In-form Damon Heta picked up his second title in six days with a brilliant comeback against Dirk van Duijvenbode in Friday’s Players Championship 26 final in Barnsley.
Australian star Heta claimed the Gibraltar Darts Trophy title on Sunday night, and pocketed a further £12,000 in prize money with his second Players Championship win of 2022.
Heta had also won through to Thursday’s semi-finals in Barnsley, and was in danger of missing out in the decider 24 hours later after Van Duijvenbode made the stronger start.
The Dutchman broke throw in the opening leg, moved 2-0 up and held a 4-2 advantage before Heta hit top gear.
The World Cup winner produced a 13-darter and then broke with a 14-darter to level, and reeled off back-to-back 11-dart legs as he stormed to victory with six in a row.
Heta ended the final with an average of 103.52 – one of five ton-plus averages he achieved on Friday in seven victories.
He whitewashed Niels Zonneveld in the first round, enjoyed a 6-1 win over Premier League star James Wade with a 106 average and saw off world number two Gerwyn Price 7-3 in the semi-finals.
“I’m real stoked,” said Heta. “I’m really happy with the way I’ve played in the last couple of days. I just feel really comfortable.
“Today was always about I composed myself. It was always about how I play, what I can do and taking my chances and that’s something I’ve learned.
“I think over these last few months I’ve really learned a lot, and hopefully this is the norm and I keep doing great things.”
Van Duijvenbode had been aiming to claim his third Players Championship title of the year, and produced some consistently superb darts during the event.
He overcame Scott Marsh, Luke Woodhouse, Gian van Veen, Danny Noppert, Damian Mol and Boris Krcmar on the day, only to see his title hopes dashed by Heta’s comeback.
Price won through to a second successive semi-final, while Krcmar was appearing in the last four for the first time since February after recording three ton-plus averages in five wins.
World Championship finalist Michael Smith was joined in the quarter-finals by Mol, Alan Soutar and Matt Campbell – who defied a 108 average from Thursday’s runner-up Josh Rock to win a high-quality last 16 tie.
Friday’s event also featured a nine-darter by Jonny Clayton – the 40th since the World Championship – during his first round win over Ryan Meikle.
Saturday will see the third of four Players Championship events in Barnsley take place, with a further £12,000 top prize on offer as 128 players compete for the title.
Coverage will be broadcast via PDCTV from 1200 BST.
2022 Players Championship 26
Friday October 21, Barnsley Metrodome
Last 16
Damian Mol 6-3 Gary Anderson
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-2 Danny Noppert
Alan Soutar 6-4 Kevin Doets
Boris Krcmar 6-5 Jeff Smith
Damon Heta 6-1 John Michael
Matt Campbell 6-5 Josh Rock
Michael Smith 6-4 Berry van Peer
Gerwyn Price 6-2 Cameron Menzies
Quarter-Finals
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-4 Damian Mol
Boris Krcmar 6-1 Alan Soutar
Damon Heta 6-3 Matt Campbell
Gerwyn Price 6-2 Michael Smith
Semi-Finals
Dirk van Duijvenbode 7-2 Boris Krcmar
Damon Heta 7-3 Gerwyn Price
Final
Damon Heta 8-4 Dirk van Duijvenbode
—–ENDS—–
Images: PDC
