Jurjen Doubles Up in Leicester

It felt eerily reminiscent of Groundhog Day in Leicester as Jurjen van der Velde once again inaugurated his afternoon by annexing the opening event, thereby doubling his Development Tour title tally in the space of twenty-four industrious hours.

Emerging from a labyrinthine field of approximately 500 aspirants at the Mattioli Arena, the Dutchman overcame Charlie Manby in a finale befitting the occasion’s gravitas. Both protagonists operated comfortably within the 90 plus stratosphere, yet it was Van der Velde who demonstrated superior fortitude. Having surged into a 4-1 ascendancy, he withstood a spirited Yorkshire resurgence to preserve his advantage and consummate the triumph.

A composed victory over the ever-enterprising Tyler Thorpe had earlier secured the 2024 PDC World Youth Championship runner up safe passage into the latter stages. The 23 year-old subsequently dispatched back to back German adversaries before administering a semi-final whitewash to another Charlie – this time Stock – in a display of clinical authority.

There were also several noteworthy excursions beyond the ton average threshold in what remains an exceptionally exacting arena. Jamie McKinnon – English according to Darts Connect despite a surname that suggests he may well have Caledonian lineage – unleashed a scintillating 104.71 in his conquest of Tavis Dudeney. Germany’s Leon Weber likewise entered triple digit territory, registering 103.13 in a quarter final victory over compatriot Florian Preis. Completing the triumvirate was Jack Drayton, who edged into the century bracket with commendable precision.

As Saturday evening descended and fatigue began to circulate through the venue, it was Drayton who ascended to prominence, capturing his maiden PDC Development Tour title with a persuasive final victory over Angelo Balsamo.

The Lancashire thrower, hailing from the periphery of Blackpool, had earlier navigated a compelling last leg quarter final against Beau Greaves before subduing Czech prospect David Fidler to orchestrate a showdown against Angelo Balsamo, whom he overcame with unexpected comfort. It represents the first milestone in what Drayton will fervently hope becomes an expansive collection. Armed now with the validation of tour success, his trajectory appears conspicuously upward.

As on Friday, the schedule was punishingly protracted, and one suspects ocular fatigue was rife among competitors and spectators alike. Yet exhaustion did little to inhibit Beau Greaves, who authored the day’s most incandescent average – an imposing 111.33 – leaving Belgium’s Nigel Coudeville contemplating the sheer velocity of her assault.

Only one other competitor breached the century barrier more than once: Sebastian Bialecki. The Pole compiled twin triple digit displays, the first a ruthless whitewash of Ryan Branley, the second another 4-0 dismissal, this time of Daan Bastiaansen. Even so, the cumulative exertion eventually exacted its toll. The Bolt’s campaign concluded at the quarter final juncture, halted by eventual runner up Balsamo.

Thus concluded another arduous, talent saturated chapter of Development Tour theatre – relentless, exacting and replete with emergent promise. One more to go.

PDC DEVELOPMENT TOUR – EVENT THREE

Leicester, England (21st February)

Quarter-Finals

Charlie Stocks 5-1 Henry Coates

Jurjen van der Velden 5-4 Finn Behrens

Charlie Manby 5-4 Peter Keleman

Leon Weber 5-1 Florian Preis

Semi-Finals

Jurjen van der Velde 5-0 Charlie Stock

Charlie Manby 5-0 Leon Weber

Final

Jurjen van der Velde 5-3 Charlie Manby