News

It was a treble celebration for James, who was back on top form last weekend at the Barnsley Metrodome.

On Friday, two-time European winner James defeated both Paul Nicholson and John Part (6-4) to qualify for 2018’s first European Darts Open taking place between March 23-25 in Leverkusen.

He then went on to make it a double beating Martin Lukeman (6-4) and Matthew Edgar (6-1) to qualify for the German Darts Grand Prix taking place in Munich over the Easter weekend.

On Saturday, celebrations continued when James reached the final of the Players Championship which saw him named runner-up to Michael van Gerwen (6-4).

James’s run to the final started with a last leg victory over Paul Rowley (6-5) followed by a run of excellent darts seeing him beat Toni Alcinas (6-2) and Chris Dobey (6-1). A brilliant average of 111 secured a further win against John Henderson (6-0).

In the quarter finals it was all to play for when James met World Champion Rob Cross, winning 6-5 a victory he was to repeat in the semi-finals where he won 6-4 against Ryan Joyce.

James, who was the UK Open champion in 2008 and 2011 will once again be appearing at the Coral UK Open TV Finals next weekend (March 2nd) at the Butlin’s Minehead Resort.

As one of the top players in the UK Open Order of Merit, James will begin his matches in the third round, taking place on the evening of Friday 2nd March which will be broadcast live on ITV.