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Chizzy reaches final but comes unstuck against Michael van Gerwen
ST HELENS darter Dave Chisnall lost in the final of the Cash Converters Players Championship Finals after meeting a sensational display display from Michael van Gerwen at the Butlins Minehead Resort.
Chisnall pocketed £35,000 as the runner-up after defeating Robbie Green and Peter Wright on Sunday, but he again missed out on claiming a televised title.
"I'm trying and I played quite well all week, but Michael did the business against me," said Chisnall. "I've had a good weekend and it's another step forward for me to reach the final but I'm determined to one day get that win."
Webster's wins over Jonny Clayton, Simon Whitlock, Alan Norris and Christian Kist had put him into his first televised semi-final, and the Norwich ace had been on course for a huge upset when he led van Gerwen 6-0.
"I gave him a game but he's fantastic," said Webster, who took home £20,000 in prize money. "When I was 6-0 up I started thinking about 11-0, but then he came back.
"You have to destroy people. I should have buried him, but he isn't world number one for nothing and he came back at me. Maybe it was inexperience and my mind wandered, but I still thought I was going to have him at the end and I didn't stop fighting.
"I've enjoyed this weekend. Everyone thought Michael was going to annihilate me but I've got confidence now and a bit more stage experience and I'll look forward to the World Championship."
Van Gerwen's incredible 2016 continued with a 25th tournament win and a third televised triumph of the month as he followed victories in the World Series of Darts Finals and Grand Slam of Darts by taking the £75,000 first prize.
Van Gerwen began the final day with a fantastic 108 average as he saw off fellow countryman Raymond van Barneveld 10-5, before overcoming a huge scare to win his semi-final against Darren Webster 11-8.
Webster raced into a 6-0 lead to leave the world number one reeling, but van Gerwen stormed back to level before sealing the win with a 144 checkout.
With that fright out of the way, van Gerwen then proved unstoppable in the final as he again averaged 108 to retain the Players Championship Finals trophy.
A 13-darter set the tone for van Gerwen, and though Chisnall recorded a 121 checkout in leg three and traded 13-darters with the Dutchman to stay in touch at 3-2, the reigning champion proved too strong with a mid-game surge.
Van Gerwen took five straight legs to move out to 8-2, including a ten-darter and legs of 12 and 13 darts, and though Chisnall responded to claim his third leg, further finishes of 13, 14 and 11 darts sealed the Dutchman's triumph.
"It's an amazing feeling for me and I'm a happy man," said van Gerwen. "It wasn't easy for me today and I had to work really hard, but I'm really glad that I won this trophy again.
"Darren gave me a scare and Dave had a chance to make it three-all, and Dave's a dangerous player but I punished him when he let me in.
"Going into the World Championship this is a big confidence boost for me. What I've done this year is phenomenal and I'm really proud of myself because nobody has won as many tournaments as this before."
Sunday November 27.
Afternoon Session.
Quarter-Finals.
Christian Kist 6-10 Darren Webster.
Michael van Gerwen 10-5 Raymond van Barneveld.
Dave Chisnall 10-5 Robbie Green.
Kim Huybrechts 9-10 Peter Wright.
Evening Session.
Semi-Finals.
Michael van Gerwen 11-8 Darren Webster.
Peter Wright 8-11 Dave Chisnall.
Final.
Michael van Gerwen 11-3 Dave Chisnall.