Noppert continues Gilding's title drought with superb surge to seal Players Championship 19

Danny Noppert may be a major champion sealing the UK Open but he has his first Players Championship title since 2018 continuing Andrew Gilding's drought with a superb surge to conclude Event 19 winning 8-6.

He came from 6-3 down winning the last four legs to make it Double Dutch in Barnsley with his World Cup of Darts teammate, Dirk van Duijvenbode victorious yesterday at the Metrodome.

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Both held throw to begin the contest. Noppert got a dart at 76 to break throw but couldn’t produce and Gilding hit double 10 to go 2-1 up.

A 64 checkout saw Noppert hold to level up at 2-2. The holds continued as Gilding hit 53 to make it 3-2. A second maximum of the final for Gilding saw his average up at 103 as he attacked the Noppert throw but the Dutchman produced a majestic 105 checkout using two double 20’s to stop him getting a chance at 3-3.

Gilding missed the bull for a 124 checkout but Noppert didn’t punish to break and ‘Goldfinger’ made it 4-3 and it was his chance to break next time with a 121 checkout on the bull to make it 5-3.

He pinned double 20 to go 6-3 up and consolidate. Back to back 180’s saw Noppert though leave 84 as he looked to break back and cast doubt in the mind of Gilding and he pinned it to go 6-5 down.

An excellent response saw Gilding pin a maximum to leave 41 after nine but he missed two darts to break back and Noppert sealed parity at 6-6.

The UK Open champion began Gilding’s throw with a maximum as he looked to lead and go one away. He pinned another timely maximum to leave 41 after nine and he went 7-6 up and was throwing for the win.

After nine, he was locked on 122 for the title but left 32 and with his last dart sealed the title.

Results Players Championship 19

Last 16

Luke Humphries (99.15) 6 | 5 (95.77) Dave Chisnall

Jamie Hughes (108.00) 6 | 3 (94.76) Brian Raman

Rowby Rodriguez (97.05) 6 | 1 (92.44) Krzysztof Ratajski

Danny Noppert (93.63) 6 | 3 (90.00) Matt Campbell

Niels Zonneveld (99.58) 6 | 3 (90.12) Karel Sedlacek

Ryan Searle (90.26) 6 | 2 (89.95) Scott Waites

Lee Evans (97.65) 6 | 2 (94.30) Raymond van Barneveld

Andrew Gilding (109.48) 6 | 1 (87.03) Martin Lukeman

Quarter-Finals

Luke Humphries (104.78) 6 | 3 (100.51) Jamie Hughes

Danny Noppert (98.26) 6 | 1 (86.97) Rowby Rodriguez

Ryan Searle (97.66) 6 | 4 (89.77) Niels Zonneveld

Andrew Gilding (89.38) 6 | 1 (80.08) Lee Evans

Semi-Finals

Luke Humphries (96.02) 3 | 7 (95.56) Danny Noppert

Ryan Searle (92.30) 6 | 7 (94.52) Andrew Gilding

Final

Danny Noppert (96.86) 8 | 6 (98.67) Andrew Gilding