KYLE MANTON sealed his maiden Junior Darts Corporation Modus UK title as he defeated Daan Bastiaansen in a thrilling final of Event Five at Riley’s Chorlton.
With three-time 2018 tour winner Brad Phillips and JDC Scholarship player Keelan Kay unable to attend the event, there were many new names looking to book their place in December’s JDC World Championships in Bristol.
Manton, 14, booked his place in Bristol with a superb string of performances to come through a field of 38 players to take the title in Manchester.
An 85 average in his opening round win over Giani van Veen got the ball rolling, before convincing victories over Troy Brown and Sean Ashburner continued his momentum.
With four players remaining in the tournament, the Kent thrower faced Nathan Care, a 14-year-old prospect who fired in a sensational 90 average earlier in the day.
The Blackburn Academy star couldn’t replicate his stunning form in the semi-final as Manton ended his hopes with a 4-2 victory.
Manton faced former JDC World Championship semi-finalist Bastiaansen in the final.
The Dutch youngster had consistently thrown 75 plus averages throughout the day, peaking in his semi-final victory over Mitchell McCarthy.
Bastiaansen took an early 2-0 advantage, only for Manton to grit his teeth and fire in a 108 checkout to turn the tie on its head.
The pair exchanged blows with Bastiaansen taking out 68 and 92 as the match went to a crucial deciding leg to take home the title and the £150 jackpot.
Three scores of 100 plus put Manton in control, before taking out double 18 at the first time of asking to seal his first JDC Tour title against his comparatively experienced opponent.
The JDC Modus UK Junior Tour will return on September 15 as the players of the future travel to Dart Locker, Exeter to compete in Event Six.
For further information about the JDC, please visit www.juniordarts.com or follow @JDCDarts on Twitter.
JDC Modus UK Tour
Event Five, Chorlton
Quarter-Finals
Daan Bastiaansen 3-0 Ross Gilder
Mitchell McCarthy 3-0 Jack Boardman
Nathan Care 3-0 James Beeton
Kyle Manton 3-2 Sean Ashburner
Semi-Finals
Daan Bastiaansen 4-2 Mitchell McCarthy
Kyle Manton 4-2 Nathan Care
Final
Kyle Manton 5-4 Daan Bastiaansen
Written by Josh Green