SOUTHEND darts professional Steve Maish reached the last-16 of the John McEvoy Gold Dart Classic Players Championship in Killarney, Ireland yesterday.

The 44-year-old, nicknamed “Mr Magic”, defeated Vidal Rugales (3-0), Peter Quinn (3-0) and Kevin McDine (3-2) before coming up against world number five Terry “The Bull” Jenkins in round four.

Unfortunately for Maish, Jenkins had too much for the Essex player, romping to a 3-0 victory. Despite his defeat, Maish still picked up £300 in prize money for his efforts.

Maish went into the weekend 26th in the Players Championship Order of Merit and is still well on course to reach the inaugural Players Championship Finals, which will be played at Purfleet’s Circus Tavern in January.

Maish will be hoping to cement his place at the two Players Championship events being held in Leiden in The Netherlands this coming weekend.