KENDAL darts player Tony Newell is refusing to be too downbeat despite admitting his latest results in the PDC Players Championship in Coventry represent a setback.

The 31-year-old suffered a 6-5 first-round defeat to Steve Brown in Players Championship 11 at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry, a contest eventually won by Gary Anderson.

There was little joy for Newell in Players Championship 12 either as he lost out 6-4 to Andy Jenkins at the same stage, with James Wade ultimately claiming the title.

And while not what he envisaged after reaching the quarter-final and breaking into the PDC top-100 last time out in Crawley, Newell accepts such results are just par for the course.

“It was disappointing and I didn’t play as well as I normally do,” he said.

“My finishing was so good in Crawley and probably got me to the quarter finals but on this occasion I was millimetres away with doubles and the big checkouts.

“In those circumstances you start getting frustrated and begin to try more and it can sometimes go against you.

“I didn’t play as well as I have done in the past and there is no escape from two first-round defeats but they were tight defeats.

“So it is positive I took the game so close while probably playing at only 80% of my capabilities.  So if I can go back and play as I have been in the last few weeks I can hopefully have another run.

“But in all fairness anybody can beat anybody on their day and it’s swings and roundabouts, you’re not going to be brilliant every time you play.

“It was disappointing but there is nothing to get my head down about.”

The weekend was not a complete loss with Newell falling just short of qualifying for the European Open after beating David Pallett 6-5, before missing out to Colin Lloyd 6-5.

“Colin Lloyd is a former world number one, he’s won titles and been at the top of his game,” he added.

“There were six breaks of throw in the first six legs and looking back if I’d just held my throw I would have sneaked through.

“In the deciding leg, I had 110 left and just missed double 18 and he checked out. Down in Crawley I was knocking out the big finishes and the three-dart check-outs.

“And that’s what you’ve got to do at this level but last weekend they were on the wire which happens.”

The PDC Players Championship now takes a break over the summer months with the next engagement not until September in Crawley.

This hiatus gives Newell the opportunity to reflect on a whirlwind few months which have seen him gain his PDC card, acquire an investor and become a full-time professional darts player.

“I now have the summer to work on a few things and have a little play around,” he said.

“It also takes the pressure off a little bit too. Competing at this level is all brand new to me and it will be good to take a complete step back and let everything sink in.

“People I’ve known who have come over from the BDO to PDC have not done as well as they would’ve like.

“Bit I’ve just taken all the wins and losses in my stride and being sat where I am now, I can’t be too disappointed.”