Clayton returns to winning ways ahead of the Matchplay as the Ferret rediscovers his mojo

Clayton returns to winning ways ahead of the Matchplay as the Ferret rediscovers his mojo

Jonny Clayton put his name back in the winners’ circle at Players Championship 14 in Milton Keynes on Wednesday, defeating Wesley Plaisier 8-5.

Clayton surged to victory on a thrilling day of play at the Marshall Arena, defeating an in-form Plaisier and claiming his first PDC ranking championship since May 2023.

The Welshman, a runner-up in May’s Dutch Darts Championship, had a rough end to 2023, but he recovered to become the 14th different champion in as many Players Championship events in 2024.

Clayton, a quarter-finalist on Tuesday, began his campaign with convincing victories over Darren Beveridge, Andy Baetens, and James Hurrell, before beating Dom Taylor’s 110.71 average in a thrilling last 16 match.

The 49-year-old then defeated Martin Schindler in the round of eight before defeating Cameron Menzies 7-3 in the semi-finals, ending the Scot’s chances of qualifying for the World Matchplay.

Clayton took the early lead in Wednesday’s showpiece, ripping off three successive games to take 4-1 and 5-2 leads, only for Plaisier to react with a magnificent 161 checkout in round eight.

The former Premier League champion recovered his three-leg lead with a fantastic 11-darter, and he capitalised on his Dutch opponent’s infrequent blunders on the outer ring to go to 7-3.

Plaisier responded with skin-saving 121 and 122 finishes on the bull as he attempted to complete an incredible turnaround, but Clayton kept his cool, pinning double 16 to finish with a 106 average.

“Fair play to Wesley. How he hasn’t got a Tour Card I’ll never know, because he can seriously play darts,” reflected Clayton, who also landed seven 180s in the final.

“Confidence is low when you’re not picking up results, but I’ve got my mojo back. I’ve got a smile on my face, and winning always helps.

“I was way off at the start of the year, but something has clicked.

“I played well yesterday and I played well today, so my consistency is there, and fingers crossed I can keep it going.

“It’s a great time to get your form back with the World Matchplay coming up, and hopefully I can go one step further this year.”

Following his performance on Tuesday, Plaisier proved his talents by reaching back-to-back finals at the Marshall Arena, winning £20,000 in this week’s ProTour double-header.

The Dutchman knocked out world number four Gerwyn Price in the last 32 and then defeated Mario Vandenbogaerde, Graham Usher, and Ryan Joyce to continue his impressive run of success.

Joyce thumped Josh Rock in the quarter-finals with a 111.48 average, and he also triumphed in the last 16 on a deciding leg against top seed Dave Chisnall.

Joyce was joined in the last four by Scottish sensation Menzies, who eliminated England’s World Cup winners Michael Smith and Luke Humphries, as well as Damon Heta, on his way to the semi-finals.

Heta won 17 consecutive legs on his way to the last eight, where he was eliminated alongside Rock and Schindler, who defeated his World Cup partner Gabriel Clemens, ending Clemens’ World Matchplay ambitions.

Usher claimed a slew of huge scalps on his way to his first ProTour quarterfinal, beating Gary Anderson and James Wade in deciding legs before defeating World Matchplay winner Nathan Aspinall 6-4.

In Milton Keynes, Robert Owen had the day’s best performance, scoring an astounding 115.85 average in his third round destruction of Ryan Searle, who was beaten 6-1 despite averaging 105.

Wednesday’s action was the final event before the cut-off for Betfred World Matchplay qualifying, with 2007 winner James Wade securing the final berth in the 32-player lineup.

Following Kevin Doets’ first-round defeat to Steve Beaton, Menzies threatened to overtake Wade with his remarkable run to the final four, but he came just short in his last-gasp Blackpool effort.

2024 Players Championship 14

Wednesday July 3

Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes

Last 16

Ryan Joyce 6-5 Dave Chisnall

Josh Rock 6-5 Jamie Hughes

Wesley Plaisier 6-4 Mario Vandenbogaerde

Graham Usher 6-4 Nathan Aspinall

Cameron Menzies 6-5 Luke Humphries

Damon Heta 6-0 Robert Owen

Jonny Clayton 6-2 Dom Taylor

Martin Schindler 6-3 Gabriel Clemens

Quarter-Finals

Ryan Joyce 6-1 Josh Rock

Wesley Plaisier 6-2 Graham Usher

Cameron Menzies 6-3 Damon Heta

Jonny Clayton 6-4 Martin Schindler

Semi-Finals

Wesley Plaisier 7-4 Ryan Joyce

Jonny Clayton 7-3 Cameron Menzies

Final

Jonny Clayton 8-5 Wesley Plaisier