In the swirling prelude to Thursday’s tungsten tempest, Group Four of the ADC Global Championship stands like a coliseum gate waiting to be kicked open — and two names stride toward it like conquering heroes: Carl Wilson and Jimmy Bristow, both towering favourites to tear through this stage with all the subtlety of a Viking raid.
This group, a cauldron simmering with English steel and spiced with flavours from Denmark, the Netherlands and even the distant thunder of Australia, is no place for the faint-hearted. No — this is a crucible where reputations are forged, dreams are buried, and the brave walk willingly into the fire.
And then there is the name. Bristow. The syllables alone crackle with darting mythology. Though young Jimmy does not yet possess the jewel-encrusted CV of The Crafty Cockney, the 25-year-old heir to the legacy has begun his ascent with admirable swagger.
Fresh from his runner-up display at the England Classic Open and declaring boldly that Q-School awaits him in January, the Bristolian is striding into Portsmouth with the certainty of a man who can feel destiny tugging at his collar. A deep run here — or better — may well be the roaring spark that lights his professional blaze.
Beside him stands Carl Wilson, a man built from the granite of the PDC Challenge Tour. A decade Jimmy’s senior and armed with the wonderfully chaotic nickname Gok, gifted to him due to his resemblance to a TV chef, Wilson has become a fearsome presence on any board he touches. On his day, he’s not just dangerous — he’s a wrecking ball wearing flights. Both he and Bristow should glide into the top four if they perform anywhere near their known celestial level.
But behind every favourite lurks the threat of disruption. Enter Stuart “Lurch” Dutton, a Bicester powerhouse with recent Challenge Tour pedigree and a reputation as the man you don’t want on the other side of a deciding leg. When he hits his rhythm, he can flatten the field like a runaway freight train.
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Alongside him is Joanne Oldershaw, a stalwart of the PDC Women’s Series with recent last-16 runs at three major WDF events. She arrives armed, steady, and utterly capable of stitching chaos into the script.
Europe’s colours fly through Ivan Springborg Poulsen, the 63-year-old Danish veteran who still darts with the menace of a man half his age, and Zereso Zeverboom, the Dutch wildcard whose form guide offers more questions than answers. Poulsen has pedigree — a near-miss semi-final at the Denmark Masters proves his threat — but Zeverboom may find this furnace too fierce for survival.
And then, like a comet blazing across hemispheres, comes the final challenger to be mentioned: Australia’s Adelaide warrior, Adam Leek, a battle-hardened regular on the DPA Tour, ranked 24th and absolutely not here for the sightseeing. No man travels halfway around the planet to roll over politely. The action for these combatants begins Thursday morning. Prepare for drama, carnage and tungsten thunder.
ADC GLOBAL CHAMPIONSHIP – STAGE ONE – GROUP FOUR
Adam Leek AUS
Carl Wilson Eng
Ivan Springborg Poulsen DEN
Jimmy Bristow ENG
Joanne Oldershaw ENG
Stuart Dutton ENG
Zereso Zeverboom HOL
—–ENDS—–
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