Wade ends his long wait for a PDC ranking title

ALDERSHOT’S James Wade produced a series of vintage displays to clinch Players Championship 19 success in Leicester on Thursday, ending a wait of almost three years for a PDC ranking title.

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Wade delivered an exhibition of finishing to demolish Scott Williams 8-3 at the Mattioli Arena, averaging 101.52 to return to the winner's enclosure for the first time since November 2022.

The left-hander was at his merciless best against Williams, landing a trio of ton-plus checkouts and pinning eight of his nine attempts at double - an astonishing conversion rate of 88.9 per cent.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Wade, who reclaims a place in the world’s top eight after pocketing the £15,000 top prize.

“I'm really, really happy. It’s been a difficult few years for me.