All eyes in the darting world will be on Ted Hankey and Dean Winstanley this weekend as they start their PDC careers in the sunny climes of Benidorm at the PDC Players Championship.

Hankey is one of the world’s most exciting and entertaining darts players (with 2 World Championship titles and a totally unpredictable demeanor) and he has already become an instant hit with the PDC. 

Dean Winstanley is amongst the hottest young darts players to emerge in recent years. He shot to the number 1 ranked player in the WDF in what seemed like the blink of an eye and he seems set for a meteoric rise in the PDC rankings.

The two men face off against the PDC’s finest in the first round at the Benidorm Championship and it represents an intriguing test for both players as they attempt to get vital points on the road to getting into the major televised events. Having had a full 2 weeks off after their recent Lakeside World Championships, both players have been practicing hard and early indications from Ted and Dean are that they will enjoy the new environment. Both men are certainly looking forward to the chance to rekindle some old rivalries!

Ted Hankey said “There has been much speculation since the Grand Slam about my future, and to be honest I was not sure myself, but I’ve made my decision and I’m looking forward to the massive challenge ahead. Everyone at the BDO has been superb down the years, and I thank them for all their hard work and support”.

Dean echoed Ted’s thoughts as he said “The BDO have been fantastic and it is with a heavy heart that I made this difficult decision. Maybe it affected my Lakeside preparation, but I had to give serious thought to switching to the PDC and I’m 100% committed to making the most of this new opportunity and getting on TV again”.

Ted’s superb run at the Lakeside (where he narrowly missed out on a final place) sees him in great form, whilst Dean recently sailed through the PDC Q School to get his Tour Card.

(Source: winmau.com)

(Source: winmau.com)

Kevin Bevins of Team Granivore was a winner of the Winmau daily prize from the BDO Darts Fantasy League tournament. Kevin picked up a Blade 4 dartboard as used at the Lakeside World Championships and Vendetta 80% tungsten darts. Congratulations again, and we wish you all the best both on and off the oche.

(Source: winmau.com)

Winmau, the world’s leading darts brand, are delighted to announce a new ambassadorial agreement with Sean Moran in the US.

Sean and Winmau began their partnership in 2011 when Winmau’s US distributor Dutchman Darts highlighted his talent. Sean started using the Winmau Testament dart and, it had such a profound impact on his game, that he even adopted it as his nickname, tattooed it on his arm and produced a darts shirt bearing the iconic graphics!

Sean has played darts for the last 21 years and is currently the 2010/2011 Massachusetts Minuteman Dart League Cricket Champion as well as the runner up in 501 Men’s Singles. Sean travels the US representing Winmau’s premium darts range at ADO Nationally Ranked Tournaments in cities such as Las Vegas, Denver, Raleigh, Virginia Beach and many other locations. In the 2011 season, Sean has placed 16th or better in 9 of the tournaments he has attended.

Sean lives in Massachusetts with his wife Laurie and their three children (Kyle, Jenna and Rylee) and works for the Town of Marshfield.  His practice regime includes 3 hours of darts per day in addition to any local events.

Sean said “In 2012 I hope to be ranked among the top 5 players in the US. With Winmau’s support and guidance I am sure this will be achievable, and I can’t thank them enough for their unwavering faith in me.”

For further details on the Winmau range in the US, please contact Dutchman Darts via email dutchmandarts@rcn.com, telephone +1 800 939 2550 or fax +1 617 625 1885

Looking ahead to the Lakeside Quarter Finals

With the Lakeside World Pro in full swing the form players have all gone through to the business end of the last 16.

There are some massive darts clashes to come with Hankey facing Waites, where on 2011’s form he will be the clear underdog, but take Ted lightly at your peril.

Martin Adams faces the little known Gary Stone who quietly dispatched Ron Meulkamp 3 – 0 in his first round, but it’s hard to see past Adams in this one.

Tony O’Shea faces Ross the Boss in what could be a massive game, following The Bosses first round form, but with it being so hot up on the stage and the longer format O’Shea may struggle a bit over a long game.

Dean Winstanley faces the in-form Alan Norris ho came through a great game against Van De Pas with no less than x8 180’s.

None of the top 3 seeds faces an easy passage into the last 8, so no one can say with any certainty who will still be standing in the last 8.

Alan Norris takes out rookie Van de Pas in thriller

Alan Norris scorched into the last 16 beating the youngest man in the field, the 18-year-old Dutch maestro and 14thseed Benito van de Pas 3-2.

The experienced 39-year-old Norris much travelled hounded the teenager – a 150/1 rank outsider - into submission in a 41-minute gripping encounter.

Both dart players topped 30 plus dart averages as Norris ripped in x8 180s with the teenager bagging 3 for himself.

Norris scorched into the opening set, hitting three 180s in the first two legs, taking the throwing advantage from the Dutchman, which included a 12-darter.

Van de Pas stole the third leg but rapid-fire Norris squeezed in for double 20 against the throw.

The youngster then hit a maximum but missed double top and double 10 to steal the opening leg of the second set against the throw, Norris finished on double 12 at the third attempt.

The following two legs went against the advantage and the fourth leg appeared to be heading in the same way as Norris powered in his fifth maximum but squandered darts for a double as the cool Dutchman fired in double 15 to level the match.

It was business-like Norris in the third set as he blasted out a two further maximums and an 11-dart checkout to open up a 2-0 lead, wiring double 10 for a set-winning 128, finishing it off with double five on his return to the oche to edge into a 2-1 match lead.

The opening four legs of the fourth set went with the throw after Norris missed double tops for a match-winning 106 checkout in the fourth leg.  Chuck looked comfortable in the next but the brilliant young player from the Lowlands produced a match-saving 119 checkout finished on double tops.

Norris surged into the final set, hitting his 10th 180 and pulling off a pressure double 18 against the throw after the teenager tensed up and missed doubles. He defended his throw in the next but a maximum steered Van de Pas to the third leg.

It was nip and tuck in the next set as Norris clinched victory with a 74 victory checkout, finished on double 20 leaving him a very happy man.

Purposeful Dean see’s off Dutch painter Ten Berg

Deadly Dean Winstanley equaled the tournament’s highest checkout of 160 on his way to an impressive 3-1 victory over Dutch qualifier Joey ten Berge.

Wearing a colorful red and white shirt the Winmau Star, and last year’s runner-up and third seed needed just 41 minutes to dash the hopes of the very talented 26-year-old.

The South Yorkshire darter signaled his title intentions, annexing the opening leg against the throw, defending it in the next and then firing in a spectacular set-winning 160 checkout – two treble 20s and a faultless double tops finish for a 1-0 match lead after just seven minutes play.

Winstanley pushed ahead to take the opening two legs of the next set, just missing double tops for a 120 checkout. He missed bull for 125 in the next plus further darts for double 15 as Ten Berge finished off 60 with double tops. A 180 steered the Dutchman to the fourth who followed up with a further maximum in the fifth leg, the third seed holding his nerve to edge into a 2-0 match lead with double five.

The Doncaster arrow smith took the opening leg of the third set against the throw helped with a 180, another maximum giving him a 2-1 set lead, notching a third 180 in the fourth leg but failing to clinch a match-winning 66 checkout with double tops. Ten Berg swooped to clinch the set.

Winstanley took the opening leg of the fourth set with the throw, Ten Berg blazing back with a 12 darter after narrowly missing back-to-back 180s. Winstanley notched double five as the Dutchman failed to pressurise. the shot.

The third seed missed double tops for a further match-winning attempt, Ten Berge pouncing to finish off 45 with double 16 but the big scores deserted him the next as the South Yorkshire man booked his place in the last 16 with double 18.

De Vos beats West to the Double

Belgian latest star Geert de Vos made a big name for himself beating 11th seed  Tony “Tornado” West 3-1, with a competent and cool display in his Lakesdie debut.

Tony was forced to borrow the darts of Tony Martin - husband of women’s semi finalist Anastasia Dobromyslova - after leaving one of his darts in Holland.

He had tried using darts from several players but when he tried Martin’s he hit a maximum and opted to use them in the match.

Despite using a set of other darts he still managed to notch two 180s and a 13-darter but was unable to catch the in-a-hurry 31-year-old Belgian.

De Vos made a dream start, taking the opening leg in 15 darts but then stole the throw in the next for a shock 2-0 lead. West grabbed the third and then the man who lives near Brussels missed four darts for the set as the seed piled on the pressure. Both players hit 180s in the deciding fifth leg but it was the man from Aalst in West Flanders who clinched double six for a 78 set winning finish.

The Legs went with the throw in the next set including a 13-dart third leg from West who then fluffed chances to take the set in the fourth as the grateful De Vos leapt to finish on double tops. A maximum from West with his makeshift darts, gave him an impressive lead and he capitalised by firing in double 12 at the second attempt.

With the throwing advantage in the next set De Vos leapt into a 2-0 lead, aided by a maximum in the second leg and then cheekily clinched the set with a 99 checkout finished with two double tops.

His fourth successive leg gave him the opening leg of the fourth set against the throw and he then turned the screw clinching his favourite double tops for a 2-0 lead in the set, needing a single leg for a shock victory.

Tony delayed the agony firing out 137 and 100 scores as he exited on double four but the confident Belgian hit 140 and 121 to open up a lead but then missed two double tops, West missed double tops for a 108 finish and then three bids for double 10 as De Vos nailed double 10 for victory with his third double attempt.

** Live coverage can be seen across ESPN Darts and the BBC’s coverage **