PDC Q School Event
The crowd at The Moretown Belle were treated to a cracking night of darts as this year’s competition reached its climax. The semi-finals served up high-quality action, tension and the kind of drama that keeps fans on the edge of their seats.
Semi-final 1: Edgar Znutins v Tom McGhee Edgar Znutins and Tom McGhee produced a nip-and-tuck contest from the off. The first six legs all went with the throw, both players showing clinical finishing under pressure. A couple of timely breaks gave McGhee a slender cushion, but the ever-reliable Znutins kept chipping away, refusing to let the gap widen. Despite edging ever closer, Edgar couldn’t find that vital extra break. Tom, battling last-leg nerves, steadied himself when it mattered most to take the match in a tight finish. McGhee’s composure at the death proved the difference in what was a thoroughly entertaining affair.
Semi-final 2: George Whyte v Bhav Patel The second semi looked set to follow a similar script early on as George Whyte and the experienced Bhav Patel traded holds comfortably. With the score poised at 3-3, the contest shifted dramatically. George produced a nerve-less display, ramping up his scoring and finishing to run away with the next four legs. A ruthless 7-3 victory saw Whyte march into the final, having seized momentum at the crucial juncture and left Patel unable to respond.
The Final: George Whyte v Tom McGhee Expectation met execution in the final, where quality was the watchword. George Whyte impressed throughout with big finishes — notably closing legs with 155 and 167 combinations — yet McGhee refused to wilt. Tom fought back superbly to level the match and force a deciding final leg, the tension tangible as both players sought the Q School prize.
In the decider, Whyte struck early. His treble hunting was the edge on the night; he found the treble segments more often and built a lead he never surrendered. When the moment arrived, George held his nerve with three match darts and sealed the victory. The win not only earned him the title but also the coveted £500 entry into next year’s PDC qualifiers — a reward befitting a performance of real composure and class.
Summary
Venue: The MoretownBelle
Semi-final 1: Tom McGhee d. Edgar Znutins (tight, key late break)
Semi-final 2: George Whyte d. Bhav Patel 7-3 (dominant run from 3-3)
Final: George Whyte d. Tom McGhee (deciding leg; 155 and 167 finishes; three match darts to close) George Whyte’s Q School prize was earned the hard way — big scoring, big finishes and the calm to take the moments that mattered. A memorable night for players and supporters alike.
