• Darts

Emotional Wade ends three-year title drought

ESPN staff
June 29, 2014
James Wade had not enjoyed a PDC title success since October 2011 © Getty Images
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James Wade clinched his first PDC tournament victory in three years as he came back to beat Steve Beaton in the final of the Gibraltar Darts Trophy on Sunday.

Wade, who had to qualify for the main event, walked away with the £20,000 top prize following a 6-4 triumph against former world champion Beaton.

I've won so many tournaments but it got to a point where I thought I wasn't going to win another one, and this means more to me than any TV tournament I've ever won," Wade told the PDC official website.

"I wasn't quite sure if I could do it. Even though people said I could win more titles, it's different actually doing it so I'm really happy. I grew up watching Steve and other great players, and he said afterwards that he was pleased to see me winning again, which is a mark of the man."

Wade defeated Michael Smith, who enjoyed victories against Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis over the weekend, in the semi-final but had it all to do against Beaton.

A 99 finish and 13-dart leg to break throw saw Beaton move 4-1 clear, but seven-time major winner Wade hit back with a fine 11-darter which included two 180s. Beaton struggled to finish before Wade checked out 76 to level.

Beaton narrowly missed double 11 for a 142 finish before his opponent cleaned up. Wade secured victory on his favoured double 10 to earn his first tour title since October 2011 and move up to fifth in the world rankings.

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