The latest Tendring Masters qualifier witnessed a thrilling display of emerging talent, with young sensation Arthur Allston — affectionately dubbed ‘King Arthur’ — securing a remarkable double victory. Allston not only triumphed in Qualifier 4 of the prestigious Rab Scott Trophy but also clinched his spot in the Youth Finals, underscoring a significant shift towards youth dominance in the sport. The event was a testament to rising stars, as three youth players reached the semi-finals, culminating in an all-youth final between Allston and Joshua Gregory.
A New Era for Tendring Darts: Youth on the Rise
With the New Year celebrations behind us, anticipation was high, and the entry list for Qualifier 4 of the Rab Scott Trophy reflected the growing depth of talent on the Tendring darts circuit. Alongside seasoned players, a **wave of exciting newcomers** made their mark, including a recent Tendring Masters Youth Qualifier winner and a Youth Masters finalist. This clearly highlighted the **continued rise of young talent** within the competition, setting the stage for an electrifying day.
Early Shocks and Stunning Debuts
The event sprang into life immediately with several eye-catching early-round results. One of the biggest talking points saw **Simon King produce a confident performance to eliminate reigning Tendring Masters Champion Paul Williams 3-1** in the opening round. Elsewhere, debutant **Arthur Allston announced himself in emphatic fashion, defeating Qualifier 2 finalist Paul Walker 3-0** in his very first appearance in a Rab Scott Trophy qualifier – a sign of things to come.
The Top Half: Joshua Gregory’s Dominant Ascent
In the top half of the draw, **Tendring Masters Youth finalist Joshua Gregory delivered a commanding run to the final**. Gregory began with a solid 3-1 win over Lee Westwood, before significantly stepping up his performance to **dispatch former UK Open Qualifier Adrian Genery 3-0**. Further straight-sets victories followed against fellow Youth player Jackson Kamara and Alex Reilly, clearly underlining Gregory’s growing confidence and consistency.
His semi-final opponent was another impressive youth prospect in **Mason Howard of Harwich**, who had enjoyed a standout run of his own. Howard saw off Derek Nevill 3-1, edged past Daniel Craig 3-2, and then produced another gritty performance to defeat Qualifier 3 runner-up Dave Collins 3-2. In the quarter-finals, Howard delivered one of the performances of the day with a **convincing 3-0 victory over Tendring Open Championship finalist Nick Thurgood.**
However, **Gregory proved too strong in their semi-final clash, maintaining his flawless form with a 3-0 win** to secure his well-deserved place in the final.
The Bottom Half: Arthur Allston’s Path to Glory
The bottom half of the draw was no less demanding, with **Arthur Allston continuing to build on the formidable reputation he earned** at the Tendring Open Darts Championships. After his opening-round win over Paul Walker, Allston overcame Grand Prix points table joint sixth-placed Paul Kempen 3-0.
Allston was then taken to the brink by fellow Suffolk Youth County player **Owen Howard in a thrilling encounter, surviving match darts before edging through 3-2** in one of the matches of the tournament. He followed that with another composed display, **defeating Grand Prix points joint leader Nick Comber 3-0.**
In the semi-finals, Allston faced two-time PDC UK Open Qualifier **Shaun Fox, who was enjoying another strong run on the circuit**. Fox’s journey to the semi-finals marked his second such appearance in four Rab Scott Trophy qualifiers, following his earlier semi-final run at Qualifier 1. He began with a 3-0 win over Saoirse Morris, followed by another straight-sets victory against Chris Piper. Fox then produced an impressive 3-1 win over joint Grand Prix points leader Darren O’Neill, before defeating Colchester’s Brandon Western 3-0. Despite strong opposition, **Allston held his nerve in a high-quality contest to secure a hard-fought 3-2 victory** and book his place in the final.
Youth Takes Centre Stage: A Historic Semi-Final Line-up
A truly **notable milestone for the Tendring Masters came at the semi-final stage, where three youth players were represented** — Joshua Gregory, Mason Howard, and Arthur Allston. Their remarkable presence **underlined the growing influence of the youth pathway**, with emerging talent not only competing at senior level but consistently reaching the latter stages of these highly competitive qualifying events. This signifies a bright and dynamic future for darts in the region.
The Grand Finale: ‘King Arthur’ Claims His Crown
The final was a fitting showcase for the future of darts, as two youth players went head-to-head. Brightlingsea’s Joshua Gregory and Bradfield’s Arthur Allston — both already qualified for the Tendring Masters Youth Final — met again, this time with a coveted place at the Rab Scott Trophy Finals Night at stake.
In a high-quality and closely fought contest, **Allston edged a tense encounter 3-2**. The match was highlighted by a **superb maximum 180 from Allston**, and his ability to deliver under immense pressure proved decisive when it mattered most.
A Double Triumph for ‘King Arthur’
With this significant victory, **Allston secured qualification for both the Rab Scott Trophy Finals Night AND the Youth Finals**, replicating the impressive achievement he also managed at the Tendring Open Darts Championships in 2025. Qualifier 4 once again demonstrated the **strength in depth of the Tendring Masters circuit**, with youth players not only competing but truly leading the way, as anticipation continues to build towards the eagerly awaited Finals Night.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
