"Gary Anderson is probably the best player in the world" - Ryan Searle delighted to get one over on his practice partner and claim PC3

After losing out in the final of the first two Players Championships of the year, Ryan Searle took victory yesterday. Heavy Metal won Players Championship 3, beating Gary Anderson 8-7 in the final.

Both Searle (107.63 average) and Anderson (108.61 average) reached a particularly high level in the final. “I wasn’t at my best today, but when it came to the final, I feel like I played pretty well," Searle said in his post-match interview. “I believe that Gary is probably the best player in the world, and I’ve said that for a long time. When you’re practising against him he’s banging in 180 after 180 and taking out massive finishes."

"Me and Gary have only practiced twice together this year. He is playing phenomenal darts at the moment, so I’m happy to be able to get one over on him for once!" Searle added: "To make three finals in a row and win one of them is a big achievement, because these events are not easy."

The 36-year-old Englishman therefore heads to Minehead as one of the top favourites for the UK Open, early next month. "I don’t set myself targets. I just turn up and play and whatever happens, happens."

"I wish I had Luke Humphries’ focus, where he wanted to be in the Premier League, he wanted to be world number one. I think that would probably help me, but it’s just not me!”