SUPER SEARLE WINS PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP 28
30/09/2025 By Aaron Nijjar
RYAN SEARLE stormed to the Players Championship 28 crown after beating Mario Vandenbogaerde 8-6 in the final.
Devon thrower Searle reeled off a hat-trick of legs to come back from 6-5 down and secure victory against the Belgian.
Former major finalist Searle pearled in a 12-darter and 71 checkout to gain a 7-6 lead in Leicester.
‘Heavy Metal’ sealed the deal with a cool 45 checkout, landing single five and double 20 at the Mattioli Arena.
Searle confessed he never hit full stride in the final and even thought his run was over in round four of the ProTour event.
He said: “It was very hard work that final.
“I have been in good positions all day and then missed a few chances to let a few people in.
“But I’m just happy to get over the line really.
“Against Karel [Sedlacek] he hit the double to go 5-3 up and I thought I had lost.
“I was ready to shake his hand I thought God sake I have lost, and I was playing alright to be fair.
“I managed to get it to 5-5 on his throw. Then I went ton, 180, 180, 41 to break him in the last leg.
“So, I can perform under pressure when I want to.”
World No. 19 Searle claimed his second title of the year and the £15K top prize.
Searle admits he is delighted to break his duck of winning one piece of silverware per campaign and is now eyeing a big run in the upcoming majors.
He added: “It feels weird to be honest. There have been plenty of times where I have won a title early in the season and then I make the quarters I play really well.
“Then I end up losing but yeah, it’s great to break the duck and win more than one. The draw really opened up for me today.
“The only thing that is missing for me is some runs in majors. I have not really had good draws.
“I don’t think I have a great draw for the Grand Prix but if I turn up I know I can make a good go of it.
“It’s a great confidence builder to win today.”
Searle is hoping a packing blunder turns into a lucky charm after turning up on stage with toothpaste stains on his jersey and New Balance trainers.
He continued: “Trainers and the toothpaste on my shirt. I didn’t even notice that until it got pointed out to me. They could be my lucky trainers.
“To be fair these are not quite as bad. I haven’t got the white bit at the bottom like some players.
“It does look awful to be fair.”
Searle averaged a stellar 100.02 to overcome Kevin Doets 7-4 in the semi-final.
The 37-year-old smashed in fourteen 140s and averaged 102.62 to record a 6-4 triumph against Darren Beveridge in the quarter-final.
Searle chucked in a 105 checkout and averaged 99.34 on the way to edging Karel Sedlacek 6-5 in the last 16.
Image by Taylor Lanning.
