LENNON Cradock is daring to dream after playing on one of the biggest stages of his career.

The teenager, from Witney, has his sights set on a professional career following an appearance at Alexandra Palace last month.

Oxfordshire county star Cradock lost to Dutch youngster Jurjen van der Velde in the final of the Junior Darts Corporation World Championship.

Played during the PDC World Championship, it proved an opportunity for the 17-year-old, who is studying for A-Levels at Wood Green School, Witney, to get a taste of the big time.

And Cradock is hoping to be a regular at the London venue in the future.

He said: “I obviously want to be professional, I would love that.

“I’ve played the youth development tour already and youth PDC.

“But I need to concentrate on school first and I will focus on trying to become a professional after that.”

Cradock reached the final after progressing through the early stages in Bristol.

He was involved in an entertaining contest with Van der Velde, but was beaten 4-2.

The opening four legs all went with the throw, before the Dutch player threw the only 180 of the contest as he broke the Cradock throw to go 3-2 up.

Van der Velde then wrapped up the sixth leg to secure victory.

Despite the defeat, Cradock, who plays for Democrats in the Cowley Workers ODDA, enjoyed the occasion.

He said: “I didn’t play my best stuff, but I was happy to get to the final.

“I went into it just trying to get out of the group stage – I felt if I could do that it would be an achievement.

“The final was an amazing experience and there’s always pressure regardless of where you play.

“There were about 200 people watching and it’s brilliant playing on a stage like that.”