Brendan Dolan becomes the fourth and final winner of the four-day Players Championship extravaganza in Barnsley, after beating Jonny Clayton 8-5 in the Final.
Rowby-John Rodriguez is the final player heading to the World Matchplay after good mate and World Cup partner Mensur Suljovic could only make the Quarter Finals on Monday needing to win the tournament to overthrow his World Cup partner.
Dolan had not won a match in the last three tournaments but managed a perfect run today and found a 102 checkout on double sixteen to seal his first victory of the year on the Pro Tour. The History Maker averaged 97.10 against the former Premier League champion and survived a late resurgence from The Ferret to win Players Championship 21.
The Winmau man was not guaranteed his own spot at the World Matchplay but found fantastic performances all through the day including his best performance in the First Round against Nick Fullwell, whitewashing the Englishman with a 98.02 average whilst also taking out PC19 and UK Open winner Danny Noppert in the Last 16.
The man who represented his country at the World Cup is the last winner of a PDC event before the World Matchplay, with the draw set to be announced in the near future.
Jonny Clayton will be happy with his last two days work having lost in the opening round on Friday and Saturday in Barnsley. The Pontyberem thrower saved himself in the Final with a brilliant 138 finish on double twelve and posted averages of 101.68 against Mervyn King in the Third Round (6-2).
The Welshman’s best performance though came in his 6-3 victory over Nathan Aspinall scoring 102.67 against the man from Stockport. The Red Dragon star will have his eyes firmly on the Matchplay as he waits for his first PDC title of the year, having finished top of the Premier League after 16 weeks of action against the worlds best.
Peter Wright found some much needed performances ahead of his World Matchplay defence, starting the day with a 102.31 average in a 6-2 victory over Bradley Brooks. Unfortunately for Niels Zonneveld, his best darts would be found there as he would average a staggering 109.33 in beating the Dutchman 6-2 to reach the Quarter Finals.
The Red Dragon star won the World Matchplay for the very first-time last year, after beating 2020 winner Dimitri van den Bergh 18-9 in the Final, so his run today will give him some much-needed confidence as he eagerly awaits the draw.
Rowby-John Rodriguez will head to the Winter Gardens for the very first time in his career, despite losing to the World Number 1 in the third round today. Mensur Suljovic was the only man who could challenge for a spot as the tournament entered the Quarter Final stage.
Damon Heta ended the hopes of The Gentle and Ricky Evans confirming that the pair will not head for Blackpool this year.
Heta’s World Cup winning teammate Simon Whitlock also missed out on a spot at the Matchplay after losing 6-4 to yesterday’s 9 Dart hero Nathan Rafferty, despite a three-figure average in the Second-Round tussle.
Ross Smith and Keane Barry were beaten by former Premier League stars Nathan Aspinall and Michael Smith, whilst Vincent van der Voort lost in the Last 16 to Jonny Clayton as they all they all miss out on a spot at the Winter Gardens.
The draw for the World Matchplay is later today after the field was confirmed during Players Championship 21, with the tournament set to start on Saturday night live on Sky Sports as reigning Premier League champion Michael van Gerwen returns to action whilst World Number 1 Peter Wright looks to defend his title.
Players Championship 21:
Last 16 Results
Keegan Brown 6-1 Cameron Menzies
Brendan Dolan 6-5 Danny Noppert
Damon Heta 6-3 Krzysztof Ratajski
Mensur Suljovic 6-3 Nathan Rafferty
Dave Chisnall 6-4 Michael Smith
Peter Wright 6-2 Niels Zonneveld
Jonny Clayton 6-4 Vincent van der Voort
Nathan Aspinall 6-4 Micky Mansell
Quarter Finals:
Brendan Dolan 6-3 Keegan Brown
Damon Heta 6-4 Mensur Suljovic
Dave Chisnall 6-4 Peter Wright
Jonny Clayton 6-3 Nathan Aspinall
Semi Finals:
Brendan Dolan 7-4 Damon Heta
Jonny Clayton 7-4 Dave Chisnall
Final:
Brendan Dolan 8-5 Jonny Clayton
—–ENDS—–
Images: PDC
