News

James Wade enjoyed an extremely successful weekend as he won Saturday’s Players Championship in Crawley before being denied a double in Sunday’s final.

‘The Machine’ followed up last week’s tremendous run to the final of the World Grand Prix in Dublin with a weekend to remember on the Pro Tour.

The world number six defeated Kim Huybrechts in Saturday’s decider to clinch his second ranking title of the year.

Wade began the day as he meant to go on as he whitewashed German youngster Max Hopp.

The left-hander then defeated Gerwyn Price, Wes Newton and Jelle Klaasen to reach the quarter-finals, where he edged out Robert Thornton 6-5 in an exciting battle between the pair, who had sensationally both hit nine-dart finishes in their World Grand Prix clash a week earlier.

Wade then saw off Gary Anderson to reach the final, where he battled back from being 5-3 behind to defeat Belgian ace Huybrechts 6-5 to take the title and scoop the £10,000 winner’s cheque.

On Sunday, he defeated Huybrechts again en route to his third final in the space of a week.

The seven-time major winner also enjoyed victories against Terry Jenkins, Paul Amos, Magnus Caris, Darren Webster and Andrew Gilding before losing out in the final to world number one van Gerwen.

Wade will be back in action on Friday evening, when he faces Ronny Huybrechts in round one of the European Championship, which will be televised live on ITV4.

By Chris Murphy