Shears attempts to qualify for two World majors

PLYMOUTH marksman Mark Shears has earned the right to represent Devon in the qualifying rounds of both the Winmau World Masters and the Lakeside World Professional Championships.

The 58-year-old, who has been playing darts for 40 years, only took the game seriously four years ago and his dedication has paid off.

Shears is a Devon Super League player, representing Porters and in the 2016-17 campaign earned his first call-up to compete for Devon in the British Inter County Championships.

He was an ever-present for the county in the 2017-18 campaign with his best performance coming against West Midlands when he won 4-0 with a 30.78 average.

Only last December he won through to the final of the prestigious Champion of Champions tournament before finishing runner-up to five times winner and PDC professional Simon Stevenson.

Shears will embark on achieving a place in the Winmau World Masters when he competes in the regional play-offs on Sunday August 12 at Coleford RBL, Coleford, Somerset.

Should he be successful, Shears would contest the finals at The Spa, Bridlington, where he will also have to play his qualifying tournament for the BDO World Championships on Wednesday, October 3.