20/03/2022

Williams edges past Evans in nervy tie to seal maiden PDC ranking title at Players Championship 6

Jim Williams claimed the PDC Challenge Tour title last season to finally seal his Tour Card and has shown he belongs on the ProTour after prior success in the BDO claiming his maiden PDC ranking title at Players Championship 6.

Williams saw off Ricky Evans - who lost out in his fifth PDC senior final in a nervy 8-6 affair with both players going to the madhouse in double one but it was the Welshman who finally sealed it and he joins the roll of honour in Barnsley.

Prize Money breakdown 2022 Players Championship with £3,000,000 on offer

Williams missed 121 on double 18 to level up but with Evans unable to take 170, ‘The Quiff’ returned for double eight to level up.

Evans missed the chance to hold and was made to rue it as Williams took out double eight to make it 2-1. He extended that to 3-1.

Evans returned though for an 86 on the bull as a confidence booster to make it 3-2. Williams missed bull for a 124 and Evans hit double 10 to make it 3-3 and break back and was throwing for a 4-3 lead.

Williams missed a 106 but returned to break back after Evans missed the chance from 64 to hold. He missed a 115 checkout to hold but Evans couldn’t pin 69 on double 20 so Williams returned for the same target to go 5-3 up and consolidate the break.

The Welshman had a poor leg but it was on Evans’ throw which allowed the Kettering ace to make it 5-4 using double 20, double 10 for a 60.

Williams started off on his throw with a 177 but a poor requisite visit saw Evans hit a 180 only for Willliams to hit back with 139 to leave 140 which he missed on double 10 but came back with Evans not hitting 164 and it was 6-4.

A 121 was missed by Williams on the bull to break and go one away and Evans stayed alive with a clutch double 10 to make it 6-5.

Williams saw a dart fall out of the board and Evans fired in a 128 checkout on the bull to break back and level up at 6-6.

A 180 and 81 checkout saw Williams bounce back and he was throwing for the match at 7-6 with a break back. As Williams saw the finishing line in sight, Evans threw the kitchen sink at it and hit a 180 but couldn’t follow it up and Williams left 52 in case Evans couldn’t hit 121.

He couldn’t hit the big number though but was given a reprieve as Williams missed two match darts but double 10 was not his friend this time.

Williams missed three more though as nerves got the better of him. Three more darts went missing for Evans but it was seven match darts gone for ‘The Quiff’. It was down to double one for both and Williams claimed it after Evans busted his score.

Players Championship 6 Results

Last 16

Josh Rock (90.64) 6 | 3 (84.19) Martijn Kleermaker

Martin Schindler (95.93) 6 | 5 (95.06) Callan Rydz

Jim Williams (96.77) 6 | 5 (92.12) Scott Williams

Michael Smith (93.81) 6 | 2 (89.52) Jonny Clayton

Ian White (88.35) 6 | 5 (91.44) Cameron Menzies

Danny Noppert (97.59) 6 | 5 (96.13) Adrian Lewis

Mensur Suljovic (85) 5 | 6 (87) Ricky Evans

Gabriel Clemens (101.33) 6 | 0 (83.90) Mario Vandenbogaerde

Quarter-Finals

Josh Rock (82.65) 1 | 6 (98.19) Martin Schindler