The Junior Darts Corporations inaugural European Darts Championship this weekend
was a sensational spectacle of Junior talent from around Europe. Representation
from 6 european nations arrived at Pontins Brean Sands over the 3 days and
provided some exceptional performances.
Jim Moston of Stoke on Trent was crowned the first ever JDC European Darts
Champion in scintillating style.
His semifinal 4 - 2 win over 16yr old Dutch entrant Wessel Nijman was a great
performance, however Nijman past winner of the 2014 Czech open, 2016 Denmark
Masters and 2016 Dutch Youth team Champion couldn't keep Moston from cruising
into the final.
Next up Moston's opponent in the Final would be the young Dutch sensation Justin
Van Tergouw. The 16yr old from Utrecht in the Netherlands struggled in the first
2 legs of his own semi final and was 2 down in a matter of minutes against Billy
Holmes. JVT composed himself and got back to 2-2, and then stepped up the pace
for a 4-2 victory to book his place in the final.
The Final was tense from the start, Moston won the Bull and threw first. After a
couple of nervous legs Moston went 2-0 ahead. With Moston's confidence growing
JVT needed to fight back and he did to make it just 3-2 to Moston. Then the
final ignited in leg 6 with hundred plus score's for fun and a maximum to boot
which saw JVT level at 3-3. JVT then led 4-3 with an outstanding 147 shot out
which literally raised the roof. Not phased at all by the 2015 Winmau World
Master & 2015 Finder Darts Master, Moston hit back to 4-4 for a final leg shoot
out.
The tension in the room was electric and Moston held his nerve throwing first to
seal a 5-4 victory. The final contained 27x 100+ shots , 4x 140's and 1x 180.
Moston averaged 27.48 and JVT 28.05 in the final.
Moston also by winning the JDC'S European Darts Championship bagged himself a
spot in the last 64 of the PDC'S World Youth championship in October.
Modus Junior UK Championship Tour Event 4
If that wasn't enough, the finals of the Modus Junior UK championship were also
held alongside the European Championships.
The winner of this event was Maikel Verberk another young Dutch talent from
Herpen in the Netherlands. The 2015 Hal Open and Dutch Open winner cruised his
final victory with a 5-1 win over Jarred Cole. Maikel with a 27.12 average and 3
maximums delighted the crowd with exceptional skill, finishing 1 leg of 246 in 6
darts.
Maikel now becomes one of the JDC'S ALL-STARS and claims a spot in the PDC'S
PATHWAY TO THE PALACE last 16 knock out with the final of that event played out
at the Alexandra Palace London during the William Hill World Darts Championship.
Chairman of the JDC Steve Brown said - "Its been a terrific weekend. So
impressed by the talent and professionalism of all these young players. Its a
joy to be watching youngsters develop and play some incredible matches within
the JDC structure. We have seen some of the best talent on the continent and
made some great memories too over 3 days of mind blowing darts".
