James Wade branded incredible after epic World Matchplay win earns seventh heaven
Jubilant James Wade stormed into seventh heaven and admitted he hated every minute of it.
The English ace produced a magnificent performance to win a Betfred World Matchplay classic over Jonny Clayton.
In one of the best darts matches ever seen at the iconic Winter Gardens, Wade and Clayton traded blows through an epic semi-final contest.
The Londoner looked to be running away with it as he led 16-10 and needed just a leg to reach the initial winning line.
However, The Ferret simply would not go away and produced a breathtaking fightback to reel off six successive legs under the gum to level at 16-16.
At that stage, the match moved into sudden death with a player having to win by two clear legs and the pair kept exchanging blows. It went 17-17 and 18-18 before Clayton blinked first with a missed chance to stay alive as he trailed 19-18.
Wade punished the slip to drill home the winning dart and win 20-18 to secure a place in the final of the World Matchplay for a staggering seventh time.
It was a massive moment against a pal as he said: 'I'm just done. There's two amazing, wonderful dart players in the world.
"That's Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton. Forget about what all you see with all the others, those two are probably the nicest two men in darts.
'I've just watched up there and I think I had 101 or 102 [average]. Ready for this? I'm flabbergasted.
"Unfortunately with darts today, you're surrounded by great dart players that are full of massive talent. I just think Jonny just let me off just at the last minute, but to be fair, I let him off before that. But, oh, I just, I'm exhausted after that.
'I thought that was a good game, but when I watched up the averages, I didn't realise it was that good, so I hope the crowd enjoyed themselves, I hope everyone at home enjoyed themselves because I hated every single minute of it!'
Former Lakeside champion Mark Webster said: 'James was in such control of the match, Jonny did well to get it back, but the extra gears James found. He seemed in more control in the last stages of the match.
"I'm pretty sure he enjoyed the end part. He had to dig deep, but he has played brilliant this week. He has looked calm and found a way to win.'
Wade won the tournament in 2007 as a 24-year-old and Webster added: 'He likes this format, he has been quite vocal about it.
"He's very much about playing legs and it's proven time and time again here.
"Yes he's won it once, but his seventh final spanning over 20 years. It's some achievement.
"It's incredible what he is still achieving in the sport.'
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