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Bahrain played host to the first darts event in 2026 after the World Championship, and it wasn’t plain sailing for all the favourites in Sakhir.

The 2026 season in darts got underway in the curtain calling, Bahrain Darts Masters, at the Exhibition World Bahrain in Sakhir, where the best in the world square off against the best of Asia. Although all the big names got through, there was only one whitewash on day one in the desert, being Luke Humphries over Abdulla Saeed, and there could’ve been more for the underdogs if they had taken their chances.

THE BULLET BEGINS HIS DEFENCE

In the final game of the day, reigning champion in Bahrain, Stephen Bunting, faced Japan’s Ryusei Azemoto. After losing the first leg, The Bullet got himself into a two leg lead going into the fifth. Despite a nervy final leg with multiple match darts missed, and Azemeto managing to pinch a second leg, Bunting completed a 6-2 victory, and a clean sweep for the PDC stars.

MIGHTY MIKE GETS THE JOB DONE

Michael Van Gerwen will break the record for the most World Series Of Darts appearances next time in Saudi Arabia, he tied level on 50 with Peter Wright in Bahrain. The slow throw of Alexis Toylo wasn’t enough to throw the green machine off his game, although the Filipino gave as good as he got, a two leg lead , and a breaker throw didn’t arrive until the shot that gave the Dutchman the victory by six legs to four, including Toylo coming milimeters away from landing in the bullseye to complete a 167 checkout.

BATTLE OF THE AGES

It was quite literally one as 18-year-old, reigning two-time World Champion, Luke Littler, took on the loveable 71-year-old, Paul Lim. It went as expected with youth coming out on top by five legs. Lim did cause limbs right from the outset as he started proceedings with a 180, and checked out 74 to draw level at 1-1, which were ended by Littler’s big fish to take the second leg. From then on, it was buisness as usual for The Nuke.

LUKE KEEPS COOL

2024 World Champion, Luke Humphries, was up against Abdulla Saeed for the third consecutive time in this event. “Cool Hand” Luke first visit the third time around saw a maximum score and signaled what was to come. Despite missing the odd double, it was a whitewash for Humphries, taking his total advantage over Saed to 16-0. Saeed was denied a chance to take out a big fish, and came to within a bullseye of checking out a 161, but the third dart was way off.

THIRD TIME AROUND

In a rematch of the opening round of a first round tie in the World Championship, and the 2024 Bahrain Masters, Lourence Ilagan ran Nathan Aspinall all the way, but once more came up short against The Asp, on this occasion by another 6-4 score for the evening. In the third leg, Aspinall looked to have scuppered a 75 finish, but managed to recover, hitting the desired treble 19 and then double eight. Ilagan was unlucky to miss out on a 120 finish, missing the crucial double 20, but made good two darts later, to take the opening leg.

RESUMING NORMAL BUISNESS

Off the back of three maximum scores, and nine that were a ton or over saw Danny Noppert gain a routine victory over Baseem Mahmood, and setting up a quarter-final clash with compatriot and world cup partner, Gian Van Veen. The latter was only able to find one 180, but has nothing to be ashamed of, also finding four each of scores over 140 and 100, but in the end it was his average of 74 that was his cryptonite.

A NERVY START

The first to step up against some of the best the PDC has to offer were Motomu Sakai and Man Lok Leung. Both held their own against their opponents, Gerwyn Price and Gian Van Veen. Sakai gave The Iceman a hard time, only falling to the Welshman by two legs, losing by six legs to four, and Leung managed to finish a leg first twice against the World Championship finalist, but Van Veen found the crucial sixth leg first.

Sho-offs are back in the winning habit

SHOLING KLASS ABOVE ROBINS

For the first time since the start of November, Sholing emerged victorious at home, and in some fashion against Evesham. Two of the three goals were scored by players who have only recently signed on the dotted line.

Sholing’s Vinnie Tume continued his revolutionary start to life on the south coast by linking up with Brad Targett to threaten within seconds of the first whistle.

It was another new arrival, Michael Klass, who put Sholing ahead in just two minutes, sending his effort from outside the box, through a sea of players, and past Alex Harris, only after an initial offside call due to the deflection was overturned.

Sholing’s transfers were proven astute once more, as Tommy-Lee Higgs also got his name on the scoresheet, cutting in from the left and finding a home to give the Boatmen a 2-0 lead to take into the break.

The lead went to three ten minutes into the second half, thanks to the head of Joe Rabbets, who ran in quick to convert a cross from the other side of the pitch.

It took until the 63^rd minute for Dec McCarthy to be tested, the strike from Aaron Heap, was at a comfortable height for him to make the save.

Heap’s effort was the closest Evesham got to reclaiming some pride, and there was very little that could be taken away from a superb Sholing performance.

Speedy Alfa strikes to sink the Boatmen

ALFA-ROBINS SINK BOATMEN

Sholing suffered their first home defeat of the season against a much better Bracknell side, for whom, Ody Alfa’s goal was enough.

For the exception of a few early chances that their defences were equal to, the two keepers could’ve got a deck chair out and read a newspaper.

It remained that way until the 11^th minute, and it was Dec McCarthy in the Sholing goal that was sent sprawling, thanks to Ody Alfa finishing off a lovely drive from Giovanni McGregor, into the bottom corner.

A series of duels between Michael Folivi and the Bracknell defence then ensued, an acrobatic save from Zaki Oualah and the post kept the Robins one up, and Ethan Burden’s dignity intact, after Folivi had his way with him.

Bracknell were ready for Sholing to be quick out of the blocks for the second half, making sure chances for the Boatmen continued to be few and far between.

The away side simultaneously kept their own box clear, while making sure the other end was being constantly challenged. Only the knees of Dec McCarthy kept Seb Bowerman from doubling the lead.

The two captains, Bowerman and Jake Hesketh, got each other in the book after a tangle, as Bowerman claimed he was kicked, but it looked as though Hesketh went to swing for the ball as the Bracknell skipper sent it away.

The Robins could have easily got a late second, but their work was done.

FIVE-STAR BOATMEN OVERCOME CRUSADERS

FIVE-STAR BOATMEN OVERCOME CRUSADERS

For the second season in a row, Sholing scored at will at home against Hungerford, though they did have to take the lead back twice.

thanks to Vinny Tume being able to turn in from a tight angle, after it seemed he had done too much, Sholing took the lead 12 minutes in.

Once again, the Boatmen came up against a former friend, this time, Fabio Lopes, who got the last touch past Dec McCarthy to draw his new side level.

Folivi got his goal to take the advantage back, and into the break, but only after Jake McCarthy’s rabona put him through.

The visitors drew first blood in the second period, levelling again when Harry Williams got a foot to a cross, and the momentum of both combined was enough to beat McCarthy.

Minimal time had passed when a mistimed challenge within eighteen yards allowed Folivi to reinstate the lead once more.

Their fourth came not long after, Jake McCarthy got a goal of his own, dispossessing the back line and lobbing Hungerford keeper, Jenson Kilroy.

Diamond Edwards kept things interesting, capitalizing on indecision in the defence, and finding the roof of the net, taking the score to 4-3.

Jake McCarthy fired hard and low, getting his second to give Sholing back the lead, taking their tally to five, finally burying the visitors.

FOLIVI SAVES UNDEFEATED RUN IN HARD FOUGHT GAME

Having lost this fixture last season, Sholing took a point off Hanwell at home, with credit again going to Michael Folivi, whose 57^th minute strike kept their loss column empty.

Much to the annoyance of the Boatmen faithful, it was their goalmouth that was the busiest in the infancy. To add fuel to the fire, Gianni Critchlow, who started the season in red and white, was key.

If not for the fingertips of Craig King, Kameron English would’ve given the Geordies the lead. Moments later, Michael Folivi was denied at the other end.

Crichlow got under his old employer’s skin once more, earning former teammate, Bradley Targett, not in their first meeting of the day, a word with the referee.

Hanwell keeper, Sam Beasant, repaid his defence with several top class saves as the half ended.

The visitors went ahead mere minutes into the second period, Daniel Carr found a bit of room and sent a thunderbolt straight into the top left corner.

 Beasant tried to get Folivi cautioned, but the official made very clear to those in attendance that he felt there was no contact.

Folivi got revenge by finally breaching the Hanwell back line, sliding in the equaliser. He had two more chances in quick succession to turn the game around.

The Geordies came very close to snatching all three points at the death, after a crossbar-bound free kick, but it ended all square.

Ten-man Boatmen overcome all odds

 Despite losing a man early, Dan Mason and Reece Wylie fired Sholing to dramatic 3-2 victory over Weymouth

After huge pressure in the Weymouth box, Dan Mason capitalised on an opening in the defence which left Ben Clarke stranded and Sholing leading, 16 minutes in.

Courtesy of Harry Taylor’s sending off for a handball in the box, Jake McCarthy sent King the wrong way from twelve yards to level matters.

The pain worsened for the Boatmen as Michael Folivi, scorer of over twenty goals last season, had to leave the field for Gianni Crichlow, Sholing’s second first half change.

The momentum going into the break fell the way of the Terras, who took the lead with after Rueben Reid’s free header from inside the box found it’s way into the Sholing net.

Crichlow created all the excitement for the home fans in the early part of the second half, but the net wasn’t found.

After Weymouth had scuppered several chances to make it three, Reece Wylie took it upon himself to smash a left footed half volley into the top corner, earning his side a deserved leveller.

Sholing sensed there was another goal in the tie for them and in the absence of Folivi, Mason took the mantle and scored his second of the game, turning the game on its head with less than ten minutes to go and the points were theirs.

Available In Non League Paper

Boatmen sail on thanks to Michael

FOLIVI CAUSES ROBINS COLLAPSE

Sholing can once again thank Michael Folivi for turning the scoreline upside down to secure victory after conceding first against Bracknell.

Bracknell’s Ethan Burden had a baptism of fire for a start, first picking up a caution for a late challenge on Romeo Akinola and then failing to stop him and Billie Busari.

Spencer Spurway had a great start to the game and continued it by cutting out a certain goal after Sebastian Bowerman had rounded Patrick Nash but the Robins’ made good as Gabriel George headed home on 13 minutes from the proceeding corner.

Spurway didn’t let the fact that the visitors had taken the lead deter him, getting his elbows out, literally it seemed as Jordan Esprit took a breather beside the goal.

Darryl Harrison tangled with Reece Wylie and at the expense of a booking, Blaise Riley Snow made sure he didn’t get away with it.

The Boatmen started the second half by drawing level, once again thanks to the magic  Michael Folivi as he delivered a sublime overhead kick, peeled his shirt off and hurdled towards his bench who were out with open arms.

Sholing took over following the goal, a header from Dan Mason forced Michael Eacott to quickly dive to his right and to his credit managed to get a good hand to it.

As injury time approached, Folivi won and converted a late penalty that won the game for Sholing.

Non League Paper

KEEPER NASH IS SENT OFF AS BOATMEN STAY AFLOAT

Sholing were barely challenged in their solid 2-0 victory over Taunton, the only problem being from their own doing as keeper, Patrick Nash, didn’t see out the 90 minutes.

The Taunton goal was the first to be challenged, Jake Hesketh and Daniel Mason combining to allow Mason, while being dragged, to head just past Josh Gould’s post.

 A huge defensive blunder left Gould slightly embarrassed, it provided an open goal for Mason to score the first of the game.

Handbags were briefly thrown between Jake Hesketh and Ryan Cainey, both got their names in the book.

Michael Folivi converted a penalty late in the first period, giving Sholing a two-goal lead going into the break.

Taunton’s defensive stability didn’t improve in the infancy of the second period, Sholing had much of the attacking presence.

The linesman was having his own fun at the expense of Gould, after dismissing a claim that Folivi was within ten yards as he lined up for a goal kick, a notable smile appeared on his face.

A hitch on the home sides performance was that Sholing keeper, Patrick Nash collided with Christopher Zebroski, but because he was the last man, he was given his marching orders and Joe Rabbets was forced to fill in.

In all honesty, the red card was the most exciting part of a rather poor second half as Sholing survived the late scare and won.