Wade Claims SkyBet World Grand Prix

JAMES WADE picked up his second major title inside three months with a 6-3 victory over Terry Jenkins in the SkyBet World Grand Prix final.

The left-hander from Aldershot followed up July's Stan James World Matchplay triumph in Blackpool with another outstanding display to claim the Dublin title.

Wade, who wins £50,000 for his success, took a 3-0 lead before holding off Jenkins' fightback to seal the win.

Click here for reaction from both players in DartsTV

"It's fantastic," said Wade. "The World Matchplay was brilliant and I have to admit I got a bit emotional with this.

"I had tears in my eyes and it means so much to me.

"It was very sweet. I was aware of what was happening and what was due for me after the last dart went in and I appreciated it."

Wade began in typically clinical fashion, wrapping up the first set in double-quick time with three straight legs.

Jenkins had his chances in the second, but missed a total of 18 darts at the end of three legs to allow Wade to double his lead - the Ledbury thrower struggling with his finishing despite starting on the double strongly.

A 124 finish on the bullseye saw Jenkins finally get off the mark, but Wade stepped up a gear to take the third set 3-1, including a sparkling 11-darter in the final leg.

Jenkins punished some sloppy opening doubles from Wade in set four to come from a leg down to win the set 3-1 and get back into the game.

He then revived memories of his famous five-set comeback against John Part in the semi-final by winning the fifth set 3-1 to pull back to 3-2 in the game.

But he paid for two missed darts to win set six and level the match, with Wade stepping in on double 18 to sneak leg four and then land double top in the decider.

It proved a pivotal moment, with Wade's confidence visibly returning as he landed two 180s in the opener of the next set before taking a 5-2 lead with a 74 finish on double ten in the fifth leg.

Jenkins won the opener to the eighth after the duo traded maximums, and Wade enjoyed seven perfect darts in the next leg, seeing his dart at treble 17 miss its target for a potential nine-darter to slip away.

He did take the leg in 13 darts on double 12, only for Jenkins to then edge the set in the deciding leg - aided by five perfect darts - to remain in the contest.

But Wade kept his cool to kick off the ninth set with a 13-darter, and a fantastic 177 left him double 12 to move 2-0 up.

He was in no mood to let this chance for victory slip away, and he fittingly landed double top to seal his triumph.

"I feel sorry for Terry because it's hard for him to have lost a fifth final," added Wade. "I've so much respect for him and he's a lovely person.

"I thought it would be harder from the start and I didn't handle it too well when I was 3-0 up.

"I believe I had a bit of luck during the week and if the weeks continue like that I'm certainly not complaining.

"People are missing a few shots against me and maybe they are worried that I'll take out the chances they leave me, which I am doing."

The world number three overcame current World Champion Raymond van Barneveld and 2004 World Grand Prix winner Colin Lloyd on his way to the victory.

The 24-year-old added: "After the World Matchplay some people said I got lucky or that it wasn't a real title because I didn't beat Phil Taylor or Raymond van Barneveld.

"Hopefully after this title, after I beat Ray in the semis, people will say I deserved it."

Jenkins reached his first major final in the World Grand Prix 12 months ago and has also lost in the deciders of the Holsten Premier League Darts, Las Vegas Desert Classic and World Matchplay since.

"I'm disappointed but if you don't hit your doubles out then you can't win games. I missed too many doubles in the first two or three sets and that's where I lost it.

"I thought I was going to come back but I should have levelled at three each and missed doubles cost me again.

"It just wasn't to be. It wasn't nerves but I wasn't playing particularly well coming into this so it's a bonus to get to the final."

Set Scores (Wade-Jenkins)
3-0, 3-0, 3-1, 1-3, 2-3, 3-2, 3-2, 2-3, 3-0