Wizard ends wait for title

Simon Whitlock edged out Andy Hamilton 6-4 in the final of Sunday's Players Championship at the Barnsley Metrodome.

Whitlock wins first ranking title for almost two years in Barnsley

Simon Whitlock edged out Andy Hamilton 6-4 in the final of Sunday's Players Championship at the Barnsley Metrodome to end a near two-year wait for his first ranking title. The man from Down Under picked up his first Players Championship victory since October 2010 as he defeated the World Championship finalist for the £6,000 first prize. Whitlock, 43, who lost in the McCoy's Premier League Darts and Cash Converters World Cup finals this year, was a quarter-finalist in Saturday's Players Championship tournament at the same venue. The Australian continued his fine form 24 hours later despite being pushed to the 11th leg of his last eight tussle with Steve Maish before progressing to the semis where he overcame Dennis Priestley 6-2. Whitlock found himself 2-0 down in the final before hitting back to level at two-all, with the next four also shared as the Australian posted a second 11-darter to square the match at four-all. He then broke for the first time on double eight before hitting his fourth 180 of the final and double 16 to seal the win. The weekend's two events were the last Players Championships to count towards qualification for next month's World Grand Prix in Dublin, with the field to be confirmed next Sunday following the European Championship in Germany.