Averaging over 106 Jonny Clayton returns to title winning ways at Players Championship 14

Wednesday, 03 July 2024 at 19:55

Jonny Clayton has taken the overall victory at Players Championship 14 in Milton Keynes this Wednesday afternoon. In the final, the Ferret defeated Wesley Plaisier 8-5, averaging 106.05.

En route to the final, Clayton already dispatched Dom Taylor (6-2) and Martin Schindler (6-4) among others. The Ferret was then tasked with overcoming the challenge of Cameron Menzies in the semi-final. Averaging 99.89, Clayton was an impressive 7-3 winner over the Scot. For Plaisier meanwhile, Mario Vandenbogaerde (6-4) and Graham Usher (6-2) among others were beaten to reach the semifinals. Plaisier then saw off Ryan Joyce 7-4, averaging 93.28 to book his place in the final.

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In the final itself, the first three legs all went with the darts. Clayton then became the first man to break the throw, moving clear 3-1 as a result. Consolidating that break of throw with a hold in the next leg, the Welshman began to build some clear daylight between himself and his opponent, taking a 4-1 lead.

After Plaisier stopped the rot to hold throw in leg 6, Clayton did likewise in leg 7. Then, as Clayton was pushing for another break to gain full control of the tie, Plaisier saved his skin with a stunning 161 checkout. Clayton did move to 6 in the following leg though and after Plaisier missed a handful of darts to get back to 6-4, The Ferret punished royally on double 16 to move one away. With Clayton missing his first match dart at the bullseye, it was Plaisier's turn to punish, nailing the same target for a 121 skinsaver. Despite Clayton's continued brilliance on the trebles, leaving 16 after 9 darts in the next leg, Plaisier continued to scrap and claw to stay alive, this time with a 122 finish on the bullseye. Finally though in leg 13, Clayton ended Plaisier's comeback, sealing the 8-5 win.

A total of 125,000 pounds in prize money is distributed at each Players Championship tournament. The winner of the event will receive a check for 15,000 pounds.