A former player in the Cardigan & District Darts League is being noticed in the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) and could have a bright future ahead of him.

Justin Smith of Cilgerran, aged 22, is in his first season on the PDC Development Tour and qualified for the recent Ladbrokes UK Championship.

The prolific scorer excelled in the UK – his first taste of a major tournament – when throwing excellent darts to spring a 6-3 win; over Andy Jenkins of Cosham in Hampshire.

He also performed with distinction in round two where he put up a fight before losing 6-5 against 35-year-old Wesley Harms of the Netherlands.

The affable Smith’s aim this year is to win a PDC tour card, enabling him to participate in all Players Championships, UK Open Qualifiers and European Tour events. A tour card is valid for two years.

After just missing out last time he will compete in the next PDC qualifying school and hopes to be one of those to win a card and play on the circuit.

Smith competes locally in the weekly Cardigan RFC Super League featuring many top players in west Wales and also PDC star Jamie Lewis.

As darts players throughout the country are left kicking their heels due to the coronavirus Smith is keeping up the practice sessions in preparation for when things get back to normal.