“I’ve rode my luck, but Wadey doesn’t let you off” - Ross Smith’s Antwerp luck finally runs out against James Wade

Ross Smith admitted his run to the Flanders Darts Trophy final had owed something to good fortune after James Wade ended his hopes of claiming a third European Tour title of 2026 in Antwerp.

The European Tour Order of Merit leader survived deciding legs against Ryan Joyce and Gian van Veen on Sunday evening before eventually falling 8-4 to Wade, who secured his first title on the circuit in a decade.

Smith had averaged only 86.26 in his 6-5 quarter-final win over Joyce and 94.31 in another last-leg victory against Van Veen, with both matches offering his opponents opportunities to end his tournament.

By the time he reached the final, Smith actually felt he had found his best level of the day. “I wasn’t at my best today, in the final was probably the best I’ve played all day,” Smith reflected.

That still was not enough against Wade. Smith averaged 94.82 and produced finishes of 150 and 123, but repeatedly found himself punished when chances appeared at the other end of the oche. “I’ve rode my luck, but Wadey doesn’t let you off, and I admire him,” Smith admitted.

Smith had already been forced to escape trouble against Joyce in the quarter-finals. He missed a match dart at double 16 in the ninth leg and another two in the tenth, allowing Joyce to drag the contest into a decider before Smith finally took out 60 to advance.

His semi-final proved even more dramatic. Van Veen led 6-5 and had opportunities to close out the match before Smith forced another deciding leg, where chances came and went for both players. Two misses at double 14 from Van Veen eventually allowed Smith to clean up five on double two and reach another European Tour final. Wade offered no such reprieve once he established control of the title match.

Smith recovered from an immediate break to lead 2-1 and later reduced the deficit to 4-3 with a 150 checkout, but Wade responded with finishes of 86 and 80 to pull clear again. Although Smith stayed alive with a 123 checkout on the bullseye at 7-3, the next leg proved his last.

Both men opened with 180s and reached 81 after nine darts. Wade missed the bull for the title, but Smith then bust his own attempt at 81. Wade returned to complete 25 on double 10 and close out an 8-4 victory.

For Smith, who had arrived in Antwerp already leading the European Tour Order of Merit after winning twice on the circuit this season, there was little frustration directed towards the man who denied him title number three.

“He’s absolutely class, he’s a grafter; it’s James Wade,” Smith said. “He 100% deserved that win.”

The defeat stopped Smith adding another trophy to his standout 2026 European Tour campaign, but another final appearance further strengthened his position at the top of the circuit’s Order of Merit.