MODUS has released its line-up for week eight of the current Super Series. And, as per usual, there are some pretty tasty names involved.
Among the dozen heading to the Live Lounge next week, there are a few recognisable throwers, some of whom have paddled in the PDC Pro Tour oceans on multiple occasions. Clearly hoping one day to have another dip in those waters, the MODUS Super Series is a pretty good place to learn how to become a better swimmer. Some might drown – but that’s a metaphor. Thankfully, all will leave Portsmouth alive. Just some with a few more bob than others.
Right, let’s have a look at a few of the runners and riders.
GRAHAM HALL
Not your stereotypical darts player in that he isn’t twenty stone and wouldn’t get knocked back frequently on the dance floor. That said, most arrow-smiths are punching so far above their weight, you’d fancy their chances against Tyson Fury in the ring.
This rather handsome specimen of a dart player should bring the average attractiveness among the dozen on show up a few notches. His nickname of G-Man didn’t take much imagination. Take the first letter of your name and add a gender-related noun at the end. Brilliant, Graham. Expect a call from NASA, mate. Hall has a Challenge Tour title to his name, but that was well over a decade ago now and we’ve had about forty British Prime Ministers since.
Now aged 37, the Warwickshire man has plenty more years to go and is, on his day, more than capable of strutting his stuff against the elite. After all, he did once hold a sacred PDC Tour Card. They don’t chuck them out like confetti.
DYLAN SLEVIN
Another who used to play regularly on the main PDC Tour but not anymore. Hailing from Ireland – County Tipperary to be specific – Slevin goes by the moniker of Oceans. It’s not bad, but I always thought ’00’ would have worked better. That said, anything is better than the Slevinator.
At just 23, chronology isn’t an issue for young Dylan. He has tasted success on the Development Tour before and been a PDC World Youth Championship semi-finalist. In addition, a couple of Ally Pally appearances to his name in recent years but has yet to get past the second round. Still, better than Scotland’s FIFA World Cup record, and they’ve been at it much longer. A good player who I believe will be back on the Tour very soon. Hopefully, I’ve not jinxed him, and he doesn’t start throwing like an electrocuted parrot.
RYAN BRANLEY
A young Geordie who is one of the talented youngsters from the Sportsman Management stable. Being from Newcastle and with his manager, Mac Elkin, a Brummie, the two often have to text to communicate, as neither boasts English as their mother tongue.
Branley is one tipped to go far. Having the nickname of ASBO doesn’t really fill you with confidence though. Sounds like a kid just as likely to kick your head in as beat you in a game of darts. Thankfully, that is yet to happen – the first one, I mean. Bags of talent, absolutely zero fear and youth very much on his side.
JOE HUNT
Simply put, Hunt is having a worldie of a season. Okay, so he’s not picking up PDC TV major titles, but what he is doing is collecting lots of golden eggs from lots of different baskets and cleaning up. Not private jet purchase stage but can easily afford to buy both Salad Cream and Mayonnaise should he wish.
Riding high at the top of the Challenge Tour leaderboard, largely courtesy of three titles, he’s performed as a call-up reserve on every single Pro Tour event this year. And not just that, when he’s there, he’s picking up bags of cash thanks to runs Mo Farah would be proud of. Three quarter-finals in the big-boy league for an amateur is bloody impressive. Then, just for good measure, when he can find the time, he’s heading down to Portsmouth too. I’d suspect most down at the Live Lounge are hoping he simply pisses off and is content with what he’s doing.
At this rate, he will be ending the year making more money than most of the lads WITH Tour Cards. If Joe works full-time right now and I was playing like him, I’d be ringing my boss and either asking for a massive pay rise or knobbing the job off.
As always, quality galore with some of the finest non-pro players on show. Only one can make it to Champions Week. The smart money is on Hunt, but you never know.
