ROSS SMITH admitted it was “massive” to finally claim a win in the Players Championship 13.

The Dover thrower won his fifth PDC ranking title by defeating Wesley Plaisier 8-7 to claim glory in Milton Keynes on Tuesday.

The 2022 European Champion has reached two European Tour finals and four other semi-finals on the circuit this year, but scooped the £15,000 top prize at the Marshall Arena with a superb day of darts.

Smith hit nine 180s in the final and said: “All credit to Wesley for the way he came back. He just didn’t let up, and he showed what a class player he is.

“I felt like I needed to get the win there and win a final. I’ve lost in two European Tour finals this year, so this was massive for me.

“I’ve also made quite a few semi-finals [on the ProTour] so if I’d missed out again, you start thinking too much, and nobody wants to start doing that, so I’m happy I’ve crossed the line.

“In this game, a lot of it is about confidence and belief, and I just want to win again, it’s as simple as that.

“I don’t really set myself targets as such. I just try and beat who is in front of me, and if I can hold a trophy up, then I’m extremely happy.

“I don’t want to be a number. I want to push on, and I’m working hard at it.”

It was a strange day of performances from Smudger. He opened with a narrow win over Steve Beaton followed by defeats of Jermaine Wattimena and Kevin Doets, before he enjoyed 6-4 victories against Ricky Evans and Jonny Clayton.

Smith then raced to a 7-2 win over Andy Boulton in the semis, and produced a brilliant performance in a high-quality final against Dutch ace Plaisier.

James Wade’s run to the quarter-finals moved the 2007 World Matchplay champion back into the final qualifying place for this year’s Blackpool showpiece – ahead of Kevin Doets – with just Wednesday’s Players Championship 14 remaining before the 32-player field is finalised.

By Phil Lanning