A Year on the Circuit for ‘Action’ and ‘The Poolie’
Words by Ross Guy
The top two men in this year’s ADC rankings were Matt Jackson and Adam Atkinson. As a result of their performances and finishing in the top two, the ADC are funding their trip to PDC Qualifying School as they both hope to claim a golden ticket to the professional ranks of darts. As well as this, Adam and Matt were able to gain the vital experience of playing in the MODUS Super Series and they both portrayed themselves excellently.
Throughout the year Matt has competed in various competitions and has had relatively good success. The place where Jackson had the most success was at Bar501 in Bristol, claiming 14 wins over the year in Round Robin competitions. The winning spree began on February 24th when he defeated Steve Brown 4-1 in a brilliantly contested final averaging 98.51. The 14th win at Bar501 this year came on November 3rd when Action eased to victory over Ricky Palmer winning 4-0 with an average of 96.97.
Jackson also won the 2022 South West Open 1 title. Matt averaged 88.17 over the whole tournament and defeated PDC Tour Card holder Danny Baggish in the semi-final 5-4 before getting the better of Steve Brown in the final, winning 5-4. Next up for the ADC’s number 1 was a 48-man Round Robin at Highbridge Social Club and the exceptional form would continue as he defeated Mervyn Adams in the final 4-1.
Four months into the year and Matt just couldn’t stop winning. The Mecca Gloucester open was next on his list of victories in 2022 as he defeated Graham Hall in a thrilling last leg decider to claim the title and a win of 6-5. Jackson averaged 80.66 over the course of the day and weighed in with sixteen 180s. Moving on to a competition in Coventry at the Old Ball Hotel, Matt aimed to be triumphant in this Grand Slam of Darts style format. Jackson easily navigated his way through the groups and then the early knockout rounds before defeating Dick Arnold 4-0 in the final with an average of 88.41. As well as this, Matt also went on to win again at the Old Ball Hotel in July when he defeated Mark Carter 5-0 in the final. Matt then went on to win in Wallasey at the Royal Oak Grand Slam of Darts as he defeated Robbie Ward in the final 5-4. A couple days later Matt would return to Highbridge Social Club and leave a winner again. Action got the better of David Williams in the final, winning 4-1.
In August Matt started off with a win in the Grand Prix event at Highbridge Social Club. Averaging 80.10 over the day, Jackson went on to defeat Mervyn Adams in the final 4-1 with an average of 83.60. Later in August Matt returned to Highbridge Social Club for the Grand Prix Final Night which he also won. The ADC number 1 was exceptional as he averaged 89.89 throughout the night. Matt defeated Ricky Harding in the semi final 5-1 with a mesmerising average of 101.08 before seeing off Darren Davies in the final without dropping a leg, winning 5-0 with an average of 93.94.
Moving onto ADC number 2 Adam Atkinson, who got his first recorded win of the year in a competition at the Knack in County Durham. Atkinson averaged 83.58 overall on the night as he defeated Tony Proctor in the final 5-2.
Arguably the biggest win of Adam’s career would come at the Rainton Meadows Arena in Tyne and Wear, when he was victorious in the ADC Championship Tour 1 event. This win would effectively put Adam’s name on the map as he was excellent all day averaging 85.55 throughout. Facing off against fellow North East man Tony Wood in the final, Adam proved to be too hot to handle as he raced to a 6-4 victory and the right to be crowned the first ever winner of an ADC Championship Event.
The Poolie then went on to win again in The Knack Ranking Series Event 2. Adam averaged an astounding 89.70 for the day and he averaged 94.16 in the final as he defeated Ray Marshall 5-3. The man from Hartlepool was proving relentless as he just could not stop winning. Next up was a competition at Washington in the Winmau Sky Lounge Ranking Series Event 4. Again, the same result as Adam was unstoppable throughout the day averaging 86.45 and weighing in with ten 180s. Atkinson defeated Shaun Matthews in the final 5-1.
Consett Station club awaited next for Adam, and he would face off against Tony Wood again in the final of this knockout competition. The ADC number 2 managed to pull through a last leg decider to take the win by 4 legs to 3. A week later Adam returned to Consett and again no one could stop him. Atkinson was brilliant all night, only dropping two legs on his way to the final where he defeated Ray Marshall 4-1.
August was soon upon Adam, and he still couldn’t stop winning. This time it was at The Turbinia Open in County Durham. The Poolie averaged 96.07 in the final as he defeated Jack Bell 4-2. Adam averaged 90.91 throughout the day and hit nine 180s.
The ADC Championship Tour 7 was soon upon us, and Adam brought his form from the North East down to Bristol as he brushed aside everyone in his way with ease. Atkinson superbly dismantled Adam Smith-Neale in the final 6-1 with an average of 103.43 to claim another ADC Championship Tour Title. Moving on and back to Teeside for Adam where the wins would follow as he was crowned champion of the North Ormesby Open. Atkinson defeated Adam Warner in the final 5-1 with an average of 101.63.
Everyone within the ADC would like to congratulate Matt and Adam on a brilliant season within the ADC. We would also like to wish them the best of luck for the beginning of 2023 as they embark on their Q School journey.