SUPER SCOT ANDERSON CLAIMS CASH CONVERTERS PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE
GARY ANDERSON claimed the fourth major TV title of his career in style with a brilliant 11-6 win over Adrian Lewis in the Cash Converters Players Championship Finals last night.
The number one seed for the event after winning seven PDC ProTour events during 2014, Anderson lived up to that billing to win his first televised event since the 2011 Premier League - when he also overcame Lewis in the final.
Having overcome the former and current Lakeside Champions in Christian Kist and Stephen Bunting on his way to Sunday's final stages, Anderson then defeated Phil Taylor for the first time in a televised knockout match for seven years in the quarter-finals.
He then overcame Holland's Vincent van der Voort 11-7 in the semi-finals, despite the Dutchman hitting back from 10-3 down with four ton-plus finishes before Anderson finally sealed victory with a 103.86 average.
That display was followed by nine 180s in a fine display in the final as Anderson overcame world number three Lewis to claim the £65,000 first prize on a memorable St Andrew's Day for the Scot.
Anderson broke with a 14-darter in the final's opening leg and also led 3-1 before Lewis hit back to level at three-all with a 96 checkout before the Stoke ace landed double eight to lead for the first - and only - time.
The Scot took the next five legs without reply in an unstoppable burst as he surged into an 8-3 lead, with Lewis taking out 124 on the bull in a run of three successive legs to reply.
Anderson finished double four to regain his cushion before a 76 finish moved him 10-6 up, and he secured the title in style with a 118 checkout.
"I worked my heart out this year to get the number one seed and to be honest I've had probably the hardest draw that you could have had, so to win the tournament makes it very special," said Anderson, who also returns to fourth on the PDC Order of Merit.
"I got stuck in and did the business, and it's nice to defeat Phil and go on to win the tournament because not too many players do that.
"In the semi-final against Vincent I needed one more leg and all of a sudden he took four ton-plus finishes out on me, and I was sweating a bit so I was glad to get past him.
"I got off to a good start in the final too and it's great to walk away with the trophy."
Lewis had won the UK Open in March on his most recent visit to Minehead, and followed up his deciding-leg quarter-final win over Jamie Caven on Sunday afternoon by landing eight 180s in his 11-6 semi-final win over Wes Newton.
He claimed £35,000 as the runner-up to Anderson, and said: "Gary finished number one in the rankings for this event and he deserved to win.
"I dug in during the final but it just didn't happen for me and he punished me for it, and fair play to Gary because he took his chances well.
"After the week I've had - with my son being taken into hospital on Thursday - I'm lucky to be in the final, and I think I lost all my momentum when I got 8-2 up against Wes, and the quarter-final probably took a lot out of me.
"I'll go back home now and get back on the practice board now and get ready for the World Championship."
Fleetwood ace Newton fell one game short of reaching his third major TV final as he failed to follow up his quarter-final win over Terry Jenkins by claiming another big-name scalp in the last four.
Newton's £17,000 prize money for the weekend, though, takes him back into the world's top 16, but he said: "I didn't come out of the blocks quickly enough and I made it too easy for Adrian early on really.
"He was 8-2 up and he was cruising, but it just didn't happen for me and fair play to Adrian because he did what he had to do to win the game.
"I can be proud of the weekend though because I've had a bad year but hopefully this can help spur me on for the World Championship now."
Van der Voort had opened the tournament with a whitewash of Andy Hamilton and also defeated Peter Wright and Dean Winstanley as he reached his first major ranking semi-final since 2008.
"I started very poorly, in the first ten legs I didn't get into the game and it was a struggle for me," said the Dutchman. "I tried my hardest but it wasn't there tonight.
"It's difficult to play two matches in a day, but I have to learn from this and next time I have to be better.
"It's massive achievement for me to reach the semi-finals and hopefully I can build on this because I'm really happy with my game at the moment."
The £300,000 tournament, shown live on ITV4, had seen over 4,000 fans pack the Butlins Minehead Resort to see the top 32 players from the 2014 PDC ProTour Order of Merit do battle.
Following the success of the the event's third staging at the venue, Cash Converters have extended their sponsorship for a further two years to cover the 2015 and 2016 Cash Converters Players Championship Finals alongside their ongoing partnership with the PDC.
"We are delighted to have Cash Converters as our Players Championship Finals sponsor for a further two years," said PDC Chairman Barry Hearn.
"They have been an integral part of the growth of darts with us over the last five years, and the Players Championship Finals is a great event at Butlins Minehead."
Richard Livesey, the Head of Marketing for Cash Converters in the UK, said: "We are delighted to announce the sponsorship of the 2015 and 2016 Cash Converters Players Championship.
"This weekend has become a focal point in the darts calendar as the final tournament of the year before the World Championship. Each and every year darts fans flock to Minehead and have a superb weekend and we feel privileged to be a part of it.
"The sponsorship deal will see Cash Converters continue to be a massive part of the darts family and grow the brand in the UK and internationally."
On The Wire - Episode Three, Sunday November 30
Dan Dawson is joined by champion Gary Anderson, who reflects on his victory over Adrian Lewis in the final
Plus, Hi-De-Huybrechts with the Walk-On Girls and the William Hill World Darts Championship Preliminary Round draw
QUARTER-FINALS ROUND-UP
ANDERSON CLAIMS TAYLOR SCALP AS LEWIS EDGES THROUGH IN MINEHEAD
GARY ANDERSON knocked Phil Taylor out of the Cash Converters Players Championship Finals with a thrilling 10-6 quarter-final victory on Sunday afternoon, as Adrian Lewis, Wes Newton and Vincent van der Voort joined him in the semi-finals at the Butlins Minehead Resort.
Anderson claimed his first win over Taylor in a televised knockout event since 2007 with a fine performance, averaging 105 to the three-time champion's 104 and hitting seven 180s before sealing victory with a memorable 127 checkout.
Taylor played his part as he sought a second successive major title following his recent Grand Slam of Darts victory, kicking off the contest with a party-piece 125 checkout of bullseye, outer bull and bullseye and taking an early 3-1 lead.
Anderson roared back to win six of the next seven legs in a brilliant burst, which was begun with two 14-darters and also featured an 11-dart leg and three 12-darters as well as six perfect darts in his bid for a nine-darter.
Taylor had replied with an 11-darter of his own and finished 108 to cut the gap to 7-5, only for Anderson to finish 90 and 82 for another brace of 12-dart legs to move to the brink of victory.
Taylor fired in a 171 and double ten to hit back, but Anderson pulled clear in the 16th leg before finishing 127 on the bull to seal his semi-final spot.
"Phil's still the boy to beat, but every dog has his day and it was my day today," said Anderson. "I beat Phil the first time we played back in 2007 and I've paid the price ever since!
"He missed a few doubles, which he doesn't normally do against me, but it was a great game.
"I'll get myself ready now for the semi-finals and I just take each game at a time, so I'll stick with the same routine I've had all week and hopefully it'll pay off."
Anderson's semi-final opponent as Sunday's decisive final session kicks off will be Dutchman Vincent van der Voort, who overcame Dean Winstanley 10-8 in their quarter-final.
Van der Voort hit back from an early 3-0 deficit to level at three-all, and also squared the game at six-all after falling two legs down to the Yorkshireman.
The Dutchman, though, secured a key break of throw with a 13-darter to move ahead for the first time at 7-6, and after putting daylight between the pair with double 16 managed to retain the cushion and take the win.
The result sees van der Voort into his first major ranking semi-final since 2008, and he admitted: "I'm so relieved and I think that showed when I hit that winning double top.
"I'm so happy to be in the semi-finals because I had to fight as hard as I could to get into the match. It was hard work but I can look ahead to the semi-finals now."
Winstanley hit nine 180s in his first PDC major ranking quarter-final, and admitted: "My doubles weren't right today but I'm really happy to have been here on a Sunday and fighting against Vincent in a great game."
World number three Adrian Lewis produced a thrilling finale as he survived one match dart against Jamie Caven before finishing 124 and 123 to prevail 10-9 following a fine quarter-final contest.
Caven played his part in a classic, leading Lewis three times only to miss the bull for the match on a 167 finish when leading 9-8.
Lewis took out 124 on double 11 as he sent the game into a deciding leg before following up his ninth maximum of the game with a 123 checkout as he sealed his place in the last four.
"It was a fantastic game to be involved in and luckily enough I came through it," said Lewis, March's UK Open champion in his last visit to the Butlins Minehead Resort.
"Jamie's been playing well coming into this game but I wanted to score well and keep him under pressure and hopefully he'd miss his doubles - but he didn't!
"I was hitting 180s and he was following it up, but luckily enough I got the 124, after he missed the bull for the 167, and then the 123 in the last leg. I've got to calm down from this and get ready for the semi-finals now."
Caven said: "I felt comfortable on stage and I'm getting used to it now, and if I'd hit the bull then I'd have come away the winner - but fair play to Adrian with the 124 and 123 finishes because he's a World Champion and that's what they do."
Lewis now meets Newton in the semi-finals, with the Fleetwood ace staying on course to reach his third major final with a 10-5 defeat of Terry Jenkins, who had knocked out reigning champion Michael van Gerwen on Saturday night but failed to repeat the performance in the last eight.
After sharing the opening four legs with breaks of throw, Newton pushed 4-2 up before Jenkins hit back to 5-4 - but a 136 checkout sparked a run of four straight legs as the former UK Open finalist moved 9-4 up.
Jenkins took out 121 on the bull to keep the game alive in leg 14 after Newton missed two match darts, but the fightback was short-lived as he returned to seal victory in the next leg.
The win moves Newton into his first televised semi-final for over two years and will ensure his return to the world's top 16 - but he has his sights set on claiming his maiden major title on Sunday night.
"It was a strange game - I felt good all the way through it but it didn't quite happen for me and Terry struggled a bit too, and midway through the game I felt that he was thinking it wouldn't be his day," said Newton
"I just had to keep my head down and get the win - at the end of the day it's getting to ten legs that matters, and I'm happy to win.
"I've always played well against Adrian and he's a two-time World Champion who I've got a lot of respect for.
"He showed why he's a World Champion with those two finishes at the end against Jamie, so I've got to go back, regroup and try to bring out my best game to live with him in the semis.
"It's been a strange year for me because I felt good in the Premier League and it didn't work out, and I think that being relegated knocked my confidence for a couple of months.
"I suppose we all go through those phases as players and it's how you come out of it that matters and I'm pleased to be where I am in the semi-finals this weekend, but it's not over yet.
"I want to go on and win this now and I know I've got that good game in me to beat anyone, so hopefully it will come out."
Sunday November 30
Afternoon Session
Adrian Lewis 10-9 Jamie Caven
Wes Newton 10-5 Terry Jenkins
Vincent van der Voort 10-8 Dean Winstanley
Gary Anderson 10-6 Phil Taylor
Best of 19 legs
Evening Session
Semi-Finals
Adrian Lewis 11-6 Wes Newton
Gary Anderson 11-7 Vincent van der Voort
Best of 21 legs
Final
Gary Anderson 11-6 Adrian Lewis
Best of 21 legs
MATCH INFORMATION
AFTERNOON SESSION
Adrian Lewis 10-9 Jamie Caven
0-1: Lewis gets off to a flier as he takes out 114 on tops to hold throw.
1-1: Caven takes out 70 on tops to hit back and take his first leg of the game.
1-2: Second maximum of the game for Lewis before he hits tops again to regain the lead.
2-2: Caven hits double six to hold throw again.
2-3: Back-to-back maximums in the leg for Lewis before he hits double ten to head into the first break with the lead.
3-3: Caven holds throw in the first leg after the interval to level the game up again.
4-3: First break of the game goes Caven's way as he takes out 64 on tops.
4-4: Lewis breaks straight back though as he hits tops.
4-5: Tops again for Lewis, this time as he takes out 60 for a 14 dart leg.
4-6: After starting off with another maximum, Lewis hits double 12 for a brilliant 12 dart leg.
5-6: Caven breaks with a brilliant 130 checkout on double five.
6-6: Lewis hits back in style, nailing two 180s before hitting double ten.
6-7: Lewis takes out 36 on double with his third dart to regain the lead.
7-7: Caven hits double 12 to level after Lewis had missed two darts to break throw.
8-7: Lewis misses three darts at tops and Caven punishes as he takes out 78 on double 12.
8-8: Brilliant response from Lewis though as he hits two maximums before taking out 41 on double eight for a 12 dart leg.
9-8: Caven takes out 70 on double 16 to move one leg away from a first televised semi-final.
9-9: Incredible checkout from Adrian Lewis as he finishes 124 on double 11 after Caven had missed the bull for a 167 to win.
10-9: Lewis books his place in the semi-finals in style, taking out 123 on double nine.
Match Stats
| Jamie Caven | 9-10 | Adrian Lewis |
| 26 | 100+ | 20 |
| 11 | 140+ | 15 |
| 0 | 170+ | 1 |
| 4 | 180 | 9 |
| 97.89 | Averages | 100.88 |
| 130 | High Finish | 124 |
| 4 | Breaks of Throw | 4 |
| 9/18 - 50% | Checkout % | 10/24 - 42% |
Wes Newton 10-5 Terry Jenkins
0-1: Jenkins hits the first 180 of the game before Newton takes out 64 on double eight to take the first leg.
1-1: Brilliant 117 checkout on tops for Jenkins as he breaks straight back.
1-2: Another break as Newton nails two maximums before landing double five.
2-2: Newton misses several darts to hold throw and Jenkins punishes as he hits double six.
2-3: Fifth consecutive break of throw in the match as Newton hits double 12.
2-4: Newton finally holds throw but only just as he takes out 40 after Jenkins had missed two darts at tops.
3-4: Jenkins takes out 80 on double ten to reduce the deficit.
3-5: Newton holds as he hits double eight and regains his two leg lead.
4-5: Second 180 of the game for Jenkins before he hits tops at the fifth time of asking to hold.
4-6: Brilliant 136 checkout for Newton as he heads into the second break two legs in front.
4-7: Newton breaks as he takes out 35 on double eight.
4-8: Another hold for Newton as he moves four legs ahead and closes in on the semi-finals.
4-9: Newton hits his third maximum of the game before landing double 18 to move one leg away from the win.
5-9: Newton misses two darts at double 16 for the match and Jenkins punishes with a 121 checkout on the bull.
5-10: Newton wraps up the win as he takes out three on double one.
Match Stats
| Terry Jenkins | 5-10 | Wes Newton |
| 17 | 100+ | 26 |
| 13 | 140+ | 12 |
| 0 | 170+ | 0 |
| 2 | 180 | 3 |
| 86.90 | Average | 94.03 |
| 121 | High Finish | 136 |
| 3 | Breaks of Throw | 6 |
| 5/15 - 33% | Checkout % | 10/32 |
Vincent van der Voort 10-8 Dean Winstanley
1-0: First maximum for Winstanley who takes out 20 on double five.
2-0: Winstanley misses the bull for a 68 checkout but returns to take out 25 on double eight.
3-0: Six perfect darts for Winstanley at the start of the leg before he eventually takes out 40 on double ten.
3-1: First leg of the game for van der Voort as he takes out 11 on double four.
3-2: van der Voort seals a second leg as he takes out 68 on double 12.
3-3: Winstanley hits his fifth 180 of the game but van der Voort takes the leg, hitting double eight.
4-3: 72 checkout on tops for Winstanley as he regains the lead.
5-3: Tops for Winstanley as he breaks and moves two legs ahead.
5-4: Six perfect darts at the beginning of the leg for van der Voort who eventually hits double ten for an 11 darter.
6-4: Winstanley breaks again, hitting tops to lead 6-4 at the second interval.
6-5: Both players hits maximums before van der Voort takes out 60 on tops after Winstanley had missed two at double 20 to move three ahead.
6-6: van der Voort levels the match in style as he takes out 114 on tops.
6-7: Third straight leg for van der Voort as he lands double 16 to break.
6-8: Double 16 again for van der Voort as he holds throw and moves two legs ahead.
7-8: van der Voort misses three darts to seal a fifth straight leg, Winstanley hits double five to break back.
7-9: Brilliant 127 checkout on double eight for van der Voort after starting the leg with a 180.
8-9: van der Voort misses five match darts and Winstanley hits double five with his third dart to break.
8-10: van der Voort wraps up the win as he takes out 79 on tops.
Match Stats
| Dean Winstanley | 8-10 | Vincent van der Voort |
| 21 | 100+ | 23 |
| 5 | 140+ | 12 |
| 0 | 170+ | 1 |
| 9 | 180 | 6 |
| 89.40 | Average | 94.48 |
| 72 | High Finish | 127 |
| 3 | Breaks of Throw | 4 |
| 8/32 - 25% | Checkout % | 10/28 - 36% |
Gary Anderson 10-6 Phil Taylor
0-1: Showpiece start from Phil Taylor as he takes out 125 (bull, 25, bull) to break in the opening leg.
1-1: Taylor misses three darts at double 16 and Anderson returns to hit double ten and break straight back.
1-2: Third straight break in the game as Taylor takes out 39 on double 16.
1-3: Anderson misses three darts at double to break again and Taylor lands double eight to move two legs in front.
2-3: Anderson holds as he takes out 24 on double six.
3-3: Taylor misses double eight and Anderson takes out 78 on double 12 to break.
4-3: Six perfect darts at the start of the leg for Anderson before he hits double ten for an 11 darter.
5-3: Another brilliant leg for Anderson as he takes out 90 on double 16 for a 12 dart leg.
5-4: Taylor hits back with an 11 dart leg of his own as he takes out 85 on double 14, fantastic standard from both players.
6-4: Seven perfect darts at the start of the leg for Anderson who eventually hits double 12 for another 12 dart leg.
7-4: Taylor misses double 16 to break and Anderson holds on as he lands double eight.
7-5: 108 checkout on double 16 for Taylor as he reduces the deficit to two legs.
8-5: Anderson quickly restores his three leg lead though, taking out 90 on double 15.
9-5: Taylor misses tops for a 129 checkout and Anderson takes out 82 on double seven to move one leg away from the semi-finals.
9-6: Anderson misses tops for the match and Taylor lands double ten to break the throw.
10-6: Anderson seals the win in style, taking out 127 on the bull to reach the semi-finals!
Match Stats
| Gary Anderson | 10-6 | Phil Taylor |
| 18 | 100+ | 18 |
| 13 | 140+ | 12 |
| 0 | 170+ | 3 |
| 7 | 180 | 4 |
| 105.14 | Average | 104.58 |
| 127 | High Finish | 125 |
| 6 | Breaks of Throw | 4 |
| 10/24 - 42% | Checkout % | 6/18 - 33% |
EVENING SESSION
SEMI-FINALS
Adrian Lewis 11-6 Wes Newton
0-1: Lewis hits the first maximum of the game before hitting double five to break in the opening leg.
0-2: After starting the leg with another 180, Lewis hits double 18 to move two legs in front.
0-3: Newton misses darts to hold throw and Lewis eventually breaks, landing double one.
1-3: Newton starts the leg with a maximum and then hits tops to hold after Lewis had missed three darts to go four legs in front.
1-4: Double 16 for Lewis as he regains his three leg lead and heads into the first break 4-1 ahead.
1-5: Lewis starts with a 177 and lands double nine to wrap up the leg.
1-6: Both players start with 180s before Lewis hits double one to move five in front.
2-6: Newton begins with a 180 again and then takes out five on double one.
2-7: Newton nails another maximum but Lewis hits tops to hold throw and regain his five leg advantage.
2-8: Newton misses two darts at double and Lewis takes out 56 on tops to break.
3-8: Immediate break back for Newton though.
4-8: Lewis misses darts to break and Newton takes out 74 on tops.
5-8: Third straight leg for Newton as he takes out 25 on double eight to break again.
5-9: Brilliant 125 checkout on tops for Lewis as he holds throw.
6-9: Newton hits back-to-back 180s before landing double 16.
6-10: Seven perfect darts for Lewis at the start of the leg before he eventually hits double four.
6-11: Lewis takes out 111 to seal the win in style.
Match Stats
| Wes Newton | 6-11 | Adrian Lewis |
| 15 | 100+ | 21 |
| 9 | 140+ | 9 |
| 0 | 170+ | 1 |
| 7 | 180 | 8 |
| 88.95 | Average | 95.08 |
| 76 | High Finish | 125 |
| 3 | Breaks of Throw | 5 |
| 6/16 - 38% | Checkout % | 11/33 - 33% |
Gary Anderson 11-7 Vincent van der Voort
1-0: Anderson starts in style as he takes out 76 on double eight for an 11-darter in the opening leg.
2-0: Second successive 11 dart leg for Anderson as he takes out 44 on tops.
2-1: van der Voort hits double six to hold throw and seal his first leg of the match.
3-1: Double five for Anderson as he regains his two leg lead.
3-2: van der Voort takes out 84 on double 11 to reduce the deficit to one leg again.
4-2: Double ten for Anderson as he holds throw and moves two legs ahead.
5-2: Anderson takes out 41 on tops for an 11 dart leg.
6-2: Anderson takes out 40 on double ten to move further ahead.
7-2: van der Voort misses three darts at double and Anderson punishes as he takes out 78 on double 12.
8-2: Anderson takes out 72 on double 12 as he closes in on the final.
8-3: Double 18 for van der Voort as he holds throw after the second break.
9-3: Anderson takes out 86 on double seven.
10-3: Double 18 for Anderson as he moves one leg away from the win.
10-4: van der Voort takes out 100 on double ten.
10-5: Second consecutive ton-plus finish for van der Voort as he takes out 130 on the bull.
10-6: 124 checkout on the bull for van der Voort as he takes a third consecutive leg.
10-7: Incredible from van der Voort as he takes out 144 on double 12, fourth straight ton-plus checkout for the dutchman.
11-7: Anderson eventually wraps up the win as he takes out 75 on double 12.
Match Stats
| Gary Anderson | 11-7 | Adrian Lewis |
| 18 | 100+ | 20 |
| 13 | 140+ | 9 |
| 1 | 170+ | 0 |
| 9 | 180 | 5 |
| 103.86 | Average | 93.35 |
| 96 | High Finish | 144 |
| 4 | Breaks of Throw | 2 |
| 11/22 - 50% | Checkout % | 7/17 - 41% |
FINAL
Gary Anderson 11-6 Adrian Lewis
1-0: Anderson opens the final with a 180 before finishing double eight for a 14-darter to break throw immediately.
2-0: Double top sees Anderson move two legs up.
2-1: First leg for Lewis as he hits double four.
3-1: Anderson hits double ten to head into a two leg lead.
3-2: Lewis takes out 75 on tops to hold throw before the first break.
3-3: Anderson misses three darts at tops and Lewis returns to take out 96 on double 12 to break.
3-4: Lewis holds as he takes out 36 on double eight.
4-4: First ton-plus checkout of the game goes Anderson's way as he takes out 104 on tops.
5-4: Anderson breaks back as he takes out 25 on double six.
6-4: Five perfect darts for Anderson before he takes out 85 on tops for a 12 dart leg.
7-4: Anderson fires in his sixth 180 of the game before hitting tops to break.
8-4: Anderson takes out 40 again, this time on double ten to move four legs ahead.
8-5: 73 checkout on tops for Lewis as he holds throw.
8-6: Lewis breaks with a brilliant 124 checkout on the bull.
9-6: Great response from Anderson as he takes out 11 on double four to break back with a 13 dart leg.
10-6: Anderson takes out 76 to move a leg away from the title.
11-6: Anderson completes victory in style by finishing 118 on double 19.
Match Stats
| Gary Anderson | 11-6 | Adrian Lewis |
| 20 | 100+ | 25 |
| 8 | 140+ | 4 |
| 2 | 170+ | 1 |
| 9 | 180 | 5 |
| 101.01 | Average | 95.37 |
| 118 | High Finish | 124 |
| 5 | Breaks of Throw | 2 |
| 11/23 - 48% | Checkout % | 6/10 - 60% |