Mann and Stevenson still on course for PDC Tour cards

TWO Plymouth darts players are on the cusp of gaining much coveted PDC Tour Cards after they both produced solid performances yesterday on Day Three of Q School at the Robin Park Leisure Centre, Wigan.

After receiving a bye in the opening round, John Mann had consecutive 5-0 victories over Scotland’s Evander Stevenson and 24-year-old Sam Head from Portsmouth, which put him into the last 64.

He then faced Cameron Menzies, another Scotsman and despite being only 28 years of age, has good pedigree.

LAST 64: John Mann made the last 64 on Day Three of Q School helped by two 5-0 victories.

He was competing at Q School for the first time after losing in the recent BDO World Championship in the last 32.

John Mann matched him dart for dart over the first eight legs, but it was Menzies who eventually prevailed 5-4 to move into the last 32.

Stevenson also started with a 5-0 victory when defeating Andy Hutchings and followed that feat by ending the hopes of Adam Bowman 5-2.

Matt Jackson took the Mirrorman the full distance, but Stevenson clinched the winning double of the ninth leg to move into the last 64.

A 22-year-old Suffolk barber by the name of Ryan Meikle was Stevenson’s next opponent and although he played some of his best darts of the day, the Plymouth marksman was defeated 5-1.

Mann and Stevenson will both go into the final day of Q School today in joint 11th place with eight other players on seven points, only one place behind another five players who are tied in sixth place on eight.

If they can manage four or five victories, then they stand a very good chance of returning to Plymouth as PDC Tour Card holders.

They are both capable and all their supporters back in Plymouth sincerely hope that they can deliver for one last day of an energy-sapping Q School.