02/07/2024

Ross Smith seals fourth ProTour title with thrilling Players Championship 13 final win over Wesley Plaisier

Ross Smith has a fourth Players Championship success after defeating Wesley Plaisier in an 8-7 win in which he averaged 107 in the process. Firing in 180's for fun, the pair put on a real show in the return to Milton Keynes for the first time in three years.

But amid a latter stage that featured Challenge Tour names, it was the experienced Smith that led from the front with a thrilling conclusion to the day in Milton Keynes. One more ProTour to come tomorrow.

Smith started off with a statement. He hammered in a 170 checkout to hold throw. He followed up with a 180 and was on for a nine-dart finish. But he hit a 48 checkout for a 12-darter.

Prize Money breakdown for 2024 Players Championship season with increased prize pool of £3,750,000

Both were averaging in the 110's. Plaisier was himself on for a nine-dart finish but went under the treble 20 to begin the 141. He couldn't get it done in 12 and Smith pressured with a 180. Plaisier had to hit nine and pinned double four for 2-1 down.

Smith busted 36 but Plaisier couldn't pounce and Smith returned to lead 3-1. Double 10 saw Smith register a three leg cushion at 4-1. It was a third nine-dart finish attempt of the final as Smith continued to flow but again the dart strayed underneath the treble 20.

He went 5-1 up though and was throwing to go two away. Plaisier though had a lifeline with a 144 checkout to break back. Plaisier consolidated to make it 5-3. A 56 checkout saw Smith make it 6-3.

Again another nine-dart finish attempt went to Smith who again hit it in the same section of the single 20. But Plaisier smashed in a 167 with Smith sat on 76 to make it 6-4. Smith had a huge miss on 56 and handed Plaisier a shot at double 20 which he gratefully took on double 20 to make it 6-5 down. He made it 6-6.

Smith finally stopped the rot on double 18 to make it 7-6. A 127 checkout saw it go all the way with Ross Smith having the throw. He hammered in five out of six treble 20's in a row and left 122 after nine darts. He reduced that to 32 but missed three match darts. Plaisier was looking at 113 and had a match dart at double 20 but missed it. Smith was shaking his head behind him as he couldn't believe he was in that position. 'Smudger' put it right on double eight.