Team Mission made their mark at this year’s PDC World Cup of Darts with three players reaching the quarter-finals in Frankfurt.
Josh Rock caught the eye on his debut as he helped guide Northern Ireland to the final day of the pairs competition.
‘Rocky’ posted an individual average of 97 during the group stages, which saw him and his partner Brendan Dolan beat South Africa and Switzerland to finish top of Group B.
The recent European Tour winner shone again on Saturday night, averaging 96 and throwing four 180s as Northern Ireland knocked out the host nation Germany 8-7.
On Sunday, Rock averaged close to a 100 in his team’s quarter-final clash with England, but they fell short to the top seeds and eventual champions 8-4.
NORTHERN IRELAND WIN A THRILLER!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) June 29, 2024
What. A. Match! 💥
Josh Rock and Brendan Dolan break home hearts here in Frankfurt, edging out German duo Martin Schindler and Gabriel Clemens in a gripping last-leg decider!
📺 https://t.co/nh8y246ePn#WorldCupofDarts | R2 pic.twitter.com/T5ps7sjDSR
Michele Turetta was part of a history-making week for Italian darts as he partnered up with Massimo Dalla Rosa to take Italy to their first ever World Cup quarter-final.
The duo recorded wins over the United States and Portugal to top Group L to help Italy progress to the last 16 for the first time.
Turetta and Dalla Rosa then came through a nervy decider with former World Cup champions Australia, before being edged out in another deciding leg by Belgium in the last eight.
Oskar Lukasiak helped Sweden to reach back-to-back World Cup quarter-finals for the first time at the weekend.
Last year, Lukasiak and Dennis Nilsson had guided their country to a first ever quarter-final, and 12 months later it was Lukasiak and new partner Jeffrey de Graaf impressing in Frankfurt.
The Swedish duo dropped just one leg in group stage wins against Spain and Gibraltar, before overcoming the Czech Republic 8-6 to progress to the final day again. But their record-equalling run would end at the hands of Scotland in a deciding leg.
Madars Razma impressed in the group stages with an individual average of 99, but Latvia’s campaign ended in the group stages.
Razma and new partner Valters Melderis were beaten 4-1 by France in their opening group game, before signing off with a 4-2 victory over Denmark.
Xiaochen Zong also ensured China did not leave empty handed as they beat Guyana in their last group game on Friday.
The Chinese pairing of Zong and Chengan Liu had lost 4-0 to Austria on Thursday, but ‘The Pandaman’ left an impression on the tournament with checkouts of 135 and 104 as they defeated Guyana the following day.
BIG WIN FOR CHINA! 🇨🇳
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) June 28, 2024
China wrap up a 4-2 win over Guyana and Xiaochen Zong leads the celebrations!
📺 https://t.co/nh8y246ePn#WorldCupofDarts | Group F pic.twitter.com/UcJXiroltV
Thomas Banks has moved to the top of the ADC Championship Tour rankings after winning Event 10 at Bradmoor Farm on Saturday.
The 17-year-old defeated James Richardson 5-4 in the final to win the £1,000 title, which helped him move to the summit with four events to go.
‘The Bulldog’ started the four-event weekend with a run to the semi-finals of Event 9, whilst Cam Crabtree enjoyed a run to the last eight in the opening tournament.
Crabtree made another pair of quarter-finals in Events 10 and 11, and Joe Croft reached the last four of Event 10.
The season concludes with Events 13-16 at Bradmoor Farm on August 3-4.
‘Bulldog’ Banks is victorious in Winmau Championship Tour 1️⃣0️⃣
— ADC - Amateur Darts Circuit (@dartscircuit) June 29, 2024
The youngster overcame James Richardson in a last leg decider to take home the £1000 first prize.
Stats 📲 https://t.co/DQUymSxo6n pic.twitter.com/xm7eKvj32w
Over in India, Aryaveer Chokhani added to his haul of titles with a victory in Stage 13 of the West Bengal State Championship.
The 14-year-old whitewashed Shourrya Bhalotia 4-0 in the final with an 83 average, as he followed up his triumphs in Stages 11 and 12 with another title.