Leighton Bennett was at the double as he took both JDC Scott Farms International UK Tour titles at Riley’s Solihull on Saturday afternoon. The 13-year-old defeated the impressive James Beeton in both finals to extend his advantage at the summit of the order of merit.
Bennett secured his third JDC UK tour title as he produced a sensational display to defeat Chester’s James Beaton in first final of the day. In a repeat of their meeting in Dorchester, it was another dominant display for 13-year-old Bennett.
After beating Callum Cross and Jordan Ward in the early rounds, he survived a scare to see off Reece Pauling in the last 16. An outstanding 87.9 average would be enough to see off England representative Kyle Manton, before he ran into an in-form Alfie Jacques.
The Wolverhampton based star had consistently averaged over 80 throughout the afternoon, and it was no different as he pushed Bennett in a tight encounter. Jacques stuck with ‘Boom Boom Bennett’ in the opening exchanges, but after breaking throw in the fifth leg of the match, a spectacular 121 checkout would carry Bennett to a final meeting with Beeton.
Despite not producing the astronomical averages from earlier in the day, an 88 average along with two maximums cemented himself as the leader in the JDC order of merit.
It was a similar story in event two as Bennett dropped just two legs on route to his second final in Solihull. He got the ball rolling with a standout display of weekend, producing a 104.9 average and 170 checkout to see off Liam Brown.
Victories over Liam Butler and Mitchell Leeming would follow, before he dispatched of Alfie Jacques for the second time that afternoon in a thrilling last leg decider. ‘Boom Boom’ was back to his best to see off Reece Pauling in the semi-finals to set up a second meeting with Beeton.
The Chester born thrower would produce the heavy scoring power to match Bennett for the first six legs of the match, but after missing darts at tops and tens to take the lead, Bennett capitalised. He would throw an incredible 12-darter to seal a perfect weekend in the West Midlands, adding a second 121 checkout to his ever-growing resume in yet another stunning performance.
BY JOSH GREEN