A local darts team from Gloucester has proudly established themselves among the finest in the UK by making it to the quarter-finals of a prestigious nationwide competition.
Darts enthusiasts formed teams at their local Marston’s pubs across the country to compete for the coveted Cool Hand Cup. After a series of intense matches, 16 finalists gathered for the Grand Final on Friday, April 10. The Dog’s Bollogs from Wednesfield emerged victorious, claiming the title along with a £10,000 cash prize.
Representing Gloucester, the four-player squad known as the Gloucester Boys—Rich, Sam, Wayne, and Simon—earned their spot in the Grand Final by triumphing at their hometown venue, the Barn Owl pub. The team fought valiantly to reach the quarter-finals before eventually exiting the competition.
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Following the grand event, The Dog’s Bollogs were awarded the Cool Hand Cup trophy and their prize money, and enjoyed the exclusive opportunity to play against well-known darts player Luke Humphries.
Sam Price, Captain of the Gloucester Boys, reflected on the experience: “Having the chance to compete in the Grand Final of the Cool Hand Cup was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The scale and atmosphere were worlds apart from our regular local games at the Barn Owl. The set-up was impressive, and the camaraderie among the teams created an incredibly friendly and exciting environment.
“I feel a great sense of achievement from competing at this level. Meeting Luke Humphries was a highlight—he’s a genuinely gracious and wonderful person.”
John Green, Director of Operations at Marston’s, added: “Bringing the Cool Hand Cup back to over 500 pubs nationwide in partnership with Luke Humphries has been an absolute pleasure. This year, we invited teams to participate, and it’s been inspiring to see darts and pub culture bring people together with over 11,000 entrants across the UK.
“The Grand Final at The Boundary was a spectacular occasion. The crowd’s energy rivalled that of major tournaments like Ally Pally. Congratulations to The Dog’s Bollogs on their thrilling win, as well as all the other finalist teams who put on an incredible show.”