In a weekend of high-stakes darts at the ADC Winmau Championship North, rising star Lewis Cook clinched Event Nine, adding a Northern title to his earlier Southern victory. Not to be outdone, Jack Main stormed to victory in Event Ten, showcasing incredible skill and nearly achieving a perfect nine-darter. These triumphs have significantly shaken up the championship standings, with both players making strong pushes for a coveted spot in the ADC Global Championship.
Lewis Cook Dominates Event Nine, Claims Northern Title
Young sensation Lewis Cook, already a winner of the ADC Winmau Championship South, proved his versatility by securing the Event Nine title in Middlesbrough. Known as ‘The Laser’, Cook navigated a challenging field with remarkable consistency and skill.
His path to victory included:
- Starting strong with a win against Jamie Stoddart.
- A tight final-leg victory over Joe Heywood, where Cook averaged an impressive over 91.
- Another hard-fought match going the distance against Jamie Owens.
- A thrilling last-leg decider against Ryan Branley, where Cook posted a superb 98.86 average to reach the quarter-finals.
- Eliminating Kevin Lane 5-3 with another strong average of over 91.
- Securing his spot in the final with a dominant 5-2 win against Andy Harland.
Cook’s Final Showdown Against Willie Borland
In the final, Cook faced the formidable Scot, Willie Borland. Borland’s journey to the final was equally impressive, requiring two deciding legs in the early stages before thrashing Scott Winder 5-1. He then survived a scare against Lewis Pride, nearly letting a 4-0 lead slip before closing it out with a crucial 68 finish. Borland then defeated Jordan Matthews 5-2 to set up the clash with Cook.
The final was a nail-biting affair, with momentum swinging back and forth. Ultimately, it was a fantastic 14-darter that sealed the victory for Cook, earning him the coveted title and a £1,000 first prize.
Jack Main Shines in Event Ten, Nearly Hits Perfect Game
Jack Main delivered a series of electrifying performances to claim the Event Ten spoils at the Sports Village, culminating in a thrilling final against Jamie Owens. Main’s journey was marked by both clinical finishing and dramatic comebacks.
Highlights of Main’s run included:
- Solid wins against Ciaran Forde and Evander Stevenson.
- A 4-2 victory over Davie Kirwan.
- A convincing 5-1 success against Ryan Branley, achieving an average of nearly 85.
- A heart-stopping moment in the last eight where he missed double 12 for a perfect nine-darter – a shot that would have made history!
- Recovering from a 4-1 deficit against Danny Trueman to win a dramatic 5-4 decider.
- Overcoming another strong challenge in the semi-finals against Graham Usher, who averaged over 99, with Main clinching yet another deciding leg.
Jamie Owens’ Stellar Performance to Reach the Final
Jamie Owens, Main’s opponent in the final, also had an exceptional tournament run. He dropped a mere two legs in his early victories over Scott Young, Harvey Troy, and Steven Johnstone. He then dispatched Daniel Ayres 5-3, followed by a stunning 5-2 win against James Buckby, boasting an incredible 103.62 average. Owens continued his high-level play, securing his final spot with a 5-3 win over Ryan Hogarth, averaging north of 94.
The final was a high-quality spectacle. Main showcased his finishing prowess with checkouts of 111 and 80, establishing a 4-2 lead. A clinical 15-darter then secured his victory, with Main ending the match with a superb 98.24 average against Owens’ strong 95.76.
Championship Standings: The Race to Global Qualification Heats Up
The results of Events Nine and Ten have significantly reshaped the ADC Winmau Championship North standings, intensifying the battle for qualification to the prestigious ADC Global Championship. The top four players in the standings typically secure these coveted berths, but with Steve Lennon already qualified through ADC Ireland, the top five are likely to earn their spots.
Key movements in the standings include:
- Daniel Ayres and Steve Lennon maintain their strong positions at first and second respectively.
- Lewis Pride holds onto third place.
- David Sumner sits in a solid fourth.
- Jack Main’s victory catapults him to fifth place, putting him firmly in contention for a Global Championship spot.
- Lewis Cook, despite his win, is currently just behind Main in sixth.
- The Scottish trio of Willie Borland, Ryan Hogarth, and Danny Trueman occupy the next positions, still in the hunt.
The tour will reach its thrilling conclusion this Sunday with Events 11 and 12, where players will make their final push for glory and global qualification.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
