JAMES WADE won his first Cazoo Premier League night of 2022 – and he picked the perfect time to do it.

The Bordon darts player picked up the £10,000 bonus in front of a UK record 12,000 crowd in Manchester.

The 2009 Premier League champion had made three previous finals during the nine weeks of this season, but had lost the lot.

Wade was in superb form and beat Gary Anderson and Gerwyn Price 6-2 on the way to the final.

He then overcame Joe Cullen 6-5 in a thrilling finale.

“I’m super happy!” said Wade, who was the runner-up in Belfast, Birmingham and Leeds.

“In my opinion, you’re playing against the eight best players in the world every week, and it’s hard work. If you hit a 60 at the wrong time, you get bashed.

“I think I was the better player in the final.

“I’m enjoying myself, playing good darts at times, and against the best eight players in the world, which is an honour for me.

“I’m glad to be here. I’m nervous up on the stage but at times I’m close to my best game.”

Cullen had raced into a 2-0 lead as he sought a second victory of his debut season, opening with a 14-dart break of throw and then taking out 107.

Wade, though, produced legs of 13, 14 and 14 darts to edge ahead, before the pair traded the next five with brilliant darts.

With the advantage of throw, Wade was first to a finish in the decider and took out 64 on tops to complete the win – averaging 105.48 in the match.