The JDC European champion Bradley Brooks and former Development Tour finalist Jarred Cole were in action during the midweek of Players Championship events on Tuesday and Wednesday.
At aged just 17 and 18 respectively, it was a vital learning experience for the pair, who both managed to reach a quarter-final during the two days of action at the Barnsley Metrodome.
It was a sensational Tuesday afternoon for Jarred Cole as he made a first PDC ranking quarter-final in South Yorkshire. He opened up the tournament with win over Vincent van der Voort and former Pro Tour finalist Scott Taylor before beating Jonny Clayton in the board final.
He would then dispatch ‘The Hunter’ Adam Hunt in the last 16 before facing former Lakeside champion Mark Webster in the final eight. ‘The Spider’ would race into a 5-1 advantage with Cole struggling to find his bearings on the stream board. But a succession of maximums and missed darts at double by Webster opened to the door for the 17-year-old.
Three legs on the spin put Cole back in contention as Webster missed 12 darts at double to fall over the finishing line. As the game reached its climax, ‘The King of the castle’ would squander two darts at double as Webster swooped to seal the victory in a dramatic encounter.
Following Jarred Cole’s exploits on Tuesday, it was Bradley Brooks turn to wave the flag for the Junior Darts Corporation in South Yorkshire. He began the day by seeing of talented Polish thrower Tytus Kanik in the opening round, but he would shock a star of the sport in round two.
A 6-3 victory over World number two Peter Wright signalled the 18-year-old’s intentions to go further in the tournament, and he would back up his astounding second round win with a comprehensive victory over Robert Marijanovic in the last 32.
He would show tremendous grit and determination to fend off the challenge from Jermaine Wattimena to reach his first ranking quarter-final at senior level. Unfortunately, his sensational run would end there, with Ian White showing his experience at the Barnsley Metrodome to run away 6-4 winner over the Blackburn youngster.
Article - Josh Green