Local darts player Joe Hunt struck again in Milton Keynes on Saturday, landing a second straight Winmau Challenge Tour title with a ruthless display at Arena MK.
Joe came into Event Three already in form and was pushed early, edging through a deciding-leg opener before finding his range.
A pair of mid-90s averages carried him through the middle rounds, before Hunt raised the bar again. His standout performance came against former world title finalist Andy Hamilton, brushed aside by a 5-1 scoreline as Hunt posted a superb 101 average.
The pressure increased as the latter stages arrived, but Hunt looked unfazed. He edged a tight contest, then produced a controlled quarter-final win over veteran Steve Beaton to move within 2 games of the title.
In the final, Hunt faced former World Youth Champion Arron Monk. The Islander took charge early and never let go. A clinical 14-darter sealed a 5-2 victory, his 18th win in a row and a second Challenge Tour title in as many events.
His run would finally end in the following event, but the damage had already been done. Across the weekend in Milton Keynes, Hunt set the pace, set the standard and left with silverware to show for it.
After his two Challenge Tour successes, Joe spoke exclusively to Island Echo, saying:
“I’m showing what I can do now, and to add my name to only a dozen people to go back to back titles in challenge tour is a great achievement from myself .
Article continues below this advertisement “My focus will now go on to the pro tour coming up in February in Germany and start as I left off last year.
“My aim for the year now is to finish top two on the challenge tour order of merit, which will then secure my tour card at the end of the year plus the UK Open and World Championships at Alexandra Palace in London live on Sky Sports in December.”
2026 WINMAU CHALLENGE TOUR EVENT THREE
Saturday 17th January – Arena MK, Milton Keynes
Quarter-Final: Joe Hunt 5-2 Steve Beaton
Semi-Final: Joe Hunt 5-2 Alan Norris
Final: Joe Hunt 5-2 Arron Monk
