The opening weekend of the 2026 Winmau Championship South delivered high drama and unexpected champions in Aylesbury! Alan Slater, making his debut on the ADC circuit, sensationally claimed the Event Three title with a commanding 5-2 victory over Lloyd Pennell. Not to be outdone, Callum Francis navigated an incredible five last-leg deciders to secure the final event’s crown, narrowly defeating Matt Gallett 5-4. These thrilling contests set a high bar for the season, with both winners showcasing immense skill and nerve under pressure. Graham Hall also celebrated a win in Event Two, rounding off a memorable start to the championship.
Slater’s Stunning Debut: From Newcomer to Champion
The spotlight shone brightly on Alan Slater during Event Three. Attending his very first ADC weekend, Slater proved he was a force to be reckoned with, culminating in a dominant 5-2 win against Lloyd Pennell in the final at Bradmoor Farm. His journey to the £1,000 first prize was marked by consistent performance and clutch play:
- He began his day with two strong 4-1 victories.
- Followed by a clean whitewash against Mitchell Leeming to reach the last 64.
- Secured back-to-back 4-2 successes over Kelvin O’Keefe and Connor Levett.
- Showed incredible composure in the quarter-finals, edging out James Richardson 5-4 in a nail-biting encounter.
- A solid 91.69 average saw him past Ashley Coleman 5-3 in the semi-finals.
- He then defeated Dan Perry by the same 5-3 scoreline to reach his maiden Championship final.
Pennell’s path to the final included a comfortable 5-1 win against Steve West. West himself had previously overcome the highly talented Archie Self – fresh from a MODUS Super Series semi-final appearance and boasting three averages over 100, including one over 110. However, West’s experience ultimately proved too much for Self in their last eight clash.
In the final, Slater initially surged ahead 2-0, but Pennell fought back to level the score. Undeterred, Slater demonstrated his championship mettle by reeling off three consecutive legs to seal his memorable debut victory.
Francis’s Fightback: Five Deciders to Glory
The weekend concluded with another electrifying final, as Callum Francis claimed a tense 5-4 victory over Birmingham’s Matt Gallett. Francis, who had already qualified for the prestigious UK Open just a day prior, embarked on an extraordinary run, surviving an astonishing five last-leg shootouts on his way to the title. A last-leg shootout is when the score is tied, and the winner is decided by who wins the final leg of the match.
His dramatic journey included:
- A thrilling 4-3 win against Arron Monk.
- Further nail-biters against Michael Wiles and Nigel Prior.
- A strong 5-3 win against Sean Holley in the last 16, where he averaged nearly 90.
- Another intense 5-4 battle against Phil Johnson-Hale.
Francis, an experienced winner on the WDF circuit, then secured his place in the final by overcoming Vault National Finals winner Chas Barstow 5-3, setting up the showdown with Gallett.
Gallett’s own impressive run also saw him involved in five deciding legs, showcasing his resilience, but he ultimately fell just short in his bid for the winner’s cheque in Buckinghamshire.
The final itself was a testament to Francis’s tenacity. He had a golden opportunity to close out the match earlier, leaving just 40 after 12 darts for a 5-3 win. However, a string of 11 missed darts meant the match went to the final leg, where Francis, despite the pressure, ultimately clinched a well-deserved victory. This win places him firmly in the top four of the early standings.
Looking Ahead: The North Awaits
Earlier in the weekend, Graham Hall had already secured his own title, taking the Event Two spoils. The excitement now shifts north, as the competition’s North edition is set to kick off with four events scheduled for Middlesbrough in April. Darts fans can anticipate more thrilling action as the Winmau Championship continues.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
