The recent ADC Winmau Championship South at Bradmoor Farm delivered a thrilling spectacle of darts, showcasing both legendary prowess and exciting new talent. Ten-time world champion Trina Gulliver and reigning Lakeside champion Deta Hedman proved their enduring class by clinching the women’s titles. On the men’s side, Dan Nicholls demonstrated a remarkable comeback victory, while 16-year-old sensation Archie Self defied expectations to secure his first major win, highlighting a vibrant mix of experience and youth at the oche.
Women’s Tournaments: Legends Reign Supreme
The WADC circuit’s opening event of 2026 saw two of women’s darts’ most iconic figures assert their dominance, reminding everyone that experience remains a powerful force in the game.
Trina Gulliver’s Masterclass: Event One Victory
The first women’s event belonged to the legendary Trina Gulliver, a ten-time BDO Women’s World Champion. Gulliver showcased formidable form throughout the day, culminating in a decisive victory over two-time PDC Women’s Series winner Gemma Hayter.
- Quarter-Finals: Gulliver stormed through, conceding only a single leg.
- Semi-Finals: She faced another titan of the game, Deta Hedman. In a highly anticipated clash, Gulliver emerged victorious, removing a significant obstacle from her path.
- Final: After defeating Rebecca Rose 5-2 in the semi-finals, Gulliver repeated the scoreline against Hayter in the final, sealing her title with a magnificent 113 checkout – a testament to her composure under pressure.
Deta Hedman Strikes Back: Event Two Triumph
Just hours later, it was Deta Hedman’s turn to shine. The reigning Lakeside World Champion bounced back from her semi-final loss to Gulliver to claim the second women’s title of the day, securing a nail-biting victory over Steph Clarke in the deciding leg.
- Early Rounds: Hedman made light work of her early opponents, dispatching Keri Stinton and Olivia Goddard without dropping a leg.
- Path to Final: After navigating tougher matches against Eleanor Cairns and Jo Locke, the decorated 66-year-old powered past Louise Pearson in the semi-finals.
- Final: The final against Steph Clarke was a dramatic affair, with Hedman ultimately edging the deciding leg to add another trophy to her already illustrious career.
These victories from Gulliver and Hedman served as a powerful reminder that while the darting world often focuses on emerging “young guns,” the wisdom and skill of seasoned professionals are still paramount.
Men’s Tournaments: Comebacks and Teen Sensations
With league leader Graham Usher absent, the men’s events presented a golden opportunity for others to step up, and they certainly delivered, featuring a stunning comeback and the rise of a new prodigy.
Dan Nicholls’ Dramatic Comeback: Event One Winner
The first men’s event saw Dan Nicholls seize the moment with an impressive display of resilience. Nicholls, a renowned “Vault winner” (referring to a serial winner of local or regional darts events, known for consistency), triumphed over Lewis Cook in a thrilling final.
- Quarter-Finals: Nicholls whitewashed Harry Lane, showing early dominance.
- Semi-Finals: He then comfortably defeated Harrison Leigh.
- Final Challenge: Facing Lewis Cook, Nicholls found himself trailing 4-2. However, he mounted a brilliant recovery, winning the necessary legs to snatch the title in a dramatic finish.
Archie Self: A 16-Year-Old Star is Born in Event Two
The second men’s event introduced a new name to the winner’s circle: 16-year-old Archie Self. His victory over Shaun Fox marked him as the sixth different winner across the opening six events, underscoring the fierce competition.
- Challenging Route: In a large and competitive field, Self navigated a tough path to the final.
- Key Victories: He edged past seasoned players like Gary Blades to reach the last 16, then overcame Alan Slater, one of the winners from the opening weekend.
- Semi-Finals: After defeating Gary Hayes, Self delivered a dominant performance, crushing Roger Crook without conceding a leg in the semi-finals.
- Final Showdown: Against Shaun Fox, the match was tight, tied after four legs. Self then accelerated, opening up a 4-2 lead. Despite Fox halving the deficit, the youngster held his nerve to secure the victory and avoid a deciding leg, showcasing maturity beyond his years.
Archie Self’s triumph at such a young age is a clear indicator of the exciting future of darts, demonstrating that talent and composure can emerge at any point.
The ADC Winmau Championship South at Bradmoor Farm once again proved to be a vibrant hub for darts, celebrating both the enduring legacy of its champions and the thrilling potential of its rising stars.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
