It was a busy weekend for Team360 with several of our stars attempting to forge a path in the
national team, as well Women’s Series action in Hildesheim.
Italian talent Fochesato made an impressive run to the quarter-finals on the PDC Women’s Series.
Saturday saw defeats to two Dutchwomen, including former World Finalist Aileen De Graaf, but she
would string together three consecutive wins, including a 4-1 win over Crissy Manley.
WDF World Champion Beau Greaves would stand in the way in the quarters, and prove a step too far
for Fochesato, who hit her highest average of the weekend in a 5-1 defeat.
There were also positive results for Hannah Meek, despite suffering defeats to De Graaf in the
opening and closing events of the weekend. Event 10 would see her defeat Germany’s Laura
Frerking, before taking a leg off of Lorraine Winstanley. She would also record a victory in the next
event, defeating Monica Cleere 4-2.
Nico Bado ended the Gibraltar ranking season in second on the order of merit, behind good friend
Craig Galliano. In the final event on Sunday he would defeat former World Cup captain in a deciding
leg, but would lose out to the aforementioned Galliano in round two.
Elsewhere, a number of the team were in local or England Grand Prix competition in Tamworth.
Cayden Smith was in attendance following a stunning display at local level, smashing home 12 and
14 darters to confirm his win. Fabian Tapner was also in Warwickshire for the weekend, marking a
solid weekend with a quarter-final run.
Ryan Branley concluded weekend in style by qualifying for Team England at the EDGP. The North
East youngster squeezed through the group stage, qualifying with two wins from three matches, but
the best was still to come.
Branley would average 80 in defeating Henry Coates in the quarter-finals, and would then up his
average another ten points to oust Daniel Stephenson. He would maintain the standard for the
crucial final, as he confirmed his spot on the England team for the upcoming internationals.
Keelan Kay qualified for the renowned Champion of Champions event at the first time of asking,
winning his event at the Bluebird. There was similar success for Ireland’s Adam Dee as he overcame
a field of 50 to take the title in local competition.
Ben McCaffery paired with Irish boxing champion Stevie McKenna at a local doubles event. McKenna
was able to land a few early blows, but should probably leave the darts to the talented McCaffery!
BY JOSH GREEN
