It’s last chance saloon at the MODUS Super Series next week as week twelve is upon us, where the final Champions spot will be filled.

A dozen hopefuls, some more recognisable than others, will all be looking to stamp their place in the Series 14 finale, where one winner will pick up a sizeable £25k, a lovely piece of silverware and be photographed more than if they were attending a royal wedding.

As always, quite the spread of arrow-smiths. Think of the MODUS Super Series as a kind of Pick ‘n’ Mix of darts players. I am not for a second comparing anyone to a jelly worm, chocolate peanut raisin or a cola bottle. But there are quite a few flumps in action.

So, as is now Bang On Target tradition, let’s pluck a few from the squad out and have a giggle.

TED EVETTS (Group A)

Once upon a time, in a darting universe a long, long way away, Ted Evetts was touted as the ‘next big thing’ but, sadly for the Warwickshire hotshot, it didn’t pan out quite as well for him as it did for Brock Lesnar.

When the bespectacled brainiac was crowned the 2021 World Youth Champion, SuperTed was destined for stardom. However, the furthest he went was a semi-final on Players Championship duty the year later.

Ask Ted to name every single national flag from just a photo, and he will bag the lot. In general, he’s one of the smartest lads on the circuit – although that bar isn’t massively high. But in the past year, there are signs of a revival. A kind of Evetts Second Coming, if you will. Still in his late 20s, he has time on his side. Hopefully, the Southam-born arrow-smith will one day fulfil his potential. Knowing him personally, I very much hope that comes to fruition.

JARRED COLE (Group B)

Nicknamed King of the Castle, he’s now Prince of the MODUS tearoom, where his main responsibilities include brewing up, washing cars and keeping the biscuit tin stocked up. Then, now and again, he will get out his darts and have a chuck on the Super Series.

Of course, I jest. Although the bit about working at the Live Lounge was true. And for all I know, he may clean the odd vehicle and be part of the biscuit run rota. But what Jarred is, is an extremely accomplished darts player who, like Ted, still has youth on his side.

Cole, no relation to Old King Cole, which I am guessing is where his moniker originated, is only 26 years old. A mere pup in oche terms. Playing at home is usually an advantage, so let’s see if that pans out for the 2024 WDF England Classic champ. I love the bloke, and I think he has an abundance of talent – I just think it’s funnier to take the piss as we are mates. That said, I wouldn’t want to play the guy at darts for money. It would leave me broke.

KEVIN BURNESS (Group C)

And from two relative spring chickens to an aging rooster enjoying cocoa and slippers. An experienced pro who, in comparison to the pair mentioned above, is a vintage Mercedes with a little rust but still a great engine – Mr Kevin Burness.

Kev goes by the name Iron Man. I am not sure why. Probably because he looks as hard as nails and would kick the shit out of anyone who took the piss out of him in a darts write-up, so I am treading very carefully here!

Having been on the scene for a while, the 60-year-old Northern Irishman has enjoyed a few stints on the PDC Pro Tour but, like many solid players before him, wasn’t able to hang on to it, his deepest run on the Players Championship circuit only ever being the fourth round. Just goes to show how tough it is because Kev can play, I assure you.

Make no doubt about it, Burness will be a threat next week in Pompey. And I don’t mean a physical one. If time served on the oche counted for wins, the Newtownards Ace would be a danger in every tournament he competes in. In fact, that’s precisely what he is.

Phew. Managed to get through that without insulting the big fella!

I deliberately didn’t do a piece on my buddy, Andy Hamilton. We chose to do an exclusive interview instead, so he is spared on this occasion! The bearded Chris Wickenden – friend of Bang On Target – enters later in the week.

Plenty of talented tungsten chuckers on show. Should be a good ’un.

Here are the groupings for next week.

GROUP A
Ted Evetts
Alex Williams
Andy Hamilton
Mitch Minnie
Shaun Fox
Stijn Deklerck

GROUP B
Terry Nash
Scott Robertson
Jarred Cole

GROUP C
Chris Wickenden
Kevin Burness
Shane Ryan