the highest individual average in Saturday's results came at the Inn On The Green in Shrewsbury.

Paul Rowley produced an exceptional 111.33 average against Nath Morris.

That wasn't his only strong performance, either. Rowley also recorded 93.94 against Martin Kearns, 92.02 against Soxy O Callaghan and 84.87 against Brett Cooper.

He went on to defeat Sam Morris 3–1 in the final, completing an eight-win evening.

Sam Morris collected six victories, with Kyle Jones and Brett Cooper each recording five.

The 111.33 will naturally attract attention, but what impressed me was Rowley's ability to produce several strong performances and finish the evening with the title.

James Welding wins twice in Warrington

One of Saturday's most impressive achievements came at the Hoop and Mallet in Warrington, where Welding won both recorded Vault competitions.

In the 16-and-over event, Welding defeated Connor Mather 3–1 in the final, finishing with seven victories.

He produced a 103.66 average against Lewis Lloyd, together with two 91.09 averages against Matt Simpkin and Callum Tollitt.

Then, in the open-age competition, Welding was successful again, this time defeating Ben Devine 3–1 in the final.

Another seven victories followed, with leading averages of 90.27, 90.18 and 90.18.

That's 14 match victories across two tournaments.

We often focus on the highest single average, but I think there's something equally impressive about a player managing to win one competition and then doing it all over again.

Welding certainly deserves recognition for that.

Shaun Carter wins the Ilfracombe Autumn Open

The Ilfracombe Autumn Open was one of the largest competitions featured in the South West results.

Carter defeated David Yeaman 6–0 in the final, completing an impressive ten-win tournament.

Yeaman himself won nine matches, while John Lakeman, Daniel Donovan and David Ashley each recorded eight victories.

The highest individual average was 88.41 from Donovan against Lee Burdis.

Nigel Gullon and Yeaman both recorded 79.11, with Lakeman contributing 77.74.

Carter's ten victories stand out, particularly in a competition with 120 matches recorded.

A convincing 6–0 final was an emphatic way to complete the day.

Billy Maple wins in Evesham

At Evesham Darts Competitions, the Under-65 Average Champion of Champions qualifier produced a close final.

Maple defeated George Nurdin 4–3, with both players finishing on seven victories.

Nurdin produced the highest averages in the event, recording 85.89 against Dan Lamb and 82.83 against Ant Pratley.

Maple's best recorded average was 79.11 against Steve Wynn.

Cai Griffiths also enjoyed a good competition with five victories.

I find these average-restricted competitions interesting because they give players an opportunity to compete against others within a defined performance range.

Of course, a player's average can vary considerably from one match to another, as Nurdin's 85.89 demonstrates. But that's part of what makes the format interesting.

Ultimately, Maple came through a deciding-leg final to take the title.

More South West success at the Pegasus

There was a busy Saturday at Pegasus 68 Club in Taunton, with three competitions recorded.

In the Under-21 and Ladies Round Robin, Ryan Greenslade defeated Lewis Barrance 3–0 in the final, collecting six victories.

Reuben Avis recorded the highest average of 71.21, followed by Jack Davey on 69.91.

The Open Double Header singles knockout was won by Dan Williams, who defeated Greenslade 6–0 in the final.

Williams also recorded the competition's best average of 81.24 in the final, together with 79.45 against Luke Adams.

The blind pairs competition was won by the partnership listed as Joe/Liam, who defeated Kelsey/Jody 3–0.

It was a good example of a venue providing several different formats on the same day, giving players opportunities to compete in both singles and doubles.

Tyler Garrett wins in Newport

At the Newport Darts Society and Promotions Finals Day Tier 1 Knockout, Tyler Garrett defeated Cody Vodden 6–3 in the final.

Garrett finished with four victories and recorded averages of 85.23 against Harley Glycos and 84.68 against Lucas Chiummo.

Glycos produced the highest average of the competition, 86.41, during his match against Garrett.

Vodden, Nico Adams and Glycos each finished with three victories.

The same venue also staged a blind pairs final, won by the partnership recorded as Luke/Megan against Ethan/Jack.

Edgar Znutins wins at Nambucca

At Nambucca in London, Edgar Znutins defeated Stuart Pickles 3–0 in the final, completing an eight-win evening.

Znutins recorded a particularly impressive 102.48 average against George Whyte, along with 81.98 in the final.

Pickles finished with seven victories, while Whyte and Aaron Beeney each collected six.

It was another example of a player combining a three-figure average with a tournament victory.

WADC: Jo Locke takes the National Finals knockout title

There was plenty of WADC activity on Saturday, including an important result from the National Finals weekend.

In the WADC National Finals Money In, Money Out Knockout, Locke defeated Findley 4–3 in the final.

Locke finished with five victories and produced the competition's highest average, 74.93 in the final.

She also recorded 69.10 against Lauryn Salter, 67.55 against Gill Clark and 65.29 against Katie-Lee Parish.

Findley, who had also reached the Women's Vault National Finals final, collected another four victories.

That's two finals in two separate competitions on the same day for Findley, while Locke deserves credit for taking the knockout title.

WADC Vault 3.0 results

There were also seven WADC Vault tournament records in Saturday's report.

Amanda Harwood won at Fordham RBL, defeating Caitlyn Jefferson 3–0. Harwood recorded five victories and the event's highest average of 67.30.

Janet Hardman won at Great Float Social Club in Wallasey, defeating Lucy Prescott 3–1. Hardman also won five matches, with a best average of 64.00.

Kelly Stevens won both recorded competitions at the Castle & Falcon in Newark. She defeated Nikki Rainbow 3–2 in one final and Stacey Grand-Scrutton 3–0 in the other. Her highest average across the two events was 69.91.

Fran Bent defeated Laura Divall 3–2 at the Glebe in Stevenage.

Sharon McNulty won at the Nags Head Inn in Cinderford, defeating Chloe Miles 3–2. Miles produced the event's highest average of 62.63.

Loz Jones won at the Royal Oak in Rhyl, defeating Trish Harley 3–0.

That gives us plenty of WADC results to recognise, from the National Finals through to the local Vault competitions.

I think it's particularly important that the local winners receive coverage alongside the bigger names. The continued growth of women's darts depends on having regular competitive opportunities, and these events are part of that picture.

Junior Volts: plenty of talent on display

Saturday also featured another busy programme of JDC Junior Volts competitions.

At Bostin Darts 180 Bar in Blackheath, Theo Machin defeated Tyler Shuck 3–1 in the final. Both players finished with eight victories, while Jack Turner recorded the highest average of 73.92.

At Bushey Conservative Club, Prem Ahluwalia defeated Riley Hamlin 3–0, winning six matches and recording the event's four highest listed averages, headed by 67.30.

At Clacton Sports Bar, Leo Dale defeated Nathan Ward-Wilkinson 3–1. Dale recorded seven victories and the event's highest average of 79.11.

At Gamlingay Social Club, Riley Herbert defeated Reggie Bellott 3–0. Herbert recorded 75.15, while Logan Smith produced 75.29.

At Glanyrafon Arms in Llandysul, Rhodri Phillips defeated Oliver Williams 3–2. Rhys Evans recorded an excellent 90.18 average, while Kenzie Watkins produced 83.33.

At Lincoln Darts Hub, Jack Parkinson defeated Henry Weeks 3–2, recording 74.60 in the final.

At the Bullseye Bar in Lichfield, Harvey-Lee Nelson-Harris defeated Joel Walton 3–1. Harvey-Lee finished with seven victories and a best average of 79.11.

At the Tungsten Inn in Grimsby, Tommy Braithwaite defeated Cayden Jones 3–2.

At Vikings Social Club in Norwich, Finley Rix defeated Theo Galea 3–2. Bobby Short produced a superb 91.09 average, while Michael Doyle recorded 88.70 and Galea 83.50.

There was also an Under-18 Open Singles competition won by Bailey Ward, who defeated Ollie Gallimore 5–0 in the final.

Ward recorded averages of 81.98, 81.68 and 80.52, while Gallimore also produced 81.98.

The standard among some of these junior players is certainly worth following. It isn't just about the occasional high average, either. The number of matches being played gives them valuable competitive experience.

Other Saturday winners

A few more results caught my attention.

Paul Hogan won at Burghfield Community Sports Association in Reading, defeating Duncan Ayre 3–0. Hogan recorded averages of 93.94, 86.71 and 85.89.

Craig Vickers managed two Vault victories in Southend, winning at Bunker 19 and the Len Forge Centre.

Bobby Short won at Shooter's Sports Bar in Neath, defeating Michael Doyle 3–0. Short recorded averages of 91.09, 89.49 and 83.50.

Toby Lake won at Terry Griffiths Matchroom in Llanelli, defeating Morgan Thomas 3–1 and recording a best average of 93.94.

Phil Johnson-Hale won at the Boulevard in Peterborough, defeating Harry Ford 3–0 and producing 96.97, 93.94 and 88.41.

Peter Roebuck won at the Wheatsheaf in Doncaster, defeating Colin Waggott 3–2. His leading average was 97.83.

Shaun Griffiths won at Royal Sports Lounge in Farnworth, defeating Alan Perkin 3–0. Eric Bromley recorded an excellent 107.36 at the same venue.

Liam Meek won the Cwmdare Open, defeating Lee Hughes 6–4. Marshall James recorded the competition's highest average of 97.96.

Saturday's highest individual averages

Across the uploaded results, these were the leading individual match averages:

Player	Average	Competition
Paul Rowley	111.33	Inn On The Green, Shrewsbury
Lewis Cook	108.22	ADC UK & Ireland Classic
Eric Bromley	107.36	Royal Sports Lounge, Farnworth
James Welding	103.66	Hoop and Mallet, Warrington
Edgar Znutins	102.48	Nambucca, London
Lewis Pride	101.90	ADC National Finals Knockout
Archie Self	101.80	ADC UK & Ireland Classic
Thomas Heggie	101.63	ADC National Finals Knockout
Lewis Cook	100.08	ADC UK & Ireland Classic
Jack Main	98.56	ADC National Finals Knockout

These figures are individual match averages rather than tournament-wide averages.

My five standout performances

1. Lewis Cook – Winning the UK & Ireland Classic with averages of 108.22 and 100.08.
2. James Welding – Fourteen victories and two tournament titles in Warrington.
3. Paul Rowley – A 111.33 average and eight victories in Shrewsbury.
4. Shaun Carter – Ten wins and a 6–0 final victory at the Ilfracombe Autumn Open.
5. Gemma Hayter – Winning the Women's Vault National Finals, with Jo Locke also deserving recognition for her performances across the women's competitions.

There were plenty of others who could have made that list, particularly Edgar Znutins, Billy Maple, Roger Crook and the junior players producing averages in the 80s and 90s.

Another 60 tournaments added to Q4QS

What made Saturday particularly interesting was the mixture of competitions.

At one end, we had national titles and substantial prize funds. At the other, local Vault competitions, average-restricted events, junior darts and regular club tournaments.

For me, they all matter.

The headline performances are always worth celebrating, but one of the main reasons for building the Q4QS database is to make sure the players competing week after week at local level are represented too.

With another 60 tournaments added, there is more information to explore, more results to compare and more performances to recognise.

Full results, rankings and player statistics are available at QuestForQSchool.

ADC Vault National Finals 2026 Preview: £70,000 at Stake, Former Champions Return and a Wide-Open Field

 

The ADC Vault National Finals return to Bradmoor Farm, with £10,000 awaiting the winner. But can recent form tell us who might lift the trophy?

The ADC National Finals Weekend has already provided plenty of darts, but the Vault National Finals is the competition that really brings home just how far the Amateur Darts Circuit has developed.

A £70,000 prize fund, £10,000 to the champion, and players arriving from Vault competitions across the country.

For many of those taking part, the regular weekly Vault events are where they spend much of their darting lives. They might be winning at their local club on a Monday or Tuesday evening, perhaps reaching a final elsewhere later in the week, and gradually building up the results that have brought them to this stage.

Now they have the opportunity to test themselves against some of the strongest players on the amateur circuit.

I've been looking through the Q4QS database ahead of the competition. The supplied export contains 286 matched players, and the first thing that struck me was not necessarily who was at the top of the rankings.

It was how many players I could make a reasonable case for.

Can Chas Barstow Defend His Title?

The previous winners tell an interesting story.

Neil Duff won the inaugural title in 2023, Thomas Banks followed in 2024, and Chas Barstow became champion in 2025.

Former champions receive lifetime invitations, so there is a nice sense of continuity developing around this competition.

Barstow certainly isn't returning simply to make up the numbers.

His recent results include winning an England Masters & Classic event with a tournament average of 93.94. During that run he beat Robbie Martin 5-0, averaging a remarkable 110.51.

He also won a Vault event at the Sportsman Club in Winchester and reached the final of the UK & Ireland Classic during this National Finals Weekend, where he lost to Lewis Cook.

That is pretty convincing evidence that his game is in good order.

Defending a title in a large knockout field is never straightforward, though. You can play well for several matches and still find yourself on the wrong end of one outstanding performance.

Thomas Banks is also among the entrants. His presence adds another former champion to the story, although I wouldn't automatically place him among the leading favourites purely because he has won the event before.

The Players at the Top of the Q4QS Rankings

Jack Drayton is the highest-ranked player in the supplied Q4QS field, sitting at number 42 with an overall average of 86.29.

He won an ADC Winmau Championship South event at Bradmoor Farm, averaging 87.62 across an unbeaten tournament. Among his victories was a 5-2 win over Michael Wiles with a 94.47 average.

That is useful form to bring into another major event at the same venue.

Oliver Mitchell is just one place behind Drayton in the rankings, at number 43, with an overall average of 86.49.

His Challenge Tour performances have included wins against Scott Waites, Jamie Hughes and Lewis Pride. In one Challenge Tour event he reached the last 32 with a 90.62 tournament average.

Lewis Pride is another obvious contender. His overall average of 87.41 is particularly impressive, and he recently reached the semi-finals of a National Finals Weekend money-in, money-out event, averaging 85.88 before losing to Joe Hunt.

Pride also produced a 101.90 average in a 4-0 victory over Darnell McCrory.

These three have the sort of records that suggest they should be competitive against almost anybody in the field.

But rankings don't win knockout matches.

The Development Tour Players Could Have a Big Say

One of the interesting things about the field is the number of players who have been testing themselves regularly on the PDC Development Tour.

Dylan Slevin reached the semi-finals of Development Tour Event 22, averaging 86.10, and followed that with a quarter-final appearance at Event 24.

He also reached the last 32 of the World Youth Championship Finals.

Sam Jackson's recent results are particularly eye-catching.

He reached the final of Development Tour Event 22, winning eight matches and averaging 93.63 across the tournament before losing to Archie Self.

During that run he beat Slevin 5-2 with a 98.35 average.

Cole Davey also reached a Development Tour final recently, averaging 87.83, before losing to Nunjo Dewaele. He has since added a Vault title at Groves Sports & Social in Shotton.

Arthur Allston reached the quarter-finals of the World Youth Championship Finals, where Charlie Manby ended his run, while Harrison Leigh also made the last eight of that competition before losing to Luke Littler.

I think this group is particularly interesting because they are already accustomed to competing against strong fields.

The challenge is to reproduce that standard in a different tournament environment, with different expectations and a significant prize at stake.

Graham Usher and Harry Lane – An Interesting Connection

Graham Usher has been playing some excellent darts.

He won a British Open & Classic event with an 86.00 tournament average, and his recent record includes a 6-4 victory over Harrison Leigh.

He also reached another final at the British Open & Classic, losing to Harry Lane.

Lane has been enjoying a good run himself, winning a British Open & Classic event and reaching the semi-finals of an England Masters & Classic tournament.

He also has a victory over Usher in his recent record.

It is the sort of connection I enjoy finding in the database. Two players who have already crossed paths in significant competitions, both arriving with reasons to feel confident.

If they meet again, there will be some useful history behind the fixture.

The Vault Specialists Who Know How to Win

It would be easy to concentrate entirely on the players with PDC or major open tournament experience.

But that would rather miss the point of the Vault National Finals.

Some of the most interesting contenders are players who have been winning repeatedly in their own areas.

Simon Stevenson has an overall Q4QS average of 89.14, one of the strongest figures among the leading ranked entrants.

His recent results at Legends Lounge in Plymouth include a tournament victory and a final, the latter with a 90.30 average.

Neil Wild has won nine of his last ten recorded matches. He has produced a 91.02 tournament average in a Vault victory at Hotshots in Tipton and a 91.90 average during a semi-final run at Samba Darts Academy.

Carl Wilson is another player whose recent results deserve attention.

He has won his last ten recorded matches and collected several titles at Rusthall Club in Tunbridge Wells. His most recent title came with a 90.06 tournament average.

One of those wins included a 3-1 victory over Jack Johnson, with Wilson averaging 96.70.

Johnson himself has been playing well, winning at the 6 and 1 Club in Tonbridge with a 90.73 average and reaching a final at Rusthall.

These are not players who should be dismissed simply because their names might be less familiar to a wider darts audience.

They are winning tournaments, and some of them are producing averages that would be competitive at a much higher level.

Jack Main and Darren Brown – A Regional Rivalry

Another little storyline comes from East Anglia.

Jack Main has been collecting Vault titles around Norfolk, including victories at The Greyhound in Diss and Hethersett Social Club.

He also reached the semi-finals of a National Finals Weekend money-in, money-out competition, averaging 82.89.

Darren Brown has been competing in many of the same events.

Their recent records show victories in both directions, with Main beating Brown at Pinches Cue Club and Brown getting the better of Main at Hethersett.

Brown has also produced a 90.87 average across a recent semi-final run.

I wouldn't be surprised to see either player cause problems for a more highly ranked opponent.

And if the draw brings them together, it would be another instalment in a rivalry that has already developed through the regional Vault circuit.

The Players Already Enjoying National Finals Weekend

One factor worth considering is that several entrants have already been competing at Bradmoor Farm during the weekend.

Adam Winspear won the Level Up RISE Final, recording eight victories and an 81.21 tournament average.

His run included wins over William Borland and Colin McCaughern.

That is a significant confidence boost before another major competition.

Borland reached the semi-finals of the same event and produced a 93.05 average in a victory over Dylan Sinclair.

Roger Crook reached the final of a National Finals Weekend money-in, money-out competition, beating Jack Main in the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, Robbie Martin reached the quarter-finals of the UK & Ireland Classic, averaging 91.49 before losing to eventual champion Lewis Cook.

For some players, this will be their first major match of the weekend. Others have already played a considerable amount of competitive darts.

Whether that proves to be an advantage or a disadvantage is difficult to judge.

Personally, I think a player who has already enjoyed a good run at the venue might have a little more confidence when the first match begins.

But confidence still has to be backed up by scoring and finishing.

So Who Are the Favourites?

This is where the size of the field makes things difficult.

There are some excellent players in the top twenty of the Q4QS rankings for this event, but there are also players further down the list who have been winning virtually everything in front of them.

Paul Rowley, Lee Evans, Roger Crook and Carl Wilson all have ten consecutive recorded wins in the supplied database.

Kevin Edwards, Danny Goddard, Daniel Astbury and Brett Claydon have similarly impressive recent form.

And there are others, such as Robbie Martin, Johnny Haines, Michael Wiles and Sean Holley, who have been regularly reaching the latter stages of Vault tournaments.

I wouldn't want to pretend that the statistics can identify one clear winner from a field like this.

What they can do is help us identify who has been performing consistently, who is capable of producing exceptional averages, and who might be worth watching as the tournament progresses.

Q4QS Six to Follow

After going through the available figures, these would be my six selections.

Chas Barstow – The defending champion, an England Masters & Classic winner and a finalist at this weekend's UK & Ireland Classic.

Jack Drayton – The highest-ranked entrant in the supplied Q4QS field, with strong ADC Winmau Championship form at Bradmoor Farm.

Oliver Mitchell – Proven Challenge Tour scoring ability, including a 90.62 tournament average and victories over established opposition.

Sam Jackson – A recent PDC Development Tour finalist with a 93.63 tournament average.

Simon Stevenson – One of the strongest overall averages in the field, backed by excellent recent results in Plymouth.

Carl Wilson – My outside selection, with ten consecutive recorded wins and several recent Vault titles.

Leaving out players such as Lewis Pride, Dylan Slevin, Graham Usher and Robbie Martin isn't easy.

In fact, I could probably pick another six without weakening the list very much.

A Tournament That Deserves Its Place on the Calendar

The thing I like most about the Vault National Finals is that it gives players from the regular grassroots circuit an opportunity to compete for a genuinely significant prize.

Some of the entrants will be accustomed to major competitions. Others will have built their records largely through weekly tournaments at local clubs.

And that is what makes it interesting.

The averages can give us an idea of what to expect, but they cannot tell us how somebody will react to a deciding leg with thousands of pounds at stake.

Nor can they tell us whether a player who has been averaging in the mid-70s might suddenly produce the tournament of his life.

My statistical shortlist would certainly include Barstow, Drayton, Mitchell and Jackson.

But in a competition of this size, I think there is every chance that somebody outside the obvious favourites will make a serious run.

I'll be following the results with interest, particularly to see how the players who have dominated their regional Vault competitions fare against the wider field.

And by the end of it, somebody will have £10,000 and a place alongside Neil Duff, Thomas Banks and Chas Barstow on the list of Vault National Finals champions.

ADC Vault National Finals 2026

Venue: Bradmoor Farm, Aylesbury

Prize fund: £70,000

Champion: £10,000

Runner-up: £4,000

Semi-finalists: £2,000 each

Format: 501 singles, knockout

Official tournament page

The Q4QS preview is based on the supplied tournament export and recorded player performances. Rankings and averages are statistical indicators, not guarantees of results.

ADC National Finals Weekend 2026: Women's Vault Finals and UK & Ireland Classic – Who Can Take the Titles?

 

Two national titles, £16,200 in combined prize money and a place in the ADC Global Championship at stake

The ADC National Finals Weekend continues at Bradmoor Farm in Aylesbury, and two of the competitions particularly interest me.

The Women's Vault National Finals brings together qualifiers from the women's circuit, with £3,000 in prize money available. Alongside it, the UK & Ireland Classic offers £13,200, with the champion collecting £3,000 and, perhaps more importantly, qualification for the ADC Global Championship.

Both are straight knockout competitions, so there is no opportunity to recover from a poor group stage. One bad match, and you're going home.

I've been looking through the Q4QS database to see who might be worth following. There are some obvious contenders, but there are also a few interesting stories that might not immediately stand out from the rankings.

Women's Vault National Finals – Can Recent Form Make the Difference?

One thing that strikes me about the women's competition is the contrast between players who have been competing regularly on the PDC Women's Series and those who have built their form through local Vault tournaments.

It makes the event particularly interesting because the averages tell us only part of the story.

Gemma Hayter brings Women's Series form

On the available Q4QS figures, Gemma Hayter looks one of the strongest contenders.

Her Q4QS average is 78.68, and she has won eight of her last ten recorded matches.

More importantly, her recent performances have come against some very strong opposition.

At PDC Women's Series Event 22, Hayter reached the final with a tournament average of 79.83 before losing to Beau Greaves.

She also reached the quarter-finals of Events 21 and 23, with Greaves again ending her run in the latter.

Among her recent victories are wins against Aurora Fochesato, Aoife McCormack and Robyn Byrne.

If she reproduces that standard, she will be difficult to beat.

However, the nature of knockout darts means that being the strongest statistical player doesn't necessarily make you the eventual winner.

Jo Locke has been mixing it with established names

Jo Locke is another player whose recent record deserves attention.

She reached the semi-finals of PDC Women's Series Event 20, averaging 74.75 across the tournament before losing to Aileen de Graaf.

Her results include a 5-3 victory over Deta Hedman, as well as wins against Kim Holden and Kirsi Viinikainen.

Locke also reached the semi-finals of a recent mixed Vault tournament at Bradmoor Farm itself, winning six matches before Sean Holley ended her run.

That experience of the venue might be useful, although I wouldn't put too much weight on it.

With seven wins from her last ten recorded matches, she looks capable of going a long way.

Rebecca Allen is another player moving in the right direction

Rebecca Allen has an interesting mixture of youth and senior competition experience in the database.

She won the JDC Nations Cup 2026 with a 64.70 tournament average and has since been competing on the PDC Women's Series.

Her recent Women's Series results include a last-32 appearance, followed by a quarter-final at Event 24, where Beau Greaves stopped her.

Allen's eight wins from her last ten matches suggest that she is finding results at the right time.

I wouldn't necessarily put her ahead of Hayter on the figures, but she certainly belongs in the conversation.

The Welsh contingent and the local Vault specialists

Sue Davies has one of the more eye-catching recent records.

She has won her last ten recorded matches and collected a succession of WADC Vault titles at Caernarfon and Denbigh.

Her best recent tournament average was 67.92, and she has produced individual match averages above 80.

That is excellent winning form, although the standard and format of opposition will be different here.

Tracy Ford-Jenkins has also been busy in Wales, reaching a quarter-final at Arrows in Resolven and winning seven of her last ten matches.

Meanwhile, Tracey Dean has reached a Severn Darts Organisation Challenge Series final, although her most recent results have been less encouraging.

It will be interesting to see whether the confidence gained from local events can translate into results on a national finals stage.

A rivalry worth watching

Two names I noticed were Juliet Findley and Millie Jolley.

Both have been competing regularly in WADC events at The Men of March.

Findley has collected several titles there, while Jolley reached a recent final before losing to Findley.

There have also been occasions when Jolley has got the better of her rival.

If the draw brings them together again, it would be an interesting continuation of a rivalry that has already developed on the regional circuit.

Neither has the overall average of the leading Women's Series players, but both know how to win matches.

Don't overlook the younger players

Katie-Lee Parish has JDC Girls Series experience, while several others in the field are building their competitive records through women's and mixed tournaments.

I always think these national finals are valuable for players who might not yet be among the leading names.

Even one or two victories against established opponents can be an important step forward.

And occasionally, somebody arrives at an event like this and produces a performance well above anything their previous figures suggested.

Q4QS Six to Follow – Women's Vault National Finals

1. Gemma Hayter – The strongest recent scoring record in the supplied field, backed by a PDC Women's Series final.

2. Jo Locke – Women's Series semi-finalist with strong opposition experience and recent success at Bradmoor Farm.

3. Rebecca Allen – JDC Nations Cup winner and a recent Women's Series quarter-finalist.

4. Sue Davies – Multiple recent WADC Vault titles and ten consecutive recorded match wins.

5. Juliet Findley – A regular winner at The Men of March who knows how to navigate tournament matches.

6. Millie Jolley – My outside selection, with recent finals experience and an established rivalry with Findley.

My statistical preference would be Hayter, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Locke or Allen involved at the business end.

UK & Ireland Classic – A Much Deeper Field

The UK & Ireland Classic is a rather different proposition.

There are 32 qualified players, a £13,200 prize fund and a place in the ADC Global Championship for the winner.

And looking at the entry list, I think this is a very difficult tournament to predict.

The field contains players with substantial PDC Challenge Tour and Development Tour experience, recent England Masters success, and an impressive number of Vault winners.

Several of the players are averaging comfortably into the 80s.

The interesting question is whether recent winning momentum or experience against stronger opposition will prove more important.

Archie Self and Chas Barstow arrive in outstanding form

If I were looking purely at recent results, Archie Self and Chas Barstow would be near the top of my list.

Self has won his last ten recorded matches and recently collected two titles at the England Masters & Classic.

In one of those events he averaged 92.49 across eight victories, while another title came with a 91.50 tournament average.

His recent wins include victories against Callum Francis, Harry Lane and Ben Townley.

He followed those performances by winning a Vault tournament at the Crucible Sports and Social Club in Newbury, averaging 88.00.

Barstow's recent figures are equally impressive.

He also has ten consecutive recorded wins and claimed an England Masters & Classic title with a 93.94 tournament average.

Perhaps the most striking result was his 5-0 victory over Robbie Martin, in which Barstow averaged 110.51.

That is an extraordinary performance, particularly against somebody who has been playing as well as Martin.

Barstow also recently won an unbeaten Vault tournament at the Sportsman Club in Winchester.

If these two reproduce their best form, they will take some stopping.

Robbie Martin has a point to prove

Robbie Martin is another player I would expect to be involved.

He has won nine of his last ten recorded matches, with a Q4QS average of 85.67.

Recent performances include a 91.29 tournament average when winning at Dorchester Trinity Club, another Vault victory at The Newtown in Poole, and a final at St Ives Club.

But there is an interesting additional storyline.

Martin reached an England Masters & Classic final and lost 5-0 to Chas Barstow.

Should the draw bring them together again, Martin would have the opportunity to put that result behind him.

His recent performances suggest he has the ability to do exactly that.

Lewis Pride and Callum Goffin – Can Experience Count?

Lewis Pride has the highest Q4QS ranking among the supplied Classic entrants, sitting at number 70 with an average of 87.68.

His recent PDC Challenge Tour results include a 97.15 match average in a 5-1 victory over Dean Brown.

Callum Goffin is ranked number 100 and has an overall average of 85.84.

However, Goffin has won only three of his last ten recorded matches.

That contrast is worth noting.

Both have the scoring ability to challenge anyone here, but the recent results suggest that Pride is arriving in somewhat better form.

A knockout competition can change very quickly, though, and a player who has struggled for results can suddenly find his game.

A familiar name from the National Finals Weekend

William Borland has already enjoyed a good run during the weekend.

He reached the semi-finals of the Level Up RISE Final, averaging 81.86 across the event before losing to Adam Winspear.

His victories included a 5-2 win over Dylan Sinclair with a 93.05 average.

He also reached the quarter-finals of the Level Up qualifier, averaging 89.60.

That means Borland has already demonstrated that he can produce results in the National Finals environment.

Whether the additional matches help him settle or leave him with less energy is something we cannot know, but his recent form makes him a serious contender.

Colin McCaughern also reached the Level Up RISE quarter-finals, losing to Winspear, and comes into the Classic with nine wins from his last ten recorded matches.

The Vault winners who cannot be ignored

This is where the depth of the field really becomes apparent.

Michael Wiles has collected several Vault titles at the Len Forge Centre in Southend, regularly averaging around the 80 mark and sometimes considerably higher.

Johnny Haines has also been in excellent form, with victories at Frimley Green, Wheatley, Didcot and Banbury. His Didcot title came with a 91.53 average.

Sean Holley has been particularly successful around Chinnor and Bradmoor Farm, including a recent unbeaten tournament victory at the National Finals venue.

Ciaran Forde won at Barnsley WMC with an 86.11 average and followed that with finals at Staincross and Sheffield.

Harrison Leigh has been playing on the PDC Development Tour and reached the quarter-finals of the World Youth Championship Finals, where Luke Littler ended his run.

And Lewis Cook has been collecting Vault titles in Braintree, as well as appearing in the PDC World Youth Championship Finals.

I could make a case for several of these players reaching the last four.

That is why I think the Classic is such an attractive tournament.

Q4QS Six to Follow – UK & Ireland Classic

1. Archie Self – Two recent England Masters & Classic titles and ten consecutive recorded wins.

2. Chas Barstow – Outstanding recent scoring, including that 110.51 average against Robbie Martin.

3. Robbie Martin – Consistent tournament runs, several recent titles and the ability to average well into the 90s.

4. Lewis Pride – The highest-ranked player in the supplied Q4QS field, with proven Challenge Tour scoring ability.

5. William Borland – Already a semi-finalist during the National Finals Weekend and arriving in strong form.

6. Johnny Haines – My outside selection from a very strong field, with several recent Vault titles and a 91.53 tournament average at Didcot.

There are some very good players missing from that six, which probably says more about the strength of the competition than it does about those left out.

Two Competitions, Two Different Challenges

What I like about these two tournaments is that they provide a useful comparison.

In the Women's Vault National Finals, the leading Women's Series players appear to have a scoring advantage, but there are plenty of regional winners who arrive with confidence and tournament experience.

In the UK & Ireland Classic, the overall standard is exceptionally competitive. Even the players outside my Six to Follow have recent results that would make them favourites in many ordinary Vault events.

The knockout format adds another complication.

There are no second chances, and the player with the best average across the last few months isn't necessarily the player who produces the best darts when the deciding leg arrives.

For the Women's Finals, my preference is Gemma Hayter.

For the Classic, I find it much harder to separate Archie Self and Chas Barstow, although Robbie Martin and Lewis Pride certainly have the ability to win.

I'll be following both competitions with interest.

And whatever happens, these are precisely the sorts of events that make the Q4QS database interesting to explore. We can compare the form beforehand, but the players still have to go out and produce it.

Tournament information

ADC Women's Vault National Finals 2026

• Venue: Bradmoor Farm, Aylesbury

• Prize fund: £3,000

• Winner: £800

• Format: 501 singles, knockout

• Tournament details and draw

ADC UK & Ireland Classic 2026

• Venue: Bradmoor Farm, Aylesbury

• Prize fund: £13,200

• Winner: £3,000 plus qualification for the ADC Global Championship

• Format: 501 singles, knockout

• Tournament details and draw

The previews are based on the supplied entry lists and Q4QS database records. Averages, rankings and recent form are statistical guides rather than guarantees of tournament performance.

Yesterday's Darts Results: James Wright Hits 107.36, Stuart Dutton Records 115.62 and ADC National Finals Get Underway – 16 October 2026

Friday brought another 60 tournaments into the Q4QS database, but this was more than an ordinary Friday night of grassroots darts.

The ADC National Finals weekend got underway, James Wright produced a superb series of averages in Evesham, and Stuart Dutton recorded a remarkable 115.62 in Banbury. Mike Gillet also broke the 110 barrier in Winchester.

There were victories across the South West, Wales and the rest of the country, alongside two WADC competitions and another opportunity to see the next generation in action through the Junior Volts.

James Wright dominates at the Bengeworth

There are occasions when a player wins a tournament without necessarily producing the best darts throughout the evening. That certainly wasn't the case for James Wright at the Bengeworth Club in Evesham.

Wright won all eight of his matches, defeating Jamie Vadasz 3–0 in the final.

What impressed me most was the consistency of his scoring. He recorded averages of 107.36, 96.97, 93.94, 93.94 and 88.41 among his leading performances.

The 107.36 came against Dave Davis, while his 96.97 was recorded against Vadasz.

Reece Pinches and Vadasz both finished with six victories, but Wright was clearly the standout performer.

It's one thing to produce a single three-figure average. It's another to back it up repeatedly and win the tournament.

Stuart Dutton produces the highest average of the day

At Danny's Bar in Banbury, Stuart Dutton defeated Chris Howse 3–1 in the final.

However, the result was only part of the story.

Dutton produced a staggering 115.62 average against Martin Williams, the highest individual match average recorded in Friday's results.

He also registered 95.69, 94.16 and 91.71 during the competition.

Both Dutton and Howse finished with seven victories, and Howse contributed a 93.27 average of his own.

It's worth remembering that individual match averages can be influenced by match length, but 115.62 is still an exceptional performance at any level.

Mike Gillet breaks the 110 barrier in Winchester

At the Worthies Sports and Social Club, Mike Gillet won eight matches and defeated Jarred Cole 3–1 in the final.

Gillet's best performance was a 111.33 average against Darren Andrews.

Cole also produced a three-figure average, recording 100.20 against Robin Whyte, and finished with seven victories.

The two finalists were clearly among the strongest performers at the venue, although Gillet ultimately had the better evening.

With Dutton's 115.62, Gillet's 111.33 and Wright's 107.36, Friday certainly wasn't short of high-quality darts.

Robbie Roy wins in Yeovil

Robbie Roy took the title at Bullets Sports Bar in Yeovil, defeating Steven Tavener 3–1 in the final.

Roy finished with five victories and produced the highest average of the competition, 81.24 against Jacob Manley.

He also recorded 79.97 against Ben Collins, while Collins himself produced 74.35.

Tavener finished with four victories, but Roy did enough to secure another Friday night title.

Jayden Scadden wins in Taunton

At Pegasus 68 Club in Taunton, Jayden Scadden enjoyed a particularly successful evening.

Scadden won eight matches and defeated James Sewell 3–0 in the final.

He also recorded the highest average of the competition, 80.52 against Kelsey Wyatt, alongside a 75.15 against Warren Bowditch.

Bowditch and Sewell each collected five victories.

It was a convincing performance from Scadden, who combined the most victories with the best recorded average.

Martin Thomas produces a superb final in Aberystwyth

One of the most impressive performances of the evening came at Min-Y-Ddol in Aberystwyth.

Martin Thomas defeated Keenan Thomas 3–1 in the final, averaging 104.89 in the deciding match.

Keenan Thomas also played well, recording 97.00 in defeat.

Martin's other leading averages included 93.94, 90.18 and 88.41, while he finished with seven victories.

As with Joshua Russell in Cardiff on Thursday, there's something particularly impressive about producing your best darts in the final.

Martin Thomas certainly did that.

ADC National Finals: Mal Dallas and Adam Winspear take the honours

Friday also saw the ADC National Finals weekend begin, with the Emerging and Rise finals providing plenty of competitive darts.

In the Level Up Emerging Final, Mal Dallas defeated Lewis Kendall 5–2 to claim the title.

Dallas finished with eight victories, while Kendall won seven.

Jayden Moss recorded the highest average of the competition at 88.41, followed by Kendall's 85.89 and Sid Stovold's 82.18.

In the Level Up Rise Final, Adam Winspear defeated Craig Vickers 5–4 in a much closer final.

Winspear also finished with eight victories, with Vickers collecting seven.

Mat Caste produced the highest recorded average of 97.03, while William Borland recorded 93.05 and Andy Steed 92.64.

I think it's worth giving these competitions particular attention. For players who spend much of their time competing in local and regional tournaments, the opportunity to test themselves at a national final is an important part of the grassroots game.

And with both finals decided, congratulations to Mal Dallas and Adam Winspear.

WADC: Eve Watson and Kayleigh Brown take Friday's titles

Two WADC Vault 3.0 competitions were recorded on Friday, with particularly impressive darts from Eve Watson in South Wales.

At Briton Ferry Workingmen's Club, Eve Watson defeated Shelley Casley 3–0 in the final, completing a six-win evening.

Watson's averages tell their own story: 85.89, 77.08, 72.73, 70.45 and 66.80.

That is an excellent sequence of performances, with the 85.89 the highest average across Friday's WADC results.

At United Services Club in Harwich, Kayleigh Brown defeated Kimberley Self 3–0 in the final.

Brown won five matches and produced the event's best average of 62.63 against Amy Attridge. She also recorded 57.08 and 55.67.

I think it's important that these results remain part of the daily roundup rather than being treated as something separate. The WADC competitions are adding more opportunities for women to compete regularly, and performances like Watson's deserve recognition alongside those in the open events.

Junior darts: Freddie Greenwood and Reggie Woodmore win

There were two Junior Volts competitions in Friday's results.

At Aylesford Village Club, Freddie Greenwood defeated Drake Porter 3–0 in the final, winning seven matches.

Freddy Turner recorded the highest average of the competition at 88.41, while Lewis Williams produced 83.82.

At Simeon Arms in Ryde, Reggie Woodmore defeated Jenson Hunt 3–2 in the final.

Both finalists collected six victories, while Finley Reeve produced the highest average of 77.08.

Elsewhere, Charlie Lowin won the Soccer Zone Under-16 Junior League competition, defeating Codey Exall 3–1 in the final.

It's encouraging to see these junior competitions continuing to provide regular opportunities, and there were some very respectable averages among Friday's younger players.

Other Friday night winners worth mentioning

There was plenty more happening beyond the featured tournaments.

Kevin Leadenham produced a particularly impressive performance at the Black Swan in Melton Mowbray, winning eight matches and defeating Darren Tyler 3–1 in the final. His leading averages were 100.20, 100.20, 98.02 and 96.97.

Brett Claydon also won eight matches at the Boulevard in Peterborough, recording 103.66, 100.20 and 95.94 before defeating Colin Hopkins 3–0 in the final.

Andy Smith won at the New Club in Wheatley, defeating Colin Sulston 3–0. He recorded 103.66, 100.20 and 96.97.

Freddie Argyle took the title at Groves Sports & Social Club in Shotton, producing a 100.20 average during his seven-win evening.

Closer to the South West, Gary Witcombe won the opening week of the CDP Slam Series at Clandown Darts Promotions, defeating Will Hillier 3–0. Eddie Hughes produced the competition's best average of 103.66.

CJ Ayres won the Street Darts Organisation Open Series event, defeating Kieran Spurdle 3–1 and collecting nine victories.

There were also victories for Cody Hughes at Bigyn Darts Masters, Liam Corten at Newport Darts Community and Leo Howard in the Starfish Kids Camp Charity Darts Open.

Friday's highest recorded averages

Player	Average	Tournament / venue
Stuart Dutton	115.62	Danny's Bar, Banbury
Mike Gillet	111.33	Worthies, Winchester
James Wright	107.36	Bengeworth Club, Evesham
Martin Thomas	104.89	Min-Y-Ddol, Aberystwyth
Eddie Hughes	103.66	CDP Slam Series
David Routledge	103.66	Chaukees Grand Slam
Jody Givens	103.66	Friday Night Comp Series
Adam Mould	103.66	Bradmoor Farm, Aylesbury
Brett Claydon	103.66	The Boulevard, Peterborough
Aaron Stevens	103.66	The New Club, Wheatley

What stands out here is the number of different venues producing three-figure averages. It wasn't simply one particularly strong tournament dominating the figures.

My five standout performances

1. Stuart Dutton – A 115.62 average and the Banbury title.
2. James Wright – Eight wins in Evesham, with five leading averages above 88.
3. Mike Gillet – A 111.33 average and eight victories in Winchester.
4. Martin Thomas – A 104.89 average in the Aberystwyth final.
5. Eve Watson – Six WADC victories and an 85.89 average at Briton Ferry.

Special mentions also go to Kevin Leadenham, Brett Claydon, Andy Smith and the two ADC National Finals champions, Mal Dallas and Adam Winspear.

Another 60 tournaments added to Q4QS

Friday's results offered a good reminder of how much is happening across grassroots darts.

We had two national finals, excellent local performances, junior competitions and another two WADC events.

For me, the most interesting aspect wasn't simply Stuart Dutton's 115.62, although that was clearly exceptional. It was the number of players backing up strong averages with tournament victories.

That's where the Q4QS database becomes increasingly useful. One exceptional match is worth recognising, but sustained performances across several matches and tournaments tell us much more.

Full results, rankings and player statistics are available at QuestForQSchool.

National Finals Doubles 2026: Who Looks Strongest on Paper?

 

245 partnerships, nearly 500 players and plenty of potential contenders. But which teams look strongest when we examine the numbers?

With the National Finals Doubles approaching, I've been having a look through the provisional entry list and comparing it against the Q4QS database.

At the time of writing, there are 245 partnerships entered, with the possibility of a few late additions. That's a substantial field, and one which should produce some fascinating matches.

Rather than simply pick out the familiar names, I wanted to see which partnerships stood out statistically.

There is, of course, one rather important consideration.

Doubles is a different game.

Two outstanding singles players don't necessarily make an outstanding doubles partnership. Players need to complement one another, cope with the different rhythm of throwing every other visit, and perhaps most importantly, trust their partner.

None of that can easily be measured using singles statistics.

What I can do, however, is examine the individual records of both players and establish which partnerships look particularly strong on paper.

And the results are quite interesting.

The Statistical Favourites

Of the 245 partnerships, I was able to match both players reliably to the Q4QS database in 207 cases.

For the main rankings, I've concentrated on the 139 partnerships where both players have competed in at least six recorded tournaments. That gives us a more meaningful comparison and avoids putting too much emphasis on players who have only appeared once or twice.

The leading ten partnerships, based on their combined Q4QS ratings, are:

Pos	Partnership	Combined Q4QS rating
1	Graham Usher / Sam Spivey	647.59
2	Darren Brown / Jack Main	612.26
3	Sean McKeon / Dylan Slevin	607.26
4	Mike Huntley / Archie Self	605.51
5	Daryl Hunt / Joe Hunt	601.93
6	Carl Wilson / Jack Johnson	600.02
7	Harrison Leigh / Joseph Heywood	591.84
8	Jamie Kelling / Chas Barstow	587.95
9	Stuart Dutton / Danny Lauby	585.25
10	Kevin Edwards / Michael Wiles	581.05

Combined rating is the mean of the two individual Q4QS ratings, rather than an official doubles ranking.

There are some familiar names in there, but perhaps the most interesting thing is the difference in how the partnerships arrive at their positions.

Usher and Spivey Set the Standard

On the figures available, Graham Usher and Sam Spivey are the strongest partnership in the competition.

Usher has a recorded average of 85.35, while Spivey is remarkably close at 85.02.

Their combined figure of 85.19 is the highest of the partnerships with sufficient tournament history.

Usher also arrives in excellent form, winning nine of his last ten recorded matches. His recent British Open & Classic success, where he averaged 86.00 across the event, is further evidence of his quality.

Spivey's recent results are less impressive, with four wins in his last ten, but his overall scoring figures remain strong.

If both reproduce their usual standard, they should be extremely difficult opponents.

Could Brown and Main Be the Most Balanced Pair?

Darren Brown and Jack Main sit second in the combined Q4QS ratings, but another figure caught my attention.

Brown's recorded average is 82.84.

Main's is 82.88.

Just 0.04 separates them.

Of course, virtually identical averages don't guarantee a successful partnership. But it does suggest two players capable of contributing at almost exactly the same scoring level.

Main has won nine of his last ten recorded matches, while Brown has won seven.

There is also plenty of recent tournament success between them.

They look like a very solid pairing, and one that wouldn't surprise me at all if they went deep into the competition.

Huntley and Self: Two Players in Form

Mike Huntley and Archie Self are fourth in the combined ratings, but they might be one of the most interesting partnerships in the field.

Self has been producing some outstanding results.

His recorded average is 86.17, and he has won all ten of his most recent database matches.

He also won an England Masters & Classic event with a 92.49 tournament average.

Huntley, meanwhile, has an average of 82.25 and has won nine of his last ten matches.

Between them, that's 19 victories from their last 20 recorded matches.

Both also have substantial tournament histories in the database, with more than 100 events apiece.

If we're looking for a partnership arriving with a combination of experience, scoring power and current form, they certainly qualify.

Wilson and Johnson: Another Serious Threat

Carl Wilson and Jack Johnson are sixth in the combined Q4QS ratings, but second when ranking partnerships purely by their combined scoring averages.

Wilson averages 86.50 and Johnson 82.98, giving them a combined figure of 84.74.

Those numbers are impressive enough, but their recent form makes them even more interesting.

Wilson has won his last ten recorded matches, with Johnson winning eight of his last ten.

Wilson's recent Rusthall Club victory included a tournament average of 90.06, while Johnson has also produced tournament-winning performances above 90.

There is plenty of evidence that both are capable of performing at a high level.

They are certainly among the teams I'd be watching closely.

The Most Balanced High-Scoring Partnerships

One question I wanted to explore was whether having two similarly strong players might be more valuable than having one outstanding player alongside somebody averaging considerably less.

We cannot answer that definitively using singles data, but we can identify the partnerships with the smallest differences in scoring averages.

Among the stronger partnerships, these caught my eye:

Partnership	Player averages	Difference
Brown / Main	82.84 / 82.88	0.04
Edwards / Wiles	84.39 / 84.19	0.20
Usher / Spivey	85.35 / 85.02	0.33
Evans / Hall	84.05 / 84.83	0.78
Kay / Meneer	83.25 / 82.18	1.07

Kevin Edwards and Michael Wiles are particularly interesting.

Their averages are almost identical, and both have won nine of their last ten recorded matches.

Lee Evans and Graham Hall also have an impressive combined scoring record, supported by considerable tournament experience.

These partnerships might not necessarily attract the most attention, but statistically there is very little weakness in either player's scoring figures.

What About the Partnerships With One Outstanding Player?

There is another side to the argument.

A player capable of producing exceptionally high averages might be able to transform a partnership, even if the other player's usual scoring level is lower.

Daryl Hunt and Joe Hunt are an interesting example.

Joe has a recorded average of 89.02, one of the strongest individual figures in the field. His recent Challenge Tour results include an event victory with a 95.71 average.

Daryl averages 75.25, leaving a considerable difference between the two players.

That doesn't necessarily make them a weaker doubles partnership. It simply means that their individual scoring records are quite different.

Sean McKeon and Dylan Slevin provide another example.

Slevin averages 85.98 and has recent Development Tour semi-final experience. McKeon's recorded average is 75.34.

Could the higher-scoring player make enough of an impact to carry the team through difficult matches?

Or would a partnership containing two consistently strong scorers have the advantage?

That's one of the questions I'll be interested in seeing answered on the day.

The Dangerous Outsiders

Looking beyond the leading ten, several partnerships deserve attention.

Jamie Kay and Neil Meneer

Their averages of 83.25 and 82.18 place them among the stronger scoring combinations in the field. Both have won seven of their last ten recorded matches, suggesting a reasonable level of consistency.

James Richardson and Steve Haggerty

Richardson averages 80.35 and Haggerty 85.00. More interestingly, their combined recent record is 19 wins from their last 20 recorded matches.

They sit outside the leading ten by combined Q4QS rating, but their scoring and form suggest they could be underestimated.

Henry Cooper and Ricky King

Another pairing with strong overall scoring figures, averaging 83.26 and 81.97 respectively.

Between them, they have won 19 of their last 20 recorded matches.

Curtis Hammond and Brett Claydon

Hammond averages 80.67 and Claydon 84.22, giving them a combined figure of 82.45.

Both have won their last ten recorded matches.

That's 20 wins from 20 across the two players' latest database records. It doesn't guarantee anything in doubles, of course, but it's difficult to ignore.

Experience Could Matter Too

With such a large field, there will inevitably be difficult periods during matches.

A missed opportunity at doubles, a poor scoring leg or a sudden burst of brilliance from an opponent can change everything.

For that reason, I also think tournament experience is worth considering.

Stuart Dutton and Danny Lauby have 316 recorded tournament appearances between them.

Lee Evans and Graham Hall have 212, while Mike Huntley and Archie Self have 241.

These figures don't measure experience of playing together, but they do demonstrate plenty of exposure to competitive darts.

In a long tournament, that could be useful.

My Statistical Shortlist

If I had to narrow the field to six partnerships purely from the information available, I'd go with:

1. Graham Usher / Sam Spivey — The strongest combined Q4QS rating and highest combined scoring average.

2. Carl Wilson / Jack Johnson — Excellent scoring figures supported by very strong recent form.

3. Mike Huntley / Archie Self — Two experienced players, both producing excellent recent results.

4. Darren Brown / Jack Main — Almost identical scoring averages and a strong combined rating.

5. Jamie Kelling / Chas Barstow — One of the strongest scoring combinations, with both players in excellent recent form.

6. Kevin Edwards / Michael Wiles — Balanced scoring, with both players arriving on nine wins from their last ten.

And if I were looking slightly further down for a partnership that could upset the predictions, Curtis Hammond and Brett Claydon would certainly be on my list.

A Final Thought

I enjoy looking at darts statistically because sometimes the numbers confirm what we already suspect, while occasionally they highlight players or partnerships who might otherwise be overlooked.

But this is one competition where I would be particularly careful about treating statistics as predictions.

Doubles brings an entirely different set of challenges.

A player might feel more relaxed with a partner alongside them. Another might struggle to find their rhythm when throwing less frequently. Some partnerships will have played together regularly, while others may be relatively new combinations.

My analysis doesn't attempt to measure any of those factors.

It simply asks a question:

If we judge these partnerships on the individual performances recorded in the Q4QS database, who looks strongest?

On that basis, Graham Usher and Sam Spivey lead the way.

Whether they — or any of the other leading partnerships — can turn that statistical advantage into a successful doubles campaign is another matter altogether.

And that's what makes the competition interesting.

Analysis based on Q4QS database exports dated 16 October 2026. Entry list provisional. Partnerships without sufficient verified individual data have not been ranked in the main statistical comparison.

Electronic Scoring in Darts: Are We Forgetting How to Count?

 

I was at a darts tournament recently where something happened that got me thinking.

Nothing particularly unusual about the tournament itself, except that the scoring was being done the old-fashioned way. No tablets, no electronic scoring systems. Just a whiteboard, a pen and somebody having to do the arithmetic.

And it was interesting.

A few players seemed a little uncomfortable with it. Some appeared to have lost confidence in their counting, and I have to admit, I wasn't anywhere near as quick as I used to be either.

That got me wondering whether, with all the advances we've made in darts scoring, we're slowly losing one of the skills that used to be such an important part of the game.

I'm Not Against Electronic Scoring

Far from it.

I think electronic scoring has been a fantastic development for darts, particularly at grassroots level.

You can turn up at a tournament, have your scores recorded automatically, see your average, look back at your matches and, in many cases, follow what's happening in the rest of the competition.

From an organiser's point of view, there are obvious advantages too. Results can be collected quickly, tournament progress is easier to monitor, and players don't have to rely on somebody transferring scores from sheets of paper.

And, of course, I'm hardly in a position to complain about technology in darts. I've spent a considerable amount of time developing Q4QS, which relies on precisely the sort of information that electronic scoring makes possible.

Without it, much of what I'm doing simply wouldn't exist.

So this certainly isn't an argument for throwing away the tablets and returning to chalkboards.

But I do wonder whether we're losing something along the way.

When Counting Was Part of Playing Darts

For years, if you played darts regularly, you generally had to learn to count.

Not necessarily because you were particularly good at mathematics, but because it was part of the game.

You'd finish your match, pick up the chalk or pen and mark the next one.

You needed to know your trebles, subtract scores fairly quickly and work out what somebody had left.

And you learned through doing it.

I can remember counting being almost automatic after a while. You didn't necessarily think about the calculation. You just knew what the score was.

Of course, everybody made mistakes occasionally. I certainly did.

But the more matches you marked, the quicker you became.

Now, in some competitions, it's perfectly possible to play darts regularly without ever having to subtract a score yourself.

The machine does it for you.

And that raises a question. If we stop practising a skill, should we be surprised when we get a bit rusty?

The Whiteboard Experience

What struck me about the tournament I attended wasn't that anybody was incapable of counting.

It was more that some people seemed uncertain.

And I include myself in that.

I've marked and scored an awful lot of darts over the years, but standing there with a pen in my hand again, I realised I wasn't quite as sharp as I remembered.

It wasn't a disaster. The scores still got calculated.

But I found myself having to think about things that once seemed automatic.

I suspect I'm not alone.

And I wonder whether somebody who has only ever played with electronic scoring would feel comfortable suddenly being asked to mark a match manually.

Some undoubtedly would. Others might find it a bit daunting.

That doesn't mean they're bad darts players. It just means they haven't necessarily had the same experience.

But Electronic Scoring Has Solved Plenty of Problems

We shouldn't forget the disadvantages of the old system either.

Not everybody enjoys marking, and not everybody is confident doing mental arithmetic in front of other players.

There's a certain pressure involved when two people are waiting for you to work out what somebody has scored, particularly if the match is moving quickly.

We've all probably witnessed a scorer getting flustered, making a mistake and then having somebody offer a not particularly helpful correction from behind them.

Electronic scoring removes a lot of that.

It can make tournaments more accessible to people who might otherwise be reluctant to enter, and it allows organisers to run competitions more efficiently.

There's also the question of accuracy. A tablet isn't guaranteed to prevent mistakes, because somebody still has to enter the correct score, but calculating the remaining total automatically removes one opportunity for human error.

And for players who enjoy statistics, being able to look back at their performances is a huge bonus.

I certainly wouldn't want to lose that.

There's a Difference Between Scoring and Knowing Your Own Finishes

This is perhaps the part I find most interesting.

Even if you never mark another match in your life, surely knowing your way around a dartboard is still an important part of being a good player?

If you're left with 126, you should have some idea of how you want to approach it.

If you have 62 remaining and your first dart lands in the single 10, you should know what options you've got without needing somebody to tell you.

That's not quite the same as adding up three darts and subtracting the total from 501.

But the two skills are related.

Players who have spent years counting tend to become very familiar with the numbers on a dartboard.

Does electronic scoring affect that familiarity, or do players still develop it naturally through playing?

I'm not sure.

You can have an electronic scoreboard doing all the arithmetic and still be an excellent player who knows every finish and combination.

Equally, I wonder whether some newer players are becoming increasingly dependent on being shown what they have left, rather than working it out themselves.

And if they are, does it actually matter?

Are We Simply Moving With the Times?

Perhaps this is just what happens when technology improves.

We don't generally insist that somebody should be able to navigate with a paper map before they're allowed to use satellite navigation.

And plenty of us rely on calculators for sums we could once do in our heads.

Technology makes things easier, saves time and allows us to concentrate on other things.

Why should darts be any different?

Maybe counting simply isn't as important as it once was.

After all, the object of darts is to win legs and matches, not to demonstrate how quickly you can subtract 137 from 501.

But I can't help feeling there's something quite satisfying about being able to look at three darts, know instantly what they've scored and what the player has left.

It's a skill, even if it's one we don't necessarily need as often.

So Where Do We Go From Here?

I certainly don't think we should abandon electronic scoring. The advantages are far too great, and the information it provides has opened up all sorts of possibilities for grassroots darts.

But perhaps there's still a place for encouraging players to learn the traditional skills.

Maybe it's something that could be taught more often when youngsters first start playing.

Perhaps clubs could occasionally use manual scoring during practice sessions.

Or maybe it really doesn't matter, and I'm simply remembering an era when everybody had to do things differently.

I don't know the answer.

What I do know is that my recent experience with a whiteboard made me realise how quickly a skill can become rusty when you stop using it.

And if it happened to me, I wonder how many others have experienced the same thing.

I'd be interested to hear what other players think.

Do you prefer electronic scoring or the traditional whiteboard?

Have you found your counting has got slower since tablets became commonplace?

And, perhaps most importantly, do you think being able to count quickly is still an essential part of being a darts player, or is it a skill that technology has made less important?