Norwich darts star Darren Webster produced his best series of results thus far as a professional darts player at the Players Championship finals in Minehead.
After trailing for the first 2 legs, Darren came to life to defeat tricky first round opponent Johny Clayton 6 - 4. In the second round Webster defeated Australian world number 17 Simon Whitlock 6 - 3 comfortably. The Whitlock win put Darren into the last 16 of a major Championship for the first time in 10 years. With a place in the last 8 beckoning Webster faced another quality opponent in Alan Norris the 2014 BDO world championship runner up. Norris who had achieved a 9 dart finish on the first day recieved a brutal beating as Webster punished him for every mistake to run out a 10 - 5 winner.
Darren's quarter final opponent was former BDO world champion Christian Kist. This time the Norfolk eased past the Dutchman 10 - 6 to set up a semi final match against world number 1 Michael Van Gerwin and what a match that turned out to be. On Sunday 27th November the unthinkable became thinkable Darren played with the type of form he has been threatening to do for some time. Building up a lead of 6 legs to nil Webster looked invincible. For 25 minutes he literally couldnt miss. A forlorn Van Gerwin looked as miserable as we have ever seen him playing darts over the last 3 years. Never the best at hiding his emotions, Michael didnt look comfortable and knew he was in a battle to restore some respectability to a scoreline that was running riot with odds makers throughout the country. However MVG is not the best darts player on the planet without reason. The Dutchman dug as deep into his natural talent as he possibly could to mount an unbelievable comeback and run out an 11 - 8 winner. Well done Michael. In truth, this was Van Gerwins only real battle in the tournament as he marches on imperiously to Alexandra Palace.
Make no mistake though this was not a case of Darren choking. He played well throughout and even at 10 - 8 was still in with a shout of achieving a win. It was a massive performance from the world number 35. One that will not be forgotten by anyone lucky enough to be watching either at the sold out venue or live on ITV4 . Most importantly it will not be forgotten by Webster who now looks forward to his Word Championship campaign in the form of his life.