JAMES WADE 6-4 ANDY SMITH

WORLD number three James Wade defeated Andy Smith 6-4 to win through to the second round of the Cash Converters Players Championship at the Doncaster Dome.

The left-hander opened the game with a confidence-boosting 12-dart finish which featured a 180, although Smith levelled on double ten and then hit double 16 to lead 2-1.

Wade, though, took the fourth to square the game before hitting a 180 and tops to regain the lead.

Double ten for a 13-dart finish moved Wade 4-2 up, giving him a lead which would prove crucial in edging him to victory as Smith battled for a way back into the game.

He finished double top for a 14-darter in winning the seventh leg, and after Wade took out tops he added a second maximum and double three to pull back to 5-4.

However, he missed the bull to send the game into a deciding leg, and Wade landed his trusted double top to ensure progression to the last 16.