James Wade has now won six major tournaments during his career

James Wade secured his second major title in a week with a stunning 6-5 win over Phil Taylor in the final of Champions League Darts.

Wade beat the 15-times world champion, to add the £10,000 top prize to the World Grand Prix crown he won in Dublin on Sunday.

Taylor, who received £5,000 as runner-up, said: "I had played well throughout the day.

"I was close in the final, but he was just too good in the final leg."

Wade added: "It's amazing and it means a massive amount to me.

"A month ago I was struggling with my game but it's such a different feeling for me now."

606: DEBATE I'll be confident for the rest of the year now and I know I'm a bit of a handful for any player at the moment James Wade

Taylor, the inaugural champion in 2008 and a losing finalist to Colin Osborne last year, had swept through the group phase of this year's competition unbeaten.

The Stoke-on-Trent man then thrashed Steve Beaton 6-0 to book his place in the final, played over a shortened best of 11 leg format.

Despite his good form, the final proved a trickier task for the Aldershot thrower, who couldn't prevent Taylor from racing into an early 3-1 lead.

Wade came back strongly however, winning three legs on the trot before Taylor took charge again, moving to within a single leg of the title at 5-4.

Both players hit 180s in the 10th leg, before Wade hit double 12 to complete an 84 finish and see the momentum swing back in his favour.

In the final leg, Taylor left Wade needing 72 to win and the left-hander returned to double 12 to complete a remarkable comeback.

"Last week when I got to Dublin I was doubting myself," Wade continued.

"But with winning the World Grand Prix and now Championship League Darts it shows that I deserve to be up there with the best players in the world.

"I'll be confident for the rest of the year now and I know I'm a bit of a handful for any player at the moment."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version