Darts set for a thrilling new season
A record 30 teams will compete across three divisions, the first time the league has run with this structure in many years. With a huge influx of young players and the return of familiar faces, we are set for a thrilling 2025/26 campaign.
The season will officially get underway with the Keith Gamble Trophy on Friday, October 10, a charity match that has become a tradition in honour of one of the league’s most dedicated figures.
The league season proper begins on Friday, October 17th, with teams across all three divisions looking to get off to a fast start.
Division One
The top division looks fiercely competitive once again, with reigning champions Kings Head A defending their crown after an excellent 2024/25 campaign. They will once again be spearheaded by Welshpool Premier League champion Kacey Jones, alongside last year’s Player of the Year Dave Rix, as well as the experience of a side that has proven time and again that they know how to win.
Green Dragon A, champions in 2023/24 and last year’s runners-up, will be determined to reclaim their title. Under the leadership of league chairman Shaun Humphries, and with the talent of former Welsh international Mitch Butler and his son, current youth international Rhys Butler, they are a side to fear.
Compass A, third last season, are another side expected to be in the mix. With the impressive Dan Hosiene and reigning Welshpool Under-25 champion Cam Williams, they have the firepower to compete with anyone.
Westwood B, fourth last season and Langford Cup winners, continue to build momentum. They are once again led by Carl Dockerty, and also welcome back former captain and league legend Graham Lewis. With last season’s GWS Contractors Singles Champion Jordan Harding also in their ranks, they have the depth and experience to target silverware again.
Westwood A remain one of the senior sides of the league, packed with experience and known for their consistency over many years. They are the elder statesmen of Division 1, with countless seasons under their belts, and will once again rely on that know-how to guide them through.
However, they face the new season without Gareth Ashley, who has joined The Pheasant, and
replacing his scoring power will be a challenge. That said, their strength has always been in their unity and steady performances, making them a team no one can afford to underestimate.
The Punchbowl return under new captain and former Welsh youth international Liam Astley. After finishing sixth last year, they will be looking for a much stronger showing this season.
Red Lion A, stalwarts of Division One, enter as the reigning Will Nunns Consolation Cup champions, and will once they again bring resilience and experience.
The Oak survived by the skin of their teeth via the relegation play-off, and they will be desperate to prove they belong at the top level.
New boys Owl & Pussycat A step into Division One for the first time, having won Division 2 last season. With standout players like Mat Knight and Joe Jones, they could be dark horses, though it will be interesting to see how they cope after losing some talent to their newly formed B team in Division Three.
Finally, The Pheasant, runners-up in Division Two last season, look stronger than ever. With
three-time league singles champion Gareth Ashley and last year’s Division Two Player of the Year Richard Jenkins in their ranks, they will be looking to make a statement at the top table.
Division Two
Division 2 looks just as competitive, with a mix of relegated sides, established clubs, and
up-and-coming teams all vying for glory.
Green Dragon C dropped from Division One after losing to The Oak in the relegation play-off. Captain Gethin Stephens will look to rally his side, though they begin life without brothers Dave and Roger Knight, who have moved on. Reinforcements come in the form of landlord Jake Evans and his summer league squad, which should help steady the ship.
Grapes A, also relegated, endured a miserable campaign last season but are a much better side than they showed. Expect them to be pushing hard for a quick return to the top flight.
Powis Arms A, third last year and runners-up in the Consolation Cup, are an exciting young team led by captain and landlord, Harry Jones. Their enthusiasm, summed up by their motto “Powis all over the world”, could make them serious contenders.
Kings Head B impressed in their debut season, finishing fourth, and with rising star Alex Howard leading the charge, they could go even further this year.
Black Lion A, fifth last season, were dangerous but inconsistent. With Dan Morgan – last year’s Division Two Player of the Year and Welshpool Premier League semi-finalist – they have the talent to challenge. Known for their lively following and strong social media presence, the Black Lion will once again bring colour to Division Two.
Castle A, sixth last year, enjoyed their best finish in years and look resurgent after an excellent summer league campaign. They could spring a few surprises.
Grapes B, seventh last season, will again be led by Rob Jones, last year’s Division Two Player of the Year, and will aim to push on.
Angel A – or the “Angel Arrows” as they style themselves – finished eighth but have promising talents in Jack Pryce and Ben McNicholas who could fire them up the table.
Red Lion Misfits, ninth last season, are known for their big squad, big crowds, and big fun – they’ll once again bring plenty of character to the league.
The Lion Caerhowel, who finished bottom last season, are determined to bounce back stronger this year. With a refreshed outlook and a point to prove, they’ll be eager to turn narrow defeats into wins and show they can compete in Division Two.
Division Three
For the first time in decades, the league will run with three divisions, boosted by the addition of 10 new teams. With so many unknowns and fresh squads, Division Three is wide open and almost impossible to predict.
In an unpredictable division, The Talbot are being tipped as early favourites. Former Pheasant captain Rob Finney and teammate Matt Austin have moved up Welshpool High Street to form a new side at the pub. Both were part of last year’s Division Two promotion-winning campaign with the Pheasant, bringing valuable experience. The Talbot itself has a rich history in the league but has not fielded a side since before Covid. Its return is a welcome one, and with strong players leading the charge, they could well be the team to beat in Division Three.
Powis Arms B come straight out of the summer league setup. Young, enthusiastic, and full of energy, this team represents the next wave of local darts talent. They might lack the experience of some of their rivals, but their hunger and ambition could make them one of the surprise packages.
Like all sides in Division Three, Grapes D are new to the league this season. They arrive with plenty of enthusiasm but limited experience. The only player with notable league pedigree is Gwyn Jones, who will be relied upon to guide the team through their debut campaign. One thing is for sure though – if they don’t win the darts, they’ll win the drinking. An early-season derby against Grapes C is sure to be a lively occasion.
Grapes C are another unknown quantity, led by summer league organiser Colin Quinn. With a big pool of players available at the Grapes, it’s hard to know exactly who will be fielded week to week.
That unpredictability could work to their advantage, though, and they’ll certainly be a team to keep an eye on.
The Horseshoe step up from their own summer house league, bringing fresh energy into Division Three. A pub without a team in the league in recent memory, their return is a real feel-good story and excitement is high around their debut. While they may lack league experience, they’ll be eager to make their mark.
Angel B showed decent form in the summer league and step into Division Three as genuine ones to watch. With no established teams in the division, it’s a level playing field, and their summer momentum could see them hit the ground running. If they do, Angel B could quickly become one of the frontrunners in the race for promotion.
Compass B follow a similar story, stepping into Division Three straight from the summer league. They’ll bring plenty of enthusiasm and will always make sure there’s good fun to be had, win or lose. While consistency will be key, they could prove tricky opponents and will no doubt add plenty of character to the division.
Owl & Pussycat B are led by George Price and Jacob Schofield, both of whom were part of last season’s league-winning Owl A team in Division Two. That championship experience gives them a strong foundation in Division Three, and with momentum behind them, they’ll be aiming to follow in the footsteps of their A team.
The Breidden are one of the youngest sides in the division, with little league experience to their name. They made their first steps in the summer league where they found the going tough, and for many – if not all – of the squad, this will be their first winter league season. While results may take time to come, the experience gained will be invaluable, and they’ll be eager to improve as the campaign progresses.
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