By Tom Beresford

BOLTON darts player Scott Taylor is making a name for himself on the professional circuit.

The 24-year-old painter and decorator won his first ever PDC Challenge Tour event in May and is eighth in its order of merit

He picked up £2,000 for winning that tournament in which he whitewashed former top 50 player Arron Monk with an average of 114.32 and is now looking to earn a PDC tour card in January.

The Halliwell ace has also become one of the top players on the local circuit with a number of recent wins including the Lancashire Open and the Swinton Grand Slam of Darts and, his latest, the Leigh Grand Slam of Darts on Sunday.

It all seemed to start to click for Taylor after he won a Gain a Sponsor competition 18 months ago in which he earned sponsorship from One Eighty Darts Management, run by Daniel Lilley, who have also enabled him to enter more PDC events including European Tour qualifiers and all Challenge Tour events.

Lilley said: “Scott is very impressive in producing high averages and finishing opponents once he is a few legs in front.

"I believe he has the ability to make a big impression in the game.”

Taylor, who plays in the Astley Bridge League's A Section, had another sponsorship boost recently when darting giants Target – darts manufacturers for top stars like Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis and Dave Chisnall – offered him a deal.

Mentored by Bolton’s PDC professional Joe Murnan, Taylor Scott has became a regular on the Lancashire County scene over the last 18 months, starting in the B team and quickly progressing into a successful A team player.

Scott also plays Super League darts for Rochdale Borough, in which he recently recorded an average of 107.36 with legs of 13,15,10 and 18.