Darts - World class players set to play exhibition in Thurso on Friday night
THREE world class darts players are heading to Thurso on Friday for what is believed to be the first exhibition event of its kind in the town in over 20 years.
Two-time world champion Adrian Lewis, along with world number seven Chris Dobey and world number 24 Joe Cullen will be playing at The Royal British Legion on Friday.
The event is already sold out as darts fans will have the opportunity to see the players in action against some talent based in Caithness.
There will be 30 legs of darts, with each player playing 10 legs between each other on the night. A total of 27 players from Caithness will have the opportunity to bid to play three legs against the professionals during the evening. The professionals will also play legs between each other.
Thurso Royal British Legion sports convener John Bain says it is a major coup to attract three world class players to compete at the exhibition.
He said it is a long time since the town hosted such a major darts event and says the fact it has sold out shows the popularity of the sport in the town.
Bain said: “I don’t think there has been a darts exhibition of this kind in Thurso in over 20 years.
“The last time something like this happened was when Bobby George came up for an exhibition.
“There have been darts exhibitions in Wick and John O’Groats in recent years where world class players have attended, but this is the first time in Thurso in over 20 years.
“It is great to have someone like Adrian Lewis in attendance as he has been PDC world champion twice. Chris Dobey won the World Masters in 2023 and Joe Cullen won the World Masters in 2022.
“There is a lot of interest in these three players and it is great that it is already sold out with 230 people set to be in attendance.”
Promising young players from Thurso Youth Darts have also been given the opportunity to meet the players before the event on Friday night.
Thanks to the popularity of current world champion Luke Litter, who is only 18, the sport has seen a massive surge in popularity among youngsters.
Bain says that includes youngsters in Thurso who are keen to step up to the oche.
He said: “There used to be a darts league in Thurso, but that disbanded over 15 years ago. There are two teams from Thurso who play in the Wick and District Darts League.
“Darts is really popular with youngsters, especially with the success of world champion Luke Litter.
“We refurbished the Peedie Bar at Legion and converted that into a darts room. We have three darts board for anyone to use it. We have a lot of youngsters coming in to practice as darts is so popular.”