STUART Kellett matched his best run in a Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) event this year when he reached the last 16 of the opening Players’ Championship qualifier on Saturday afternoon.

The Northwich ace followed wins over Matt Padgett and Pete Dyos (both 6-2) with a second victory of the season against world number four Simon Whitlock (6-5) before James Wade, a seven-time major winner, saw off the 32-year-old in the fourth round at Barnsley Metrodome.

Kellett fared less well in the second qualifier on Sunday, falling at the second stage.