DENNIS Smith showed no sign of his recent illness as he kickstarted his season following an impressive weekend at the Players Championship in Reading.

Smith had been suffering with shingles in the week leading up to the two tournaments and was unable to practice, but made the third round on both days before losing to Gary Anderson and Dave Chisnall at the Rivermead Centre.

His progress, which included victories over Magnus Caris, Alan Tabern and former world number one Colin Lloyd, saw him shoot up the Players Championship Order of Merit, and Smith was happy with how he performed.

“I can’t grumble at all about that because I was playing some pretty good darts and I was feeling good,” he said. “I might go back to the doctors and ask to have shingles for the next six months because the rest I had really has done me good.

“I wasn’t far off beating Anderson which would have been a great achievement, and I played very well against Colin Lloyd.

“Against Dave Chisnall I came back from 4-1 down to make it 5-5, but he took out a superb finish to win 6-5.

“That is the best I have played this year and it has kickstarted my season, so I just need to keep it going now.”

Chisnall went on to win yesterday’s tournament, beating Phil Taylor in the final, but the 15 time world champion had already come out on top on Saturday, hitting nine-dart finishes on both days.

“Phil played very well on both days, but that is what we expect from him, “ Smith said. “I have been good friends with Phil for many years and people have continued to write him off, but that only spurs him on to get better and better.”

Johnny Haines also enjoyed another good weekend as a PDC player, as he made the second round on both days only to be stopped by reigning world champion Adrian Lewis and Tony West.

“I should have beaten Lewis really because he wasn’t playing very good darts at all, but I messed about in a couple of legs and let him off, so it was a chance missed for me really.

“Overall though I was pleased with the way I played, I was throwing well and won a couple of good games, but that is sometimes just the way it goes.”