Suffolk county stars JJ Wright and Nathan Potter win top darts prize at Stonham Barns Park as Lennon ‘The Force’ Wharf from Brandon debuts

Suffolk county stars JJ Wright and Nathan Potter proved to be the winners as a full entry of 160 players took to the oche at Stonham Barns Park for the second edition of Evolution Darts’ run Grand Slam Doubles event.

The winning pair, the latter known as ‘The Wizard from Beccles’, beat Cambridgeshire duo Darren Youngs and Phil Johnston Hale in the final of a competition that including past victors and PDC stars Stephen Burton and Ryan Meikle, who lost to Youngs and Hale in the semi-finals.

The event at The Barn, which had support from Target Darts and top YouTube influencer ‘The Darts Referee’ took place on November 9 with a £2,000 prize fund and drew competitors from all over the UK.

This year’s line-up also included 11-year-old champion Lennon ‘The Force’ Wharf, from Brandon, who partnered fellow Suffolk county youth player Jack Elvin.

It was a true home tournament for Lennon, whose sponsors include the leisure and holiday venue.

Lennon ‘The Force’ Wharf – the name he chose from his favourite Star Wars films – joined Target Dart’s Elite 1 team aged 10, making him their youngest ever player.

He aims to be an integral part of the JDC Foundation Tour going forwards having been playing competitive darts for a while now, breaking records as he goes and becoming the youngest ever player to represent the UK in Under-18s.

Of his first appearance in the event, he said: “I put my all into the Grand Slam Doubles tournament. It’s a tough competition for adults so Jack and I did well.

“I have been playing really well – having just hit my 600th 180 – so I feel happy with my playing form right now!”

He added: “I always enjoy my time at Stonham Barns Park. It’s an awesome darts venue. “The atmosphere is always special. It was awesome to be playing two PDC players in our group and I have gained lots of experience from the event - I can’t wait for the next big event at the venue.”

Stonham Barns Park has been hosting various darts events at The Barn and Legends Bar – named in honour of a variety of sporting legends – including famous local names from the world of darts in Soham’s Russ Bray and Ipswich-based Keith Deller.

Darren Moyes from Evolution Darts said: “This year we hit an even higher standard than before as some very serious players stepped up to the event.”