The 2026 ADC Winmau Championship North concluded with a spectacular display of darts, seeing top contenders Daniel Ayres and Steve Lennon claim the final two event titles. Ayres secured Event 11 after navigating a challenging field, ultimately defeating Lewis Cook 5-4 in a nail-biting final, which also guaranteed him the coveted top spot in the overall standings. Not to be outdone, Steve Lennon then powered through Event 12, beating Ryan Hogarth 5-2 to solidify his second-place finish. Their impressive performances led to Ayres, Lewis Pride, Lewis Cook, and Hogarth earning their places in the prestigious ADC Global Championship and the end-of-season Grand Finals.
Ayres Conquers Event 11 and Secures Top Ranking
Daniel Ayres, the season’s top player, demonstrated incredible resilience to win Event 11. His path to victory was anything but easy, requiring him to overcome some of the tour’s most formidable talents.
- He began with a dominant 4-0 win against Shaun Galloway, averaging an impressive 92.49.
- Ayres then comfortably progressed through the next rounds, dropping just one leg in wins against Daniel Stephenson and Benjamin Smith.
- A tough 5-3 victory over Jack Drayton set the stage for a crucial quarter-final clash.
- In a high-stakes encounter, Ayres faced his closest rival, Steve Lennon, and emerged victorious with a narrow 5-4 win. This triumph was a pivotal moment in his championship bid.
- He then stormed into the final, delivering a sensational performance with a 102.84 average to defeat Jamie Owens 5-2 in the semi-finals.
In the final, Ayres met Lewis Cook, who had also fought hard to reach the decider. Cook, aiming for his second title of the season, showed his class with a last-leg win against Jordan Matthews (averaging 102.36) and a whitewash 5-0 victory against Lewis Pride. He then overcame Willie Borland and Ryan Hogarth (5-4, 96.39 average) to set up the final.
The championship match was a tense affair. Cook landed six 180s and had early opportunities, but Ayres held his nerve, finding double two to clinch the title 5-4. This dramatic win marked Ayres’ third title of the season and, crucially, secured his position as the number one ranked player.
Lennon Dominates Event 12 to Cement Second Place
Following Ayres’ triumph, Steve Lennon stepped up to claim Event 12, ensuring he finished the season in second place overall. His victory showcased his consistent high-level play throughout the weekend.
Lennon’s road to the title included overcoming several previous event winners:
- He started strong with a 4-1 win against Scott Winder.
- In a highly anticipated match, Lennon faced Daniel Ayres and delivered a stellar performance to win 4-3, a testament to the quality of darts on display.
- A blistering 103.04 average saw him sweep aside Jamie Owens in the last 32.
- Further victories against Davie Kirwan and James Buckby propelled him into the semi-finals.
- There, he faced Event Ten winner Jack Main, whom he defeated 5-2.
His opponent in the final was Ryan Hogarth, who had shown remarkable consistency throughout the weekend. Hogarth had secured wins against Joe Turner, Lucas Grantham, Lee Bradshaw, and a tight 5-4 victory over Billy Leonard. He then produced two ‘whitewash’ wins (5-0 victories) against Ellis Hadfield and surprise package Jacob Cooksey, averaging over 95 in the latter.
The final saw Lennon deliver a composed performance, highlighted by crucial finishes of 67 and 75. He ultimately hit ‘tops’ (double 20) to seal a 5-2 victory, ending with an average of over 91 and securing his third title of the 2026 season.
The Road to Global Glory: Championship Qualifiers Confirmed
With the final events concluded, the attention turned to the coveted qualification spots for the ADC Global Championship and the season-ending Grand Finals.
Steve Lennon had already secured his spot through his impressive performances in the ADC Ireland events. The thrilling conclusion to the North Championship confirmed the remaining qualifiers:
Qualified for the ADC Global Championship and Grand Finals:
- Daniel Ayres (Overall Ranking Leader)
- Lewis Pride
- Lewis Cook
- Ryan Hogarth
These five players, along with Jack Main, David Sumner, Willie Borland, and Jamie Owens, have also secured their places in the Grand Finals, set to take place at the end of November, promising another spectacular showcase of darts talent.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
