The inaugural Concierge UK Tour reached its final stop in Wigan – the perfect destination for a debut season that’s gone down an absolute treat. If this is what 2025 had to offer, just wait for next year.
From the opening leg in Coventry back in April to the last station on the line in Lancashire, it’s been a darting road trip packed with top talent, great venues, and more drama than an Eastenders Christmas Special. And what better place to wrap it all up than Wigan – famous for its pies, rugby league, and, as we’ve seen so often with the PDC elite often stopping in nearby Robin Park, some seriously quality arrows.
When Michael Huntley stepped up to the oche on Friday evening, he’d have bitten your hand off to leave Lancashire unbeaten. Then again, you could say the same for everyone who arrived at the Stubshaw Cross Labour Club, brimming with confidence and that familiar blend of quiet belief and misplaced optimism.
As it turns out, Huntley didn’t quite go unbeaten – but it took until the very last match of the 2025 tour to stop him. Here’s how it all unfolded.
Friday – The Welsh Wizard Works His Magic
A bit of a spoiler alert: the Welsh wizard came through a field of thirty to edge Mark Wheeler 5–3 in the final. The usual suspects were lurking around the business end – Simon Stevenson, Paul Hogan, Mark Frost – all names that usually pop up when these titles are at stake. But it was the man nicknamed Babyface who finished the night grinning wider than the Cheshire Cat after a night on laughing gas.
Saturday – Back-to-Back Brilliance
If Friday was impressive, Saturday was sublime. Clearly enjoying the taste of victory, Huntley came back for another sip – and made it a double. After seeing off Shane Wilson, he again left Mark Wheeler cursing his luck before steamrolling through Tony Town (who, to be fair, looked more like Tony Small Village after a bagel defeat). Then came a whitewash win over Paul Ablett, extending Huntley’s unbeaten streak and setting up another final – this time against Paul Hogan.
The two traded blows throughout in a high-quality battle, but when it came to the decider, Hogan (no relation to Crocodile Dundee, though just as entertaining) couldn’t quite sink his teeth into it. With darts in hand and the sharper bite, Huntley sealed it – and somehow managed to smile even cheesier than the night before.
Sunday – Stevenson Shines as Streak Ends
Sunday brought a chance for the hat-trick. Huntley, skipping church but keeping the faith, set out for that third trophy like a man on a mission. He breezed past Kevin Morley, outfoxed Alan Carter, and turned Giri Sreedharan inside out to reach yet another final – this time against Simon Stevenson, a man who’s been hoovering up these titles himself recently. If anything, Simon also saved Facebook viewers a third consecutive image of a beaming Mike Huntley. In itself, that was probably a blessing.
And finally, after more than 48 hours of dominance, Huntley’s run came to an end. Stevenson, The Mirror Man, was sensational – averaging well into the 90s to take the title in style 5-1. Huntley could have few complaints after a weekend of near-perfection.
Side Awards and Stats Corner
The weekend’s unofficial four-pack-of-Carling awards go as follows:
Most 180s – Simon Stevenson (12 maximums across ten matches)
Most Legs Won (Percentage) – Michael Huntley, who took 73% of all legs played. Kind of expect the bloke who only lost once all weekend to get this.
Highest Overall Average – Paul Hogan (87.02), who also had the best first nine average. Not that he’ll need much consolation.
As for Huntley, his walk-on track is the Arctic Monkeys classic I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor. Personally, speaking as someone also north of 50, I find that highly doubtful. But I’ll say this – he looks good on the oche.
—–ENDS—–
Images: PDC
