James Wade was victorious on Saturday, after coming from behind to defeat Steve Beaton 8-6 in the final of Players Championship 30. But it was the 1996 Lakeside World Champion who gained most as the PDC Pro Tour season came to a close at the Barnsley Metrodome.
Beaton’s incredible run to the final saw him record victories over John Brown, Nathan Rafferty, James Wilson, Mike De Decker, Stephen Bunting and Dave Chisnall, before being denied by Wade. The remarkable effort secured the 58-year-old veteran’s place at both the Players Championship Finals later this month and the World Darts Championship in December, as well as his PDC Tour Card for 2023.
Wade, who’s last title victory came at the 2021 UK Open, returned to winning ways as he reached the final by recording victories over Eddie Lovely, Shaun Wilkinson, Gian Van Veen, Jamie Hughes, Jermaine Wattimena and Martin Schindler, to set up a clash with Beaton.
The final began with five straight breaks of throw between the pair, before the first hold came from Beaton, which seen ‘The Bronzed Adonis’ move 4-2 ahead.
The pair then broke each other’s throw in the following two legs, each hitting 18 darters, before Wade fought back by winning four legs on the spin, which saw him move 7-5 up and within one of victory. Beaton did pull one leg back, before ‘The Machine’ sealed victory in Leg 14 with a 15 darter to pick up his first title triumph of 2022.
The day saw the 64-player field for the Players Championship Finals be confirmed, with Australia’s Damon Heta heading to Butlins Minehead as the Number One Seed, after a successful Pro Tour campaign, which saw him pick up Two Players Championship victories. Places were also secured at the World Darts Championship via the Pro Tour Order of Merit, with the last chance for Tour Card Holders who missed out being at the PDPA Qualifier later this month.
Players Championship 30
Last 16
Stephen Bunting 6-4 Ross Smith
Steve Beaton 6-4 Mike De Decker
Josh Rock 6-3 Berry Van Peer
Dave Chisnall 6-1 Chris Dobey
Jermaine Wattimena 6-5 Raymond Van Barneveld
James Wade 6-1 Jamie Hughes
Connor Scutt 6-2 Andrew Gilding
Martin Schindler 6-2 Callan Rydz
Quarter Finals
Steve Beaton 6-4 Stephen Bunting
Dave Chisnall 6-5 Josh Rock
James Wade 6-5 Jermaine Wattimena
Martin Schindler 6-5 Connor Scutt
Semi Finals
Steve Beaton 7-4 Dave Chisnall
James Wade 7-4 Martin Schindler
Final
James Wade 8-6 Steve Beaton
—-ENDS—
Images: PDC
