Morecambe’s Dave Chisnall wins second Players Championship title of month

Dave Chisnall claimed his second ProTour title of September, after winning the Players Championship 23 final in Leicester.

Chisnall defeated Chris Dobey 8-4 to claim victory at yesterday’s event, coming out on top of the 128-player field at the Mattioli Arena, to add to the Flanders Darts Trophy claimed earlier this month, and winning £15,000.

Speaking after the victory, he said: "The final was a tough battle, it wasn't a good game but I'm just happy to get over the line.

"I think my game is up there with the best in the world at the moment; I'm playing really well and my confidence is high.

"Six months ago I was losing first and second round matches but then I started to battle and I've won some big titles.

"There are some big events coming up and I normally have a good end to the year; I just need to get my TV form going now.

"I'm looking forward to the World Grand Prix; I've been hitting my doubles well so it should be a good one for me."

Chisnall began the day with comfortable victories over Callan Rydz, Dylan Slevin and Jeffrey Sparidaans before coming back from 5-3 down to defeat Madars Razma 6-5 in their last 16 tie.

The six-time TV event finalist then overcame Mervyn King 6-2 in the quarter-finals and Stephen Burton 7-4 in the semi-finals to set up a showdown with Dobey.

A scrappy contest saw both players struggle to replicate the form shown in the previous rounds, with a four-leg mid-match winning streak from Chisnall proving pivotal.

Chisnall has moved up to fifth in the World rankings following the victory.