11/11/2020

Smith claims back-to-back PDC Winter Series titles with victory over De Sousa in final

Michael Smith has claimed back-to-back PDC Winter Series titles after edging past Jose de Sousa in a deciding leg thriller.

Smith ended his two-year wait for a title yesterday and showed his confidence by going back-to-back denying De Sousa a second title of the year.

De Sousa began proceedings on double one after they had both kicked off with a 180. Smith replied with double five to make it 1-1.

But De Sousa cruised into a huge lead with back to-back legs in the form of an 11-darter and 13-darter to make it 3-1. From there he held to make it 4-1 with another 11-darter.

De Sousa missed five darts at doubles and Smith took out 65 to trail 4-2 from there. Smith hit double 10 though to reduce the arrears to 4-3 and keep himself in proceedings with a chance at parity.

Smith cleaned up 65 to make it 4-4 from there. De Sousa was first to a finish but Smith got himself down to 82 and cleaned it up in style with a 12-darter to go into the lead 5-4.

De Sousa hit back with a 12-darter of his own with an 82 checkout to make it 5-5. They continued to share the legs with it poised at 6-6.

It went all the way to a deciding leg and with De Sousa not able to pin 140, Smith was left 25 and pinned double 10 letting out a roar in delight.