Ross Smith produced a superb performance yesterday afternoon in Leicester, defeating Josh Rock in a thriller to pocket his second Players Championship title of the year.
On paper, Smudger v Rocky looked like a belter – and for once, the script actually matched the performance. High quality, high drama, and the sort of finale that makes you forgive darts for all those soul-destroying first-round slogs you sat through earlier in the year.
Smith, who had to pull out of the Swiss Darts Trophy prematurely for personal reasons, looked as sharp as a butcher’s cleaver, as he tore through the early rounds, dropping just seven legs on his way to the quarters – and none of those came against Michael van Gerwen.
Yes, the Black with flashed of Green Machine, who’s suddenly decided he fancies being terrifying again. Ross didn’t just beat him – he bageled him. A 106 average with a cherry on top. Not often that happens to a man with more titles than a national library.
After seeing off Ryan Meikle and then seeing off Wessel Nijman, Smith booked himself a tantalising clash with Rocky. The Northern Irishman hadn’t exactly broken sweat on the way through either – casually wiping out Dudeney, Boulton, and then a Dutch triple bill of Dirk, Noppie, and Plaisier. He even chucked in a nine-darter for laughs en route to overcoming Big Wes.
Against Gary Anderson in the semi, Rocky built an early 4-1 cushion and never looked like letting the Scot anywhere near the steering wheel. Job done, final set.The final itself was darts in chapters. Rocky grabbed the opener, Smith replied with a counter-punch, then Rocky strung three together and looked ready to walk it.
At 7-5 he was one leg from the line, already sharpening the victory speech. Then Smith hit turbo. Three legs on the spin, a bit of extra steel, and the job was done. A cracking way to round off day two in Leicester. Smith’s win fires him up to second in the Players Championship Order of Merit, tucked in behind Gezzy. His spot in Minehead was already that safe, he practically earnt a golden wristband for Butlins weeks ago.
As for the World Champ Luke Littler, he swerved Leicester, leaving himself four bites of the cherry in Wigan. Unless he takes up a new hobby like competitive knitting and skips those too, The Nuke will be fine.The intrigue now lies with the big names flapping at the fringes.
MVG looks lively again but still sits just over six grand adrift. Not a mountain for a man of his talents, assuming the rediscovered mojo isn’t on a temporary rental.
Dimitri van den Bergh and José de Sousa are further back, and based on their form you’d trust them to lose a SatNav signal in their own kitchen. Aspinall’s not quite home yet either – he’s peering across at Lukas Wenig, who clings to the last spot with a £2,500 cushion over the Mancunian. The Asp probably just needs one decent run and you’d expect his class to shine through. After all, when it comes to a revival – he’s a darting Lazarus.
One more event in the East Midlands tomorrow, then all eyes turn across to the other side of the Mattioli Arena for the World Grand Prix. Expect more drama, more big averages, and at least one player to forget they have to start on a double. Guarantee it.
Quarter-Finals
Ross Smith 6-4 Ryan Meikle
Wessel Nijman 6-0 Jonny Clayton
Gary Anderson 6-5 Luke Humphries
Josh Rock 6-2 Danny Noppert
Semi-Finals
Ross Smith 7-3 Wessel Nijman
Josh Rock 7-4 Gary Anderson
Final
Ross Smith 8-7 Josh Rock
