The 21-year-old from St Helens had won a UK Open Qualifier last February in Barnsley, and picked up the £6,000 first prize from the second PDC ProTour event of 2012.

Having missed double 12 for a nine-dart finish during a defeat to Pipe during Saturday’s Players Championship, Smith gained revenge against the Taunton ace with a 6-3 win in Sunday’s decider at Benidorm’s Melia Hotel.

After edging two of the first three legs in the final, Smith secured the first break of throw with a brilliant fourth leg, hitting a 180 and taking out a 130 checkout on double five.

Tops in the next moved him into a 4-1 lead before Pipe finished double ten and landed a 180 and a 121 checkout to pull back to within a leg.

Pipe, though, crucially missed a dart at double 18 to level as Smith held his nerve on double ten to lead 5-3, and he posted double four to secure the victory.

Smith had started the day with wins over Jose Luis Torres and Magnus Caris before seeing off Paul Nicholson, Peter Wright and St Helens rival Dave Chisnall to reach the semi-finals.

World number three James Wade hit a 161 finish in taking a 3-2 lead, but Smith hit back to win four of the next five and move into the final.

The youngster – who lost 3-0 to Co Stompe on his World Championship debut in December – broke down in tears after the final as he celebrated a triumph which puts him in pole position to qualify for a return to Alexandra Palace as well as the year’s other majors.

“It means so much for me to win this,” said Smith, who is nicknamed “Bully Boy”.

“I was so disappointed after the World Championship that I didn’t want to pick up my darts again, but my Dad made me watch the game four or five times and after a week off I got back on the board.

“I’ve come into this year with the hunger to show people what I can do instead of what they saw in the World Championship, because I missed too many doubles at Ally Pally and Co punished me.

“I’ve got a diary at home which has my goals for the year; to hit a nine-darter, to win a ProTour event and get into the top 40 in the world, so I’ve ticked one of those off already.

“It’s the second PDC tournament I’ve won and undoubtedly the most important I’ve ever won, and it’s hard to describe how I feel – I’m over the moon.

“I came close to a nine-darter on Saturday but that’s only one leg, it’s winning matches that gets you championships and I’ve managed to do that. Justin beat me 6-3 yesterday so it’s nice to get the payback against him today.”

Pipe had defeated Paul Nicholson in Saturday’s final, and his wins on Sunday included a second of the weekend over Mark Webster, defeats of new Tour Card holders John Bowles and Ross Smith, a 6-4 defeat of Andy Hamilton and a narrow 6-5 semi-final win over Matt Clark, where he hit a 14-dart finish to edge victory.

Clark won through to the semis only a week after having to compete in Qualifying School to retain his Tour Card, showing his quality with fine wins over Jelle Klaasen, Tony West, John Part, Mensur Suljovic and Kim Huybrechts in earning £2,000 prize money.

World number three Wade was the other semi-finalist, having come close to repeating the performance which saw him take victory in Benidorm last October.

The left-hander followed up a win over McCoy’s Premier League Darts new-boy Kevin Painter by whitewashing Holland’s Toon Greebe and coming from 5-3 down to win his quarter-final with Alex Roy.

Roy had also lost out to Wade in Saturday’s event, in the Last 32, but defeated Mervyn King and Vincent van der Voort on his way to the quarter-finals of a Players Championship for the first time since 2008.

World Championship quarter-finalist Kim Huybrechts continued his good form by reaching the Last Eight in Spain alongside Dave Chisnall and newcomer Ross Smith, who was another of last week’s Tour Card winners.

Former Lakeside Championship finalist Dean Winstanley reached the Last 16 in only his second Players Championship event, defeating fellow newcomer Ted Hankey 6-1 in Sunday’s preliminary round and also seeing off Terry Temple, Wayne Jones and Simon Whitlock before losing to Chisnall.

Spanish Darts Classic Players Championship (PC2, Sunday)
Preliminary Round
Brendan Dolan 6-1 Bernd Schmidt
Darren Johnson 6-5 Gino Vos
Tomas Cristobal 6-3 Jacinto Nieto
Adrian Gray 6-3 Eric Basullas
Kim Huybrechts 6-0 Chris Aubrey
Darren Whittingham 6-4 Juan Carlos Albaladejo
Jose Garcia Ruiz 6-3 Jerry Hendriks
Kirk Shepherd 6-5 Brian Woods
Dean Winstanley 6-1 Ted Hankey
Sam Hill 6-5 Rudy Van der Zande
Sergio Garcia 6-5 Eduardo Sales Lopez
Steve Evans 6-1 Antonio Alcinas

First Round
Justin Pipe (1) 6-1 Jesus Noguera
John Bowles 6-2 Armando Jesus Frias
Andy Hamilton (32) 6-1 Paul Rowley
Matthew Edgar 6-2 Bernd Roith
Mark Webster (16) 6-4 James Richardson
Dyson Parody 6-1 Manolo Vilerio
Jamie Lewis 6-2 Denis Ovens (17)
Brendan Dolan 6-4 Boris Krcmar
Mark Walsh (8) 6-0 Guillermo Corella
Michael Mansell 6-1 Dave Smith
Colin Lloyd (25) 6-2 Devon Petersen
Darren Johnson 6-4 Joe Murnan
Ross Smith 6-4 Jamie Caven (9)
Darren Webster 6-1 Nick Fullwell
Kevin Munch 6-5 Alan Tabern (24)
Mick Todd 6-1 Tomas Cristobal
Ronnie Baxter (5) 6-1 Jose Antonio Alvarez
Steve Grubb 6-3 Chris Mason
Raymond van Barneveld (28) 6-0 Mark Stephenson
Adrian Gray 6-3 Prakash Jiwa
Steve Brown (12) 6-2 Justin Broton
Adam Smith-Neale 6-1 Steve Maish
Mark Hylton (21) 6-2 Martin Marti
Kim Huybrechts 6-1 Joe Cullen
John Part (4) 6-3 James Hubbard
Manuel Fernandez Josende 6-2 Simon Barker-Davies
Tony West 6-3 Co Stompe (29)
Matt Clark 6-2 Jelle Klaasen
Colin Osborne (13) 6-5 Steve Hine
John Henderson 6-3 Toni Munoz
Andy Smith (20) 6-1 Jesus Sanchez
Mensur Suljovic 6-3 Darren Whittingham
Paul Nicholson (2) 6-5 Antonio Jiminez
Barrie Bates 6-1 Paul Barham
Michael Smith (31) 6-2 Jose Luis Torres
Magnus Caris 6-1 Diego Rufo
Peter Wright (15) 6-4 Reece Robinson
Jose Antonio Justicia 6-0 Wolfgang Manzl
Steve Beaton (18) 6-0 David Jiminez
Keith Stephen 6-1 Jose Garcia Ruiz
Dave Chisnall (7) 6-5 Kevin McDine
Peter Manley 6-3 Simon Craven
Richie Burnett (26) 6-1 Nigel Heydon
Kirk Shepherd 6-4 Christian Kallinger
Simon Whitlock (10) 6-4 Peter Hudson
Arron Monk 6-1 Chris Thompson
Wayne Jones (23) 6-1 Stefanie Luck
Dean Winstanley 6-4 Terry Temple
Vincent van der Voort (6) 6-4 Jyhan Artut
Michael Barnard 6-1 Jon Archer
Terry Jenkins (27) 6-3 Roland Scholten
Ian White 6-2 Sam Hill
Alex Roy 6-5 Mervyn King (11)
Jose de Sousa 6-4 Mark Dudbridge
Scott Rand (22) 6-1 Kurt Van De Rijck
Shaun Griffiths 6-2 Sergio Garcia
Wes Newton (3) 6-2 Dennis Smith
William O’Connor 6-2 Jose Luis Rodriguez
Michael van Gerwen (30) 6-3 Carlos Rodriguez
Toon Greebe 6-0 Ignacio Basullas
James Wade (14) 6-3 Julio Barbero
Carlos Jiminez 6-0 Jesus Gonzalez
Kevin Painter (19) 6-3 Dylan Duo
Mareno Michels 6-5 Steve Evans

Second Round
Justin Pipe 6-4 John Bowles
Andy Hamilton 6-2 Matthew Edgar
Mark Webster 6-2 Dyson Parody
Brendan Dolan 6-4 Jamie Lewis
Mark Walsh 6-4 Michael Mansell
Darren Johnson 6-3 Colin Lloyd
Ross Smith 6-4 Darren Webster
Kevin Munch 6-0 Mick Todd
Ronnie Baxter 6-0 Steve Grubb
Raymond van Barneveld 6-4 Adrian Gray
Steve Brown 6-2 Adam Smith-Neale
Kim Huybrechts 6-3 Mark Hylton
John Part 6-0 Manuel Fernandez Josende
Matt Clark 6-2 Tony West
Colin Osborne 6-5 John Henderson
Mensur Suljovic 6-3 Andy Smith
Paul Nicholson 6-3 Barrie Bates
Michael Smith 6-4 Magnus Caris
Peter Wright 6-3 Jose Antonio Justicia
Steve Beaton 6-4 Keith Stephen
Dave Chisnall 6-3 Peter Manley
Richie Burnett 6-1 Kirk Shepherd
Simon Whitlock 6-5 Arron Monk
Dean Winstanley 6-1 Wayne Jones
Vincent van der Voort 6-5 Michael Barnard
Terry Jenkins 6-3 Ian White
Alex Roy 6-0 Jose de Sousa
Shaun Griffiths 6-5 Scott Rand
Wes Newton 6-5 William O’Connor
Toon Greebe 6-5 Michael van Gerwen
James Wade 6-0 Carlos Jiminez
Kevin Painter 6-5 Mareno Michels
Losers £200

Third Round
Justin Pipe 6-4 Andy Hamilton
Mark Webster 6-3 Brendan Dolan
Darren Johnson 6-4 Mark Walsh
Ross Smith 6-4 Kevin Munch
Raymond van Barneveld 6-4 Ronnie Baxter
Kim Huybrechts 6-3 Steve Brown
Matt Clark 6-5 John Part
Mensur Suljovic 6-5 Colin Osborne
Michael Smith 6-3 Paul Nicholson
Peter Wright 6-5 Steve Beaton
Dave Chisnall 6-2 Richie Burnett
Dean Winstanley 6-4 Simon Whitlock
Vincent van der Voort 6-5 Terry Jenkins
Alex Roy 6-5 Shaun Griffiths
Toon Greebe 6-3 Wes Newton
James Wade 6-1 Kevin Painter
Losers £400

Fourth Round
Justin Pipe 6-5 Mark Webster
Ross Smith 6-3 Darren Johnson
Kim Huybrechts 6-3 Raymond van Barneveld
Matt Clark 6-5 Mensur Suljovic
Michael Smith 6-1 Peter Wright
Dave Chisnall 6-3 Dean Winstanley
Alex Roy 6-5 Vincent van der Voort
James Wade 6-0 Toon Greebe
Losers £600

Quarter-Finals
Justin Pipe 6-3 Ross Smith
Matt Clark 6-4 Kim Huybrechts
Michael Smith 6-3 Dave Chisnall
James Wade 6-5 Alex Roy
Losers £1,000

Semi-Finals
Justin Pipe 6-5 Matt Clark
Michael Smith 6-4 James Wade
Losers £2,000

Final
Michael Smith 6-3 Justin Pipe
Winner £6,000
Runner-Up £3,000

Semi-Finals
Michael Smith v James Wade
1-0 – Wade hits a 180 but Smith finishes 72 for the opening leg.
1-1 – Wade levels on double top.
2-1 – Smith posts double ten to regain the advantage.
2-2 – Smith hits 171 to leave 94, but misses tops for the finish and Wade takes out 70 on double top to level.
2-3 – Both players open with 180s, and Wade breaks with a brilliant 161 checkout.
3-3 – Smith hits a 180 in immediately breaking back.
4-3 – Smith lands another maximum, and posts double eight to regain the lead after Wade misses the bull for a 121 finish.
4-4 – Wade wins a dramatic eighth leg on double ten, having been given a reprieve for three misses at the bed in his previous visit when Smith, needing 79, missed the single 20 to leave him tops.
5-4 – Smith finishes 52 on tops to move a leg away from the final.
6-4 – Smith misses the bull for a 121 checkotu, but when Wade misses two darts at tops the youngster finishes double ten to secure his place in the final.

Justin Pipe v Matt Clark
1-0 – Pipe hits a 174 to leave 32 and lands double 16 at the first time of asking.
2-0 – Pipe opens with a 180 and finishes double 14 for a 13-dart finish.
3-0 – Pipe breaks for a second time, winning the leg in 14 darts on double 16 after hitting scores of 140, 140 and 134 in the leg.
3-1 – Clark breaks back to get off the mark, finishing 76 in two darts for a 14-dart leg.
3-2 – Pipe misses four darts to take the leg, at double six, three and one, and Clark steps in on double ten to pull back to within a leg.
4-2 – Pipe hits a 180 and posts double 18 to regain his two-leg cushion.
4-3 – Pipe misses tops to win a fifth leg, and Clark follows a 180 by finishing 56 on tops.
5-3 – Pipe lands double four to move a leg away from victory.
5-4 – Clark misses tops for a 107 finish, but Pipe misses the same bed to take the win and his opponent hits tops to stay in the contest.
5-5 – Clark hits 137 to leave 24, but misses two darts at double 12 and one at double six, before being allowed back in to hit double six and force a decider.
6-5 – Clark can only open with a 22 score, and Pipe hits two 140s to be first to a finish, as he takes out double 16 for a 14-darter to win through to his second successive final.

Final
Justin Pipe v Michael Smith
0-0 – Michael Smith wins the bull and throws first.
0-1 – Smith opens the final with a 180, and after Pipe misses the bull for a 90 finish the youngster wins the opening leg on double ten.
1-1 – Pipe levels by posting double top for a 54 finish.
1-2 – Smith hits a 180 to leave 66, which he finishes on double top.
1-3 – Smith lands another maximum, and when Pipe misses a dart at tops he takes out 130 on double five to break.
1-4 – Smith posts tops to move three legs clear.
2-4 – Pipe hits back by landing double ten.
3-4 – Pipe opens with a 180 and finishes 121 on the bull to break throw and pull back to within a leg.
3-5 – Pipe misses double 18, and Smith steps in to break with a pressure double ten with his third dart to move a leg away from only his second professional title.
3-6 – Double four gives Michael Smith victory and his first Players Championship title.

This first Players Championship of the year saw debutant Ted Hankey fall at the first hurdle, The Count found himself on the wrong end of a 6-4 preliminarly round scoreline against Q School tour card winner Matthew Edgar in the preliminary round. Dean Winstanley another high profile BDO switcher also suffered an early exit, losing in the first round to Kim Huybrechts.

Elsewhere Ian White opened his 2012 campaign with a 9 dart leg in his first round victory over friend and stablemate Mark Hylton, and went on to reach the semi-final stage, eventually losing 6-4 to Justin Pipe. Young Michael Griffiths enjoyed a decent run to the quarter finals again losing to the days winner Pipe. The full PDC report can be found below.

JUSTIN PIPE won the opening Players Championship of 2012 with a 6-0 whitewash of Paul Nicholson in Saturday’s Spanish Darts Trophy final in Benidorm.

Pipe continued the form which saw him reach six of the last ten Players Championship finals in 2011 by claiming his fourth ranking title and a £6,000 prize at the Melia Hotel.

The 40-year-old from Taunton showed strong form throughout the event as he picked up seven victories, having begun the day by seeing off Eduardo Sales Lopes, Michael Barnard and Michael Smith.

He then defeated Mark Webster 6-4, saw off Shaun Griffiths 6-2 in the quarter-finals and Ian White 6-4 in the semis, but saved his most convincing display for the decider.

Having hit a 180 in the final’s opening leg, Pipe also took the next two to lead 3-0 before finishing 81 in two darts for a four-leg advantage.

Nicholson missed two darts at double 18 in the fifth as Pipe hit a tricky tops with his third dart to move a leg away from the win, which he sealed by following a 180 with an improvised 26 finish of double six and double seven.

“It’s a brilliant way to start the year,” said Pipe. “Paul’s always a tough opponent so I’m delighted to have won the final, and it wasn’t as easy as the scoreline might suggest.

“I couldn’t have asked for anything else today and it’s fantastic to have carried my form from the latter part of last year into 2012.”

Nicholson, meanwhile, picked up £3,000 as he enjoyed a run to the final, which included a high-quality 6-2 victory over Magnus Caris in the semis.

He also overcame Co Stompe, Steve Beaton and Mark Walsh in his run on the day in a strong start to the year.

White hit the first nine-dart finish of 2012 during his run to the semis, and receives a £2,000 bonus for the feat, which he hit during a first round victory over Mark Hylton.

The Stoke ace also whitewashed Matt Clark, defeated newcomer Keith Stephen and Terry Jenkins 6-5 and came from 2-0 down to see off Darren Whittingham 6-2 in the quarter-finals.

Sweden’s Caris reached his maiden PDC ProTour semi-final, picking up wins over Richie Burnett, Dave Smith, Arron Monk, Darren Webster and Wes Newton in picking up £2,000 prize money.

Whittingham followed up his success in winning a Tour Card on the first day of Qualifying School with his best-ever finish on the PDC ProTour as he saw off three-time World Champion John Part, Dutch youngsters Toon Greebe and Jerry Hendriks and Steve Brown on the day.

Manchester youngster Shaun Griffiths joined Whittingham in the last eight, seeing off Dave Chisnall, Belgian Kurt Van De Rijck, Colin Lloyd and Adrian Gray, while the ever-consistent Wes Newton and Mark Walsh also reached the quarters.

Norfolk’s Darren Webster made a successful return to the PDC circuit by reaching the Last 16 alongside another of last weekend’s Tour Card winners, Sussex’s Adrian Gray.

There would be no fairytale debuts on the PDC ProTour, though, for Ted Hankey, Dean Winstanley and Tony West, who all failed to reach the Last 64.

Hankey was knocked out in the preliminary round by Matthew Edgar, who hit back from 4-2 down to win 6-4, while Winstanley lost to Kim Hubrechts in round one and West was defeated by Andy Smith.

Both Co Stompe and Michael Smith went close to sharing the nine-dart finish bonus with White, but missed double 12 for perfect legs during the tournament in games against James Hubbard and Justin Pipe respectively.

Spanish Darts Trophy Players Championship (PC1, Saturday)
Preliminary Round
Jose Garcia Ruiz 6-1 Christof Leurs
Nick Fullwell 6-3 Martin Marti
John Bowles 6-0 Jose Luis Torres
Matthew Edgar 6-4 Ted Hankey
Roland Scholten 6-3 Christian Kallinger
Jesus Noguera 6-1 Jesus Gonzalez
Sam Hill 6-4 Eric Basullas
Chris Thompson 6-1 Dennis Smith
William O’Connor 6-2 Boris Krcmar
Devon Petersen 6-4 Paul Rowley
Rudy Van Der Zande 6-2 Justin Broton
Alex Roy 6-0 Jose Antonio Alvarez
Peter Manley 6-2 Mark Stephenson
Darren Webster 6-3 Steve Hine
Michael Mansell 6-0 Darren Johnson
Kirk Shepherd 6-1 Peter Hudson
Gino Vos 6-2 Dylan Duo
Dean Winstanley 6-2 Paul Barham
Kim Huybrechts 6-0 Simon Craven

First Round
Justin Pipe (1) 6-1 Eduardo Sales Lopez
Michael Barnard 6-2 Barrie Bates
Michael Smith (32) 6-0 Dyson Parody
Jose Garcia Ruiz 6-4 Steve Grubb
Mark Webster (16) 6-3 Joe Murnan
Prakash Jiwa 6-1 Chris Mason
Denis Ovens (17) 6-0 Jose Luis Rodriguez
Nick Fullwell 6-4 John Bowles
Shaun Griffiths 6-4 Dave Chisnall (8)
Kurt Van De Rijck 6-5 Chris Aubrey
Colin Lloyd (25) 6-4 Antonio Alcinas
Matthew Edgar 6-2 Ross Smith
Adrian Gray 6-2 Simon Whitlock (9)
Mick Todd 6-3 Brian Woods
Alan Tabern (24) 6-3 Stefanie Luck
Steve Evans 6-4 Roland Scholten
Vincent van der Voort (5) 6-3 Steve Maish
Julio Barbero 6-1 Manolo Vilerio
Terry Jenkins (28) 6-0 Jesus Sanchez
Jesus Noguera 6-0 Jon Archer
Colin Osborne (12) 6-1 Mareno Michels
Keith Stephen 6-0 Oleg Schuwalow
Ian White 6-4 Mark Hylton (21) – Ian White hits nine-dart finish
Matt Clark 6-1 Sam Hill
John Part (4) 6-1 Carlos Rodriguez
Darren Whittingham 6-2 Toon Greebe
Jerry Hendriks 6-5 Michael van Gerwen (29)
Chris Thompson 6-1 Ignacio Basullas
Steve Brown (13) 6-0 Armando Jesus Frias
Jose Antonio Justicia 6-0 Guillermo Corella
Andy Smith (20) 6-4 Tony West
William O’Connor 6-2 Jacinto Nieto
Wes Newton (2) 6-0 David Jiminez
Antonio Jiminez 6-0 Manuel Fernandez Josende
John Henderson (31) 6-4 Jose de Sousa
Kevin McDine 6-5 Devon Petersen
James Wade (15) 6-3 Terry Temple
Jelle Klaasen 6-0 Abel Alvarez
Kevin Painter (18) 6-2 Adam Smith-Neale
Alex Roy 6-0 Rudy van der Zande
Mervyn King (7) 6-2 Jyhan Artut
Arron Monk 6-1 Tomas Cristobal
Magnus Caris 6-3 Richie Burnett (26)
Dave Smith 6-2 Peter Manley
Jamie Caven (10) 6-5 Sergio Garcia
Javier Caurel 6-2 Rafael Leon
Wayne Jones (23) 6-1 Stefan Schaffer
Darren Webster 6-0 Michael Kraemer
Ronnie Baxter (6) 6-5 James Richardson
Mark Dudbridge 6-5 Bernd Roith
Raymond van Barneveld (27) 6-0 Juan Carlos Albaldejo
Michael Mansell 6-4 Diego Rufo
Mark Walsh (11) 6-4 Mensur Suljovic
Brendan Dolan 6-4 Nigel Heydon
Scott Rand (22) 6-2 Reece Robinson
Joe Cullen 6-4 Kirk Shepherd
Paul Nicholson (3) 6-1 Jairo Galcera
Toni Munoz 6-2 Simon Barker-Davies
Co Stompe (30) 6-3 Carlos Jiminez
James Hubbard 6-4 Gino Vos
Peter Wright (14) 6-2 Kevin Munch
Andy Hamilton 6-0 Bernd Schmidt
Steve Beaton (19) 6-1 Jamie Lewis
Kim Huybrechts 6-3 Dean Winstanley

Second Round
Justin Pipe 6-2 Michael Barnard
Michael Smith 6-3 Jose Garcia Ruiz
Mark Webster 6-2 Prakash Jiwa
Nick Fullwell 6-1 Denis Ovens
Shaun Griffiths 6-2 Kurt Van De Rijck
Colin Lloyd 6-4 Matthew Edgar
Adrian Gray 6-4 Mick Todd
Alan Tabern 6-4 Steve Evans
Vincent van der Voort 6-1 Julio Barbero
Terry Jenkins 6-0 Jesus Noguera
Keith Stephen 6-5 Colin Osborne
Ian White 6-0 Matt Clark
Darren Whittingham 6-2 John Part
Jerry Hendriks v Chris Thompson
Steve Brown 6-3 Jose Antonio Justicia
Andy Smith 6-5 William O’Connor
Wes Newton 6-1 Antonio Jiminez
John Henderson 6-2 Kevin McDine
James Wade 6-1 Jelle Klaasen
Alex Roy 6-4 Kevin Painter
Arron Monk 6-5 Mervyn King
Magnus Caris 6-3 Dave Smith
Jamie Caven 6-0 Javier Caurel
Darren Webster 6-5 Wayne Jones
Ronnie Baxter 6-5 Mark Dudbridge
Raymond van Barneveld 6-1 Michael Mansell
Mark Walsh 6-2 Brendan Dolan
Joe Cullen 6-5 Scott Rand
Paul Nicholson 6-1 Toni Munoz
Co Stompe 6-4 James Hubbard
Andy Hamilton 6-3 Peter Wright
Steve Beaton 6-0 Kim Huybrechts
Losers £200

Third Round
Justin Pipe 6-3 Michael Smith
Mark Webster 6-2 Nick Fullwell
Shaun Griffiths 6-5 Colin Lloyd
Adrian Gray 6-5 Alan Tabern
Terry Jenkins 6-5 Vincent van der Voort
Ian White 6-5 Keith Stephen
Darren Whittingham 6-5 Jimmy Hendriks
Steve Brown 6-5 Andy Smith
Wes Newton 6-2 John Henderson
James Wade 6-4 Alex Roy
Magnus Caris 6-4 Arron Monk
Darren Webster 6-3 Jamie Caven
Raymond van Barneveld 6-4 Ronnie Baxter
Mark Walsh 6-2 Joe Cullen
Paul Nicholson 6-4 Co Stompe
Steve Beaton 6-5 Andy Hamilton
Losers £400

Fourth Round
Justin Pipe 6-4 Mark Webster
Shaun Griffiths 6-2 Adrian Gray
Ian White 6-5 Terry Jenkins
Darren Whittingham 6-2 Steve Brown
Wes Newton 6-3 James Wade
Magnus Caris 6-4 Darren Webster
Mark Walsh 6-5 Raymond van Barneveld
Paul Nicholson 6-5 Steve Beaton
Losers £600

Quarter-Finals
Justin Pipe 6-2 Shaun Griffiths
Ian White 6-2 Darren Whittingham
Magnus Caris 6-5 Wes Newton
Paul Nicholson 6-3 Mark Walsh
Losers £1,000

Semi-Finals
Justin Pipe 6-4 Ian White
Paul Nicholson 6-2 Magnus Caris
Losers £2,000

Final
Justin Pipe 6-0 Paul Nicholson
Winner £6,000
Runner-Up £3,000

Semi-Finals
Magnus Caris v Paul Nicholson
0-1 – Nicholson kicks off the match with back-to-back 180s and also hits a seventh treble 20, but misses the treble 15 to end his hopes of a nine-darter, although he takes the leg to lead.
0-2 – Caris misses two darts at tops and Nicholson steps in to double his lead.
0-3 – Caris opens with a 180 but misses double top and double ten to allow Nicholson back in, and he finishes double 16 for a three-leg cushion.
1-3 – Caris regains his range on tops to get off the mark.
1-4 – Nicholson finishes 65 with an outer bull-double top combination.
2-4 – Caris takes out 43 on tops for his second leg of the match.
2-5 – Nicholson opens the leg with a 180 and finishes 100 in two darts for an 11-dart leg as he moves one away from victory.
2-6 – Nicholson completes the win in style, finishing 78 with an improvised checkout of treble one, outer bull and bullseye.
Match Averages: Magnus Caris 102.72, Paul Nicholson 101.64

Justin Pipe v Ian White
1-0 – Pipe takes an immediate break of throw on double top.
2-0 – Pipe hits a 180 and double eight to take the second leg.
2-1 – White strikes back by hitting double 16 to win the third.
2-2 – The pair trade 180s before White superbly takes out 121 on double 14.
2-3 – Pipe hits two 180s in the leg but pays for missed darts at the bull, double eight and double four as White steps in on double eight to lead.
3-3 – Pipe levels after being handed a reprieve following three missed doubles as White failed to finish 138, allowing him back in on double six.
4-3 – Pipe breaks throw to regain the lead.
4-4 – White hits back to level by finishing 71 on tops.
5-4 – Double eight puts Pipe a leg away from a place in the final.
6-4 – Pipe misses double 18 for a 156 checkout to take the win, but returns to hit the bed and seal victory.
Match Averages: Justin Pipe 97.41, Ian White 91.98

Final
Justin Pipe v Paul Nicholson
1-0 – Pipe hits a 180 in the process of taking the first leg.
2-0 – Pipe doubles his advantage with double six, having missed double 12 for a 144 finish in his previous visit.
3-0 – This time Pipe lands double 12 to move three legs clear with a second break of throw.
4-0 – Pipe finishes 81 in two darts to edge closer to victory.
5-0 – Nicholson misses two darts at double 18 for a 96 finish, and Pipe steps in to hit tops with a brilliant third dart, having partially blocked the bed with his first two darts.
6-0 – Pipe opens with a 180 and is handed a reprieve for a missed double 13 for the match as he returns to take out the combination with double six and double seven.
Match Averages: Justin Pipe 96.96, Paul Nicholson, 93.39

Scott Rand came of age in front of the TV cameras, the Coventry player certainly lived up to his ‘cool hand’ name, grabbed everyone’s attention and ruffled a few feathers along the way. Taking the notable scalps of van Barneveld and Wade before his eventual semi-final loss to a rejuvenated Kevin Painter.

This left us with a Mark Webster versus Painter final, following Websters defeat of Wes Newton in the evenings other semi-final. Painter went on to claim his maiden TV major title, which along with all the final days action is described in more detail in the PDC report below:

Final & Semi-finals – Evening Session

KEVIN PAINTER won the first major title of his career with a brilliant 13-9 defeat of Mark Webster in the Cash Converters Players Championship final at the Doncaster Dome on Sunday night.

Painter, the 2004 World Championship runner-up when he lost to Phil Taylor in a sudden-death leg, finally held aloft major silverware by claiming the £60,000 title.

The 44-year-old had stared defeat in the face in his semi-final, coming from 9-6 against newcomer Scott Rand down to win 10-9, but turned on the style in the final with nine 180s and three ton-plus finishes.

“It’s incredible,” admitted Painter. “It’s been a long time coming for me and a lot of people kept saying that I’d missed my chance to win a major in the 2004 World Championship, but this shows them that I hadn’t.

“I’ve always believed that I can do this and you have to stick with it because anything can happen in this sport. I’ve come good when it mattered in the semi-finals and final and it came together at the right time.”

Webster edged the final’s opening leg before Painter hit a nerve-settling 180 and double 16 to level and then broke by hitting the same bed.

However, a miss at double 18 in the next allowed Webster to win the fourth, and he then repeated the double top finish to lead 3-2.

Painter hit back with a 101 finish, and after Webster took the seventh following a 180 he then took three in a row, including a brilliant 11-darter, to move 6-4 up.

Double top gave Webster his fifth leg before a 68 finish from Painter edged him out to 7-5, although he paid the price for missing a single 20 to leave the bull in the next as the left-hander stepped in on double seven.

Any hopes Webster had of levelling the game, though, were shattered in the next as Painter hit back-to-back 180s in an 11-darter, which he followed with finishes of 110 and 104 to lead 10-6.

Double top gave Webster the next, but Painter again set up a potential nine-darter with two 180s.

He missed a seventh treble 20 for the second time, but again mopped up the leg in 12 darts to lead 11-7 before moving a leg away from victory on double 12 following two misses from the Welshman.

Webster hit double 16 to keep the game alive in the next, but his respite was brief as Painter hit a key 140 to leave 67, which he took out on double 16 before dropping to his knees in joy at the first major of his career.

“I got some fluency in my game in the semis and final and I thought I played well in the final,” added Painter, who moves up to ninth in the PDC Order of Merit following the triumph.

“You have to dig in when it gets tough and I did that. If you’d said to me at the start of the week that I was going to be the champion, I’d have thought your head wasn’t screwed on properly.

“I’ve been playing alright and it wasn’t beyond me to win a tournament but everything has to come together to win a tournament and it did for me.

“I had a bit of luck at times but my finishing throughout the whole tournament was good. I think the 104 in the final was the turning point, Mark was on a double and it was a great shot.

“He came back at me but fortunately I took the 67 out. The crowd were fantastic and they gave me great support, and it’s a very special moment.”

Painter had earlier won a thrilling semi-final with Coventry newcomer Scott Rand, who was the width of a wire from winning a place in his first major final inside two years as a professional.

The lorry driver, who knocked out Raymond van Barneveld and James Wade during the event, led 9-6 but saw his only two darts for victory, at double 16, land agonisingly on the wrong side of the wire as Painter won four successive legs.

Webster had taken a 10-7 victory over world number seven Wes Newton in the other semi-final, and took home £24,000 as the runner-up in his first major PDC singles final.

“I’m devastated,” said Webster afterwards. “I underperformed in the final and Kevin played really well and he deserved it.

“I never settled from the word go and I’m really disappointed, but Kevin took out some great shots.

“I’m down at the moment but I’ve got to pick myself up because I’ve got my first round game in the World Championship to play on Thursday night. If I can become World Champion this will be forgotten about.”

Cash Converters Players Championship
Semi-Finals
Mark Webster 10-7 Wes Newton
Kevin Painter 10-9 Scott Rand
Losers £15,000

Final
Kevin Painter 13-9 Mark Webster
Winner £60,000
Runner-Up £24,000

Quarter Finals – Afternoon Session

SCOTT RAND’S incredible weekend at the Cash Converters Players Championship continued as he defeated world number three James Wade 9-5 to win through to the semi-finals at the Doncaster Dome.

The lorry driver from Coventry’s dream of winning the £60,000 title and giving up his day job to become a full-time professional continues after he followed up Saturday’s defeat of Raymond van Barneveld with another major scalp.

Wade led 3-1 early on, but Rand took charge with a run of five successive legs in mid-game before holding his nerve to reach the last four in only his fourth major tournament.

“It’s another great win for me,” said Rand. “I love playing on the stage and it’s going really well for me so far.

“I’ve beaten another established player and it would be good to shake it up a bit more. It would be amazing to be able to give up work and do this for a living, and I’ve got a great chance tonight to make that a reality.”

Rand now meets Kevin Painter in the last four, after the 2004 World Championship runner-up defeated Mervyn King 9-7 to win through to his first televised semi-final since the 2009 UK Open.

King had knocked out reigning champion Phil Taylor on Saturday evening, but was unable to repeat the performance as Painter progressed.

The players ranked sixth and seventh in the world, Mark Webster and Wes Newton, will meet in the other semi-final after winning through dramatic games.

Newton secured a 9-5 victory against Mark Walsh by hitting back-to-back 170 checkouts, while Webster edged past Dave Chisnall 9-8 following a tense final-leg thriller.

The semi-finals and final will be played on Sunday evening, with tournament’s winner earning £60,000 and a place on the PDC’s Roll of Honour, as all four players have yet to take victory in a major PDC event.

Cash Converters Players Championship
Quarter-Finals
Mark Walsh 5-9 Wes Newton
Scott Rand 9-5 James Wade
Kevin Painter 9-7 Mervyn King
Mark Webster 9-8 Dave Chisnall

Evening Session (7pm)
Semi-Finals
Wes Newton v Mark Webster
Kevin Painter v Scott Rand
Best of 19 legs

Final
9.45pm
Best of 25 legs

WES NEWTON 9-5 MARK WALSH
WES NEWTON hit back-to-back 170 checkouts to take a 9-5 win over Mark Walsh and win through to the semi-finals of the Cash Converters Players Championship.

The Fleetwood ace created a piece of history by taking the game’s final two legs with the maximum finish, as he moved into his second major semi-final of 2011.

Having been defeated in June’s UK Open final, the 34-year-old will now bid to claim his maiden major title on Sunday night, with both the semi-finals and final taking place at the Doncaster Dome.

“The 170s were special and it’s lovely to win a match like that,” admitted Newton. “My finishes are going in and I hit them when I had the chance there, so hopefully I can take that into the semis now.

“I was fighting all the way there and I can score better, but I’m through and that’s all that matters.

“I was nervous coming into this game so I’m relieved to be through, but I’ll relax now ahead of the semis.”

Walsh edged the opening exchanges, hitting a 180 in taking the first leg and 108 to win the third after Newton had hit double ten to level.

The Fleetwood ace, though, finished a showpiece 100 with two double tops in the third and then finished 103 to break and lead 3-2, despite Walsh opening the leg with a maximum.

He then finished double top and double ten to win the next two and take a 5-2 lead, although Walsh hit back well to win the next two, hitting a 180 and double six for a third leg and double four to win his fourth.

Newton kicked off the tenth with a maximum – his second in as many legs – and finished double top to move 6-4 up.

Walsh replied on double 16, but Newton won a seventh leg to regain a two-leg advantage and went on to seal the victory with his brace of show-stopping 170s.

SCOTT RAND 9-5 JAMES WADE
SCOTT RAND’S incredible weekend at the Cash Converters Players Championship continued as he defeated world number three James Wade 9-5 to win through to the semi-finals at the Doncaster Dome.

The lorry driver from Coventry’s dream of winning the £60,000 title and giving up his day job to become a full-time professional continues after he followed up Saturday’s defeat of Raymond van Barneveld with another major scalp.

Wade led 3-1 early on, but Rand took charge with a run of five successive legs in mid-game before holding his nerve to reach the last four in only his fourth major tournament.

“It’s another great win for me,” said Rand. “I love playing on the stage and it’s going really well for me so far.

“I’ve beaten another established player and it would be good to shake it up a bit more. It would be amazing to be able to give up work and do this for a living, and I’ve got a great chance tonight to make that a reality.”

Wade had taken the game’s opening leg against the throw on double top, after Rand missed the bull, and posted double five to double his lead in the second in a strong start.

Rand hit a 180 and punished a miss from the left-hander to post double 16 and get off the mark, although Wade replied in style with a maximum of his own in the fourth, hitting tops to move 3-1 up.

Rand won the fifth with a 13-darter which included another 180, but missed his chance to level in the sixth as double ten saw Wade regain a two-leg lead.

That advantage was cut when Rand took out a 14-darter on double nine and then finished 102 to break Wade’s throw and level.

He then landed double eight to lead for the first time and hit the same bed for a 6-4 lead before taking a fifth successive leg, finishing 81 for a 12-darter despite a 180 from Wade.

Wade hit back by checking out 40 with an improvised double five and double 15, but was left waiting on a finish in the next as Rand finished double eight to move a leg away from victory at 8-5.

A fourth 180 of the game saw Rand first to a finish in the next as he left 90 before returning to take out the combination on the bull for another famous win.

Wade admitted: “I didn’t play well enough to win and he did a good job to beat me. I’ll regroup from this and get ready for the World Championship now.”

KEVIN PAINTER 9-7 MERVYN KING
KEVIN PAINTER won through to his first major semi-final since 2009 with a 9-7 win over Mervyn King in the Cash Converters Players Championship on Sunday afternoon.

The former World Championship finalist followed up his second round win over Gary Anderson on Saturday night with another strong performance, hitting over 40 percent of his chances at a double to see off King.

King had knocked out reigning champion and world number one Phil Taylor on Saturday night, but was unable to repeat the performance has he exited the tournament.

King did hold the edge early on, finishing 84 on the bull in the opening leg and also winning the third, with Painter hitting double 18 in leg two but unable to land two darts at the bed in the next as his opponent capitalised on double five.

Painter stepped in following misses from King to level in the fourth, and then finished double eight in three successive legs to move 5-2 up.

Painter’s winning run was ended in the next leg when he missed tops and King landed double ten, but was unable to hit the bull for a 124 checkout as Painter finished double four for a 14-darter in regaining his advantage.

King replied in kind with a 180 and hit double six to win a fourth leg, only to then burst his score when needing 70 to allow Painter in to hit double 16, before double ten moved him 8-4 up.

King battled to keep the match alive by winning the next two legs, hitting a pair of maximums and finishes of 69 and double two to pull back to 8-6.

Painter then missed the bull for a 122 checkout as King reduced the gap to one leg by landing the bull himself to finish 86.

Painter, though, hit four ton-plus scores in the next leg and finished double 15 to secure his place in the semis, where he meets Scott Rand.

“To beat Mervyn is a great victory for me because he’s a class player,” said Painter. “I often moan about having bad luck but I’ve had some good luck in this event with a couple of top players under-performing against me.

“I’m playing well and I’ve taken advantage by nicking legs where I can. My scoring’s not been as good as I’d like but my finishing has been good.”

King admitted: “I couldn’t find my doubles in the first eight legs and I didn’t score like I can. Kevin took advantage and he was the better player on the day.”

MARK WEBSTER 9-8 DAVE CHISNALL
MARK WEBSTER edged a dramatic 17-leg thriller with Dave Chisnall to win through to the semi-finals of the Cash Converters Players Championship in a tight last eight contest.

Chisnall, seeking to reach his first major PDC semi-final, led 3-1 early on but saw the lead slip away as Webster took five successive legs to move into a 7-4 lead.

He also took an 8-5 lead but was unable to close out victory as Chisnall clawed his way back to level, before Webster finally secured the win with his 11th match dart.

“It was scrappy at times but it was an exciting game too and I’m glad to be through,” said Webster, who now plays Wes Newton in the semis.

“I’d have kicked myself if I’d lost that after being in that position but I scraped through and I’ll prepare for the semis now. I’m getting back on the practice board and will work on my doubles a bit.”

Webster hit a 180 in the game’s opening leg, but Chisnall replied in kind before landing double 18 to lead.

Webster landed another maximum in the second, levelling on double two, but Chisnall finished 66 and 74 on double top to win the next two and move 3-1 up.

Tops gave Webster a second leg, but Chisnall landed the same double to win the next following four misses from the Welshman and take a 4-2 cushion.

Webster, though, continued the clinical finishing on tops to hit the bed in winnning the next four legs as he turned a two leg deficit into a two leg lead, and he then hit a 180 and a 100 finish in a 12-darter to move 7-4 up.

Chisnall hit back on double 16 and hit a 180 in being first to a finish in the 13th leg – but he crucially missed seven darts at a double before Webster stepped in on tops to move a leg away from victory.

The St Helens ace opened the next with back-to-back 180s, but after seeing a potential nine-darter go begging he suffered further double trouble to give Webster his chance to take the win.

The Welshman, though, was unable to capitalise with one dart at tops and three on the wire of double ten, with Chisnall posting double two to stay alive.

When Webster missed double 12, six and three to take victory in the 16th leg Chisnall again stepped in, this time taking out 68 on tops to force a decider.

However, Chisnall’s trebles deserted him in his first four visits to the oche as Webster moved clear.

The St Helens man then posted a 180, but it came in vain as Webster returned from three more missed match darts to hit double five and finally reach the semis.

“I’m disappointed to have lost but it was a great game,” said Chisnall. “It took my a while to get going and when I got my scoring going it flowed for me but I was unlucky with a few doubles.”

Source – PDC/Lawrence Lustig

MERVYN KING caused a sensation at the Cash Converters Players Championship by knocking out reigning champion Phil Taylor 8-5 in the second round on Saturday evening.

The 45-year-old from Norfolk claimed only his second televised victory over Taylor with a fine display to end the world number one’s hopes of a third Players Championship title in four stagings of the event.

King established an early 3-1 lead and managed to maintain his advantage to seal a place in Sunday’s quarter-finals, although he had missed nine match darts before finally hitting double five to inflict a first televised defeat since June for Taylor.

“It’s always an honour to play Phil and to beat him is special,” said King. “I got the win and that’s all that matters, but I did get nervous at the end.

“Most of the match darts which missed were good darts at a double that didn’t go in, but it was a big relief to see the double five go in.”

King now plays Kevin Painter in Sunday afternoon’s quarter-finals, as the pair clash in the first of three matches on the day which would give them their maiden PDC major titles.

Painter progressed to the last four of a televised event for the first time since July 2010 with a clinical 8-4 defeat of Gary Anderson, who was unable to repeat the form which saw him whitewash Michael van Gerwen 24 hours earlier.

World number six Mark Webster and St Helens’ rapidly emerging Dave Chisnall were Saturday evening’s other winners in contrasting matches.

Chisnall soared into his second PDC quarter-final with an 8-2 defeat of Co Stompe, but Webster was pushed all the way before defeating number one seed Justin Pipe 8-7.

Webster missed double 12 for a nine-dart finish during the contest, while Pipe saw six match darts go begging before the Welshman triumphed in the deciding leg.

The quarter-finals will commence with the clash between Grand Slam of Darts semi-finalist Mark Walsh and UK Open runner-up Wes Newton, before world number three James Wade faces newcomer Scott Rand – who won through to his first major quarter-final with a defeat of Raymond van Barneveld.

The £250,000 tournament will climax on Sunday evening, with the semi-finals followed by the final at the Doncaster Dome.

Tickets are still available for both sessions on Sunday, with extra tickets released for the evening session. Tickets can be booked in advance by calling the Doncaster Dome Box Office on 01302 370 777 or in person at the venue.

Cash Converters Players Championship
Saturday December 10
Second Round
Wes Newton 8-6 Peter Wright
Wayne Jones 3-8 Mark Walsh
Steve Brown 6-8 James Wade
Raymond van Barneveld 6-8 Scott Rand
Co Stompe 2-8 Dave Chisnall
Justin Pipe 7-8 Mark Webster
Phil Taylor 5-8 Mervyn King
Gary Anderson 4-8 Kevin Painter

Sunday December 11
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm)
Quarter-Finals
Mark Walsh v Wes Newton
Scott Rand v James Wade
Kevin Painter v Mervyn King
Mark Webster v Dave Chisnall
Best of 17 legs

Evening Session (7pm-11pm)
Semi-Finals
7.05pm
8.15pm
Order to be decided by coin toss
Best of 19 legs

Final
9.45pm
Best of 25 legs

DAVE CHISNALL 8-2 CO STOMPE
DAVE CHISNALL powered past Co Stompe 8-2 to win through to the quarter-finals of the Cash Converters Players Championship.

The St Helens ace followed up Friday’s defeat of Alan Tabern with a strong display to see off Stompe, who hit only two of 15 darts at a double compared to his opponent’s 50 percent strike rate during the contest.

Chisnall made the early running, opening with a confident 15-darter which he won on double nine before finishing 90 on double ten to win the second as Stompe struggled with his doubles early on.

Chisnall opened the third with scores of 180 and 140 before posting double seven for a 3-0 lead, although he saw the chance to extend that slip away in the next, missing the single 11 for the bull on a 121 finish to allow Stompe in on double eight to open his account.

Finishes of double eight and 108 from Chisnall put him 5-1 up before Stompe powered in a brilliant 170 checkout to win his second leg.

He was also first to a double in the eighth, but a dart at double top missed into double one, and he saw three subsequent darts at double 19 miss their target as Chisnall took out tops to lead 6-2.

Stompe also hit a 180 but could only watch on as Chisnall landed the same bed to move a leg away from victory, which was sealed in the same manner when the Dutchman missed five darts to keep the game alive.

“I’m really happy with that,” said Chisnall. “I’m in the zone and playing well and I think I can go further, so I’ll look forward to Sunday.”

Stompe admitted: “I had one of those days where I couldn’t hit my doubles. The 170 was nice but it was worthless in the end for me because I couldn’t back it up!”

MARK WEBSTER 8-7 JUSTIN PIPE
MARK WEBSTER won a deciding leg thriller with Justin Pipe to move into the quarter-finals of the Cash Converters Players Championship following a tense battle at the Doncaster Dome.

The left-hander twice hit back from behind and also missed double 12 for a nine-dart finish before edging to victory in the 15th leg – after Pipe had missed six darts for the win.

The early exchanges saw Pipe take the opening leg following four missed darts at double top from Webster before the Welshman took out 80 to level and hit a maximum and double ten to lead 2-1.

Pipe opened the fourth with a 180 and levelled in 13 darts before tops edged Webster in front.

However, he missed the same bed to win the sixth as Pipe hit double ten to square the match before finishing 89 on the bull – with Webster waiting on a double – to lead 4-3.

He moved two legs clear in the next, hitting a 180 to set up a 61 finish which was secured on double 18, only for Webster to fight back by landing tops to come back to 5-4 and almost completing a magical nine-darter in leg ten.

He opened with back-to-back 180s and also hit treble 20 and treble 19 on the 141 finish, but missed double 12 by an inch in his bid to land a first televised perfect leg.

He did return to win the leg in 11 darts and square the game before regaining the lead on tops.

However, he burst his score on 91 in the 12th leg – hitting double 14 instead of double nine – as Pipe took out 101 to level before then making Webster pay for five misses as he moved 7-6 up.

Pipe, though, missed his first chance to seal victory in the next as he saw one dart at tops for a 117 finish miss its target, along with three subsequent darts as Webster posted double five to force a decider.

Pipe hit a 140 to leave 50 for victory, but missed two darts at double 16 to give Webster his chance, and he finished double ten to scramble into the last eight.

“That was a real scrap and it sets me up nicely for the latter stages on Sunday,” said Webster. “Justin has done really well this year and he played well there, but I’m really pleased to go through.”

He added: “I was nervous on the nine-darter and my arm started shaking when I was on the double 12, but it’s experience and hopefully I’ll put it away next time I get a chance!”

Pipe said: “The game was played in great spirits and, although it’s a shame to lose, Mark deserved the win. I’ve had a good year and this is another learning experience for me.”

MERVYN KING 8-5 PHIL TAYLOR
MERVYN KING caused a sensation at the Cash Converters Players Championship by knocking out reigning champion Phil Taylor 8-5 in the second round on Saturday evening.

The 45-year-old from Norfolk claimed only his second televised victory over Taylor with a fine display to end the world number one’s hopes of a third Players Championship title in four stagings of the event.

King established an early 3-1 lead and managed to maintain his advantage to seal a place in Sunday’s quarter-finals, although he had missed nine match darts before finally hitting double five to inflict a first televised defeat since June for Taylor.

Taylor had taken the game’s opening leg in 14 darts, landing double eight, but that would prove to be the only time in the contest when he would lead.

King levelled on double top and punished misses from Taylor to win the next two on double eight and take a 3-1 advantage.

Taylor hit a 180 and double eight to win the fifth before King took out 81 for a 4-2 cushion, which was cut by double 16.

The world number one then hit another 180 but missed three darts to level the match as King took out 90 on double 15.

Taylor won the next with a 13-darter, landing a 180 and double 16, but King edged to the brink of victory by punishing further missed doubles from the reigning champion.

King was first to a finish in the 12th, but wired double 16 for a 110 finish and three further darts at double eight before Taylor won his fifth leg on double 16.

King, though, hit his second 180 of the game to edge clear in the next, leaving 40 after 12 darts but missing five more match darts before double five sealed his first televised win over Taylor since the 2009 Premier League Darts semi-finals.

“It’s always an honour to play Phil and to beat him is special,” said King. “I got the win and that’s all that matters, but I did get nervous at the end.

“Most of the match darts which missed were good darts at a double that didn’t go in, but it was a big relief to see the double five go in.”

KEVIN PAINTER 8-4 GARY ANDERSON
KEVIN PAINTER won through to his first major quarter-final since July 2010 with an 8-4 victory over Gary Anderson in the Cash Converters Players Championship on Saturday night.

Anderson had whitewashed Michael van Gerwen in a superb first round display 24 hours earlier, but was unable to find the heavy scoring which defeated the Dutchman and was punished for hitting only four from 20 attempts at a double.

Painter made an ideal start by hitting double top to win the opening leg and double 16 to win the second – following six missed doubles from Anderson.

The Scot hit back to level, taking out 121 on the bull in the third leg, but was unable to convert two chances to lead in the fifth, with Painter posting double eight to edge 3-2 up.

He also finished 86 for a 12-darter and double ten to take a 5-2 cushion, and after Anderson hit tops he finished 81 to move two legs away from the win.

Double five gave Anderson a fourth leg, but he was to be punished for a missed bullseye as Painter hit double two for a 7-4 lead and for four further misses as double six gave the Daventry ace victory.

“I played well and will give myself a pat on the back after that,” said Painter. “My doubles went in nicely and it’s nice to have a win.

“I was waiting for Gary to kick in. He’s a class act and when he brings his A-game then only Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis can live with him, but it didn’t happen and I took my chances.”

Anderson admitted: “I don’t know what went wrong tonight and it’s a strange game, but Kevin did a good job and hit his doubles, and he deserved to go through.”

Afternoon Session

COVENTRY-based lorry driver Scott Rand caused a huge sensation by knocking five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld out of the Cash Converters Players Championship on Saturday afternoon.

The 36-year-old – nicknamed Cool Hand – has only been a professional since early 2010, but won through to his first major quarter-final with an 8-6 defeat of the Dutchman at the Doncaster Dome.

In a tight contest, he secured a break of throw to lead 3-1 in the early exchanges and retained that advantage throughout before sealing the biggest win of his career with a superb 170 checkout.

He now plays world number three James Wade on Sunday afternoon, and admitted: “It’s a big shock at the moment but I want to become more established and for people to see what I can do.

“I work 50 hours a week driving a big truck up and down the country so if I can make darts my living then it would be happy days. I practice as much as I can and it’s good to do it on stage and announce myself to the world.

“I’m still new to the game and I’ve got high hopes. I’ve just taken out Raymond van Barneveld and I’m confident I can beat anybody now.”

Wade won through to the last eight with an 8-6 win over Bristol’s Steve Brown, with the world number three hitting finishes of 142 and 106 in taking the victory.

Fleetwood’s world number seven Wes Newton came from 4-0 down to defeat Peter Wright 8-6 in a remarkable contest.

Wright made a stunning start with four legs of 14 darts of less, but when he missed doubles in the fifth and sixth Newton began his fightback, winning eight of the next ten to progress.

He now plays Mark Walsh in the quarter-finals, after the Hertfordshire ace – a semi-finalist in the Grand Slam of Darts last month – defeated Wayne Jones 8-3.

The second round concludes with the remaining four games on Saturday night, including Phil Taylor’s clash with Mervyn King, Gary Anderson’s game with Kevin Painter, number one seed Justin Pipe against Mark Webster and Co Stompe up against Dave Chisnall.

Tickets are still available for the Cash Converters Players Championship, either by calling the Doncaster Dome Box Office on 01302 370 777 or in person at the venue.

Cash Converters Players Championship
Saturday December 10
Second Round
Afternoon Session
Wes Newton 8-6 Peter Wright
Wayne Jones 3-8 Mark Walsh
Steve Brown 6-8 James Wade
Raymond van Barneveld 6-8 Scott Rand

Evening Session (7pm)
Co Stompe v Dave Chisnall
Justin Pipe v Mark Webster
Phil Taylor v Mervyn King
Gary Anderson v Kevin Painter
Best of 15 legs

WES NEWTON 8-6 PETER WRIGHT
WES NEWTON produced a stirring comeback from 4-0 down against Peter Wright to reach the quarter-finals of the Cash Converters Players Championship with an 8-6 victory.

Wright had impressed in his first round victory over Denis Ovens and continued the form with a blistering start against Newton, who had to wait five legs to have a dart at a double.

Lowestoft’s Wright opened the game with a 180 and hit double ten for the opening leg before the pair traded maximums in the second, which he won against the throw on tops for a 12-darter.

He then added a 13-dart finish in taking the third on double 18 and hit another 180 in a 12-darter to lead 4-0, finishing 105 on tops.

Wright could also have taken the fifth, but missed darts at double 12, six and three to allow Newton in, as the UK Open finalist followed up a 180 by hitting double 18 with his first dart at a double in the game.

Wright also missed tops in the next, for a 135 checkout, and Newton finished 70 on double 16 before maintaining a perfect finishing record with double 18 to pull back to 4-3.

He then levelled on tops before Wright, with the advantage of throw, took two of the next three to lead 6-5, landing double 18 and double top.

Newton won the 12th with a superb 12-darter, which featured a 180 and two 140s before he finished double 12.

He then took a crucial break to lead for the first time at 7-6, with Wright missing two darts at tops to allow the Fleetwood ace in on double ten.

Wright battled to force a deciding leg in the next, but missed double 16 for a 106 checkout and Newton posted tops to move into the quarter-finals.

“Peter started so well and he was awesome for the first four legs,” said Newton. “He could have gone five legs up and that would have made it even harder for me.

“After I got my first leg, I had to try hang in there and take one leg at a time. I managed to get some momentum going and I’m both happy and relieved to be through.”

Wright admitted: “I’m a bit gutted but Wes never gives up and he was on my heels all the time.”

MARK WALSH 8-3 WAYNE JONES
MARK WALSH won through to his second successive major quarter-final, defeating Wayne Jones 8-3 in the Cash Converters Players Championship on Saturday afternoon.

Walsh, a semi-finalist in the Grand Slam of Darts last month, will now meet Wes Newton in the last eight on Sunday as the pair challenge for the £60,000 title at the Doncaster Dome.

He never looked back after taking an early 3-0 lead, replying to an opening 180 from Jones by hitting two maximums of his own to pull clear in the first leg, which he eventually won on double five after the Wolverhampton ace missed two darts to steal.

Walsh won the second leg on double two and finished double 12 to move 3-0 up before missing chances to win the fourth, with Jones hitting tops to get off the mark.

Walsh took the fifth on double ten, but Jones punished three misses from the Hertfordshire ace to pull back to 4-2 by landing double four in the sixth.

However, his hopes of continuing the fightback were dented as Walsh took out 121 on tops, double 15 and a 112 checkout to move to the brink of victory at 7-2.

Jones pushed clear in the next, but missed the bull for a 161 finish and five darts at double eight to give Walsh a chance to seal victory with a 160 finish.

He missed tops, though, for the combination as Jones hit double two to keep the match alive, but his respite was brief as Walsh hit tops in the next leg to progress.

“I’m really happy to have won but I know I can play better,” said Walsh. “I feel for Wayne because he’s a fantastic player and he didn’t turn up today.

“But I did enough to get through and I can look forward to the quarter-finals.”

Jones admitted: “I felt good but it was a poor performance from me and I don’t know why. I didn’t deserve to win it and I’ll go away now and prepare for the World Championship.”

JAMES WADE 8-6 STEVE BROWN
JAMES WADE moved into the quarter-finals of the Cash Converters Players Championship, defeating Steve Brown 8-6 in their second round contest at the Doncaster Dome.

The world number three took leads of 4-1 and 6-3 before holding off Brown’s fightback to move into the last eight.

Although Brown hit a 180 in the opening leg, it was Wade who led courtesy of double ten before the Bristol ace finished 64 in two darts to level.

Brown posted another maximum in the third, but missed darts to break Wade’s throw as the left-hander returned from earlier misses of his own to land double two.

Wade then took the fourth and hit a 180 and 106 checkout to move 4-1 up, and paid the price for some sloppy finishing in two visits in the sixth leg as Brown took out double ten to hit back.

Tops saw Brown pull back to within a leg at 4-3, but he missed two darts to level the match before Wade finished 142 on tops and hit the same bed in pushing 6-3 up.

Brown won his fourth leg in the next, being handed a reprieve following seven misses when he returned to hit double one and move back to within touching distance.

Wade posted a 177 to leave 84 in the 11th, with double 12 putting him a leg away from victory at 7-4 before Brown again hit back, albeit aided by missed bullseyes from the UK Open champion in the next two.

Wade was unable to convert chances at 121 and 128 to seal the victory as Brown twice hit tops to stay in the game, but when the Bristol ace also missed the bull – for a 132 checkout – Wade took his chance on double top.

“I’m pleased to be through but I felt a bit lethargic up there and didn’t play as well as I wanted to,” said Wade.

“It was good enough but I know I’ve got to improve to win this title on Sunday – I know what I’ll need to do and it’s up to me to show it.”

Brown said: “I’m disappointed to lose but I didn’t get out of the blocks well and I was behind from the early stages. James played well and deserved to win.”

SCOTT RAND 8-6 RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD
SCOTT RAND enjoyed the biggest victory of his career as he defeated Raymond van Barneveld 8-6 to win through to his first major quarter-final at the Cash Converters Players Championship.

The lorry driver from Coventry is appearing in only his fourth televised tournament at the Players Championship, but followed up Thursday’s first round defeat of Jamie Caven with a stunning defeat of the five-time World Champion.

Van Barneveld hit seven 180s in the game, but was unable to break Rand’s throw as the emerging star won through to face James Wade at the Doncaster Dome in Sunday’s quarter-finals.

Van Barneveld had taken the opening with a 96 finish, but missed two darts to double his lead as Rand posted double 16 to level before breaking in the third with a 96 checkout of his own, following up single 20 with a showpiece double 18 and double top.

He then held throw in the fourth by hitting double 18 with his third dart to lead 3-1 and take what would eventually prove to be a key lead.

The pair traded 180s as van Barneveld hit double two to win the fifth, but Rand won the sixth on double ten before missing the bull to steal the next after the Dutchman landed two 180s and eventually finished 26 with an improvised double four, double nine combination.

Rand won two of the next three on double 16 to move into a 6-4 lead, but that was cut to one leg when van Barneveld hit a 180 and double six.

He also landed a 180 in the next, but double eight moved Rand a leg away from the biggest win of his life as he led 7-5.

Van Barneveld posted a maximum in setting up a double nine finish to win his sixth leg, but was unable to prevent Rand wrapping up the victory in style in the next as he finished 170 to move into the last eight.

“It’s brilliant,” said Rand, who only became a professional in 2010. “Everything clicked on stage for me there and to beat someone of Raymond’s quality is amazing.

“He’s such a good player that to hold my throw against him so many times and get the victory is a big achievement.

“I’m still new and I’ve got high hpoes that I can become more established and become a full-time professional.”

Van Barneveld said: “The break in the third leg was important because I was always trailing him after then. I tried everything to get back level but he scored well and the 170 finish was fantastic.”

Source – PDC/Lawrence Lustig

The world number one looked on course to crash out of the event, which he has won twice in the previous three years, when Jenkins won four of the opening five legs in their contest and almost hit a nine-darter.

However, Stoke ace Taylor won five successive legs to set up a second round clash with Mervyn King on Saturday afternoon, sealing victory with a superb 11-dart leg.

“It was a real scrap and a fantastic game,” said Taylor. “I think Terry’s plan was to hit me as fast as he can.

“At 4-1 I had to take it one leg at a time and when my back was against the wall I relaxed, but that game will be good in getting me prepared for the rest of the tournament.”

King took a 6-4 victory over Colin Lloyd in their first round game, despite the former world number one hitting finishes of 102 and 170 in taking a 3-0 lead.

King hit back to lead 4-3 and went on to secure victory with a 170 checkout of his own.

Scottish ace Gary Anderson continued the form which took him to the Grand Slam of Darts final last month with a sensational whitewash of Holland’s Michael van Gerwen.

Anderson hit four 180s in the opening three legs and also posted a 161 checkout in storming through to set up a second round clash with Kevin Painter, who defeated Colin Osborne 6-2.

Number one seed Justin Pipe defeated John Henderson 6-1 to move into the second round and will now face Mark Webster on Saturday, after the Welsh left-hander won five successive legs from being 2-1 down to defeat Steve Beaton 6-2.

Dave Chisnall celebrated his debut in the event with a 6-2 win over Alan Tabern and now plays Co Stompe in the second round, with the Dutch ace defeating fellow countryman Vincent van der Voort 6-1.

The second round begins on Saturday afternoon, with play split across two sessions at the Doncaster Dome, with admission available on the door on the day.

Wes Newton opens the afternoon session against Peter Wright at 1pm, with Wayne Jones playing Mark Walsh, Steve Brown taking on world number three James Wade and Raymond van Barneveld meeting Scott Rand.

The evening session follows at 7pm, featuring the winners of Friday night’s first round matches.

Tickets are still available for the Cash Converters Players Championship, either by calling the Doncaster Dome Box Office on 01302 370 777 or in person at the venue.

Cash Converters Players Championship
Friday December 9
First Round
Dave Chisnall 6-3 Alan Tabern
Colin Osborne 2-6 Kevin Painter
Vincent van der Voort 1-6 Co Stompe
Mervyn King 6-4 Colin Lloyd
Justin Pipe 6-1 John Henderson
Phil Taylor 6-4 Terry Jenkins
Mark Webster 6-2 Steve Beaton
Gary Anderson 6-0 Michael van Gerwen

Saturday December 10
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm)
Second Round
Wes Newton v Peter Wright
Wayne Jones v Mark Walsh
Steve Brown v James Wade
Raymond van Barneveld v Scott Rand

Evening Session (7pm-11pm)
Second Round
Co Stompe v Dave Chisnall
Justin Pipe v Mark Webster
Phil Taylor v Mervyn King
Gary Anderson v Kevin Painter

DAVE CHISNALL 6-3 ALAN TABERN
DAVE CHISNALL enjoyed a winning debut in the Cash Converters Players Championship, defeating Alan Tabern 6-3 in their all-St Helens first round contest.

Chisnall has enjoyed a superb debut year on the PDC circuit, winning one Players Championship and reaching three other finals, and continued that form to avenge a World Grand Prix loss to Tabern on the Doncaster stage.

Chisnall hit 180s in the first three legs, but won just won as Tabern firstly punished a missed double ten for a 137 checkout by hitting double 12 and then replying to a maximum with one of his own to set up a 62 finish as he moved 2-1 up.

Chisnall took out double two to win the fourth leg, and moved ahead for the first time in the next by taking out 90 with a bullseye, double top combination.

Tabern replied by punishing a missed double top from Chisnall to land double eight to break and level, but after the pair traded 180s in the next it was the former Lakeside Championship finalist who regained the lead, taking out 81 on double 12.

An 85 finish put Chisnall 5-3 up, and he went on to seal victory when Tabern was unable to follow a 180 by finishing 144, allowing him in to take out 65 on tops.

KEVIN PAINTER 6-2 COLIN OSBORNE
KEVIN PAINTER punished a sloppy finishing performance from Colin Osborne to take a 6-2 victory in their Cash Converters Players Championship first round clash.

Osborne missed 13 darts at a double in the eight-leg contest as his hopes of progressing to the last 16 at the Doncaster Dome were ended.

Three of those misses came in the opening leg as Painter stepped in to take out 118, and he then landed double six to move two legs up.

Painter then hit a 180 in the third, but missed double 11 for a 102 finish and Osborne stepped in to land double ten to get off the mark.

He posted a 177 in the fourth, but saw his chance to level go begging as Painter landed double four for a 3-1 cushion.

Painter was punished in the fifth as Osborne hit double five to reduce the gap to one again, but when he missed the bull to square the game in leg six the Daventry ace pounced.

Osborne also missed the bull in the next as double ten pushed Painter to the brink of victory, which he sealed with a classy 14-dart finish on double eight.

“Both of us got bogged down a bit and there’s a lot of respect between us but I probably deserved to win it,” said Painter. “Colin missed a few doubles and stepped in and took the chances.

“I’m feeling good and have been playing nicely recently and I was a bit edgy tonight but I can relax in the second round.”

CO STOMPE 6-1 VINCENT VAN DER VOORT
CO STOMPE produced a clinical performance to win his all-Dutch first round clash against Vincent van der Voort at the Cash Converters Players Championship 6-1.

Stompe reeled off six successive legs to come from 1-0 down to storm to victory, setting up a second round clash with Dave Chisnall on Saturday evening.

Van der Voort won the game’s opening leg, hitting double four to lead but only with his sixth dart at a double.

Stompe hit 180s in the next two as he finished 77 on double ten and then took out double 12 to lead 201.

Missed doubles from van der Voort allowed Stompe in to hit tops in the next two legs and lead 4-1, and he finished 84 on the bull to edge towards victory.

Van der Voort gave himself a chance to keep the game alive in the seventh leg, but missed tops for a 145 checkout and Stompe stepped in to land double ten to secure progression to the last 16.

MERVYN KING 6-4 COLIN LLOYD
MERVYN KING came from 3-0 down to defeat Colin Lloyd 6-4 in a Cash Converters Players Championship first round thriller, responding to an earlier 170 from the Essex to seal victory by matching that maximum checkout.

Lloyd had stormed out of the blocks, taking out finishes of 102 and 170 to win the first two legs and also edged the third to lead 3-0 – only for King to win four in a row to level.

Lloyd levelled, but King hit a 12-darter to win a fifth leg and then sealed victory in some style by landing a 170 of his own.

“It was a real battle and I made it hard work for myself,” said King. “I knew Colin would start well but I had to try and live with him, and I did that.

“We’re great mates and I’ll be reminding him for many years to come that my 170 was to win the match so it was more special than his!”

He will face either Phil Taylor or Terry Jenkins on Saturday, and added: “I’ve got a real hurdle to get over but I’m more than capable of that if my darts go well.

“I’ve reached the final of this event before and I’d love to go one better on Sunday night. I love the game and I love being in a contest, and after a bad 12 months I’m really up for this.”

Former world number one Lloyd made a blistering start, finishing 102 on tops to win the opening leg and then taking out the maximum 170 to double his lead.

King opened the third with a 180, but missed five darts to get off the mark and Lloyd posted tops to move 3-0 up.

King regained his range on the doubles in the next two legs, following up a pair of maximums with two tops finishes as he pulled back to within a leg before checking out 107 on double 18 to level.

He then took out double eight to move 4-3 up, and after Lloyd levelled on tops he regained the lead by hitting a 12-dart leg, landing scores of 140, 180 and 140 before taking out double 16.

Lloyd hit three tons as he battled to stay in the game, but he was denied a dart at a finish in the next as King powered home his 170 finish to ensure the triumph.

JUSTIN PIPE 6-1 JOHN HENDERSON
NUMBER one seed Justin Pipe swept past John Henderson 6-1 to progress to the last 16 of the Cash Converters Players Championship.

Pipe has celebrated his first three ranking victories amongst six finals in the last ten Players Championship tournaments, and took that form onto the Doncaster Dome to see off Henderson.

The Scot has played only twice in the last five weeks after suffering a nerve problem in his throwing arm, and the lack of match practice told as Pipe progressed.

Pipe finished 82 to win the opening leg but missed the bull in the second as Henderson levelled on double two.

Finishes of 104 – on double 12 – and double ten gave Pipe breathing space, before he showed his quality by hitting a 180 and a 136 checkout for a 12-dart leg in taking a 4-1 lead.

Pipe added a second 180 and a 76 finish for a 14-darter as he moved to the brink of victory, which was sealed when he landed double 16 in the next leg.

PHIL TAYLOR 6-4 TERRY JENKINS
REIGNING Cash Converters Players Championship winner Phil Taylor came from 4-1 down to take a 6-4 victory over Terry Jenkins in their first round tie at the Doncaster Dome on Friday night.

Jenkins threatened a huge upset when he opened the game with two 180s in setting up a potential nine-darter before moving 2-0 up.

He then led 4-1 but Taylor fired back with five successive legs as he hit top gear to progress to a second round clash with Mervyn King on Saturday night.

“It was a real scrap and a fantastic game,” said Taylor. “I think Terry’s plan was to hit me as fast as he can.

“It would have been nice if he had hit the nine-darter at the start – it might even have put him off! – but Terry played very well.

“At 4-1 I had to take it one leg at a time and when my back was against the wall I relaxed, but that game will be good in getting me prepared for the rest of the tournament.”

Jenkins made a stunning start to the game, opening with back-to-back 180s in setting up a potential nine-dart finish.

He also hit a seventh treble 20, but missed the treble 19 before returning to take the opener in 11 darts.

He then took out 89 for a 14-darter to double his lead as Taylor paid for a slow start, although the defending champion hit a 180 to set up tops as he got off the mark in the third leg.

Jenkins, though, replied with a 180 in setting up a double four finish in taking the fourth and then traded 180s with the world number one in leg five to set up double top in taking a 4-1 lead.

Taylor replied immediately by opening the sixth leg with a 177, and also added a 140 in a 14-darter to begin his fightback.

The seventh leg proved crucial as Jenkins hit a 180 but missed one dart at tops for a 5-2 cushion, with Taylor posting double ten to pull back to 4-3.

He then finished 77 in two darts to level the match, and when Jenkins faltered in the ninth – hitting a 180 but missing two darts at tops – Taylor stepped in to hit double 16 with his third dart and lead for the first time.

Jenkins had the advantage of throw in leg ten, but Taylor opened with scores of 180 and 140 to put himself in control, and finished 83 in two darts for an 11-darter to complete a stunning comeback.

MARK WEBSTER 6-2 STEVE BEATON
MARK WEBSTER overcame a slow start to win five successive legs in taking a 6-2 victory over Steve Beaton in the Cash Converters Players Championship.

The Welsh left-hander now meets number one seed Justin Pipe in Saturday’s second round following the hard-fought victory.

Webster took the early lead by finishing double ten to win the opening leg after Beaton was unable to convert double top for a 120 checkout.

Beaton hit back well with a 13-dart leg to level, posting a 180 and double top in the process, and double 16 in the third saw him move 2-1 up.

He also landed another maximum in the fourth, but missed three darts to extend his advantage as Webster levelled before taking the lead on double ten with an 11-dart finish.

The Welshman then posted tops to move 4-2 up and took out double five – with Beaton waiting on 40 – to edge towards victory.

He handed Beaton a lifeline with a missed double 16 for the match, but Beaton was unable to land the bull and Webster posted double two to seal his last 16 spot.

GARY ANDERSON 6-0 MICHAEL VAN GERWEN
GARY ANDERSON stormed into the second round of the Cash Converters Players Championship with a sensational whitewash of Michael van Gerwen, averaging 106.09 in a brilliant display.

The Scot continued the form which took him to the Grand Slam of Darts final last month by restricting the youngster to just one dart at a double in the contest.

That opportunity came in the opening leg as van Gerwen missed the bullseye for an 84 finish, allowing Anderson to follow up an earlier 180 by finishing 80 to take the lead.

Anderson then opened the second with a maximum and took out double five for a 13-darter, and bettered that with a brace of 180s in a 12-dart finish to lead 3-0.

Van Gerwen opened the fourth with a 180 – his second in as many legs – and also added a 140 in leading 32, only to see Anderson finish 68 on tops for a 4-0 cushion.

He extended that lead to five legs in style with a clinical 161 checkout before going on to seal victory by taking out 72 on double six.

Source – PDC/Lawrence Lustig

The Dutch ace has slipped to eighth in the PDC Order of Merit this year, but since losing out in the group stage of the Grand Slam of Darts last month has returned to using darts similar to those with which he defeated Phil Taylor for World Championship glory in 2007.

He made a huge impact at the Doncaster Dome, averaging over 104 and hitting eight 180s in seeing off Baxter 6-3 to power into the last 16 of the £250,000 Players Championship.

“I didn’t have a good Grand Slam but I’ve gone back to this set-up and I’ve practised well, and I know now what I can do on stage with these darts,” said van Barneveld.

“I’m very happy with that performance and to average over 104. If I’d not missed my doubles then I may have averaged 110 and enjoyed a better win, but I’m feeling good.”

2010 champion Paul Nicholson suffered a dramatic 6-5 defeat to Steve Brown in their first round contest.

Brown held an early 2-0 cushion before Nicholson hit back to take the lead at 4-3 and 5-4 – but after the Bristol ace forced a decider it was Nicholson who missed the bull for a 170 finish in the final leg, and his opponent hit tops to progress.

“Paul’s a fantastic player and he knows how to win, so to come through that shows my fighting spirit,” said Brown. “My last leg was strong and I knew after he missed the bullseye that I couldn’t give him a second chance.”

World number three James Wade progressed to the last 16 with a 6-4 win over Andy Smith and now faces Brown in Saturday’s second round.

Van Barneveld plays Scott Rand, a lorry driver from Coventry who enjoyed a 6-2 victory over Jamie Caven in his debut in the Players Championship.

Wes Newton and Peter Wright will also clash on Saturday after coming from 2-0 down to take victory in their games against Richie Burnett and Denis Ovens respectively.

Newton impressed by hitting five 180s, a 177 and a 117 checkout in his 6-3 defeat of Burnett, while Wright bettered that with a 103 average in a 6-4 win over Ovens.

Ovens hit a brace of 120 checkouts in the game, but could only watch on as Lowestoft’s Wright powered home five 180s and a 121 finish before sealing victory by taking out 130 on the bull.

Grand Slam of Darts semi-finalist Mark Walsh carried on his impressive recent form with a 6-3 win over left-hander Mark Hylton and will now take on Wayne Jones in the second round.

Jones was also in strong form, whitewashing three-time World Champion John Part 6-0 with a thrilling performance as he moved into the last 16.

The first round concludes with eight further games on Friday night at the Doncaster Dome, headed by reigning champion Phil Taylor’s clash with Terry Jenkins.

February’s runner-up Gary Anderson meets Michael van Gerwen, number one seed Justin Pipe plays Scotland’s John Henderson, former World Champions Mark Webster and Steve Beaton clash and Dutch pair Vincent van der Voort and Co Stompe lock horns.

Tickets are still available for the Cash Converters Players Championship, either by calling the Doncaster Dome Box Office on 01302 370 777 or in person at the venue.

Cash Converters Players Championship
Thursday December 8
First Round
Jamie Caven 2-6 Scott Rand
Mark Walsh 6-3 Mark Hylton
Peter Wright 6-4 Denis Ovens
John Part 0-6 Wayne Jones
Wes Newton 6-3 Richie Burnett
Ronnie Baxter 3-6 Raymond van Barneveld
James Wade 6-4 Andy Smith
Paul Nicholson 5-6 Steve Brown

Friday December 9 (7pm)
First Round
Dave Chisnall v Alan Tabern
Colin Osborne v Kevin Painter
Vincent van der Voort v Co Stompe
Mervyn King v Colin Lloyd
Justin Pipe v John Henderson
Phil Taylor v Terry Jenkins
Mark Webster v Steve Beaton
Gary Anderson v Michael van Gerwen
All games the best of 11 legs

SCOTT RAND 6-2 JAMIE CAVEN
SCOTT RAND made a winning Cash Converters Players Championship debut with an assured display to defeat Jamie Caven 6-2.

The 36-year-old from Coventry has finished 23rd on the Players Championship Order of Merit this year in continuing his emergence, qualifying for the UK Open and World Matchplay.

He booked his place in the second round at the Doncaster Dome with a fine win against Caven, was punished for a slow start as Rand took an early 2-0 lead courtesy of double ten and double 16.

Caven took the third, opening with scores of 125 and 135 to pull clear and ensure that he would land double 16 despite the pressure of a 180 from his opponent.

Rand landed another maximum in a 14-darter to win the fourth before Caven replied in 13 darts, hitting a 180 along the way.

Rand posted his third 180 of the game in restoring his two-leg lead at 4-2, before misses at the bull and double eight from Caven allowed him in to finish 40 with an improvised double one, double 19 combination.

He then landed double 18 in the next to ensure passage into the second round and a tie with Raymond van Barneveld on Saturday afternoon.

MARK WALSH 6-3 MARK HYLTON
MARK WALSH continued his run of form to see off Mark Hylton 6-3 and move into the second round of the Cash Converters Players Championship in Doncaster.

Walsh had reached the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts semi-finals three weeks ago, and returned to the televised stage with another victory.

He made the early running against Hylton by winning the first three legs without reply, punishing four missed doubles from the left-hander in the second leg and landing a 180 and a 96 finish in the third.

Hylton posted two 180s in winning the fourth leg on tops, and landed another maximum and double eight to pull back to 3-2, making Walsh pay for three misses on the wire of double 12.

Walsh did manage to land double 12 in the next and defied a 180 to move into a 5-2 advantage.

Hylton stepped in following three missed double tops from Walsh for the match in the eighth leg, landing double ten to keep the game alive, but the Hertfordshire ace sealed victory in 14 darts in the next, taking out 64 on tops.

PETER WRIGHT 6-4 DENIS OVENS
PETER WRIGHT came from 2-0 down to defeat Denis Ovens 6-4 in the first round of the Cash Converters Players Championship on Thursday night.

The Lowestoft ace hit five 180s and finished the game with an end average of 103.26 in progressing to the last 16 in Doncaster.

Ovens made the early running, twice punishing missed doubles from Wight to land double eight and double four respectively in the opening two legs.

Wright hit a 180 and a 121 finish to get off the mark in the third, and landed another maximum and tops to level the game.

Wright then defied a 180 from Ovens to win the fifth and edge ahead, although the UK Open semi-finalist replied to level with a 120 checkout.

Ovens also took out 120 to win the eighth, after Wright had regained the lead with another 180 and double 12.

Wright then finished double 12 again to win the ninth for a 5-4 cushion and sealed victory in the next by finishing 130 on the bull.

WAYNE JONES 6-0 JOHN PART
WAYNE JONES whitewashed John Part 6-0 to storm into the second round of the Cash Converters Players Championship in Doncaster.

The Wolverhampton ace left Part trailing with a blistering start as he took the first four legs without the Canadian having a dart at a double.

When Part did give himself chances, the three-time World Champion was unable to convert eight darts to get off the mark as Jones stepped in to seal the win.

Jones now meets Mark Walsh in Saturday’s second round, and said: “I’m really pleased with that.

“I started off brilliantly and managed to keep it going. I think if John had got a leg on the board it would have got me worried and I was just glad to finish him off in the end.”

Jones hit a 180 in taking the opening leg on double 16 for a 13-dart finish, and then followed another maximum by taking out 121 in the second for a 12-darter.

Double 16 gave him the third in 14 darts, and he then won the fourth on double two, with three tons a 140 score pushing him far enough ahead to afford two earlier missed doubles.

Part hit a 180 to be first to a finish in the fifth leg, but wasted six darts at a double as Jones took out double 16 once more, before two misses at double 11 from the Canadian gave him a shot at 81 to seal victory, which he took on the bull.

WES NEWTON 6-3 RICHIE BURNETT
WES NEWTON produced a superb fightback from 2-0 down to defeat Richie Burnett 6-3 and move into the second round of the Cash Converters Players Championship.

Welshman Burnett, who ended a ten-year gap between ranking victories in September, made an electric start to win the opening two legs – but paid for failing to hit single numbers to leave a double as Newton levelled.

The Fleetwood ace then hit top gear with four 180s and a 177 as he powered through to take victory and set up a second round tie with Peter Wright on Saturday.

Burnett finished 81 on double 13 to win the game’s opening leg and bettered that with a 101 checkout in the second.

Newton hit a 180 in the third, but missed two darts at double 16 to allow Burnett in – only for the Welsh ace to miss the single nine to leave double eight and then seeing a dart at double four land off-target as Newton returned to hit double two.

Newton also capitalised in the fourth leg when Burnett again failed to leave a double at the first time of asking, missing double 16 before the UK Open finalist hit double ten to level.

He then landed a 177 to leave 32 in the next, stepping in to take out double eight after Burnett missed tops for a 106 finish, and hit a 180 and double six to move 4-2 up.

Another 180 from Newton was followed by a 117 checkout in the next as he moved a leg away from victory at 5-2, although he missed three match darts as Burnett won a third leg of the game on double eight.

Newton, though, posted his fifth 180 of the contest and followed that with a 140 to leave 81 after nine darts, and finished double eight again to seal his second round berth.

“I’m relieved to have come through that,” admitted Newton. “Richie made a great start and he could have gone 4-0 up, but I came strong after that.

“I was really pleased with how I scored and it’s a good way to start this tournament.”

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 6-3 RONNIE BAXTER
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD hit eight 180s in a heavy-scoring 6-3 win over Ronnie Baxter as he began his challenge at the Cash Converters Players Championship with a sensational performance.

The Dutchman’s return to a similar set-up of darts with which he won a fifth World Championship in 2007 saw him power past Baxter and set up a second round contest with Scott Rand.

Van Barneveld opened the game with a 180 in a taste of what was to come over the next nine legs, taking out double eight for a 13-darter to lead and also hitting another maximum in the second and two in the third leg.

Baxter replied with a 180 of his own in taking the fourth, and when van Barneveld was unable to take his chances in the fifth he cut the gap to 3-2.

Baxter missed double 16 to level in the sixth, but when van Barneveld was unable to land double 18 the Blackpool ace took out double eight to level the game.

He also traded 180s with van Barneveld in the seventh, but double ten gave the Dutchman back the lead before four misses from Baxter proved costly as double ten gave him a 5-3 cushion.

Van Barneveld then added a further two 180s in setting up an 11-darter in the ninth leg, taking out double 16 for a powerful victory.

“I’m very happy with that performance and to average over 104,” said van Barneveld. “Ronnie came back well to three-all but I missed doubles and let him in.

“If I’d not missed my doubles then I may have averaged 110 and enjoyed a better win, but I’m feeling good.

“I didn’t have a good Grand Slam but I’ve gone back to this set-up and I’ve practised well, so to hit two treble 20s nearly every time I went to the oche was a big boost and I know now what I can do on stage with these darts.”

JAMES WADE 6-4 ANDY SMITH
WORLD number three James Wade defeated Andy Smith 6-4 to win through to the second round of the Cash Converters Players Championship at the Doncaster Dome.

The left-hander opened the game with a confidence-boosting 12-dart finish which featured a 180, although Smith levelled on double ten and then hit double 16 to lead 2-1.

Wade, though, took the fourth to square the game before hitting a 180 and tops to regain the lead.

Double ten for a 13-dart finish moved Wade 4-2 up, giving him a lead which would prove crucial in edging him to victory as Smith battled for a way back into the game.

He finished double top for a 14-darter in winning the seventh leg, and after Wade took out tops he added a second maximum and double three to pull back to 5-4.

However, he missed the bull to send the game into a deciding leg, and Wade landed his trusted double top to ensure progression to the last 16.

STEVE BROWN 6-5 PAUL NICHOLSON
STEVE BROWN edged out 2010 winner Paul Nicholson 6-5 in a first round thriller at the Cash Converters Players Championship as the pair battled out a dramatic contest.

Emerging Bristol ace Brown took an early 3-1 lead before Nicholson hit back to move 4-3 and 5-4 up.

Brown forced a deciding leg and held the edge after hitting two tons but could only watch as Nicholson missed the bull for a 170 checkout to take victory, before he returned to hit double top and snatch the win.

Although Nicholson hit a 180 in the game’s opening leg, two missed doubles allowed Brown in on double top to lead before he took out 92 for a 14-darter in moving 2-0 up.

He also opened the third with a 180, but Nicholson finished 101 to get off the mark – only to pay for two further missed doubles as Brown took out double 12 for a 3-1 advantage.

Brown hit a 180 to lead 69 in the fifth, but Nicholson finished 79 for a 14-dart finish before levelling in 13 darts on double 14, punishing his opponent for misses at double 19 and double eight.

Nicholson then hit his second 180 of the game and a two-dart 65 finish to lead for the first time at 4-3, although Brown swiftly levelled with double ten for a 14-darter.

Nicholson landed another maximum on his way to a fifth leg, which he secured on double 16, although Brown denied him a chance to take victory by hitting tops to send the tie into a deciding leg.

Nicholson struggled to find the treble as the tension mounted, while Brown hit scores of 100 and 121 in being first to a finish, initially leaving 115 and setting up 60.

Nicholson had a chance to take victory with a maximum 170 checkout, but wired the bullseye to allow Brown back, and he made no mistake to hit his first dart at double top for the win.

“I’m relieved to have come through that,” admitted Brown. “Paul’s a fantastic player and he knows how to win, so to come through that shows my fighting spirit.

“My last leg was strong and I knew after he missed the bullseye that I couldn’t give him a second chance.”

He added: “I’ve worked so hard this year but had some hard draws with playing Raymond van Barneveld twice and also Phil Taylor and James Wade in the first round of TV events.

“It’s been a long time coming for me to get the win but I’ve been very focused for the last five weeks and although it wasn’t an amazing performance, I thought I was gritty.”

Source – PDC/Lawrence Lustig

We will be running our regular Beat The Tipster competition in association with  Bulls Darts and DartsCorner.co.uk, covering all these tournaments. In fact the Tipster has made his predictions for Lakeside, The Zuiderduin Masters and the PDC Players Championship already. So make haste over to the registration page to be in with a chance of winning some great prizes.

We have a mix of our usual, match score predictions and a chance for you to assemble a Fantasy League Darts squad for the Zuiderduin Masters.

Full details and prize breakdown information is detailed here, and thanks to Bulls and DartsCorner.co.uk you can expect to win Dart Boards, Electronic Scorers, Dart Board Cabinets, Dart Board Stands, Dart Sets. Remember though, you have to be in it to win it! Registration for the Players Champs and Zuiderduin Master ends very soon…so don’t delay and register today!

With hundreds of pounds of prizes on offer, why not try and bag yourself an extra Christmas present or two?

Tell your mates, get the wife to enter! Everyone is welcome to join in with the fun.

The £250,000 tournament will feature stars including 15-time World Champion Phil Taylor, Holland’s five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld, Premier League Darts champion Gary Anderson and world number three James Wade.

The tournament – screened live on ITV4 – will kick off on Thursday December 8, with the opening eight games from the first round being played.

Derby’s Jamie Caven will meet emerging star Scott Rand in the tournament’s opening game, with recent Grand Slam of Darts semi-finalist Mark Walsh facing Mark Hylton and Peter Wright playing Denis Ovens before three former World Champions enter the fray.

Dutch star van Barneveld clashes with Blackpool’s Ronnie Baxter, Canada’s three-time World Champion John Part meets Wolverhampton’s Wayne Jones and Wales’ former World Champion Richie Burnett plays UK Open runner-up Wes Newton.

2010 Players Championship Finals winner Paul Nicholson begins his bid for a second win in the event against Bristol’s Steve Brown, and June’s UK Open champion James Wade takes on Andy Smith.

Friday’s remaining eight first round games include reigning champion Taylor taking on Terry Jenkins, while Scotland’s world number four Anderson plays Michael van Gerwen.

Friday night opens with the all-St Helens battle befween debutant Dave Chisnall and Alan Tabern, with Colin Osborne playing Kevin Painter and Dutch pair Vincent van der Voort and Co Stompe then clashing.

Mervyn King, the 2010 runner-up, plays Colin Lloyd before number one seed Justin Pipe – the winner of three Players Championships in recent weeks – takes on John Henderson.

Former World Champions Mark Webster and Steve Beaton meet in the night’s other game, with the second round split across two sessions on Saturday December 10.

The tournament comes to a climax with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final split across two sessions on Sunday December 11 as players compete for the £60,000 title.

Players competed in 31 one-day Players Championship events during 2011 to qualify for the event, which features the leading 32 money earners from those tournaments.

However, world number five Simon Whitlock withdrew as he continues his recovery from a broken bone in his ankle, paving the way for John Henderson to compete in Doncaster, while Adrian Lewis missed out on qualification by one place in the Players Championship Order of Merit.

Tickets are available all sessions of the Cash Converters Players Championship, either in person from the Doncaster Dome Box Office or by calling 01302 370 777, with a buy one, get one free offer available for tickets for the opening night on Thursday December 8.

Cash Converters Players Championship
Schedule of Play
Thursday December 8 (7pm-11pm)
First Round
7.05pm Jamie Caven v Scott Rand
7.35pm Mark Walsh v Mark Hylton
8.05pm Peter Wright v Denis Ovens
8.35pm John Part v Wayne Jones
9.05pm Wes Newton v Richie Burnett
9.35pm Ronnie Baxter v Raymond van Barneveld
10.05pm James Wade v Andy Smith
10.35pm Paul Nicholson v Steve Brown

Friday December 9 (7pm-11pm)
First Round
7.05pm Dave Chisnall v Alan Tabern
7.35pm Colin Osborne v Kevin Painter
8.05pm Vincent van der Voort v Co Stompe
8.35pm Mervyn King v Colin Lloyd
9.05pm Justin Pipe v John Henderson
9.35pm Phil Taylor v Terry Jenkins
10.05pm Mark Webster v Steve Beaton
10.35pm Gary Anderson v Michael van Gerwen

Saturday December 10
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm)
Second Round
1.05pm Newton/Burnett v Wright/Ovens
2.05pm Part/Jones v Walsh/Hylton
3.05pm Nicholson/Brown v Wade/Smith
4.05pm Baxter/Barneveld v Caven/Rand

Evening Session (7pm-11pm)
Second Round
7.05pm van der Voort/Stompe v Chisnall/Tabern
8.05pm Pipe/Henderson v Webster/Beaton
9.05pm Taylor/Jenkins v King/Lloyd
10.05pm Anderson/van Gerwen v Osborne/Painter

Sunday December 11
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm)
Quarter-Finals
1.05pm Part/Jones/Walsh/Hylton v Newton/Burnett/Wright/Ovens
2.05pm Baxter/van Barneveld/Caven/Rand v Nicholson/Brown/Wade/Smith
3.05pm Anderson/van Gerwen/Osborne/Painter v Taylor/Jenkins/King/Lloyd
4.05pm Pipe/Henderson/Webster/Beaton v van der Voort/Stompe/Chisnall/Tabern

Evening Session (7pm-11pm)
Semi-Finals
7.05pm
8.15pm
Order to be decided by coin toss

Final
9.45pm

Format
First Round Best of 11 legs
Second Round Best of 15 legs
Quarter-Finals Best of 17 legs
Semi-Finals Best of 19 legs
Final Best of 25 legs

Source – PDC/Lawrence Lustig

Taylor backed up Saturday’s Players Championship with another excellent display to take the £6,000 first prize for the second day running, coming from 4-2 down against Pipe in the final.

He began the event with 6-3 victories over Stephen Hardy and Brendan Dolan before defeating Wayne Jones by a 6-1 scoreline to reach the last eight.

Taylor then knocked out Steve Beaton with a 6-2 win and a 6-1 triumph against Wes Newton in the semi-finals set-up a clash against Pipe.

Taylor began the final in confident mood by winning the first leg in 13-darts. But Pipe stormed back to level with an 11-darter and a fabulous 164 checkout gave him a 2-1 lead.

The world number one won the fourth leg against the darts to level at two all, but Pipe won the next two legs on double two to move 4-2 ahead.

The seventh leg saw Pipe off-target with three chances to go three legs clear which allowed Taylor to step in and nick the leg by landing double two.

Taylor then won the eighth leg, capitalising on another missed dart at double from his opponent and then took the next with a clinical two-dart 88 finish to go 5-4 ahead.

The fifteen-time World Champion, then closed out the game in style by winning the 10th leg with a superb 128 checkout, with Pipe waiting on a two-darter to force a deciding leg.

Justin Pipe’s run to his sixth final in the last two months, included victories over Chris Aubrey, Chris Thompson in a deciding-leg, and a 6-4 triumph against Denis Ovens in the last 16.

The Taunton ace then defeated Dave Chisnall by a 6-3 margin in the last eight, before firing in seven 180s and two 11-dart-finishes in a sensational 6-1 victory over Adrian Lewis in the semi-finals.

Former World Champion, Jelle Klaasen, agonisingly missed a dart at double 12 for a nine-dart-finish during his 6-5 second round victory over Michael Smith. The Dutch star was knocked out by Wes Newton in the following round.

There was further drama during the final Players Championship event of the year, with players battling for qualification for the Cash Converters Players Championship Finals and the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship.

Adrian Lewis’ run to the semi-finals – his best performance in a Pro Tour event for six months, was not enough to see him claim a place in the Players Championship Finals at the Doncaster Dome.

Ian White’s run to the last 16, which included victories over Andy Jenkins, Vincent van der Voort and Nigel Heydon, secured his place in next month’s World Darts Championship via the Players Championship Order of Merit.

Monday see’s the PDPA Qualifier where players such as Dennis Priestley, Wayne Mardle and Peter Manley will fight it out for the remaining final two spots in the World Championships in a knockout event in Wigan.

Players Championship 31
Sunday November 27 (Robin Park Tennis Centre, Wigan)
First Round
Justin Pipe (1) Bye
Chris Aubrey 6-3 Sam Allen
Chris Thompson 6-4 James Richardson (32)
Mike Nott 6-4 Ashley Holgate
Denis Ovens (16) 6-2 Kevin Dowling
Dyson Parody 6-5 Steve Grubb
Andy Smith (17) 6-2 Jimmy Mann
Kirk Shepherd 6-3 Gary Eastwood
Mervyn King (8) Bye
Darren Johnson 6-3 Wayne Atwood
Prakash Jiwa 6-3 John Henderson (25)
William O’Connor 6-4 Jason Crawley
Dave Chisnall (9) Bye
Magnus Caris 6-2 Andy Brown
Steve Brown (24) 6-0 Steven Pearson
Terry Temple 6-5 Kevin McDine
Vincent van der Voort (5) Bye
Ian White 6-4 Andy Jenkins
Nigel Heydon (28) 6-5 Adrian Gray
Louis Blundell 6-5 Steve Maish
Peter Wright (12) Bye
Matt Clark 6-1 Steve Evans
Alan Tabern (21) 6-5 Adam Smith-Neale
Tony Ayres 6-1 Mark Lawrence
Ronnie Baxter (4) Bye
Michael Mansell 6-1 Matt Padgett
Adrian Lewis (29) 6-3 Gary Mawson
Dennis Smith 6-0 Colin Monk
Colin Osborne (13) Bye
Alex Roy 6-1 Dave Ladley
Scott Rand (20) 6-4 Shaun Griffiths
Kenny MacNeil 6-1 Adrian Bolitho
Paul Nicholson (2) Bye
Peter Hudson 6-2 Nick Fulwell
Mark Stephenson 6-3 Steve Farmer (31)
Aodhagan O’Neill 6-2 Geoff Whitworth
Steve Beaton (15) Bye
Adam Hunt 6-4 Dave Honey
Mark Hylton (18) 6-5 Mark Dudbridge
Reece Robinson 6-0 Paul Schofield
Phil Taylor (7) Bye
Stephen Hardy 6-1 Andy Pearson
Michael van Gerwen (26) 6-0 Simon Burt
Brendan Dolan 6-1 John Walton
Jamie Caven (10) Bye
Robert Thornton 6-2 Mareno Michels
Wayne Jones (23) 6-5 Steve Hine
Michael Barnard 6-1 Brian Woods
Mark Walsh (6) Bye
Devon Petersen 6-2 Matthew Edgar
Arron Monk 6-5 Andy Hamilton (27)
Darren Whittingham 6-0 Jon Archer
James Wade (11) Bye
Ken Dobson 6-0 Paul Hodkin
Terry Jenkins (22) 6-3 Martyn Turner
Ian Jopling 6-4 Mick Todd
Wes Newton (3) Bye
Dave Smith 6-3 Andy Pearce
Jelle Klaasen 6-5 Roland Scholten (30)
Michael Smith 6-1 Barrie Bates
Mark Webster (14) Bye
Mark Frost 6-4 Paul Rowley
Colin Lloyd (19) 6-1 Mark Jones
Joe Cullen 6-1 Tony Eccles

Second Round
Justin Pipe 6-1 Chris Aubrey
Chris Thompson 6-0 Mike Nott
Denis Ovens 6-5 Dyson Parody
Andy Smith 6-1 Kirk Shepherd
Mervyn King 6-2 Darren Johnson
Prakash Jiwa 6-3 William O’Connor
Dave Chisnall 6-4 Magnus Caris
Terry Temple 6-3 Steve Brown
Ian White 6-5 Vincent van der Voort
Nigel Heydon 6-1 Louis Blundell
Peter Wright 6-5 Matt Clark
Alan Tabern 6-3 Tony Ayres
Michael Mansell 6-1 Ronnie Baxter
Adrian Lewis 6-3 Dennis Smith
Alex Roy 6-1 Colin Osborne
Scott Rand 6-1 Kenny MacNeil
Peter Hudson 6-5 Paul Nicholson
Mark Stephenson 6-5 Aodhagan O’Neill
Steve Beaton 6-5 Adam Hunt
Mark Hylton 6-4 Reece Robinson
Phil Taylor 6-3 Stephen Hardy
Brendan Dolan 6-5 Michael van Gerwen
Jamie Caven 6-3 Robert Thornton
Wayne Jones 6-1 Michael Barnard
Mark Walsh 6-3 Devon Petersen
Arron Monk 6-2 Darren Whittingham
James Wade 6-2 Ken Dobson
Terry Jenkins 6-2 Ian Jopling
Wes Newton 6-0 Dave Smith
Jelle Klaasen 6-5 Michael Smith
Mark Webster 6-1 Mark Frost
Colin Lloyd 6-1 Joe Cullen
Losers £200

Third Round
Justin Pipe 6-5 Chris Thompson
Denis Ovens 6-3 Andy Smith
Prakash Jiwa 6-2 Mervyn King
Dave Chisnall 6-0 Terry Temple
Ian White 6-2 Nigel Heydon
Peter Wright 6-1 Alan Tabern
Adrian Lewis 6-2 Michael Mansell
Scott Rand 6-3 Alex Roy
Peter Hudson 6-4 Mark Stephenson
Steve Beaton 6-2 Mark Hylton
Phil Taylor 6-3 Brendan Dolan
Wayne Jones 6-2 Jamie Caven
Mark Walsh 6-3 Arron Monk
Terry Jenkins 6-3 James Wade
Wes Newton 6-4 Jelle Klaasen
Mark Webster 6-2 Colin Lloyd
Losers £400

Fourth Round
Justin Pipe 6-4 Denis Ovens
Dave Chisnall 6-2 Prakash Jiwa
Peter Wright 6-5 Ian White
Adrian Lewis 6-3 Scott Rand
Steve Beaton 6-1 Peter Hudson
Phil Taylor 6-1 Wayne Jones
Terry Jenkins 6-0 Mark Walsh
Wes Newton 6-2 Mark Webster
Losers £600

Quarter-Finals
Justin Pipe 6-3 Dave Chisnall
Adrian Lewis 6-5 Peter Wright
Phil Taylor 6-2 Steve Beaton
Wes Newton 6-5 Terry Jenkins
Losers £1,000

Semi-Finals
Justin Pipe 6-1 Adrian Lewis
Phil Taylor 6-1 Wes Newton
Losers £2,000

Final
Phil Taylor 6-4 Justin Pipe
Winner £6,000
Runner-Up £3,000

The world number one continued the fantastic form that he showed in Wolverhampton a week ago, where he captured his fourth Grand Slam title.

Taylor began the final by breaking Baxter’s throw with a 121 checkout and then converted a 77 finish to lead 2-0 and establish control.

The Stoke star continued that form in the third leg when he hit a maximum to reach a finish first. But unusually for Taylor, he was off-target with several attempts at doubles for a 3-0 lead and Baxter took the opportunity to nick the leg.

The fourth saw Baxter miss a chance to level the match at two all and Taylor made his opponent pay taking out 99 to restore his two leg advantage.

From then on Taylor didn’t look back as he hit a 180 in the next leg, which he won by hitting double 16 and he hit the same bed in the next to wrap up the game.

Earlier in the day, Taylor saw off Jimmy Mann, Mark Jones and Alan Tabern to reach the quarter-finals.

He then defeated Denis Ovens 6-3 in the last eight before thumping Steve Beaton in the semi-finals with a whitewash victory to reach the final.

Baxter, who put together his best performance on the Pro Tour since winning in Canada back in August, defeated Mark Stephenson, Louis Blundell to reach the last eight.

The Blackpool thrower then beat both Peter Wright and Mark Webster by 6-2 margins before taking away the £3,000 runners-up cheque.

Mark Webster reached the semi-finals of the Pro Tour for second time in 2011 by beating Justin Pipe and Dave Chisnall on the way before being denied a place in the final by Baxter.

Steve Beaton, who lost in the Second Round of the Grand Slam of Darts last week, recorded his best performance on the Pro Tour this year by reaching the last four, before being comprehensively beaten by Taylor.

Dutch youngster, Michael van Gerwen, improved his chances of qualifying for Players Championship Finals in Doncaster, after reaching the Quarter-Finals, before losing in a deciding-leg to Beaton.

UK Open winner, James Wade and Adrian Lewis, the reigning World Champion, were surprise early casualties from the tournament at the hands of Prakash Jiwa and Magnus Caris, respectively.

Sunday will see the final Players Championship of the year take place at the Robin Park Tennis Centre, which will determine qualification for next month’s Players Championship Finals and Ladbrokes World Darts Championship.

Players Championship 30
Saturday November 26 (Robin Park Tennis Centre, Wigan)
First Round
Justin Pipe (1) Bye
Arron Monk 6-4 Gary Eastwood
Roland Scholten (32) 6-3 Alex Roy
Chris Thompson 6-0 Jon Archer
Mark Webster (16) 6-2 Dave Ladley
Reece Robinson 6-4 Simon Burt
Andy Smith (17) 6-2 Kirk Shepherd
Michael Smith 6-4 Matt Padgett
Mervyn King (8) Bye
Darren Whittingham 6-2 Gary Mawson
Wayne Jones (25) 6-1 Mareno Michels
Dennis Smith 6-5 Mick Todd
Dave Chisnall (9) Bye
Ian White 6-1 Steven Pearson
Terry Temple 6-4 Steve Brown (24)
Chris Aubrey 6-5 Michael Barnard
Ronnie Baxter (5) Bye
Mark Stephenson 6-2 Mike Nott
Andy Hamilton (28) 6-0 Colin Monk
Louis Blundell 6-2 Matthew Edgar
Colin Osborne (12) Bye
Peter Hudson 6-5 Matt Clark
Kevin McDine 6-5 Scott Rand (21)
Robert Thornton 6-3 Mark Dudbridge
Mark Walsh (4) Bye
James Richardson 6-0 Dyson Parody
Nigel Heydon (29) 6-0 Paul Hodkin
Andy Jenkins 6-0 Tony Blundell
Peter Wright (13) Bye
Adam Smith-Neale 6-0 Ian Jopling
Jelle Klaasen 6-1 Colin Lloyd (20)
Brendan Dolan 6-0 Jimmy O’Regan
Paul Nicholson (2) Bye
Andy Brown 6-3 Steve Grubb
Steve Farmer (31) 6-4 Michael Mansell
Tony Ayres 6-4 Nick Fullwell
Denis Ovens (15) Bye
Kevin Dowling 6-2 Steve Maish
Darren Johnson 6-2 Mark Hylton (18)
Steve Evans 6-2 Paul Schofield
Phil Taylor (7) Bye
Jimmy Mann 6-0 Sam Allen
Mark Jones 6-3 John Henderson (26)
Mark Lawrence 6-4 Devon Petersen
Jamie Caven (10) Bye
Mark Frost 6-5 Wayne Atwood
Alan Tabern (23) 6-5 Brian Woods
Shaun Griffiths 6-1 Adrian Gray
Vincent van der Voort (6) Bye
Aodhagan O’Neill 6-4 Geoff Whitworth
Michael van Gerwen (27) 6-2 Stephen Hardy
William O’Connor 6-3 Adam Hunt
James Wade (11) Bye
Prakash Jiwa 6-4 Ken Dobson
Dave Smith 6-5 Terry Jenkins (22)
Joe Cullen 6-2 Andy Pearce
Wes Newton (3) Bye
Barrie Bates 6-4 Kenny MacNeil
Adrian Lewis (30) 6-1 Dave Honey
Magnus Caris 6-2 Martyn Turner
Kevin Painter (14) Bye
Tony Eccles 6-1 Ashley Holgate
Steve Beaton (19) 6-5 Steve Hine
Adrian Bolitho 6-5 Paul Rowley

Second Round
Justin Pipe 6-0 Arron Monk
Chris Thompson 6-3 Roland Scholten
Mark Webster 6-4 Reece Robinson
Michael Smith 6-4 Andy Smith
Mervyn King 6-0 Darren Whittingham
Dennis Smith 6-2 Wayne Jones
Dave Chisnall 6-4 Ian White
Terry Temple 6-3 Chris Aubrey
Ronnie Baxter 6-3 Mark Stephenson
Louis Blundell 6-5 Andy Hamilton
Colin Osborne 6-5 Peter Hudson
Kevin McDine 6-5 Robert Thornton
James Richardson 6-4 Mark Walsh
Andy Jenkins 6-4 Nigel Heydon
Peter Wright 6-0 Adam Smith-Neale
Brendan Dolan 6-1 Jelle Klaasen
Paul Nicholson 6-2 Andy Brown
Steve Farmer 6-4 Tony Ayres
Denis Ovens 6-3 Kevin Dowling
Darren Johnson 6-5 Steve Evans
Phil Taylor 6-4 Jimmy Mann
Mark Jones 6-3 Mark Lawrence
Mark Frost 6-5 Jamie Caven
Alan Tabern 6-5 Shaun Griffiths
Vincent van der Voort 6-0 Aodhagan O’Neill
Michael van Gerwen 6-1 William O’Connor
Prakash Jiwa 6-3 James Wade
Joe Cullen 6-5 Dave Smith
Wes Newton 6-1 Barrie Bates
Magnus Caris 6-5 Adrian Lewis
Kevin Painter 6-1 Tony Eccles
Steve Beaton 6-2 Adrian Bolitho
Losers £200

Third Round
Justin Pipe 6-3 Chris Thompson
Mark Webster 6-2 Michael Smith
Mervyn King 6-2 Dennis Smith
Dave Chisnall 6-2 Terry Temple
Ronnie Baxter 6-2 Louis Blundell
Colin Osborne 6-4 Kevin McDine
Andy Jenkins 6-5 James Richardson
Peter Wright 6-4 Brendan Dolan
Paul Nicholson 6-3 Steve Farmer
Denis Ovens 6-3 Darren Johnson
Phil Taylor 6-1 Mark Jones
Alan Tabern 6-2 Mark Frost
Michael van Gerwen 6-2 Vincent van der Voort
Joe Cullen 6-4 Prakash Jiwa
Wes Newton 6-5 Magnus Caris
Steve Beaton 6-1 Kevin Painter
Losers £400

Fourth Round
Mark Webster 6-5 Justin Pipe
Dave Chisnall 6-1 Mervyn King
Ronnie Baxter 6-4 Colin Osborne
Peter Wright 6-1 Andy Jenkins
Denis Ovens 6-5 Paul Nicholson
Phil Taylor 6-4 Alan Tabern
Michael van Gerwen 6-2 Joe Cullen
Steve Beaton 6-2 Wes Newton
Losers £600

Quarter-Finals
Mark Webster 6-5 Dave Chisnall
Ronnie Baxter 6-2 Peter Wright
Phil Taylor 6-3 Denis Ovens
Steve Beaton 6-5 Michael van Gerwen
Losers £1,000

Semi-Finals
Ronnie Baxter 6-2 Mark Webster
Phil Taylor 6-0 Steve Beaton
Losers £2,000

Final
Phil Taylor 6-1 Ronnie Baxter
Winner £6,000
Runner-Up £3,000

Source – PDC