OWEN BATES is aiming to build on his Development Tour success in late February. 

By Phil Lanning

The Devon kid beat Charlie Manby in the final and now wants to keep delivering on the big stage. 

Bates, 22, has shown so much potential and is clearly ready to hit the big time. 

He told Weekly Dartscast: “I absolutely was over the moon with the Development Tour win. 

I think it’s been a real time coming for sure. I mean, to be quite honest, my form on the Development Tour in the past two years has been really cool. 

“It’s definitely something I’ve looked at this year in trying to approach a new mindset. 

“I think there’s a lot of opportunity this year for me on the Development Tour, especially with the top two regaining their tour, getting a tour card and a space at the World Championship. 

“I definitely think that’s something I can aim for this year. 

“I think because obviously players like myself are a bit lower down the rankings, they get a very limited chance to play on the stage. 

“And every time you play on it, you draw something from it and you win or lose. But honestly, I really enjoyed it.”

Bates also admits he loved his excursion to the PDC NEO.bet European Darts Open in Leverkusen last year - even though it ended in a big defeat. 

He added: “Definitely the highlight was getting to the last day l on Sunday. I mean, I got absolutely destroyed by Stephen Bunting.”

“He had a 117 average, but it still was like a dream come true. Almost I really felt like I was in the mix with the big players.”