Photo - Taylor Lanning
By Ryan Segal
December started with our last new product drop of 2025, as The Darts Referee’s new signature darts and case were released.
A black PVD coated barrel, with two different type of ring grip – it’s truly a dart For Every Player.
We then asked for YOUR questions, as our duke of design, Chris Woodhams, decided he wanted to share some insight with you all. More on that to come as January progresses.
All at Team Unicorn then wished Owen Bates a happy birthday, as our young starlet turned 23.
We then turned our eyes to the bright lights at the top of Harringay’s most iconic hill, as the World Darts Championship swiftly approached.
Ian White was the first to take to the stage, and despite being pinned back to 2-2 from 2-0, Diamond prevailed, whitewashing Mervyn King in the deciding set to progress.
Ross Smith departed in his opener, being defeated in a pulsating affair by one of the surprise packages of the tournament, Andreas Harrysson.
We then announced, with Premier Darts, the opportunity of a darting lifetime – to meet Gary Anderson, and receive a tour of our HQ in Nottingham.
It was then the turn of The Flying Scotsman at Ally Pally, as he faced Adam Hunt in an all Unicorn affair – and like Diamond’s game, all five sets were played, with Gary emerging victorious.
Ted Evetts then risked an aggravated murder charge, with a swift dismissal of the Ally Pally wasp in his defeat to Luke Humphries.
Darren Beveridge made a dream debut, dropping just one leg en route to crushing Dimitri Van den Bergh 3-0.
Charlie Manby recorded a debut win, and Mensur Suljovic returned to winning ways after a few years without at the Palace, beating David Cameron.
James Wade and Callan Rydz both progressed, beating Ryusei Azemoto and Patrik Kovacs respectively – before Ally Pally gained a new hero.
Motomu Sakai.
He danced. He wore a traffic cone hat for an interview, and in it said he started playing darts to woo women.
But most importantly – he won.
Owen Bates bowed out after a near perfect doubling display from Ryan Joyce, whilst Matt Dennant was beaten in a battling match against Kevin Doets.
Onto R2, and we saw the departures of Motomu Sakai and Ian White, despite top efforts from both.
Mensur was the first member of Team Unicorn to reach the post-Christmas action, beating Joe Cullen.
Ice Cold’s journey came to an end, as Madars Razma overcame him in a tight game.
He was followed out of the tournament by James Wade, who lost a tight tie to Ricky Evans.
We then took a break from the oche for another birthday – that of the incredible Gary Anderson, who turned 55.
That break didn’t last long, as Charlie Manby was back on the stage showing his class, annihilating Adam Sevada 3-0 with a minimum of fuss.
Callan Rydz, on the other hand, booked his post-Christmas date in slightly more dramatic fashion, hitting two 167 checkouts (and missing the bull for a third) against Daryl Gurney.
Gary Anderson then celebrated his first match as a 55 year old in some style, averaging 105 to send Connor Scutt packing.
Mensur then kicked things off for Team Unicorn after Christmas, losing out to Luke Littler.
Gary then got back on the stage, and he was forced into a tiebreak by Jermaine Wattimena – but a punishing 102 average with 14 x 180s meant the Scotsman found a way to progress.
He was joined by Charlie Manby, who seized some in-game initiative to storm past Ricky Evans 4-2.
Callan Rydz was to sadly depart – but a 10 darter finished on D1 was one of the more notable legs thrown in the tournament.
In the L16, The Flying Scotsman faced old rival Michael van Gerwen – And only dropped one set, smashing past the Dutchman to reach the quarter-final at the Palace.
He would end up being the last member of Team Unicorn in the competition, as Charlie Manby bowed out to Gian van Veen.
Gary overcame Justin Hood in the L8, taking out a ridiculous 161 in the final set as he won 5-2.
That set up an EIGHTH World Championship Semi-Final for the tartan spartan, but he was beaten by an inspired van Veen 3-6, despite an average of 102 and 14 x 180s.
He’s back up to World Number 6 – a position far more representative of his play over the last couple of years.
Not the biggest variety of events in a month – but that comes down to the fact it was the biggest tournament in the calendar, where every one of our featured players did us proud.
Onto January, and the excitement that awaits as 2026 gets underway.