Ryan Searle secured his eighth Players Championship title at PC7, defeating Alan Soutar 8-3 in a dominant final performance. The tournament also witnessed a monumental achievement as James Wade became the first player in history to win 1,000 matches on the Players Championship circuit. Dutch talent Jeffrey Sparidaans impressed by reaching the quarter-finals, while other top players like Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson showcased their form in a day filled with high averages and thrilling darts.
Searle’s Dominant Run to Eighth PC Crown
Ryan Searle, currently ranked 12th in the world, showcased exceptional form throughout Players Championship 7, culminating in his victory over Scotland’s Alan Soutar. This marks Searle’s eighth career Players Championship title, with two of those coming in the current 2025 season.
The final match saw Searle take an early commanding 3-0 lead. Although Soutar managed to keep pace for a few legs, the Englishman maintained his advantage, moving to 5-2. Searle then secured a crucial break of throw, putting him on the brink of victory. Despite Soutar grabbing one more leg, Searle closed out the match emphatically with an 8-3 scoreline, adding another prestigious title to his growing collection.
James Wade Makes History with 1,000 Players Championship Wins
Leicester was not just the stage for a new champion, but also for a historic milestone. Veteran darts player James Wade became the first player ever to achieve 1,000 match wins on the Players Championship circuit. This incredible feat was accomplished in the first round of PC7 when he defeated Lukas Wenig. Wade, who played his first PC match in 2004, continues to prove his enduring class and consistency in the sport.
Tournament Highlights: High Averages and Key Battles
Early Rounds: Strong Starts and Notable Absences
The day began with several players making strong impressions. Keane Barry stood out in the first round with a superb 109 average in his victory over Krzysztof Ratajski. Both Michael van Gerwen and Alan Soutar also started impressively, each averaging 105 in their wins against Ricky Evans and Tavis Dudney respectively. Darts legends Raymond van Barneveld and Peter Wright were also among those who advanced with averages around the 100-mark.
Notably, some of the sport’s biggest names were not among the 128 starters, including Luke Humphries, Luke Littler, Josh Rock, Gian van Veen, and Gerwyn Price.
In the second round, Chris Dobey continued his strong performance, following up an earlier 104 average with a 106 average. Dutch players also featured prominently, with Alexander Merkx winning an all-Dutch encounter against Dirk van Duijvenbode.
Dutch Showdowns and Rising Stars in Round Three & Four
The third round saw more captivating matchups:
- Michael van Gerwen triumphed over fellow Dutchman Danny Noppert with a 6-4 victory.
- Raymond van Barneveld secured a convincing 6-1 win against Wessel Nijman, averaging 101.
- Maik Kuivenhoven also progressed by defeating Daryl Gurney.
The fourth round brought a significant upset for Dutch fans as Jeffrey Sparidaans knocked out Michael van Gerwen, securing his spot in the quarter-finals. Other notable results included Gary Anderson’s impressive 108 average, while Ryan Searle ended Raymond van Barneveld’s run.
The Road to the Final: Quarter-Finals and Semi-Finals
The later stages of the tournament delivered intense action:
Quarter-Final Results:
- Ryan Searle 6-3 Charlie Manby
- Gary Anderson 6-2 Chris Dobey
- Keane Barry 6-3 Jeffrey Sparidaans (Barry led 5-0 before a spirited comeback from Sparidaans)
- Alan Soutar 6-1 Peter Wright
Gary Anderson continued his strong form by eliminating Chris Dobey, while Alan Soutar’s impressive run saw him defeat former World Champion Peter Wright. Keane Barry, after a dominant start, secured his semi-final spot against Jeffrey Sparidaans.
Semi-Final Results:
- Ryan Searle 7-3 Gary Anderson
- Alan Soutar 7-6 Keane Barry (Soutar built a 5-1 lead before a tight finish)
In the semi-finals, Ryan Searle dispatched Gary Anderson with a confident 7-3 victory, securing his place in the final. The other semi-final was a nail-biter, with Alan Soutar prevailing 7-6 over Keane Barry. Soutar, who won his first Players Championship title in 2024 and hadn’t reached a final in 2025 until this event, demonstrated remarkable composure to reach the final showdown against Searle.
A Memorable Day in Leicester
Players Championship 7 will be remembered for Ryan Searle’s dominant performance and James Wade’s historic achievement. It was a day that underscored the depth of talent in professional darts, with emerging stars and seasoned veterans alike delivering high-quality entertainment.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
