Nank Ranks Among The Young Elite

Cornwall based youngster Jack Nankervis produced a stunning performance to claim his maiden JDC Foundation Tour title.

The magical weekend for the 12 year old started with a run to the quarter finals in the first event of the weekend, Tour 5.

Nankervis averaged 75.65 in dispatching Ben Gamble 3-1 followed by his highest of the competition of 76.09 in a 3-2 success over Ireland's Adam Dee, which included a crucial 15 darter.

Two further 3-1 wins allow him to progress to the quarter final where missed opportunities against Jack Johnson stalled the fledgling darter's run.

Nankervis performed admirably in to round off his Saturday; placing the Last 32 after some superb averages along the way.

A 3-0 win over Owen Anderson was polished off in remarkable legs of 19, 20 and 18 for a 79.11 average before another Irish lad, Jamie Farrell, was downed by the same score line thanks in part to a leg in 16.

Next up was Paignton Darts Academy colleague Steven Ivey who proved to a be a worthy adversary with Nankervis scraping through 3-2.

This latest run was halted in the Last 16 stage as Nankervis ran out of steam against Josh Jones who took the spot in the Last 8, 3-1.

On to Sunday and Tour 7 started with Nankervis rocketing through his first five rounds to make the semi final stage; his best average of 70.14 in that run coming in a 3-1 win over Jack Lenihan.

Nankervis would face Adam Dee for the second time in the weekend in the last four; picking up another win over his much senior opponent with a 16 dart leg in a 4-2 win.

The youngster who has not even reached his teens yet had Riley Rees Tucker standing his way of an inaugural title on the tour with both players raising their game.

Nankervis (81.44) took a nervy opener before Tucker (82.63) took a 2-1 lead with a leg in 13 that spurred the youngster into taking his next in as many darts as he has years; the 12 darter finished with a 130 out shot.

Nankervis once again hit the front in 17 before Tucker replied in 18 with a fine 112 three dart combination out to leave the score poised at 3-3.

Nankervis kicked again in one final dash towards the finish line to take the last two legs in 19 and 17 darts an claim the victory over the player that currently tops the foundation tour rankings.

Nankervis would meet the Welsh youngster, Tucker, in the Last 32 stage of Tour 8 and pushed him all the way to a 3-2 defeat with Tucker going on to lift his second title of the weekend in the final event.

This run of results leaves Nankervis nicely positioned in third place in the overall rankings with more events scheduled in April, May and June of this year.

15 year old Steven Ivey also did the South West and their academy proud with a two runs to the Last 32 allowing him to pick up some valuable ranking points along the way.

Both remarkable young men have certainly got a bright future ahead of themselves in the game of darts with their progress being followed by much of the local darting community.