Two Champs Take Aim At History

Plymouth's darting big hitters will do battle for the biggest prize of them all, the Champion of Champions on Sunday, 12th November at Victory Inn from 7pm.

The joint record holder for the most titles with five, Simon Stevenson, booked his shot at a sixth title and eternal glory in the Fawn with an 18 dart leg in the first of his two 3-0 wins in the combined Last 64/32 stage.

Stevenson them completed his evening's work with a 13 darter in a success over Dan Jewell who had won his first matchup 3-1 thanks in part to an 87 checkout.

Fred Goldsmith joins Stevenson at Final's night after being taken to all five legs twice, but came through with the help of a 13 darter of his own.

Goldsmith did have to withstand a 114 checkout by Dean Richards in his final outing of the night, who himself ended the competition for 1989 champion Col Maddocks 3-2 at the Last 64 stage.

Scott Lawrey looks like he could challenge at the grand finale after securing his place amongst the sixteen elite with checkouts of 80 and 142 aiding his progress.

Lawrey's two 3-0 successes saw legs taken in 17, 16 and 18 darts whilst Scott Cook completed the line up navigating their way through the Greenbank venue.

Cook added three maximums and legs of 17 and 15 darts to claim wins of 3-1 over Russ Paxton-Denny and Alan Masters.

Masters showed something like his best form on the night to claim a 3-2 win over Dave Lee that saw a crucial 80 checkout before Masters 180 came in the 3-0 defeat to Cook.

Reigning champion John Mann is still in the hunt the become the first player to win three consecutive Champs titles after some marvellous form at the King Billy.

Mann edged out Paul Gavican 3-1 with legs of 17 and 18 darts and a maximum doing the damage before running into 2018 champion Neil White in the early rounds.

White checked a leg in 13 darts and nailed a 180 in his 3-0 win over Andy Hawes before being blown away by Mann in a 3-0 win that contained two maximums for the latter.

Aaron Wright was the other 180 hitter at the Devonport venue as he found his form with wins of 3-0 and 3-1 to progress to his first shot at finals night and a potential maiden title.

1996 champion Ralph Lancaster's hopes of a second title were ended by quite possibly one of the favourites on present form, Lee Hellings, who checked legs in 14 and 17 darts to claim the win.

2016 semi-finalist Brian Lumsdon was narrowly defeated 3-2 by Monday night teammate Tyler Borthwick who makes his first appearance in the main event.

From the Indian Inn venue, 2016 finalist Glenn Halford bagged a 17 darter in his wins of 3-0 and 3-1 to keep his hopes alive of going one better than seven years ago.

Young Cornwall starlet, Jaden Whitting, matched that 17 dart leg in his two wins by 3-0 score lines whilst Zak Burden claimed the 3-0 scalp of Andy Bates in his last 32 tie.

Burden joins Nick Miller who melted his opponent Reece Day's hopes of continuing in the competition with a 3-0 win to complete qualifying quartet from the Stoke Village pub.

At the Cherry Tree, Steve Towl's 120 checkout contributed to a surprise 3-0 win over Lee Agar before losing out 3-2 to Paul Palmer who finished 100 at the first time of asking.

Dave Matthews ended the hopes of Mark Hatherley 3-2 whilst 2019 semi finalist Reg Matthews added his name to the elite group with a 3-0 win over Tournament Director James Cook in the last 32 stage.

Kieran Burns edged Paddy Archibald 3-2 before running out a 3-1 winner against Frankie Stout to claim the final spot in the sixteen man draw.

The annual charity event is raising money for MacMillan Cancer Support this time around with all proceeds raised going to locally based causes.

The two board Final's Night will commence at 7pm with one draw followed by the sixteen competitors playing best of 5, 501, before the quarter finals all played on stage over the best of seven.

The semis are played over the best of nine with the grand final being competed over the best of eleven legs of 501 for the trophy and title of Champion of Champions 2023.