MICHAEL Smith will go into the second stage of the 2018 Unibet Premier League season tomorrow on the back of his second ranking victory of the year.

The St Helens darter achieved a 6-2 win over Adrian Lewis in the final of Players Championship Seven at the Barnsley Metrodome on Saturday.

The Unibet Premier League star followed up his victory in a Coral UK Open Qualifier in February by scooping the £10,000 top prize.

Smith had whitewashed Raymond van Barneveld in the Premier League in Liverpool last Thursday, and maintained that form with a brutal 113 average in his 6-0 first-round win over Eddie Dootson - who will be the St Helens ace’s best man at his forthcoming wedding!

He then overcame Gary Eastwood and Jermaine Wattimena, seeing off the latter in a deciding leg, before claiming another whitewash victory, against Kyle Anderson.

A 6-4 quarter-final win over James Wilson was followed by a narrow semi-final defeat of St Helens rival Dave Chisnall, who missed the bull to snatch victory in their decider.

Lewis started the final well with a 13-darter, but Smith levelled in 14 darts and then took out a stunning 158 checkout to break throw and lead 2-1 after the Stoke ace turned down a chance to throw for the bull.

Lewis hit back to level with another 13-dart leg, but Smith took out 130 on the bull to regain his lead, tops to hold and then 81 for a 5-2 cushion before closing out the win.

“I think the last Players Championship I won was in Benidorm in 2012 so I’ve had to wait six years for this and I’m over the moon now,” said Smith, who faces Rob Cross tonight, Thursday, at the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield as the second stage of the 2018 Unibet Premier League gets underway.