Jack Nankervis highlighted the strength in depth in junior darts – as well as his own incredible talent – as he fought back from 4-1 down to beat Tergel Khurelkhuu and become the first ever Junior Power League boys’ champion.
The 14-year-old from England went into a competitive finals day hoping to land the title – but at 4-1 down in the final, against newly-crowned JDC world number one Tergel, he could have been forgiven for thinking it wasn’t going to be his day.
However, he dug deep, reeling off six legs on the spin to stun Tergel and win the title.
Tergel raced into the lead, hitting a 90 checkout to go 4-1 up before Nankervis launched his stunning comeback.
He broke back in 15 darts, then held with another 15-dart leg and 74 checkout to move within one leg. He drew level at 4-4 after breaking Tergel’s throw, then hit 162 and 100 to leave tops for the lead. Another break put him one leg away from victory – and he sealed the win with a 91 checkout.
Nankervis had earlier beaten Mitchell Lawrie 6-3 in the semi-final and Jack Johnson 5-0 in the quarters to reach the final.
He broke throw in the third leg to go 2-1 up, only for Lawrie to break straight back. But Nankervis then moved 4-2 up and kicked for victory.
His quarter-final was more straightforward, sealing his 5-0 win over Johnson with a 14-dart leg after hitting 140 and 119 to leave 32.
Tergel had looked as if he might add to his recent Advanced Tour triumph when he won a final-leg thriller against Archie Self in the quarters. Self led 4-2 at one point, hitting a 101 checkout to break throw, before Tergel rallied to reel off three straight legs.
In the semis, the Mongolian beat Ryan Branley 6-2 with finishes of 93 and 80 among his repertoire.
Earlier, Lawrie had beaten Lex Paeshuyse 5-4 in another thriller, while Branley beat Ben Townley 5-1.
RESULTS:
Final:
Jack Nankervis (Eng) 7-4 Tergel Khurelkhuu (Mng)
Semi-finals:
Jack Nankervis (Eng) 6-3 Mitchell Lawrie (Sco)
Tergel Khurelkhuu (Mng) 6-2 Ryan Branley (Eng)
Quarter-finals:
Jack Nankervis (Eng) 5-0 Jack Johnson (Eng)
Mitchell Lawrie (Sco) 5-4 Lex Paeshuyse (Bel)
Ryan Branley (Eng) 5-1 Ben Townley (Eng)
Tergel Khurelkhuu (Mng) 5-4 Archie Self (Eng)
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