Former darts world champion misses out on major tournament for the first time in 12 years following shock loss
Smith, 34, failed to qualify for the competition for the first time since 2013 after a poor performance in the Players Championship 21.
2
Bully Boy needed to make at least the semi-finals of the Leicester tournament to climb into the top 16 of the PDC Order of Merit and earn a place at next week's showpiece.
Unfortunately Smith crashed out in the first round, losing 6-4 to Thibault Tricole and sealing his unfortunate fate.
Although Smith hasn't missed a World Matchplay event since 2013, he has never lifted the trophy and came closest to tasting success in 2019 when he finished runner up to Rob Cross.
After Smith's exit from this week's Players Championship 21, it was former world youth champion Bradley Brooks who went on to win the tournament.
Brooks, 25, banked £15,000 after beating the likes of Chris Dobey and James Wade on his way to an 8-5 victory over Gerwyn Price in the final.
The Blackburn thrower was in disbelief at his sensational performance.
Speaking afterwards, he said: "I'm lost for words. This week I felt so comfortable in my own game and everything clicked, so I'm over the moon.
"I treated the final like I had nothing to lose. I can't put into words how much it means to me.
2
"I struggled a couple of times this year and I still have that bad game in me, but I think when I do get it right, I can mix it with the best in the room."
Unfortunately Brooks will also miss out on a spot at the World Matchplay given that he is still way back in 73rd spot in the Order of Merit.
Big name players such as Luke Humphries and Luke Littler have, of course, earned their spot on the stage in Blackpool.
While exciting qualifiers from the ProTour rankings include Martin Schindler, Ryan Searle, Mike De Decker and Raymond van Barneveld.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
22 minutes ago
- BBC News
Swimmers' take on Channel relay for Oxford children's unit
A team of six swimmers, including doctors and charity staff, are gearing up for an English Channel swim relay to raise money for a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU).The Oxford Orcas hope to raise £30,000 for specialist equipment for the John Radcliffe Hospital unit, which cares for 1,000 critically ill children each swimmers have been training through the winter in local lakes and plan to complete the challenge next member Sarah Vaccari, of Oxford Hospitals Charity, is supporting the cause after the ward helped her daughter who was born with a congenital heart condition. The team described the upcoming 21-mile (34 km) Channel swim as "notoriously tough, with strong tides".They will be swimming in the dark, not using wetsuits and "dodging jellyfish".Consultant Dr Michael Carter has done the challenge before and described it as "one of the most amazing experiences of my life".He said, the first time, he had swum close to killer whales, which inspired their team logo design. Mrs Vaccari, who is taking part in the challenge for the first time, said she would "always remember" the care she had received."My daughter is now a strapping 18-year-old, but she was diagnosed as a baby with congenital heart condition and needed open heart surgery," she said."When you have a major operation like that... your child will spend time in paediatric intensive care, so I remember that, it's never left me."She said, through her job, she had met many families who had been through the unit."You get to know them well when you work in a charity like ours, so that's my motivation and I know it's the motivation for the rest of the team as well."Dr Carter said the raised funds would buy better equipment and compassionate leadership training for nurses on the unit who "are really exposed to the trauma of providing difficult care to really in difficult circumstances".The group has so far raised more than two-thirds of its target. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Sun
22 minutes ago
- The Sun
Tense moment Jake Paul squares up to Oleksandr Usyk in ring after heavyweight champion's win over Daniel Dubois
JAKE PAUL had a bizarre confrontation with Oleksandr Usyk after the heavyweight star's victory over Daniel Dubois. Usyk, 38, only needed five rounds to knock Dubois, 27, out on Saturday at Wembley and become undisputed heavyweight champion for the second time. 3 3 3 After the Ukrainian superstar extended his undefeated streak to a staggering 24 fights, Paul, 28, stepped inside the ring to confront the victor. The two men had a tense face-off in front of the packed crowd in London with the controversial YouTuber looking to tease a future clash between them. But it all turned rather strange later on social media when the Problem Child challenged the undisputed boxing champion to an MMA fight. Paul tweeted: "Congrats to one of the greatest heavyweights of all time @usykaa on a huge win. "I respect you a lot. Now we do an MMA match for the world @MostVpromotions." Fans were left baffled and stormed the comments' section to state the obvious. One fan tweeted: "So you box MMA fighters and now you wanna fight MMA against boxers?! Make it make sense." A third wrote: "Boxes old age retired people Wrestles real world class boxers. Must be opposite day." This one said: "Wait, he's a boxer, and you're a boxer, right? Why not errrm box?" SunSport reporter Wally Downes Jr gives his verdict on Oleksandr Usyk's stunning KO rematch win vs Daniel Dubois And that one stated: "So when it's and MMA legend, you box. When it's a boxer, you do MMA." Ever since crossing over to boxing, Paul has mainly shared the ring with retired athletes - mainly from MMA - who never boxed. The social media sensation also had a highly-publicised and controversial bout last year with a then 58-year-old Mike Tyson. The promoter has only faced one active boxer in Tommy Fury, to whom he lost. Usyk vs Dubois round by round as brutal knockout cements Ukrainian's place in history OLEKSANDR USYK cemented his name in the list of all-time boxing greats as he became a three-time undisputed champion with a fifth round knockout win over Daniel Dubois. Usyk dropped Dubois multiple times as he put any doubts about his first win over the Brit to bed by cementing the repeat and avoiding the revenge. Here, SunSport's Jack Figg gives his round-by-round verdict... ROUND ONE Usyk looks light on his toes, swaying side to side, Dubois plants his feet and walks forward. Stiff jab from Usyk appears to almost wake Dubois up and the Brit responds with a one-two. Usyk searches to the body with a left, blocks a right hand from Dubois and ends the round with a menacing combo. Usyk 10 Dubois 9 ROUND TWO Dubois lunges in with a right hand, Usyk expertly takes half a step back and responds with a counter left. Another right misses from Dubois and he takes a left cross which has him on shaky legs. Already Usyk is finding his rhythm, making Dubois miss and certainty making him pay. Usyk 10 Dubois 9 (Usyk 20 Dubois 18) ROUND THREE Usyk staggers back after a right hand from Dubois - maybe more off balance than hurt. Dubois charges forward with a left hook, right hand but Usyk covers up well. Huge left hook lands on the button from Usyk, sweat sprays off Dubois face. Usyk 10 Dubois 9 (Usyk 30 Dubois 27) ROUND FOUR Right uppercut lands on Usyk's belt-line in a genuine case of dejavu from low-blow gate in their first fight. Dubois traps Usyk in the corner, lands a right but the Ukrainian legend slips off before any troubling damage can be done. Left hand lands for Usyk but Dubois grabs on and closes the distance, smart defence to cap off his best round so far. Usyk 9 Dubois 10 (Usyk 39 Dubois 37) ROUND FIVE Right hook followed by a left hand lands for Usyk has Dubois teetering backwards. Dubois comes forward, charging at Usyk and the two trade off in the corner but DOWN GOES DUBOIS after a counter right hook. He makes it to his feet but is dropped with another left hook and the fight is over! Dubois fails to beat the count and Usyk is once again undisputed heavyweight world champion. Usyk wins by KO
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Bicester Motion: Firefighter killed in blaze was 'wonderful guy'
A firefighter who was mentored by one of those killed during a fatal fire at a business park has said he was someone "who'd do anything for anybody".Martyn Sadler died alongside fellow firefighter Jennie Logan and member of the public Dave Chester in the blaze that engulfed a hangar on the Bicester Motion site on 15 Roberts, who works for Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said his former colleague had been a "wonderful guy".On Sunday, Mr Roberts is set to play in a football match at Ardley United, which is raising funds for the Firefighters Charity, in honour of those killed in the fire. He said Mr Sadler had "just been that person on the end of the phone that I called as and when I needed to speak to somebody" when he started out in the fire service."Every time you saw him he had a smile on his face, he always had the time of day to come and speak to you and say hello," Mr Roberts said."He was just a really really genuine, nice guy who'd do anything for anybody and a guy who loved being a firefighter and making a difference on a daily basis." Sunday's charity match will see an Ardley United team face off against a team of Oxford United legends - with former Yellows youth player Mr Roberts lining-up alongside U's icons, including James Constable and Alfie match, which kicks off at 13:00 BST, will be officiated by a team of Premier League officials, led by referee and former firefighter Sam United chairman Ian Feaver said he was expecting a near capacity crowd for the game, which he said would be "amazing"."Its a great way to raise money for a very worthwhile charity, as well as having a good time while you're doing it," he told BBC Radio Oxford ahead of the match. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
