Jonny Clayton is the first player through to the semi-finals at the
Players Championship Finals after a resounding success over Callan Rydz 10-3 to start proceedings on Sunday afternoon in Minehead.
Clayton, who previously was the runner-up back in 2017 hasn't had the best year since finishing top of the Premier League before the play-offs but will look to turn the corner at the right time this weekend.
It was a dream start for Clayton which Rydz struggled to recover from, he punished two missed darts at doubles to break and head into a 4-0 lead. Finally opening his account to break back, he hit a 102 checkout to go 4-1 down and consolidated but the three leg buffer was restored with a 102 checkout to go 5-2 up.
More opportunities were punished from there with Clayton's average creeping towards 101 and his lead heading to 8-2 with another break. It was a scrappy end in which Clayton hit double one in the end to close out the tie for a 22-darter but nonetheless he is through.