It was Dave Chisnall’s day in Crawley as he made it three straight Players Championship victories at the venue.
Unicorn World No.3 James Wade enjoyed a terrific run to the semi-finals, but he was no match for an in-form Chisnall, who won 6-2.
Wade had come from 1-4 down to beat Andrew Gilding 6-5 in his first game of the day.....he followed up with wins over Andy Smith (6-3), John Part (6-5) and Peter Wright (6-5) but he was totally outscored by Chisnall in the semi-finals.
It is the St Helens’ man fourth Players Championship success of the year....and three in succession at Crawley. Only a month ago, he won back-to-back PC tournaments at the K2 venue.
In the final, he beat Ronnie Baxter 6-4
Chisnall took out 121 on the bull twice and also had two 102 check-outs in a victory which will push him further up the World rankings just a week after he broke into the top 16.
Elsewhere, Joe Cullen’s run to the last 16 could be crucial for the Unicorn ace.....another £600 earned and another big step towards qualification for the World Matchplay through the Pro Tour Order of Merit.
And he was unlucky not to win his 4th Round clash with Chisnall.....at 4-4 Cullen was sat on 56, but then had to watch as his opponent took out 170 to break the throw....Chisnall then held his own throw to edge a thriller 6-4.
For the rest of Team Unicorn – a disappointing day in Crawley.....Andy Hamilton, Terry Jenkins and Paul Nicholson were beaten in the 3rd Round.
Hamilton lost 6-2 to Robert Thornton, Nicholson lost by the same score against Mark Walsh and Jenkins went down 6-3 to Richie Burnett.
Five Unicorn players exited at the 2nd Round stage.
Devon Petersen was unlucky to lose a last leg decider to World Champion Adrian Lewis, Kevin Painter missed far too many doubles and also lost in an 11th leg against Stuart Kellett, as did Wes Newton against Irishman William O’Connor.
Arron Monk played well, but lost 6-4 to Chisnall....and Coli Osborne’s hoped of World Matchplay qualification suffered a blow as he lost 6-4 to youngster Reece Robinson.
And the same can be said for Jamie Caven....he was in 13th spot on the Pro Tour Order of Merit for Blackpool, but he lost 6-2 in the 1st Round to James Hubbard.....Keegan Brown also fell at the first hurdle, as he was beaten 6-4 by Monk in an all Unicorn clash.
But it was so nearly a day to remember for the new Unicorn Contender, as Brown just missed D12 for a 9 darter!
Results – Quarter- Finals:
Adrian Lewis 6-4 Brendan Dolan
Ronnie Baxter 6-5 Simon Whitlock
Dave Chisnall 6-4 Ian White
James Wade 6-5 Peter Wright
Semi-Finals:
Ronnie Baxter 6-5 Adrian Lewis
Dave Chisnall 6-2 James Wade
Final:
Dave Chisnall 6-4 Ronnie Baxter
By STUART PYKE
Photo courtesy Lawrence Lustig / PDC