Ross ‘Smudger’ Smith has once again showcased his world-class talent, securing his sixth career Players Championship title with a truly dominant performance. He convincingly defeated fellow Englishman Chris Dobey in the final, marking another significant milestone in his Pro Tour journey. Although Dobey thrilled fans with a rare nine-darter earlier in the tournament, it was Smith’s unwavering accuracy and composure that ultimately sealed his impressive victory, solidifying his position as a consistent force in professional darts.
Smith’s Path to Glory: A Display of Unmatched Authority
For Ross Smith, this victory felt particularly sweet, arriving back in Leicester at the Mattioli Arena – the same venue where he clinched his previous Pro Tour title last October. That win saw him narrowly beat Josh Rock; this time, Smith’s triumph was marked by considerable authority and competitive gravitas, reaffirming his place among the darting elite.
His journey to the final was a masterclass in precision and control:
- He began by calmly dispatching recent Ally Pally quarter-finalist Justin Hood with a 6-3 victory.
- He then replicated that 6-3 scoreline against Norway’s Cor Dekker, showcasing crisp scoring and unflustered finishing.
- Against his namesake Michael Smith, Ross delivered his most outstanding performance of the day, achieving a sumptuous 106.38 average in a commanding 6-1 demolition.
- An assured dismissal of Niko Springer followed, securing his quarter-final spot.
- In the quarter-finals, Smith clinically removed Dave Chisnall, who was enjoying a strong season, from the competition.
- He then overcame Karel Sedlacek, who was competing in only his second Pro Tour semi-final, to book his place in the final.
Dobey’s Brilliant Run: A Nine-Darter and a Strong Challenge
Chris Dobey, fresh from winning a Players Championship title just last week in Wigan, entered the tournament radiating ambition. His path to the final was notable, featuring a spectacular moment of darting perfection:
- Dobey began by extinguishing the effervescent Cristo Reyes.
- He then embarked on a run against a series of Dutch opponents: Kevin Doets, Danny Noppert, and Christian Kist were successively dispatched. Notably, Kevin Doets delivered a sublime 108.77 average against Dobey but still lost – a testament to Dobey’s clutch play.
- Crucially, during his impressive run, Dobey authored a tournament nine-darter of incandescent precision, a rare and thrilling achievement that electrified the crowd. A nine-darter occurs when a player finishes a leg in the minimum possible nine darts, requiring perfect accuracy with every throw.
- He then prevailed in a compelling duel with close friend and compatriot Joe Cullen to secure his spot in the championship match.
The Final Showdown: Smith’s Unstoppable Momentum
Any predictions of a nail-biting, close final were quickly put to rest. Ross Smith burst out of the starting blocks with ferocious intent, seizing the opening five legs in a blur of scoring proficiency and checkout exactitude. It was a truly dominant start that set the tone for the entire match.
Dobey briefly hinted at a comeback, snatching the next two legs, but his revival proved short-lived. The Kent arrow smith promptly restored order, reeling off three consecutive legs to consummate a commanding and thoroughly deserved triumph. His ability to maintain composure and finish strongly underscored a truly masterful performance.
This latest victory not only adds another Players Championship to Smith’s expanding collection but also reinforces his reputation as a formidable competitor on the professional darts circuit. Fans eagerly await to see what ‘Smudger’ will achieve next.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
