Williams wins first PDC title

At the Barnsley Metrodome on Sunday, Jim Williams defeated Ricky Evans 8-6 to win Players Championship 6 and claim his first PDC title.

In a tense final between two players vying for their first PDC title, Evans broke throw with a remarkable 128 finish to tie the game at 6-6, only for Williams to respond with a 12-dart leg to close the gap to one.

In the decisive leg, both players’ nerves seemed to be getting the better of them, with Williams eventually pinning double one with his tenth match dart.

Williams’ success is his first ProTour championship in just six events since joining the professional circuit earlier this year as a PDC Tour Card holder.

“I didn’t feel any nerves all day until the last match darts,” said the Welshman.

 “It wasn’t a great way to win it but it is a good feeling. It’s a very long day and I haven’t played that much in the last three years really so I had to battle through.”

 “To win it is great and hopefully now I feel like I belong and can kick on from here.”

Williams began his championship challenge with a 6-0 thrashing of Peter Hudson, followed by victories over Kevin Burness and Andrew Gilding.

He then defeated Scott Williams, Premier League star Michael Smith, and Martin Schindler, winning 7-5 in a tough match to reach his first PDC final.

Evans advanced to the last 16 after defeating Chris Dobey, John O’Shea, Jason Lowe, and Mensur Suljovic in his fifth PDC final.

He then defeated Gabriel Clemens of Germany in the quarterfinals before overcoming Danny Noppert’s nine-darter in the semi-finals to set up a title match with Williams.

Noppert’s nine-darter was the third of the weekend, following perfection from Josh Rock and Joe Cullen in Players Championship 5.

The Players Championship action continues next weekend (March 26-27), with two events in Niedernhausen, Germany.

2022 Players Championship 6

Sunday March 20

Last 16

Josh Rock 6-3 Martijn Kleermaker

Martin Schindler 6-5 Callan Rydz

Jim Williams 6-5 Scott Williams

Michael Smith 6-2 Jonny Clayton

Ian White 6-5 Cameron Menzies

Danny Noppert 6-5 Adrian Lewis

Ricky Evans 6-5 Mensur Suljovic

Gabriel Clemens 6-0 Mario Vandenbogaerde

 

Quarter-Finals

Martin Schindler 6-1 Josh Rock

Jim Williams 6-3 Michael Smith

Danny Noppert 6-4 Ian White

Ricky Evans 6-3 Gabriel Clemens

 

Semi-Finals

Jim Williams 7-5 Martin Schindler

Ricky Evans 7-4 Danny Noppert

 

Final

Jim Williams 8-6 Ricky Evans