DARTS player Jim Williams is set to put the frustration of a World Championships semi-final defeat behind him as he bids to earn a professional card.

Williams, from Shobdon, competed in the British Darts Organisation (BDO) World Championships last week.

However, this weekend he will aim to move into the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) circuit and compete against the likes of Michael van Gerwen, Raymond van Barneveld and Rob Cross.

The PDC UK Q-School is a qualifying tournament which consists of four days of knockout matches with two getting selected each day for a PDC Tour Card.

Eight other players will also be selected on their consistency.

A PDC Tour Card would mean that Williams could turn professional and focus all his efforts of playing darts in the world's biggest competitions.

"The Q School starts on Thursday (today) and if I am one of the 16 qualifying players I will get a PDC Tour Card and if not I will go back to the BDO," added Williams

"It doesn't matter either way really as I could have another good year in the BDO and build my confidence.

"I got to the semi-final this year so I would like another go at it. However, it is a free go at the Q School for BDO players with no consequences.

"Last year you were suspended by the BDO for 12 months for attending the Q School but this year they are not.

"So pretty much the top 20 from the BDO are all attending the Q School. I'm at a difficult stage where I either make the leap and go for it or keep prodding along.

"I'm burning the candles at both end with work and training so something has to give."

Last week all Williams' attention was on the BDO World Championships.

After being ran close in a 3-2 game against Roger Janssen in the first round Williams hit form and beat Dean Reynolds 4-0 before overcoming Scott Mitchell 5-3 in the quarter-final.

However, Williams, who was knocked out of last year's competition by eventual winner Glen Durrant at the quarter-final stage, again met his rival in the last four.

Williams got off to a perfect start in the showdown winning the first set. However, missed doubles cost Williams in the next three sets and Durrant took a 3-1 lead.

However, the Shobdon joiner came storming back winning the next two sets to tie the match at 3-3.

That was as close as Williams would get to the final as Durrant stormed clear to take a 6-3 win.

Durrant went on to win the final for a third consecutive year.

"I knew from the start that it was possible that I was going to meet Glen again," said Williams.

"It's always close between me and him. I have beaten him plenty of times but he has just got the better of me on television.

"The frustrating bit was missing doubles in set winning legs. The first sets I had doubles to win those off him but I missed them and he didn't.

"The quarter-final was also a tough game and we didn't finish until after midnight. By the time I had done the media stuff it was 2.30am before I could sleep and I was up at 5.30am ready for the final."

Durrant will also be competing against Williams at the PDC UK Q-School this weekend.