It would prove to be repeat and not revenge Barnsley, as James Wade edged Michael Smith 8-6 in the final of Players Championship 11.

It would prove to be a much closer affair than Wade’s 8-2 rout of “Bully Boy” last weekend. This one was a nip and tuck affair, with Wade eventually taking the last two legs of the match to scoop the top prize of £10,0000.

In a field again missing several big hitters including Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, Mensur Suljovic and Gerwen Price, the ever opportunistic Wade came through to triumph.

“The Machine’s” day started with a 6-0 whitewash of Eddie Dootson with a massive 110 average, but this dropped twenty points in round two, as he overcame Joe Murnan 6-5. 6-3 wins over Vincent van Der Voort, Krzystof Ratajski, and Johnny Clayton saw Wade comfortably into the last four. A 7-5 win over the ever consistent floor player, Ian White, saw Wade into his second final in a week.

It was to be another lower quality than normal affair between Wade and Smith in the final, but it has to be remembered that the Players Championship events are a hard days work. Wade averaged just over 90 to Smith’s just over 85 to pick up the first prize.

Smith’s day started with a 6-4 win against Jamie Lewis, before edging out Alan Norris in a decider in the last 64. A 101.3 average saw off Steve Lennon 6-3, and after a last last leg wins against Peter Wright and Glen Durrant landed Smith a place in the semi finals, where Steve West was defeated 7-4.

Elsewhere

Raymond van Barneveld attempted to build on his qualification for the Austrian Open, but, after a 6-3 win against Brendan Dolan, he crashed out at the last 64 stage with a 6-2 defeat at the hands of Darren Webster,

Corey Cadby won the battle of the Kings, as he beat Mervyn King 6-4 in the opening round, before falling 6-4 to Glen Durrant.

Harry Ward was the latest to enter the nine darter club, with him achieving the feat during his 6-1 rout of William O’Connor in round one, where he averaged 106.1.

There were also solid runs for Andy Boulton, who reached the quarter finals before Ian White ended his day, and Jelle Klaasen, who also reached the last eight with a welcome return to form.

The players return for PC12 on Sunday.