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Simon Whitlock took victory in Sunday’s Players Championship 12 at Barnsley Metrodome, defeating Andy Hamilton 6-4 in the final.

‘The Wizard’ finally got rewarded for his solid form this year, as he claimed his first ranking title since 2010.

“I’m delighted to get the win,” said Whitlock, who will now turn his attention to the televised European Championships next week.

“It has been a while but I’ve been playing well. My form has been good so I always felt I would win one soon.

“I’ve been putting the practise in and I’m looking forward to going to Germany now, with this win under my belt.”

The Australian star, who had reached the quarter-finals in Saturday’s event, began Sunday’s tournament with a 6-2 defeat of Tony Littleton.

He followed that up with wins over Scott Rand and Kim Huybrechts, before seeing off the challenge of Steve Maish in the quarter-finals.

‘The Wizard’ halted the charge of former World Champion Dennis Priestley in the last four, triumphing 6-2 over the Yorkshire-man before beating Hamilton to clinch the £6,000 title.

Whitlock trailed ‘The Hammer’ by two legs in the final but hit back to tie the match at 2-2.

The next four legs all went with the throw before Whitlock grabbed a crucial break, hitting double eight to take the lead before posting double 16 to triumph.

Michael van Gerwen, who won Saturday’s event, was denied the chance to make it a double success.

The Dutchman was defeated by Hamilton in the semi-finals, with ‘Mighty Mike’ missing double twelve for a nine-darter.

van Gerwen defeated Kevin McDine, Jamie Caven, Terry Jenkins and Prakash Jiwa en route to the last four.

By Chris Murphy

See some of the world’s top darts players in action at The Untouchables,Eastbourne on Friday 19 October.

Images courtesy of Lawrenc Lustig/PDC