Tickets are selling fast for an exciting summer darts event at The Pyramids featuring two of the stars of this year’s hugely popular Premier League.

Michael van Gerwen and Robert Thornton, who shared a draw in a thrilling match when they met in week two of the televised tournament, are the star attractions at the Portsmouth International Masters, which takes place on 20 June.

Joining Thornton and van Gerwen, who won the sold out Untouchables events at the same venue before Christmas, will be two more high profile stars in the form of charismatic duo Paul Nicholson and Ted Hankey.

Local professionals Andy Jenkins and Les Wallace will complete the line-up for what is set to be another fantastic night of top quality darts.

And Scotsman Thornton, the reigning UK Open Champion urged fans to make sure they don’t miss out.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to this one and I’ve heard it’s selling well so people wanting to attend should get in there quick.

“I didn’t play in the last event at the venue but have been told fantastic things from the players that did.

“It was sold-out and the crowd were fantastic by all accounts. I can wait to be part of something similar and I’ll be out to stop Michael (van Gerwen) taking the title this time!”

Tickets are still available by calling the box office on 08450 180 180 or via www.dartshop.tv or www.pyramids-live.co.uk

Premier League Darts star Simon Whitlock has announced a deal to sponsor promising 20-year-old Keegan Brown.

Brown, who started 2013 ranked 86 in the PDC Order of Merit, is to be sponsored by ‘The Wizard’ with immediate effect.

The youngster has shown flashes of his ability since winning a tour card at the 2012 Qualifying School, winning a Youth Tour event and, perhaps more impressively, reaching the semi-finals of a Pro Tour event in the last twelve months.

Whitlock, the world number five, believes that Brown has the potential to become one of the sport’s top players in years to come.

“I am delighted to be in a position to sponsor such a promising young player,” said Whitlock, the reigning European Champion.

“Keegan has huge potential and is a great lad. He was the perfect fit for what I wanted to do.

“I know how important sponsorship is for a dart player so I wanted to help out and make sure Keegan is given every chance to achieve what I know he is capable of.

“I hope that my experience can help him become a full professional and go on to fulfil his ambitions in darts.”

Brown became the youngest ever male to play county darts when he made his debut for the Isle of Wight back in 2006.

He went on to play on the BDO circuit, qualifying for the Winmau World Masters, before going on to progress from Q-School comfortably.

By Chris Murphy

Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC