PDC UK Q-School Day One Round-up | Steve Beaton defeated by Shane McGuirk in dramatic final match encounter
PDC
The first day of UK Q-School brough the usual drama and
excitement it normally possesses. This includes the return of Steve Beaton, who
came very close to making the final stage in a last-leg decider against Shane
McGuirk.
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Beaton got a bye in the first round before defeating Mat
Caste (5-3), Tommy Morris (5-0), and Lee Evans (5-3) to set up the tie against
the 2024 BDO World Champion. McGuirk had played a game more, winning against
Michael Finch (5-2), Mike Warburton (5-4), Kevin McDine (5-3) and Justin
Bradshaw (5-3) with Beaton the next test.
It was not the highest quality affair, with both players
trying to shake one another off. It went to a last-leg decider, with automatic entry
to the final stage firmly on the line. It was McGuirk who prevailed, with
Beaton stranded on eight after missing match darts beforehand. He will have to
return along with over 400 players from today to try again tomorrow and
Wednesday to confirm their spot in the final stage commencing from Thursday.
Hughes advances, Henderson falters at the end
Former World Cup champion John Henderson was one of two
Scottish darters to reach the last-32 stage, joined by Jamie Tiley. Despite
this, they put in a poor showing, gaining just one leg between them. Tiley
would fall to Lews Pride, while Henderson was whitewashed by Jamie Chaplin.
John Henderson on stage
It was very English dominated near the end of the day, with
one of the more recognisable faces, Jamie Hughes, getting the job done. The
former European Tour winner did not drop more than three legs in any match,
getting the better of Lewis Paul in the final clash.
Former World Youth champion Arron Monk is looking to
re-claim his tour card after losing it in 2024. It was a relatively comfortable
outing for the 35-year-old, winning 5-2 against Daniel Ayres with a 94.44
average.
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It was a better showing for the Welsh than the Scottish,
with two Welshman securing spots for the final stage. They were Llew Bevan and
Derek Coulson. Joining them were Tommy Lishman, Martin Grearson, Robbie Martin,
Shaun Fox, Simon Stevenson, Tom Lonsdale, Danny Goddard, Tom Sykes, and James
Welding who will be returning on Thursday.
There were disappointing early exits for the likes of Gemma
Hayter, who missed six match darts to progress. Alan Norris, Kevin Painter,
John Part, Andy Hamilton, Richie Burnett and Mark Dudbridge. The action
continuing at the Marshall Arena tomorrow.
Last-32 results
Tommy Lishman (79.43) 5–3 (71.15) James Evans-Bradford
Martin Grearson (98.29) 5–2 (85.66) Lloyd Walker
Arron Monk (94.44) 5–2 (92.55) Daniel Ayres
Jamie Chaplin (72.96) 5–0 (73.12) John Henderson
Robbie Martin (91.65) 5–0 (84.50) Keelan Kay
Derek Coulson (83.19) 5–4 (77.81) Killian McCormack
Shaun Fox (92.23) 5–3 (90.96) Joe Croft
Simon Stevenson (98.88) 5–0 (82.00) Damien Grimes
Tom Lonsdale (87.94) 5–3 (87.99) Jake Eichen
Shane McGuirk (77.66) 5–4 (83.86) Steve Beaton
Danny Goddard (97.53) 5–1 (79.25) Charlie Large
Tom Sykes (84.89) 5–2 (87.95) Joseph Heywood
Lewis Pride (88.54) 5–1 (70.71) Jamie Tilley
Jamie Hughes (84.75) 5–2 (86.11) Paul Lewis
James Welding (88.46) 5–1 (78.18) Jamie Kelling
Llew Bevan (82.65) 5–2 (80.10) James Howard Hughes
Martin Grearson (98.29) 5–2 (85.66) Lloyd Walker
Arron Monk (94.44) 5–2 (92.55) Daniel Ayres
Jamie Chaplin (72.96) 5–0 (73.12) John Henderson
Robbie Martin (91.65) 5–0 (84.50) Keelan Kay
Derek Coulson (83.19) 5–4 (77.81) Killian McCormack
Shaun Fox (92.23) 5–3 (90.96) Joe Croft
Simon Stevenson (98.88) 5–0 (82.00) Damien Grimes
Tom Lonsdale (87.94) 5–3 (87.99) Jake Eichen
Shane McGuirk (77.66) 5–4 (83.86) Steve Beaton
Danny Goddard (97.53) 5–1 (79.25) Charlie Large
Tom Sykes (84.89) 5–2 (87.95) Joseph Heywood
Lewis Pride (88.54) 5–1 (70.71) Jamie Tilley
Jamie Hughes (84.75) 5–2 (86.11) Paul Lewis
James Welding (88.46) 5–1 (78.18) Jamie Kelling
Llew Bevan (82.65) 5–2 (80.10) James Howard Hughes
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Lucas MichaelDarts Journalist
Lucas Michael is a darts journalist and reporter based in Cambridge, UK, and has been part of the DartsNews team since 2025. He covers professional darts through reports, analysis, round-ups, and live coverage, with a focus on clear context and accurate reporting across the PDC calendar.
A key part of his work is liveblogging major tournaments throughout the year, providing real-time updates, match coverage, and contextual reporting across the professional circuit. He also reports regularly from events on site and has covered the PDC World Darts Championship from the venue, delivering first-hand insight throughout the tournament.
Within the newsroom, Lucas works closely with the editorial team and supports coverage alongside Chief Content Officer Samuel Gill and reporter Kieran Wood.
Lucas holds a BA (Hons) in Sports Journalism. In his work, he places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating content promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
- Ultimately it is a bye for whoever draws Barney. It will be another stroppy and sulky performance once he goes behind. Barney was excellent but really must completely call it a day now.richieburnettrocks07-11-2026
- I'm disappointed he was not able to secure a spot at the Grand Slam. With Carl Sneyd taking care of Daryl Gurney, he would have had to beat Andy Boulton before facing the winner of Sneyd vs Mensur Suljović for a Grand Slam spot. Unfortunately, after beating Filip Bereza comfortably, he succumbed to Boulton, and the board would ultimately be won by the highly inconsistent Carl Sneyd. Since he could instead have been drawn against the likes of Cristo Reyes, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Stephen Bunting, I think once Gurney was out of the picture he would have been favourite to win his board, and it seems like a massive missed opportunity to put 5 grand on his ranking and seal another major TV appearance ahead of the Worlds. The highs and lows of following Raymond van Barneveld!Deduce635806-11-2026
- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
- She is a professional. If darts is her income, she is a professional. Same as Adrian Lewis, Martin Adams. A tour card just means someone can play on the PDC tour. You could even make a case that Clayton wasn't a professional (until recently I believe) because he had employment elsewhere.BandB04-11-2026
- She's technically not a professional though as she doesn't hold a pro tour card.mr-pablo04-11-2026
- Such a shame that lakeside has been reduced to this. Fantastic venue,and previously a great tournament. Not any morerick6703-11-2026
- Seems to me that the top 16 players pick and choose whatever they want to play. Good,all the money will get spread out more. They get more money from exhibitions than tournaments so let them all withdrawrick6703-11-2026
- Play all legs and the winners split the pot. Luke gets the lot of he wins them all. If your occupation is darts player you can't enter, regardless of ability.BandB01-11-2026
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