Thursday saw the fourth World Seniors Darts Championship pick up momentum at the Circus Tavern in Purfleet. Highly anticipated debuts of Steve Beaton and Merv King added to this year’s drama and entertainment.
Beaton appeared to thoroughly enjoy taking to the Circus Tavern stage as her overcame Colin McGarry in a close and intriguing contest.
King on the other hand was defeated in the afternoon by the inform Derek Coulson in one of the highest quality games seen in World Senior Darts. Both men averaged over 95 but Coulson managed to win the important legs to take his place in the last 16.
Darryl Fitton saw off three time Lakeside champion Martin Adams in straightforward fashion in the evening session. Chris Mason rolled back the years and progressed with a fine win over former World Finalist Mark Dudbridge.
Graham Usher opened up with an impressive 3-0 win over Welshman Richard-Eirig Rowlands but the principality has representation in the last 16 in the person of 1995 Lakeside World Champion Richie Burnett.
The 2025 field of consisted of 28 players also includes world, major and previous senior champions: John Part, Tony O’Shea, Richie Burnett, Martin Adams, Darryl Fitton, Robert Thornton, Leonard Gates, Vincent van der Voort (withdrwan injured) and reigning champion John Henderson.
You can catch the action (Feb. 19-22) in a variety of terrestrial and subscription formats: See every dart thrown via Discovery+ and TNT Sports offers coverage of the tournament across it’s various channels.
The BBC are also covering the tournament, although their free-to-air coverage is available via either the BBC IPlayer and BBC Sport apps, or the Red Button channels.
Thursday, Feb. 20
Afternoon session (from 1 p.m.)
First round
Richard-Eirig Rowlands (83.31) 0-3 (85.99) Graham Usher
Ross Montgomery (92.93) 3-0 (76.52) Trina Gulliver
Derek Coulson (96.36) 3-1 (95.28) Mervyn King
*BYE Neil Duff; Vincent van der Voort pulled out due to injury
Evening session (from 7 p.m.)
First round
Martin Adams (72.67) 0-3 (85.23) Darryl Fitton
Colin McGarry (86.09) 2-3 (86.24) Steve Beaton
Kevin Painter (79.92) 2-3 (82.49) Richie Burnett
Mark Dudbridge (77.82) 1-3 (78.69) Chris Mason
—–ENDS—–
Images: World Seniors Darts
