BLAKE Carter is exactly the type of player that the INDO Players Championship was brought in to nurture.
The rising Wicklow star showed just what potential he has with a brilliant run to the final of Division C in the latest round of games last Friday night.
It's Blake's best run yet as he won five games on the trot to take on the Division C leader, Chris Menton, in the final.
He had to take out some experienced campaigners along the way, too, including Leitrim stalwart Robert Mulvey and then his own father Gary in the last 16.
His run to the final also included impressive wins over top Dublin ladies player, Celine McDonald, in the quarter finals and Chris Sweeney in the semi-finals.
However he saved his best performance for the final, itself, as he pushed Menton all the way in a game he lost 5-3.
Had it not been for the brilliant finishing of the Division C leader, who took out three large out-shots with his last dart in hand, Blake may well have been looking at winning the night outright.
He told Darts In Ireland: "I had a few chances in the final but just couldn't take them, but I was happy enough overall with how I played.
"It was good to get a good run of wins, it was better than my other times playing in the division. It gives you confidence."
Blake admitted he did feel a little nervous in the final, even if it didn't show in how well he played.
And he reckoned that it was his opponents clinical finishing that made the difference in the end.
He said: "The nerves start kicking in the final alright.
"But his finishing was excellent. He took out a 102, a 99 and a 92 with one dart at double each time. There's not a lot you can do there but it was a very close game."
Meanwhile, Blake said he was happy to have beaten his own dad in their last 16 clash.
He said: "He's only getting back into darts but it was still nice to beat him. I can hold it against him now.
"I practice a fair bit at home with him so I was confident I could win that game."
Blake is now looking to building moment in Division C after picking up an impressive 5 points on Friday night.
It pretty much guarantees that he should finish in the top 32 that will eventually play off for two coveted spots at the 2026 WDF World Masters.
He said: "I hope to get in next month and do the same. I'm very happy to be in contention."
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