RISING darts star Kirk Shepherd, from Ramsgate, picked up two silver medals playing for England in the European Junior Championships in Folkestone.

The 16-year-old was part of a six-strong mixed team for the under-18 event at the Hotel Burstin and helped them to second spot in both the boys’ event and overall.

Shepherd, who has recently left the Hereson School, was England’s leading male player in the tournament, winning 14 of his 17 matches over the three days. He recorded four maximum 180s and a 128 checkout (treble 20, 18, bullseye) to give England the decisive game in a 9-8 win over Belgium.

Shepherd said he throughly enjoyed the tournament, the largest he has so far competed in. Thirteen countries took part with the Dutch dominating.

Shepherd said: “It was by far the hardest competition I’ve been in, but I enjoyed every minute of it.”