Masters event gave Isle of Wight darts fans chance to play their heroes

World number one darts player Michael van Gerwen, Isle of Wight star Keegan Brown, World Championship semi-finalist Jamie Lewis, another Dutch ace, Vincent van der Voort, and entertaining former pro star, Wayne Mardle, played in the exhibition tournament at Newport's Medina Leisure Centre on Friday night.

Island darts fan Aidan Brooks, left, in action against Newport's pro player, Keegan Brown. 

The 1Leisure Professional Darts Masters exhibition allowed members of the audience to step up to the oche and play them.

Ian Brooks, a director of event sponsors Helping Hands Care Services, played and beat van Gerwen, and his son, Aiden, 21, played a match against Brown.

Ian Brooks, left, a co-director of event sponsors Helping Hands Care Services, with world number one darts player, Michael van Gerwen, at the 1Leisure Professional Darts Masters at Newport's Medina Leisure Centre.  

Then came the serious stuff, the Masters knock-out.

In the semi-finals, van Gerwen beat Lewis 4-2, to set up a final against fellow Dutchman van der Voort after he knocked out Brown.

Against the odds, van der Voort held off the favourite in the final to win 4-3 and take the title.

Helping Hands co-director, Vickie Pook, said: "It was a really successful night. Ian loved every minute of it. I think Michael was shocked Ian had beaten him.

"It is an event we would like to sponsor next year, but a lot of it wil depend on our discussions with the Isle of Wigth Council, should we use the same venue.

"All of our clients thoroughly enjoyed it and it was something different for the Island as well."

Brown, 26, will be playing his first round match in the PDC World Championships 2019, at Alexandra Palace, London, on Friday evening against Karel Sedlacek, of the Czech Republic.

If he wins, Keegan will face 24th seeded player Jelle Klaaasen, of the Netherlands.