Aurora Fochesato claimed WDF Europe Cup Gold in Austria as she bulldozed through an impressive
field to claim the girl’s title. The Italian star averaged 75 in defeating Jacqueline Ratsch to kick the
day off in style.
She needed a last leg decider to see of Iida Lanko of Finland in the quarter-finals before seeing off
JDC Cadet, Rebecca Allen, in the final four. Her crowning moment would come in impressive fashion
as she once again averaged above the 70 mark to take the title.
Connor Hopkins would reach the semi-finals of the boy’s event and began proceedings with a near
perfect group stage display. He won all four matches with 80 plus averages, dropping just one leg.
He then saw off two of Tukey’s finest talents before defeating Cas Maessen to reach the final. The
young Welshman would push familiar foe Thomas Banks all the into a final leg, but it would be the
former Super16 finalist who would progress. Banks would also claim the scalp of Gibralarian starlet,
Nico Bado. Group stage progression for Bado confirming success for all of our Team360 members.
There would also be a bronze medal finish in the team event for Connor Hopkins and his Welsh
teammates, including Riley Rees Tucker, as they overcame Italy in convincing fashion. RRT would go
four from four in the boy’s round robin, and reached the quarter-final in the knockout stages.
One of few players to defeat Fochesato over the weekend was fellow Team360 member, Hannah
Meek. Along with partner Paige Pauling, they defeated the Italian pairing in the girl’s pairs semifinals. They would push their Turkish opponents all the way in the final, losing out 4-2, but taking
home the silver medal.
Away from the Europe Cup, PJ Stewart took the ADO Youth title for the fourth time, and Ryan
Branley was on the winners podium once again in the North East.
BY JOSH GREEN
