Luke Humphries reels in Michael van Gerwen to win Players Championship

Luke Humphries produced a stunning fightback to beat Michael van Gerwen 11-9 and lift the PDC Players Championship title in Minehead.

'Cool Hand' Humphries was focused on a third televised ranking triumph in the space of seven weeks following success at the World Grand Prix and Grand Slam of Darts.

Van Gerwen, though, looked on course to defend his title and secure an eighth Players Championship crown after landing a perfect nine-dart finish ahead of the first interval and then forging a 9-5 lead.

Humphries, however, battled to stay in the contest and slowly clawed back the deficit, crucially taking a break of throw in leg 16.

Van Gerwen then lost his throw again as Humphries hauled himself level at 9-9 before holding to move one away from a dramatic victory.

The Dutchman had his chance to force a last-leg decider, but failed to take out 47 and Humphries responded with a maximum to crank up the pressure.

Both men then could not close out the leg, with Van Gerwen missing 32 before Humphries spurned his chance on double seven.

With Van Gerwen again unable to finish from 16, Humphries was left to sink double one for another ranking title which sets him among the genuine contenders for the upcoming World Championships.

In the semi-finals, Humphries had coasted past Ryan Joyce 11-3 with a 106.2 average, while Van Gerwen had beaten German number one Gabriel Clemens 11-6.

Earlier during the afternoon session of finals day, Dutchman Van Gerwen had come from behind to edge out Stephen Bunting 10-9 in their last-eight contest.

Clemens qualified for the semi-finals after a 10-7 win over Luke Woodhouse, which was the same score as Humphries fought back to beat James Wade while Joyce had seen off Australian Damon Heta 10-6.

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