Hammond Takes Opening Tendring Masters Spot

The Tendring Masters Rab Scott Trophy made its much‑anticipated return with the opening qualifier for the 2026 event, staged at the United Services Club in Harwich, Essex. Played as a daytime event with a 1pm start, the competition marked the first step on the road to the Finals at the Princes Theatre, Clacton-On-Sea, on 13 February 2026.

A field of 46 players took part, including 16 local entrants from Harwich alongside a strong contingent of visiting talent. County players, former tour professionals, seasoned local league throwers and promising youth players all combined to produce a high standard of darts throughout the afternoon.

Local story: Mark “Stax” Davies and the left-handed run

One of the most eye-catching stories of the qualifier came from Harwich favourite Mark “Stax” Davies. In a bold experiment, Davies decided to play the entire tournament left-handed rather than with his natural right hand.

The decision did nothing to blunt his competitive edge. Davies battled his way through to the last 16, recording a notable 3–1 victory over the dangerous Dave Collins of Clacton, which included a tidy 18-dart leg. His run eventually came to an end in a deciding leg against Harwich’s Scott Lawrie, who edged him out 3–2. Even in defeat, Davies’ left-handed campaign provided one of the talking points of the day and underlined the determination and character synonymous with the Rab Scott Trophy.

Former finalists show their class

Both of last year’s Tendring Masters finalists, Kevin “Flatliner” Edwards and Scott “The Lot” Lawrie, were back in action and again made their presence felt.

Lawrie, a popular and familiar figure on the local circuit, found himself in a series of testing matches. On three separate occasions he was taken all the way to a deciding leg, but each time his experience and composure under pressure saw him through. His ability to dig deep at crucial moments kept him firmly in contention as the draw progressed.

Edwards, last year’s runner-up, was in typically solid form. The Great Bentley man once again showcased the consistent scoring and reliable finishing that have made him a regular force in this competition.

By the time the later stages arrived, both he and Lawrie were exactly where many had expected them to be right in the mix for qualification.

Shaun “Foxy” Fox – quality and a 141 highlight

Another standout performer was Harwich’s Shaun “Foxy” Fox. The Essex County man arrived in good form and underlined his status as one of the region’s leading players.

Fox’s route through the field included a hard-fought 3–2 victory over impressive youth player Mason Howard and a clinical 3–0 win against Colchester’s James Wilson.

In the quarter-finals he faced fellow 2024 Tendring Masters qualifier and former Essex & Suffolk County player Darren O’Neill, who had earlier removed reigning champion Paul Williams 3–1 in the last 16.

Fox set the tone immediately, producing a superb 141 checkout in the opening leg while O’Neill was sat on a double. That finish proved to be a key moment, spurring Fox on to a commanding 3–0 victory and securing his place in the semi-finals.

Hammond charges through without dropping a leg

The final place in the semi-finals was claimed by in-form Suffolk County “A” player Curtis Hammond. Fresh from a semi-final run at the ADC Vault National Finals just a week earlier, the former Clacton Super league man carried that form straight into Harwich.

Hammond carved a ruthless path through the early rounds without dropping a single leg. He opened with a 3–0 win over former Clacton league player Daniel Smith, followed it with a 3–0 success against Harwich’s James Bartholomew, and then produced another 3–0 victory over Clacton’s Nick Comber.

Comber’s own run was noteworthy, having taken out local favourite and 2010 Essex Open quarter-finalist Alan Mathieson 3–1 in the opening round. That made Hammond’s win over him even more impressive. Hammond then completed his perfect run to the last four with a 3–0 triumph over the talented rising youth player Beau‑Blue Healey.

His reward was a semi-final showdown with his former Suffolk Super league team-mate, Shaun Fox.

Semi-finals: Lawrie edges Edwards, Hammond halts Fox

The semi-final line-up brought together four players with serious pedigree: Kevin “Flatliner” Edwards against Scott “The Lot” Lawrie in one half of the draw, and Shaun “Foxy” Fox against Curtis “Hamster” Hammond in the other.

In the first semi-final, all‑Essex clash between Lawrie and Edwards lived up to its billing. Both men, former county and Super league team-mates, produced a tight and tense contest as they battled for a place in the final.

The match went the full distance, with neither player able to shake the other off until the deciding leg. It was Lawrie who produced the crucial darts when it mattered most, sealing a 3–2 victory and booking his place in the showpiece.

The second semi-final saw Suffolk’s Hammond continue the relentless form he had shown all afternoon. Up against Harwich local and Essex County player Fox, Hammond once again combined heavy scoring with strong finishing including a 121 finish. Fox fought hard and managed to get on the board, but Hammond kept control of the match and completed a 3–1 win to set up a final against Lawrie.

Final: Hammond gains revenge and books his place at the Princes Theatre

The final brought a familiar pairing, as Scott Lawrie and Curtis Hammond met in a repeat of the Tendring Open Darts Championships East Regional Finals in July, where Lawrie had emerged a 2–1 winner.

This time, however, the story unfolded differently. Hammond, drawing on both his recent national experience and his dominant form throughout the day in Harwich, started strongly and never allowed Lawrie to settle fully into the contest. His scoring power and composure on the doubles underlined why he was once a PDC Tour Card holder.

Lawrie, spurred on by local support, did his best to wrestle back the momentum, but Hammond held firm. The Suffolk thrower closed out the match 3–1, turning the tables on their previous encounter and claiming the Qualifier 1 title.

With that victory, Curtis Hammond became the first player to secure his place via the Qualifiers at the 2026 Finals Night at the Princes Theatre, Clacton-On-Sea, and laid down an early marker for the rest of the field.

A fitting start to the 2026 campaign

Qualifier 1 of the Tendring Masters Rab Scott Trophy 2026 proved to be a fitting and high‑quality start to the new campaign. The event at the United Services Club showcased everything that has come to define this tournament: local passion, visiting quality, emerging youth talent and compelling individual stories.

With Hammond now safely through to Finals Day and the bar set impressively high, attention turns to the remaining qualifiers and the growing sense of anticipation for what promises to be another memorable Rab Scott Trophy finale at the Princes Theatre in February 2026.

The next Qualifying event takes place on Sunday 14^th December 2025 at Clacton Railway Club, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. 1pm Start.

TENDRING MASTERS (Rab Scott trophy)

Grand Prix Points Table (After Q1)

Winner of the points table after all 6 Events qualifies for Grand Finals.

Note: Any player on the running table who wins a qualifier outright is automatically removed from the points table and positions will be adjusted accordingly.

Points Are Awarded as follows: