TONY Clark was disillusioned with darts following a disappointing spell in the PDC, but a spectacular nine-dart finish in a club tournament over the weekend has reignited the youngster’s passion for the sport.

The 21-year-old was playing at an open tournament at the Purton Club on Saturday when he fired nine perfect arrows against close friend Dave Gould, sending the whole club wild with a feat thought to have only been achieved in Swindon a handful of times in the last 25 years.

Gould had just taken the fifth leg of the match to lead 3-2 when Clark hammered home his first 180, and once the second set of three nestled in the 60 bed, the whole club stopped to watch.

Another treble 20 followed before a treble 19 set up the all important double 12, which he rammed home to level the match and raise the roof of the small working men’s club.

“I just went into the leg knowing that I needed to hold my throw, that was the main thing,” he said. “But then when the first 180 went in I was just focused on getting the next one.

“Once they went in a wanted another treble 20, which I hit, then I was shocked when the treble 19 went in. The whole club was watching and I just threw the last dart, and amazingly in went in the double.

“It was such a good feeling and it was the best I have felt in darts, I never thought I would throw one.”

The amazing achievement spurred Clark on to win the match 5-3, but he went out of the tournament in the next round to eventual winner Jack Tweddell, who picked up £100 prize.

Clark has been playing darts since the age of 14 and currently represents Jesters, but had let his interest levels slip since enduring an unsuccessful stint in the PDC two years ago.

The youngster failed to make much headway against the best players in the world, but could be convinced to give it another shot following his success on Saturday.

“It was hard because I didn’t do so well in the PDC but these things happen sometimes. After that I struggled to enjoy darts for 18 months of so, and I lost the passion for it,” he said.

“This just might be the thing that brings it back, and I will be entering the qualifiers for the UK Open now which start in April.”

Gould has been in and around the darts scene in Swindon for the last quarter of a century, and has never witnessed a nine darter.

“I have heard of a couple, but never seen one, so it was great to be so close to this one,” he said.

“I know Tony well so once I knew it was on I was routing for him, even though it was against me.

“The whole club starting cheering and it was a wonderful occasion, I just wish I could have ended up winning the match.”