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Unsurprisingly – and at this stage, almost ritualistic – Scottish sensation Mitchell Lawrie made the journey back north clutching yet another emphatic brace of titles, further consolidating his burgeoning reputation as one of the sport’s most precocious rising talents.

As per the established format, the quartet of events unfolded as double-headers across two separate days. Navigating his way through a densely populated and highly competitive field, it was Essex youngster Lewis Cook who claimed the opening title, edging past compatriot Jack Nankervis by the narrowest of conceivable margins in a gripping and finely poised final. Aptly nicknamed The Laser, Cook demonstrated admirable composure, overturning a 5-4 deficit by reeling off two consecutive legs to snatch victory.

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Having earlier dispatched Jaydan Walker in the quarter-finals – the very player who had eliminated Mitchell Lawrie in the preceding round – Cook then squeezed past Mongolia’s Tergal Khurelkhuu in a nerve-shredding decider, before replicating that feat against Nankervis to secure the title in dramatic fashion.

Despite an uncharacteristic exit at the last 16 stage, Mitchell Lawrie still registered the highest average of event nine – a scintillating 102.51 – in his demolition of Arthur Allston. However, it is titles that Wee Sox covets, and he did not have to wait long to redress that particular narrative.

The Renfrewshire starlet surged imperiously into the semi-finals of the second Saturday event, where he narrowly overcame fellow Scot Owen Bryceland in a tightly contested encounter. Shortly thereafter, Lawrie added yet another piece of silverware to his growing collection, recovering from a sluggish start to overpower Alfie O’Flynn-Rogers with authority.

Onto Sunday, and there was delight for Ben Townley, who edged past Kaya Baysal in a captivating final, sealing victory in the deciding leg. Hailing from the darting heartland of St Helens, the 17-year-old produced a sequence of four consecutive 4-1 victories before withstanding a spirited resurgence from Jaydan Walker in the semi-finals. The final itself ebbed and flowed throughout, but with Baysal poised on 25, Townley exhibited clinical precision to close out the match.

Then, rounding off proceedings in emphatic and explosive fashion, Mitchell Lawrie produced a performance of extraordinary magnitude, averaging a colossal 103.69 as he dismantled Jaydan Walker to secure his second title in as many days.

It was nothing short of sublime from the young Scot, who commenced his charge with an almost identical ton-plus average in a comprehensive whitewash of Luke Cox. Following two further routine victories over English opposition without concession, Wee Sox edged past opening event winner Lewis Cook to reach the semi-finals. A titanic, full-distance battle with compatriot Owen Bryceland ensued, but once again Lawrie held firm.

By the time he reached the final against Walker, there was an air of inevitability about proceedings, and he duly romped to a commanding victory.

This double triumph consolidates Mitchell Lawrie at leader-board summit, sitting proudly above a cluster of ambitious English challengers, spearheaded by Jaydan Walker, all of whom will be intent on halting the Scotsman’s imperious ascent.

2026 JDC ADVANCED DARTS TOUR – EVENT 9

Quarter-Finals
Fredrick Winmill (ENG) 4-3 Jack Johnson (ENG)
Jack Nankervis (ENG) 4-2 Toby Clements (ENG)
Lewis Cook (ENG) 4-2 Jaydan Walker (ENG)
Tergal Khurelkhuu (MNG) 4-3 Aflie Armitage (ENG)

Semi-Finals
Jack Nankervis (ENG) 4-2 Fredrick Winmill (ENG)
Lewis Cook (ENG) 5-4 Tergal Khurelkhuu (MNG)

Final
Lewis Cook (ENG) 6-5 Jack Nankervis (ENG)

2026 JDC ADVANCED TOUR – EVENT TEN

Bristol, UK (Sat 4th April)
Quarter-Finals
Jack Hobbs (ENG) 4-2 Charlie Greensmith (ENG)
Alfie O’Flynn-Rogers (ENG) 4-2 Archie Self (ENG)
Mitchell Lawrie (SCO) 4-1 Lex Paeshuyse (BEL)
Owen Bryceland (SCO) 4-3 Tergal Khurelkhuu (MNG)

Semi-Finals
Alfie O’Flynn-Rogers (ENG) 5-3 Jack Hobbs (ENG)
Mitchell Lawrie (SCO) 5-3 Owen Bryceland (SCO)

Final
Mitchell Lawrie (SCO) 6-2 Alfie O’Flynn-Rogers (ENG)

2026 JDC ADVANCED TOUR – EVENT ELEVEN
Bristol, UK (Sun 5th April)
Quarter-Finals
Ben Townley (ENG) 4-1 Harley Glycos (WAL)
Jaydan Walker (ENG) 4-3 Christian Ennis (NI)
Junior Howard (ENG) 4-2 Alfie O’Flynn-Rogers (ENG)
Kaya Baysal (ENG) 4-1 Arthur Allston (ENG)

Semi-Finals
Ben Townley (ENG) 5-4 Jaydan Walker (ENG)
Kaya Baysal (ENG) 5-1 Junior Howard (ENG)

Final
Ben Townley (ENG) 6-5 Kaya Baysal (ENG)

2026 JDC ADVANCED TOUR – EVENT TWELVE
Bristol, UK (Sun 5th April)
Quarter-Finals
Owen Bryceland (SCO) 4-2 Junior Howard (ENG)
Lawrie Mitchell (SCO) 4-3 Lewis Cook (ENG)
Arthur Allston (ENG) 4-2 Liam Cook (WAL)
Jayden Walker (ENG) 4-0 Tergal Khurelkhuu (MNG)

Semi-Finals
Lawrie Mitchell (SCO) 5-4 Owen Bryceland (SCO)
Jayden Walker (ENG) 5-4 Arthur Allston (ENG)

Final
Lawrie Mitchell (SCO) 6-1 Jayden Walker (ENG)

—–ENDS—–

Images: WDF

The post Lawrie Bags a Junior Darts Title Pair appeared first on Darts World Magazine.

The post Lawrie Bags a Junior Darts Title Pair appeared first on Darts World Magazine.

As has become something of a recurring motif, Mitchell Lawrie wasted little time in asserting his authority in the opening event. The Scottish sensation navigated his route to the final with an almost nonchalant elegance, relinquishing a mere five legs along the way – a statistic that speaks volumes of his composure and technical precision. In the final, however, he encountered a far sterner examination in the form of Kent’s Jack Johnson. Locked at 3-3 and finely poised, the contest teetered on a knife edge before Lawrie summoned an extra gear, seizing the initiative and rattling off three consecutive legs to claim the title with emphatic conviction.

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Any burgeoning sense that the weekend would devolve into a ‘Lawrie load’ of titles was swiftly and spectacularly dismantled. The Scot was ousted at the last 32 stage by Lewis Cook, who produced a performance of such breathtaking fluency and scoring ferocity that it immediately altered the complexion of the event. Buoyed by that statement victory, the Essex youngster embarked upon a relentless surge through the field, culminating in a richly deserved triumph. The latter stages were heavily populated by English contenders – and, curiously, an abundance of Alfie’s – yet it was Welshman O’Brien who disrupted the quarter final stronghold. Nevertheless, Jack Johnson once again found himself cast as runner up, as Cook stormed to a commanding 6-1 victory in the final.

Two events concluded, two to go. Sunday ushered in a fresh narrative, with Jayden Walker emerging as the next name to ascend the honours board. The quarter finals bore a distinctly English flavour, each competitor adorned with the St George’s Cross, and after a series of fiercely contested encounters, a familiar storyline re-emerged. For the third consecutive event, Jack Johnson advanced to the final – a remarkable demonstration of consistency and resilience. Yet, in a cruel twist of sporting irony, fortune continued to elude him. Trailing 5-1 against Walker, he mounted a brief resistance but ultimately had to settle for second place once more. For Johnson, it was heartbreak tinged with admiration – a testament to his unwavering competitiveness and admirable persistence.

The weekend’s denouement introduced a fourth and final champion, one already well acquainted with the taste of silverware. Archie Self aptly nicknamed The Archer, delivered a performance of poise and authority to close proceedings in style. The Berkshire prodigy surged to a commanding victory over fellow English talent Kaya Baysal, underlining both his pedigree and his capacity to dominate when in full flow.

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Four tournaments. Four distinct champions. A constellation of burgeoning talent illuminating the pathway to the future. If this weekend served as any indication, the next generation of darting excellence is not merely approaching – it has emphatically arrived.

2026 JDC ADVANCED DARTS TOUR – EVENT FIVE

Saturday 21^st March (Bristol, UK)

Quarter-Finals

Mitchell Lawrie (SCO) 4-0 Alfie Moore (ENG)

Christian Ennis (NI) 4-0 Jack Courtney (IRE)

Oscar Saxton (ENG) 4-2 Addison Hefferon (ENG)

Jack Johnson (ENG) 4-3 Alfie O’Brien (WAL)

Semi-Finals 

Mitchell Lawrie (SCO) 5-2 Christian Ennis (NI)

Jack Johnson (ENG) 5-3 Oscar Saxton (ENG)

Final

Mitchell Lawrie (SCO) 6-3 Jack Johnson (ENG)

2026 JDC ADVANCED TOUR – EVENT SIX

Saturday 21^st March (Bristol, UK)

Quarter-Finals

Alfie Cook (ENG) 4-2 Jack Marshall (ENG)

Charlie Greensmith (ENG) 4-1 Alfie O’Flynn-Rodgers (ENG)

Jack Johnson (ENG) 4-2 Jayden Walker (ENG)

Alfie O’Brien (WAL) 4-3 Jake Hobbs (ENG)

Semi-Finals 

Alfie Cook (ENG) 5-1 Charlie Greensmith (ENG)

Jack Johnson (ENG) 5-3 Alfie O’Brien (WAL)

Final

Alfie Cook (ENG) 6-1 Jack Johnson (ENG)

2026 JDC ADVANCED TOUR – EVENT SEVEN

Sunday 22nd March (Bristol, UK)

Quarter-Finals

Kyle Gilding (ENG) 4-2 Frederik Winmill (ENG)

Jack Johnson (ENG) 4-0 Alfie Armitage (ENG)

Lewis Cook (ENG) 4-1 Arthur Allston (ENG)

Jayden Walker (ENG) 4-1 Addison Hefferon (ENG)

Semi-Finals 

Jack Johnson (ENG) 5-4 Kyle Gilding (ENG)

Jayden Walker (ENG) 5-0 Lewis Cook (ENG)

Final

Jayden Walker (ENG) 6-2 Jack Johnson (ENG)

2026 JDC ADVANCED TOUR – EVENT EIGHT

Sunday 22nd March (Bristol, UK)

Quarter-Finals

Arthur Allston (ENG) 4-2 Charlie Greensmith (ENG)

Archie Self (ENG) 4-1 Max Young (SCO)

Kaya Baysal (ENG) 4-3 Jayden Walker (ENG)

Christian Ennis (NI) 4-0 Owen Bryceland (SCO)

Semi-Finals 

Archie Self (ENG) 5-4 Arthur Allston (ENG)

Kaya Baysal (ENG) 5-1 Christian Ennis (NI)

Final

Archie Self (ENG) 6-1 Kaya Baysal (ENG)

—–ENDS—–

Images: MODUS

The post Lawrie and Walker Among Advanced Tour Winners appeared first on Darts World Magazine.

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Having surged to victory in the second of Saturday’s events, Wee Sox returned to Bristol with his competitive furnace set to maximum intensity. What followed was a display of precision and poise that bordered on theatrical.

To render the first title even more satisfying, the Renfrewshire prodigy secured it exclusively at the expense of six English adversaries. His campaign could scarcely have commenced in more spectacular fashion, conjuring a perfect leg to seal victory over Ethan Hawden. It was an early declaration of intent.

Junior Howard and Jack Johnson were subsequently dispatched with authoritative efficiency before the 15-year-old navigated a tighter examination against Lewis Cook to book his quarter-final berth. Alfie Cook – who to fair, had an off game – proved the next casualty, and in the final, Lawrie delivered a performance hovering just shy of the ton average mark in a high-quality contest with Archie Self ( pictured below).

Wee Sox Conquers Mongolian Darts Hero

Evidently emboldened by the day’s first triumph, the newly crowned WDF number one ensured his Bristol sojourn concluded without blemish. The path to his second conquest was comparatively serene; the sole moment of jeopardy arrived in a last-leg decider against Self, who fared considerably better than in their earlier encounter.

A quarter-final whitewash over Taylor James-Harding followed, before a commanding semi-final dismissal of Arthur Allston, conceding just a single leg, presented the opportunity to complete a scintillating double.

ALL DARTS RANKINGS: Checkout the latest WDF updates with dartsdatabase.co.uk

For the first time that day, Lawrie confronted a non-English opponent in the final. Mongolia’s Tergal Khurelkhuu – arguably the most geographically distant participant in the field – stood in his path, having already experienced defeat at the Scot’s hands 24-hours earlier.

To Khurelkhuu’s credit, his performance was commendable. Yet against a prodigy operating at such rarefied altitude, commendable seldom suffices. Producing his highest average of the second tournament, Lawrie restricted the Mongolian to a solitary leg and sealed another pristine accolade.

The ever improving efforts of travelling Mongolian players will surely result in titles and plaudits in the coming months. They never fail to impress on a talent basis and are appearing more and more in the latter stages of events in recent times.

The weekend undoubtably belonged to Mitchell Lawrie (above) who returns to Scotland with a trio of titles and the satisfaction of yet another 9-darter. Hats off the Kaya Baysal who also left South-East England with a victory.

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That concludes this chapter of the JDC Advanced Tour before its reconvening in a few weeks’ time at Bristol’s Hangar 61, where the next instalment of youthful tungsten theatre awaits us.

2026 JDC ADVANCED TOUR 3

Bristol, England (Sun 1^st March)

Quarter-Finals

Mitchell Lawrie (SCO) 4-3 Lewis Cook (ENG)

Alfie Cook (ENG) 4-2 Kyle Gilding (ENG)

Jayden Walker (ENG) 4-3 Ben Townley (ENG) 

Archie Self (ENG) 4-0 Ilyano Snoeys (BEL)

Semi-Finals

Mitchell Lawrie (SCO) 5-2 Alfie Cook (ENG) 

Archie Self (ENG) 4-1 Jayden Walker (ENG)

Final

Mitchell Lawrie (SCO) 6-1 Archie Self (ENG)

2026 JDC ADVANCED TOUR 4

Bristol, England (Sun 1^st March)

Quarter-Finals

Mitchell Lawrie (SCO) 4-0 Taylor James-Harding (ENG)

Arthur Allston (ENG) 4-2 Christian Ennis (NI)

Tergal Khurelkhuu (MNG) 4-3 Kaya Baysal

Ben Townley (ENG) 4-1 Caden Morris (ENG) 

Semi-Finals

Mitchell Lawrie (SCO) 5-1 Arthur Allston (ENG)

Tergal Khurelkhuu (MNG) 5-2 Ben Townley (ENG)

Archie Self (ENG) 4-1 Jayden Walker (ENG)

Final

Mitchell Lawrie (SCO) 6-1 Tergal Khurelkhuu (MNG)

—–ENDS—–

Images: WDF / Chris Sargeant

The post Lawrie’s Impressive Sweep of Junior Darts Titles 3 and 4 appeared first on Darts World Magazine.

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When the dust eventually settled on Saturday’s twin events, the identity of the champions felt reassuringly predictable.Fresh from sealing the WDF Slovak Masters Youth crown, Kaya Baysal continued his prolific accumulation of silverware by capturing the opening title of the weekend.

The Burnley teenager navigated his route to the final with composed authority, dispatching four fellow English hopefuls and a Belgian adversary while conceding a mere six legs.The final, however, proved anything but routine.

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Opposed by Lewis Cook, Baysal found himself submerged early, trailing 3-0. Though he began to recalibrate, the scoreboard soon read 5-2 in Cook’s favour – an ominous predicament. Yet the 15-year-old Lancastrian responded with admirable audacity, stringing together four consecutive legs to snatch victory in a contest that oscillated dramatically to its conclusion.Cook, for his part, can extract considerable encouragement.

His run was underpinned by the tournament’s solitary ton-plus average, delivered in a commanding semi-final triumph over Kyle Gilding – and we are reasonably confident there is no familial linkage to Andrew Gilding, the UK Open champion affectionately dubbed Goldfinger.

The second event unfolded with a similarly compelling narrative arc, culminating in Mitchell Lawrie standing alone at the summit after edging Belgium’s Aaron De Ridder in a taut and absorbing finale.Recently installed as the WDF’s number one ranked player, Wee Sox was required to demonstrate both composure and escapology in the latter stages.

Unlike the opening tournament – where only Scotland’s Owen Bryceland disrupted English dominance in the quarter-finals – the second instalment boasted five different nationalities in the last eight, underscoring the tour’s growing international breadth.After progressing serenely into the last 16, Lawrie produced a statement performance to terminate Baysal’s unbeaten afternoon. He subsequently accounted for Mongolia’s Tergal Khurelkhuu before entering a semi-final of escalating tension against Jayden Walker.

Facts and Stats From Mitchell Lawries’s Career with dartsdatabase.co.uk

The Devon sensation, just 12 and brimming with precocity, surged into a 4-3 lead after a spirited recovery. Yet the recent Lakeside World Championship runner-up reasserted control with back-to-back five-visit legs of clinical precision to secure his berth in the final.Against De Ridder, Lawrie endured an inauspicious opening spell, trailing 3-1. Undeterred, he marshalled his resources with characteristic tenacity, surged ahead, and, after a sequence of traded legs, sealed yet another accolade.

The Belgian, like Lewis Cook, can take consolation from being the sole ton plus average merchant in the event. Yet it’s likely De Ridder would happily swap that for grabbing the deciding leg in the final.Two titles dispensed, two still to contest as the youthful congregation reconvenes in Bristol tomorrow, ambition undimmed, and tungsten poised.

2026 Junior Darts Corporation

ADVANCED TOUR 1

Bristol, England (Sat 28th Feb)

Quarter-Finals

Lewis Cook (ENG) 4-2 Jack Johnson (ENG)

Kyle Gilding (ENG) 4-1 Owen Bryceland (SCO)

Ben Townley (ENG) 4-1 Christian Ennis (ENG)

Kaya Baysal (ENG) 4-1 Junior Howard (ENG)

Semi-FinalsLewis Cook (ENG) 5-2 Kyle Gilding (ENG) Kaya Baysal (ENG) 5-2 Ben Townley Final

Kaya Baysal (ENG) 6-5 Lewis Cook

2026 JDC ADVANCED TOUR 2

Bristol, England (Sat 28th Feb)

Quarter-Finals

Lawrie Mitchell (SCO) 4-2 Tergal Khurelkhuu (MNG)

Jayden Walker (ENG) 4-1 Christian Ennis (NI)

Archie Self (ENG) 4-0 Lewis Cook (ENG)

Aaron De Ridder (BEL) 4-3 Reggie Woollard (ENG)

Semi-Finals

Lawrie Mitchell (SCO) 5-4 Jayden Walker (ENG)

Aaron De Ridder (BEL) 5-4 Archie Self (ENG)

Final Lawrie Mitchell (SCO) 6-5 Aaron De Ridder (BEL)

—–Ends—–

Images: PDC

The post Baysal and Lawrie Claim Junior Darts Advanced Tour Events 1 and 2 appeared first on Darts World Magazine.

The post Baysal and Lawrie Claim Junior Darts Advanced Tour Events 1 and 2 appeared first on Darts World Magazine.

Over the past four months, since receiving training from the Junior Darts Corporation (JDC), Fleetwood Town Community Trust has delivered a series of school and community-based darts sessions, engaging more than 40 young people and working across 28 local primary schools. Activity has also included a next step in development with a JDC Foundation Day, highlighting the growing interest in structured junior darts within the area.

The partnership supports the continuation of this activity, with a shared focus on education-led delivery, sustainable growth, and positioning darts as a positive addition within a wider multi-sport community setting.

Ryan Willetts, Head of Sport and Physical Activity at Fleetwood Town Community Trust, said:

“Our partnership with Winmau is a huge step forward for community darts in Fleetwood and Wyre. Over a short period of time, we’ve seen real engagement from young people across our schools and community settings, and having Winmau’s support allows us to build something that is sustainable, aspirational, and fully structured. Our aim is to create clear pathways for young players while embedding darts within a wider multi-sport environment to support education, wellbeing, and long-term participation.”

Ben Rose, on behalf of Winmau, added:

“We’re delighted to support the work Fleetwood Town Community Trust is already delivering within schools and the community. Early engagement has been very encouraging, and this partnership reflects our wider commitment to supporting darts at grassroots levels through sustainable, well-led local programmes.”

For more information on Winmau visit https://winmau.com/

——ENDS——

Images: As supplied

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This was not an overnight miracle. The road to this afternoon began last month beneath the sun of Gibraltar, where hundreds of young hopefuls arrived armed with dreams, darts and defiance. One by one they were filtered out, the field mercilessly reduced, until only two names remained. Then came the final ascent – the iconic PDC World Championship stage, the very altar of the sport – where Scotland’s Lawrie and England’s Baysal were summoned to decide who would leave with silverware, and who with only resolve.

Known afectionately as Wee Sox, Lawrie struck first and struck hard. A 2–0 lead carved out with authority, composure far beyond his years. Baysal, to his credit, refused to wilt. The Burnley teenager surged back with conviction, levelling the contest and lighting the fuse with a blistering 12-dart leg that rippled through the Palace. But that, as it turned out, was the last real foothold.

The 15-year old then reclaimed control, steadied the tempo, and from that moment the tide was unmistakable. He reeled off the required sets with the calm of someone already comfortable on this stage, closing the deal and crowning himself champion without a backward glance. And so, the baton is passed.

Belgium’s Lex Paeshuyse, who rewrote the record books at just 13 as the youngest ever winner, now hands the crown to a Scottish prodigy two years his senior – a fitting transition from one generation’s spark to the next’s flame. History, too, whispers encouragement. In 2022 and 2023, the JDC trophy was lifted by a certain Luke Littler – a name that has since become inseparable from Ally Pally folklore. The precedent is enticing. The pathway, illuminated.

For Baysal, this was no tale of defeat alone. The Lancashire youngster departs with his stock rising sharply, having been snapped up by The Sportsman Management Company, custodians of former PDC World Youth Champions Dimitri Van den Bergh and Ted Evetts. Opportunity knocks loudly.

But this afternoon belongs to Lawrie. The recent WDF World Championship runner-up, already whispered about in reverent tones, now stands firmly in the spotlight. Comparisons to Littler have been inevitable. Lawrie has politely but firmly waved them away. Admiration, yes. Imitation, no. The Scot has made it abundantly clear – he is carving his own lane. And judging by what unfolded beneath the Palace lights today, it is a lane that leads somewhere very serious indeed.

Watch this space. The future has not merely arrived – it has taken centre stage.

—–ENDS—–

Images: JDC / PDC

The post Lawries Lifts World Title appeared first on Darts World Magazine.

The post Lawries Lifts World Title appeared first on Darts World Magazine.

THE STARS OF THE WEEK

Statistically, Mitchell “Wee Sox” Lawrie stole the spotlight with a monstrous 91.93 tournament average — but no trophy this time. His moment comes next: the JDC World Championship final at Ally Pally versus Kaya Baysal.

England’s own Ryan Branley wasn’t far behind with an 89+ average and topped the 180 charts with eight maximums, one more than Lawrie. The Geordie gunner was phenomenal.

ANOTHER CHAPTER, SAME STORY

England A reign supreme. And once more, the JDC World Cup proves the future of darts isn’t just bright — it’s blinding. Tungsten youth was the real winner here.

—–ENDS—-

Images: JDC

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Both teenagers tore through a field stacked with the finest young tungsten talent on Earth, emerging from today’s showdown in Gibraltar clutching the golden ticket — a chance to showcase their brilliance on 20th December, right in the heart of the PDC World Championship madness.

And here’s the truth: it won’t be long before we see both of them in the main event itself. Luke Littler blazed that trail — JDC champion one minute, World Championship finalist the next. And 12 months later? World Champion. These two look cut from that same rare cloth.

For now, Lawrie (pictured) and Baysal shift their attention briefly to team duty in Gibraltar, but each of them has one eye fixed firmly on the thunderous Ally Pally stage that awaits.

LAWRE’S RAMPAGE: “WEE SOX” SHOWS BIG GAME POWER

Mitchell Lawrie punched his ticket to North London with the composure of a seasoned pro. Only two opponents managed to truly trouble him — England’s Logan Neil-Symonds and Ben Townley, each nicking three legs in a race to five.

Otherwise, it was pure Scottish artillery. At one point, the youngster nicknamed Wee Sox even fired in a 108-plus-VAT average, the kind of number that would turn heads in the senior game, never mind the youth ranks. This is not your average prospect. This is a phenomenon in the making.

BAYSAL’S MARCH: STEADY, DEADLY, UNSTOPPABLE

Kaya Baysal’s route carried less drama but every inch as much authority. His final two matches ended 5-2, including a clinical win over Ryan Branley — who had already lifted silverware earlier in the week.

Now the two boys who spent the day battering each other’s compatriots will unite under the same flag as they chase team glory before resuming their rivalry at Ally Pally.

PAULING DOMINATES GIRLS DIVISION

In the Girls tournament, Paige Pauling once again underlined why she’s considered one of the brightest young stars in women’s darts. Surrounded by modern inspirations like Beau Greaves, Fallon Sherrock, and Lisa Ashton, the English teenager continues to rise with purpose and poise.

Today she added yet another trophy, cruising to a 5-1 victory over fellow English talent Macy Gibbons, another youngster clearly heading for big moments of her own.

NATIONAL PRIDE AWAITS

Lawrie, Baysal, Pauling and Gibbons now switch from individual brilliance to national duty, donning their countries’ colours as they chase collective glory on the world stage. But make no mistake — the countdown to Ally Pally for two of that exciting quartet has already well and truly begun.

—–ENDS—–

Images: Chris Sargeant / WDF

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Gibraltar has transformed into a tungsten playground, with hundreds of the planet’s brightest junior talents descending for a festival that includes the JDC World Championships and World Cup for both boys and girls. But before the biggest titles come into view, two prestigious curtain-raisers demanded their moment — and delivered it in thunderous fashion.

WINMAU JUNIOR DARTS OPEN  

Dutch sensation Bradley Van Der Velden stamped his authority on the week immediately, sealing the Winmau Junior Darts Open with a gritty 6-4 victory over England’s Jack Hobbs. It was a final loaded with promise — two rising forces, unfazed by the stage, trading blows with the composure of veterans.

Every young heavyweight was in the mix: WDF major champion Mitchell Lawie, Archie Self, Ryan Branley, Kaya Baysal — a showcase of the stars the sport will soon rely on.

At just 17, Van Der Velden already has more accolades than most players twice his age. A Red Dragon prodigy, his game has been described of one with rhythm, composposure, and a cold, methodical ruthlessness that makes opponents deeply uncomfortable. Gibraltar saw that in full flow.

Hobbs, for his part, was magnificent throughout the event. His scoring power was electric, topping the week’s maximum chart with eleven — but the final step eluded him.

LUKE LITTLER LEGACY OPEN  

Tuesday brought another furnace of action as the field returned for the Luke Littler Legacy Open, a title quickly becoming one of the crown jewels of youth darts. On the line: another £1000 payday and the right to etch your name alongside the sport’s fastest-rising global icon.

And once again, the North East roared. Ryan Branley, the reigning champion, refused to surrender his throne. The Newcastle ace produced another afternoon of supreme grit, timing, and sheer force of will to successfully defend the title he won in the event’s inaugural year.

Belgian standout Jason Goossens was first to reach the final, edging Canadian rocket Peyton Hammond 5-4 in a heart-pumping thriller. Branley then survived a titanic clash with compatriot Archie Self, saving match darts before squeezing into the final by the narrowest possible margin.

The championship match began cagey — six holds of throw, neither daring to blink. But then Branley ignited. Three legs on the spin. Three calculated strikes. Three hammer blows that sealed the trophy and ensured the Littler Legacy crown heads home to the North East once again.

THE WEEK IS ONLY BEGINNING  

The curtain-raisers are done. The sparks have already flown.  But the JDC World Championships now loom into view — the true centrepiece of the week. And if the first two days are anything to go by, Gibraltar is about to erupt.

—–ENDS—–

Images: JDC

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At 16-years old, the duo might not have driver’s licences yet, but they’ve already earned something far cooler – a date under the bright lights of the Grand Slam of Darts stage.

The pair came through a fiercely competitive weekend in Aylesbury, where talent levels were so high you’d have forgiven Phil Taylor for checking his diary. These are no ordinary youngsters flinging small metalic missiles – these are the next generation, already firing out averages most pub champions could only dream of after six pints and a prayer.

Cook – cool by name, cool by nature – was in sensational touch. The Essex thrower dropped just one group game (and even then his opponent averaged nearly 93). From there, he stormed through the knockouts with ruthless precision, taking down Jase Green, Jack Johnson, Alfie O’Brien and finally the dangerous Tergel Khurelkhuu to book his spot in the final.

His semi-final win was pure theatre – a 5–1 masterclass laced with fireworks. The lad reeled off legs in 18, 17, 16, 15 and 15 darts, splashing checkouts of 117, 87, 123, and even a cheeky 161 to wrap things up. The finishing was so clinical you half expected him to pull out a clipboard and start giving tutorials.

Over in the other semi, Hadfield the Hammer was showing similar swagger. Representing South Yorkshire Darts Academy, he brushed aside Arthur Allston 5–2 with an average pushing 90. The youngster’s combination play was electric – 72 out, 98 out, and everything in between hit with the confidence of a man twice his age.

But here’s the thing about Hadfield – when he’s hot, he’s volcanic. The day before, he’d smashed a ton-plus average (100.20 if you’re counting) that featured checkouts of 145 and a perfect 170. Not bad for a teenager whose biggest worry a year ago was probably maths homework.

It wasn’t all plain sailing – three group losses nearly derailed him – but like all good darting stories, he found his rhythm when it mattered most. In the last 16, he took out 108 and 150 finishes for fun, and when the pressure came calling, he answered with the poise of a seasoned pro.

The wider field was stacked too. Four players – Tergel, Louis Jones, Jack Nankervis and Harley Glycos – cruised through the groups unbeaten, while Hadfield and Kyle Gilding both notched up averages north of 100. The standard? Simply ridiculous.

So, as the dust settles on an Aylesbury weekend that looked more like a PDC audition, it’s Cook and Hadfield who’ll step up next – teenagers with tungsten dreams and the talent to make them real.

Two lads. One stage. Bright lights. Big chance.

And if this is what the future of darts looks like, the sport’s in very safe – and very young – hands.

RESULTS

Semi-finals

Lewis Cook (Eng) 5-1 Tergel Khurelkhuu (Mng)

Ellis Hadfield (Eng) 5-2 Arthur Allston (Eng)

Quarter-finals

Ellis Hadfield (Eng) 4-1 Bobby Vickors (Eng)

Lewis Cook (Eng) 4-2 Alfie O’Brien (Wal)

Tergel Khurelkhuu (Mng) 4-0 Louis Jones (Eng)

Arthur Allston (Eng) 4-3 Jack Nankervis (Eng)

—–ENDS—–

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The post Cook and Hadfield Reach Super 16 Final appeared first on Darts World Magazine.