Akker Advances on Brown
Adam Atkinson gained his first win since July after winning the Turbinia Open on Saturday, in a 4-2 win over Jack Bell. The Poolie raced out of the gates against his fellow countryman in Newton Aycliffe averaging 123.83 with his first nine darts of the match, showcasing the amazing scoring power he has at his disposal. He soon claimed the title averaging 96.07.
The Englishman failed to drop a leg in either of his Last 16 or Quarter Final ties with Eddie Mordica and Will Neave, before claiming a huge victory against Tony Wood in the Semis: the man who is trying to catch him in the rankings.
Despite that tungsten tussle being the Semi Final, the match was one of the best in quality with both players averaging above 93 in what was a repeat of the Winmau Championship Tour 1 Final. The Gateshead thrower included the only ton-plus checkout of the tie in the fifth leg, finishing 106 for what was a fantastic 12 dart leg.
Atkinson claimed a 4-2 victory to reach the Final, needing three darts to finish 86 in the sixth and final leg closing out a match indicating similar quality to many of those in the PDC Players Championship Events.
The 27 old gained 64 points for winning the tournament in the Northeast, moving to within 50 points of second-placed Steve Brown. Atkinson has timed his run well as he needs to catch the Bomber if he is to qualify as a seed for the World Darts Open.
Elsewhere Mark Dudbridge denied Matt Jackson his 22nd Amateur Darts Circuit title, of 2022, at Bar501 on Saturday, putting last week’s Final loss behind him to win the Albert Nelson Gainey Memorial Cup.
The former World Finalist earnt 32 points for his troubles and despite the ADC Number 1 averaging 99.24 in Bristol. An indicator of how the quality is improving must be the second leg in the Final, with the 49-year-old ace throwing an eleven-dart leg including two maximums.
Flash sits 67th in the current ADC Rankings and three points of Mervyn Adams, with the Englishman now starting to build up some form at the right time of the year.
ADC Number 5 Adam Warner lost in the Final of the Riley’s Chorlton August GSoD against David Evans, with Stretch prevailing a 6-1 winner including a 138 checkout in the second leg to break throw.
The Red Dragon man earned 16 points for winning the competition, claiming his second Amateur Darts Circuit title of the year after winning the Miss Qs of Rochdale February GSoD.
Sheffield thrower Warner leads Lloyd Pennell in sixth by 37 points after his performance over the weekend and looks in good shape to qualify for the Grand Finals in October, performing well over the Championship Tour events having reached two Quarter Finals and a Final.
Next weekend sees competitions such as the East Middlesborough Open as well as the Friday Night Flyer which also includes a tournament that gives players a second chance, similar to the structure of the Championship Tour Plate Knockout events.
ADC Rankings:
Matt Jackson: 1177pts
Steve Brown: 864pts
Adam Atkinson: 820pts
Tony Wood: 727pts
Adam Warner: 580pts
Lloyd Pennell: 543pts
Lee Budgen: 501pts
Graham Hall: 484pts
Geoff Murray: 465pts
Phil Borthwick: 431pts
Paul Nesbitt: 405pts
Kevin McDine: 346pts
Tony Newell: 343pts
Kevin Garcia: 340pts
Ricky King: 334pts
Simon Preston: 334pts