ST HELENS darter Dave Chisnall finished runner-up in the PDC Players Championship 29 this week.
The top seed was defeated 8-3 by Gerwyn Price in Barnsley in what was this year’s penultimate Players Championship event.
The Welshman came into the action fresh from a chastening quarter-final defeat to Danny Noppert at last weekend's European Championship, where he remarkably surrendered a 7-0 lead.
However, he returned to winning ways at the Barnsley Metrodome, clinching his fourth Players Championship title of 2023 to move top of the Order of Merit with just one event remaining today, Thursday.
Chisnall, responding to his disappointing first round exit at the European Championship, punished a sluggish start from Price to establish an early lead in the final, only to spurn six darts for a 3-0 advantage, which ultimately proved decisive.
Price put in an inspired mid-match burst to turn the contest on its head, following up a magical 170 checkout with back-to-back 11-dart legs to move 5-3 in front.
Chisnall was unable to respond and Price continued the procession to wrap up victory, firing in back-to-back 15-darters before converting a clinical 105 checkout on tops to cap off a fine performance.
For his efforts, Chisnall pocketed the £8,000 runner-up prize.
The St Helens star averaged 106, 100, 99 and 102 in wins over Krzysztof Kciuk, Simon Whitlock, Callan Rydz and Jamie Hughes respectively, relinquishing seven legs across those four matches.
He then defied a below-par display to account for Maik Kuivenhoven in the last eight, before winning through a gruelling semi-final clash against Rob Cross.
Today’s Players Championship 30 will be broadcast live on PDCTV, as players bid to secure qualification for the Cazoo Players Championship Finals and Paddy Power World Darts Championship.
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