AN amateur darts fanatic from Mottingham has moved a step closer to a dream game against Phil Taylor after beating hundreds of amateurs to qualify for one of the most prestigious televised tournaments of the year.

Thomas Sandwell, 31, stepped to the oche at a nationwide qualifying event for the Speedy Services UK Open in Dartford and hit the target in style to progress to the Reebok Stadium in June.

The Mottingham man’s success means he could now play the world’s biggest stars live on television in the tournament known as the FA Cup of darts.

Sandwell joined hundreds of other hopefuls with 15 darts at the board, hoping to score enough points to put him in a one-off 701 play leg for qualification.

He said: “I was so nervous up there, but it was all worthwhile.

“This is the biggest thing I have ever achieved and I couldn’t be more proud.

“I really can’t wait to be on the biggest stage.

“If I could draw a top 32 player I would be thrilled to bits.”

Speedy enlisted the help of 2008 world champion Mark Webster to offer expert advice and he was extremely impressed with the quality on show.

He said: “Thomas was brilliant.

“You could see what it meant to him and it was great to see his face when he hit the winning double.”

Speedy’s group marketing director Steve McIntyre added: “Last year’s qualifiers were really impressive in terms of quality, but we have already seen a higher standard in this one alone.

“We don’t want to tempt fate, but we think that Thomas might just cause an upset come the UK Open in Bolton.”

For more information about Speedy and its remaining qualifiers, visit sports.speedyservices.com

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