DARTS daft David Worthington, 13, hit the bull's-eye when he beat world championship finalist Phill Nixon in a one-off challenge
Local hero Nixon, nicknamed "Ferrryhill Flyer", is the 150-1 rank outsider who nearly pulled off a shock win in last month's World Darts Championship after coming from 6-0 down in the final to eventually lose out 7-6.
To thank his North East supporters, the County Durham ace is touring workingmen's clubs taking on all-comers in exhibition matches.
But he hadn't bargained on dead-eye shot David who left the Lakeside World Championship in his wake with a display of magic darts.
In their match Nixon started on 501 and David on 301. Nixon, a 50-year-old dad-of-eight from Ferryhill, was stuck on 164 when his teenage opponent hit the decisive double 10 to claim victory.
Seaham School of Technology pupil David, who dreams of being a darts player when he grows up, was shaking with nerves when he went head-to-head with his idol.
He was one of 26 players picked from the hat to play Phill when he visited Dawdon Miners' Welfare Club this week.
David's mum Beverly, who works at the club, said: "Before they played David ran up the stairs and was shaking. I told him everyone shakes when they're nervous.
"When he won I was ecstatic for him. He loves darts."
David, from Parkside, practises on a board at his the home of his grandparents, Leslie and Gladys Wilcock, in Wynyard Street.
Mrs Wilcock, 62, and her daughter have both played for the club's women's team in the past.
David also has a board in his room and often spends the first part of his mother's shifts at the Mount Stewart Street club practising.
Mr Wilcock, 65, added: "He was over the moon. He said he was shaking at first but then he was able to beat him."
David succeeded where 16 men, eight women and two other youngsters failed, with Phill giving the women and youngsters a headstart by throwing his darts flight-first.
The sports star also signed the board used during the night, which was then raffled.
Club secretary Marion Napper said: "Phill was very friendly, a very nice man.
"He was speaking to everyone to sign autographs and it was a really good night."
Phill rose to fame after staging an amazing fightback against England captain Martin Adams in the Lakeside competition.
He had been 6-0 down, then drew level, but was pipped 7-6 for the £70,000 prize.
Sunderland Today News - Bull's-eye! David, 13, beats world darts finalist
