It took
Ryan Searle three attempts, but he finally secured his first ranking title of the season. In his thrid straight final, he defeated
Gary Anderson to win
Players Championship 3.
As mentioned, Searle had also reached the final in the previous two Players Championship tournaments, but lost to Luke Littler and Anderson respectively. On Monday, however, 'Heavy Metal' got a chance for revenge against 'The Flying Scotsman'.
Searle had reached the final after victories over successively Patrick Geeraets (6-2), Owen Bates (6-4), Simon Whitlock (6-4), Damon Heta (6-3), Danny Noppert (6-4) and Michael van Gerwen (7-4). Anderson defeated Jeffrey de Graaf (6-3), William Borland (6-2), Jim Williams (6-3), Jeffrey Sparidaans (6-0), Peter Wright (6-2) and Callan Rydz (7-4). In addition, Anderson posted averages of 107.63, 109.35, 111.71 and 112.02, among others.
In the final, Searle won the first three legs of the match, and managed to hold that lead for a long time. Anderson then threw three 12-darters in his own legs in a row, but was still looking at that break deficit after nine legs.
However, a miss by Searle in the 11th leg on double 12 resulted in a break for Anderson. The Scot broke his practice partner with an 11-darter, before levelling the score with a 14-darter in the 12th leg. Both men then held their own leg, before Searle struck with a 14-darter in the leg-decider.
Results Players Championship 3
Last 16
Peter Wright (104.01) 6 | 1 (91.72) Leighton Bennett
Gary Anderson (90.18) 6 | 0 (86.88) Jeffrey Sparidaans
Luke Littler (101.34) 6 | 4 (100.45) Dirk van Duijvenbode
Callan Rydz (98.07) 6 | 5 (94.75) Daryl Gurney
Steve Lennon (90.21) 6 | 4 (87.13) Ritchie Edhouse
Michael van Gerwen (94.71) 6 | 4 (86.49) Michael Smith
Ryan Searle (96.73) 6 | 3 (101.00) Damon Heta
Danny Noppert (96.24) 6 | 3 (93.99) Raymond van Barneveld
Quarterfinals
Gary Anderson (102.59) 6 | 2 (95.83) Peter Wright
Callan Rydz (103.34) 6 | 4 (86.88) Luke Littler
Michael van Gerwen (92.31) 6 | 5 (90.09) Steve Lennon
Ryan Searle (102.26) 6 | 4 (96.02) Danny Noppert
Semi-final
Gary Anderson (111.71) 7 | 4 (100.76) Callan Rydz
Ryan Searle (96.58) 7 | 4 (97.04) Michael van Gerwen
Final
Ryan Searle (107.63) 8 | 7 (108.61) Gary Anderson