Andy “The Beast” Baetens has finally broken through, securing his first MODUS Super Series weekly title in Week 3 of Series 15. The Belgian sensation defeated Llew Bevan 4-3 in a thrilling final, earning £5,000 and a coveted spot in Champions Week. Despite a strong debut from former Grand Slam champion José de Sousa, who brought star power to the event, Baetens’ consistent excellence and a stunning 109-average performance against de Sousa proved he was the man to beat.
Baetens Dominates, De Sousa Debuts
Week Three of Series 15 at the MODUS Super Series will be etched in memory as the moment Andy Baetens transformed his consistent high-level play into a Champions Week ticket. After numerous strong performances, “The Beast” finally claimed his first weekly title on Saturday night.
The Belgian overcame Llew Bevan in a nail-biting 4-3 deciding-leg final, securing both the £5,000 top prize and a guaranteed place in the prestigious Champions Week. It was a special week from start to finish, not least due to the highly anticipated debut of José de Sousa, the former Grand Slam of Darts champion, who brought genuine star power to the Live Lounge in Portsmouth.
A Week of Intense Competition
The tournament featured a compelling mix of established darts players and proven MODUS regulars, leading to three distinct group stories that steadily built anticipation towards Finals Night.
Group A: Baetens Sets the Pace
Andy Baetens wasted no time asserting his dominance. Across three days of Group A action, he amassed an impressive 22 points out of a possible 30, topping the section with a potent combination of high scoring and clinical finishing. One of the week’s most memorable moments arrived when Baetens delivered a stunning performance, dismantling de Sousa with a 109 average in under seven minutes – a clear statement of his championship credentials. While Paul Krohne matched Baetens on points at various stages, and both de Sousa and Dylan Slevin showcased enough quality to remain in contention, Baetens ultimately secured his spot in the finale as the Group A winner by Wednesday evening, leaving the remaining qualification places to be fought over in Groups B and C.
Groups B & C: The Battle for Qualification
Thursday and Friday brought the expected intensity as players vied for the remaining spots.
- Group C Highlights: Asa Cansdale produced a strong second-day surge to finish top with 14 points. Dylan Slevin narrowly edged out Mike Warburton for the second qualification spot based on leg difference, demonstrating the tight margins in professional darts. Killian Heffernan and Ciaran Forde pushed hard but ultimately fell short.
- Group B Highlights: This group proved equally competitive. Llew Bevan emerged as the standout performer, winning three of his four matches on the final evening to finish clear with 12 points. José de Sousa and Dom Taylor both advanced with 10 points. De Sousa, despite showing flashes of his best form, struggled with consistency throughout the group stages. Paul Krohne and Lewis Gurney completed the field but couldn’t secure a place in the Saturday showpiece.
Finals Night: The Road to Glory
The six-man Finals Night field – comprising Baetens, Cansdale, Slevin, Bevan, de Sousa, and Taylor – gathered under the Live Lounge lights, with one Champions Week place and the weekly cheque hanging in the balance.
Baetens’ Unstoppable March
Baetens began the evening in commanding fashion, winning both of his group-phase matches by overcoming Dylan Slevin and José de Sousa. His momentum continued into the semi-finals, where he delivered a ruthless 4-0 whitewash of Dom “The Tower” Taylor, booking his place in the final with impressive ease.
Bevan’s Surprise Run
On the other side of the draw, Llew Bevan continued his late-week surge. After topping his section, the Welshman produced a composed performance to eliminate a determined José de Sousa in the last four, setting up an intriguing final against the formidable Belgian favourite.
The Grand Finale: Baetens Holds His Nerve
The decider between Baetens and Bevan was a truly captivating contest, with nothing separating the two players for most of the match. The score remained locked until the seventh and final leg, where the more experienced Belgian held his nerve under pressure to close out a thrilling 4-3 victory.
This was the moment Baetens had been waiting for – his redemption from Series 4 was complete, his first weekly title secured, and his place in Champions Week confirmed. For Baetens, this win carries extra significance. While strong performances and occasional brilliance had become regular features of his Super Series appearances, a weekly crown had always eluded him. Saturday’s success finally removes that particular barrier, firmly positioning him as a genuine contender when the Champions Week field assembles later in the series.
Bevan can reflect on a campaign that peaked at the perfect time, demonstrating his potential, while de Sousa’s debut undeniably added genuine lustre to the event, even if his Finals Night run ended in the semi-finals. The week as a whole brilliantly showcased the depth, talent, and unpredictability that continue to define the MODUS Super Series.
What’s Next?
The exciting darts action resumes on Monday with the start of Week Four. Group A begins at 9:30 am BST and features a strong field including darts legends Steve Beaton and John Henderson. As always, every dart will be available live and free on Pluto TV, with additional coverage across the MODUS platforms and various bookmaker sites worldwide.
A special week in Portsmouth concluded with a deserving new weekly champion. Andy Baetens is that man, proving that consistent excellence eventually reaps the greatest rewards.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
