The Tendring Darts Masters turned out to be a thrilling affair with former Essex County Player Michael Wiles reigning supreme.

Held at the Thorpe le-Soken Sports and Social Club, the event had 77 participants vying for victory.

The events saw Wiles, who hails from Witham, deliver a sterling performance, defeating Tony Osborne of Brightlingsea 3-1 in the final.

Wiles is no stranger to victories in the darts circuit, having had an illustrious career which boasts triumphs in the 2012 and 2013 Essex Open competitions and multiple qualifications for the Winmau World Masters.

Osborne, the Essex County Player Manager, had shown himself to be a formidable competitor leading up to the final.

He clawed his way there from Group 2 by prevailing over Paul Williams, a qualifier 1 finalist and Suffolk County 'A' player in the Quarter Finals.

Joining the fray alongside Wiles and Osborne was Paul Hawkins of St Osyth who emerged victorious in Group 1, overcoming former Essex County player Paul Walker in the quarter-finals.

Andrew Currivan of Walton, too, had a commendable run as he advanced to the semi-finals in Group 3 after defeating Essex County player Danny McIntyre.

However, the narrative which unfolded in Group 4 was captivating.

Wiles displayed his dominance by defeating Clacton's Mark Barnes in the quarter-finals, paving his way to ultimate victory.

Among the impressive line-up of players was an enduring figure, Ken Russell, an 81-year-old veteran of the darting scene.

His presence added a touch of history and nostalgia to the event.

Russell, the former BDO Gold Cup Pairs champion and Polski Pairs winner with Dave Lee, brought enduring passion and skill to the tournament.

However, standing out wasn't only about the one-on-one matches; Russell's team contributions have been commendable too.

As a former player for Essex, London, and Hertfordshire Counties, he has positively contributed to the sport he clearly still loves.

Marcus Smith served as MC for the semi-finals and final, while Kevin Harvey chalked the matches.

Capturing the energy of the event through his lens was Lloyd Smith of L&L Photography.

Without a doubt, Tendring Darts Masters Qualifier 2 was a testament to the inclusive nature of darts, bringing together players of all ages in a high-stakes, high-passion tournament.