Stevenson Striving For Seventh Heaven

Eighty-five of Plymouth's top darting talent are raring to go for the thirty-ninth edition of the marathon that is the Champion of Champions, which begins in earnest on Sunday, 20th October.

The annual charity competition is raising money for Woodside Animal Welfare Trust who provide sanctuary for all kinds of abandoned domestic animals, including cats and dogs.

The total raised before a dart has been thrown through entry fees and donations stands at £851.87 and will be added to between now and the grand final, which will take place at the Victory Inn on Sunday, 10th December.

Simon Stevenson, who won the competition for a record breaking sixth time in 2023, will begin his defence and bid to extend his legacy at the Indian Inn.

Fred Goldsmith, who made it to the prestigious final's night along with Stevenson last time out, will be a banana skin that Stevenson will look to avoid.

Quinton Taylor, who made the semis in 2022, Could also prove a good test of Stevenson's early credentials if drawn against each other in the preliminary round.

At the Fawn, three time winner John Mann bids to regain the title that Stevenson wrestled from him alongside Cornwall county teammate Lee Hellings, who will be amongst the favourites for the crown.

Should he make it that far, Paul Palmer will be looking to end his final's night hoodoo after reaching multiple quarter and semi finals with his first outing coming at Legends Lounge amongst some tricky opponents.

Waiting for the twenty-one triumphant marksmen from this stage will be forty-three players that received a bye, including 2018 Champion Neil White.

Another fascinating story will be the comeback of Bruce Harrison who was the 21st century's first winner back in 2000, but that will also have to wait until the last 64 stage.

An open draw will be done at each of the two venues at 7pm sharp with the winners, and luckily recipients of safe passage already, returning on 24th November to be whittled down from sixty-four to sixteen.

The early rounds of the tournament will be played over the best of five, 501 with the bust rule applying throughout and players going for the bull once to decide who throws first in legs 1, 3 and 5 if required.

In addition to the Main Draw, the Ladies event has also been reborn for it's first occurrence since 2019 with Legends Lounge playing host on Saturday, 16th November.

Entries to that competition can be made by visiting www.plymouthdarts.org.uk/champs and making a donation of at least £5 to the charity.

PLAYING AT THE INDIAN INN: Kevin Lofthouse (Cherry Tree), Chris Harper (Cherry Tree), Gary Clarke (Cherry Tree), Alec Turner (King Billy), Mike O'Brien (Tradesmans), Ryan Ring (Duchy), Quinton Taylor (Victory), Wayne Oddie (Bluebird), Simon Stevenson (Cornwall Gate), Liam Page (Unattached), Liam Taylor (Victory), Jack McMinn (Bluebird), Fred Goldsmith (Fawn), Robbie Aitken (Octagon)

PLAYING AT THE FAWN: Neal Hotchkiss (Steampacket), Lee Hellings (Octagon), Nick Miller (Cherry Tree), Kelvin Rowe (Victory), Danny Bull (Indian Inn), John Mann (Fawn), Mark Hopkins (St Levans), Marc Webber (Cherry Tree), Ashley Tucker (Victory), Adam Fell (Indian Inn), Glenn Austin (Bluebird), Steve Towl (Elburton), Andrew Hawes (Hyde Park), Ian Heggie (Indian Inn)

PLAYING AT LEGENDS LOUNGE: Louis Yates (Indian Inn), James Duke (Hyde Park), Kevin Evans (WMOV), Paul Palmer (Kings Arms), Billy Evans (Cherry Tree), Rhys Yates (Indian Inn), Chris Edgecombe (Octagon), Paul Goundry (King Billy), James Nicholls (Legends Lounge), Darren Collis (Victory), Paul Freeman (Kings Tamerton), Chris Adams (Tradesmans), Scott Wapshott (Cherry Tree), Damian Chalmers (Bluebird)