The WDF Europe Cup took place this weekend, and while England shone bright with four gold medals, it was the sheer excellence of Mitchell Lawrie once again on display. The 15-year-old Scot, known as Wee Sox, looks primed for the PDC next year after a sublime run to the Men's Singles title.
England were overall champions and won women's pairs gold with the team of Laura Turner and Steph Clarke stepping up to the plate, seeing off Anna Forsmark and Snezana Veljkovic 6-1. But it was Wales who won the men's pairs, with Llew Bevan and David Davies defeating Teemu Harju and Jonas Masalin 6-4. England won gold again to take the women's event for the fifth time in six Europe Cups, as Deta Hedman hit a 14-darter to seal a 9-8 final win. However, it wasn't the same in the Men's as Damien Grimes led from the front to seal a 9-2 win over England for Ireland. Ireland finished second with two gold medals, two silver and one bronze. Netherlands finished poorly with just one bronze medal, while Wales and Scotland led the way apart from the opening two.
Which brings us onto Mitchell Lawrie, who was sublime in singles. He saw off Zvonimir Lesic in the final with a 101 average, and before that hit 101 again against Anton Ostlund to win 6-0. He also saw off Gerard McGlynn 5-4, David Davies 4-1, Xavier Lobbedey 4-0, Toprak Aras 4-2 and Kilian Perales 4-0. In the final, Lawrie averaged 101.26 to Lešić's 96.52, winning 7-4. In the semi-finals, Lawrie averaged 101.33 in a 6-0 win over Östlund, who averaged 88.5, while Lešić averaged 91.97 in a 6-1 win over Denis Duh, who averaged 78.38. In the quarter-finals, Lawrie averaged 96.25 to beat Gerard McGlynn 5-4, who averaged 90.48. Östlund averaged 87.83 to beat David Písek 5-4, who averaged 86.38. Duh averaged 90.74 to beat Dominik Moravčík 5-4, who averaged 82.43. Lešić averaged 88.73 to beat Raymond Mulvey 5-4, who averaged 81.04. In the Top 16, Lawrie averaged 102 to beat David Davies 4-1, who averaged 89.48. McGlynn averaged 81.42 to beat John Michael 4-3, who averaged 84.24. Östlund averaged 91.46 to beat Jonas Graversen 4-1, who averaged 90.2. Písek averaged 81.39 to beat Jenson Walker 4-2, who averaged 85.45. Moravčík averaged 83.91 to beat Lloyd Pennell 4-2, who averaged 78.09. Duh averaged 89.73 to beat Benjamin Drue Reus 4-0, who averaged 82.67. Mulvey averaged 86.83 to beat Charalampos Lagou 4-1, who averaged 70.65. Lešić averaged 95.01 to beat Gary Surgenor 4-2, who averaged 78.13.
As well as in the overall event, Deta Hedman led from the front, having huge success in the women's tournament in what is the youngest and oldest winner in her and Lawrie ever. Hedman saw off Eve Watson 7-4, Rachna David 6-0, Gabriela Kurobasa 5-0, Rhian O'Sullivan 4-3, Susanna McGimpsey 4-2, Kiris Viinikainen 4-3 and Rebecca Allen 4-1. In the final, Hedman averaged 80.81 to Watson's 71.04, winning 7-4. In the semi-finals, Watson averaged 69.01 to beat Aurora Fochesato 6-4, who averaged 65.47, while Hedman averaged 74.53 to beat Rachna David 6-0, who averaged 57.35. In the quarter-finals, Watson averaged 70.9 to beat Marina Letica 5-4, who averaged 72.68. Fochesato averaged 70.9 to beat Jitka Císařová 5-0, who averaged 66.21. Hedman averaged 73.68 to beat Gabriela Kurobasa 5-0, who averaged 62.55. David averaged 67.75 to beat Ayşegül Karagöz 5-1, who averaged 64.01. In the Top 16, Letica averaged 60.65 to beat Laura Turner 4-2, who averaged 56.39. Watson averaged 67.31 to beat Lorraine Hyde 4-2, who averaged 66.07. Císařová averaged 52.28 to beat Kayleigh O’Neill 4-0, who averaged 51.43. Fochesato averaged 81.2 to beat Kelly Streef 4-2, who averaged 70.92. Hedman averaged 71.18 to beat Rhian O'Sullivan 4-3, who averaged 72.73. Kurobasa averaged 61.94 to beat Kyana Frauenfelder 4-2, who averaged 62.34. David averaged 74.61 to beat Sophie McKinlay 4-3, who averaged 71.49. Karagöz averaged 65.08 to beat Catalina Pasa 4-1, who averaged 61.78.
Now it is 2 x Europe Cup Women's Singles, 4 x Europe Cup Women's Pairs, 4 x Europe Cup Women's Teams, and 7 x Europe Cup Women's Overall for the iconic Lakeside champion.
