Hamilton Sneaks Into Final

ANDY HAMILTON won a dramatic final-leg shoot-out to book his place in the final of the PartyBets.com Grand Slam of Darts at the expense of young star Kevin McDine.

McDine, a 22-year-old ITV Wildcard Qualifier, has battled through to reach the last four in his debut in a televised tournament.

But he saw his dreams of a place in the final at the Wolves Civic dashed in incredible fashion against Hamilton.

The pair were locked at 12-all going into the final leg of the contest, with McDine first to a finish - only to fail to leave a double by hitting a single 15 instead of the ten which would have left double top.

Hamilton stepped in and took out double 16 to reach his first televised final, and remain in line for the £80,000 winner's cheque.

The game enjoyed an explosive start, with McDine taking the first leg and Hamilton landing a 180 on the way to the second.

The next four were also shared equally before McDine showed nerves of steel to take out 130 on the bullseye and then a 136 finish to move 5-3 up.

Hamilton hit back to level with two key double top finishes, and a two-dart 61 finish put him ahead of the first time.

A 112 checkout then saw Hamilton go 7-5 up, and he also maintained a two-leg lead at 9-7 before McDine surged back, kicking off three successive legs with 180s.

He enjoyed finishes of 72 and 104 in hitting back to level, and then edged in front once more on double 16.

However, he missed double 12 for an 11-9 cushion, with Hamilton landing double five at the third attempt to square the contest once more.

The tension rose as the next two legs were shared, leaving the game effectively as a best-of-three leg shoot-out.

A 118 finish saw McDine move 12-11 up, only for Hamilton to reply in 14 darts with an 81 checkout and send the game into the final leg.

Hamilton edged the early scoring and a 97 score left him 50, with McDine needing 67.

But for the first time in the tournament, his composure let him down as he mistakenly hit single 15 instead of ten, denying a shot at the double.

Hamilton returned, hitting 18 and double 16 to move into the final.

"It was very tough and I was just relieved he gave me a chance in that final leg," admitted Hamilton. "That single 15 he hit at the end was a cracker - for me anyway!

"It was a battle throughout and Kevin threw really well. I put myself under pressure to throw good darts because of that, instead of just enjoying it and playing my own darts.

"But I'm happy with the result and I'm in the final now. It's what I've wanted all my life and I can go and enjoy it now."

McDine's display included seven 180s and four ton-plus finishes, and Hamilton added: "I went two legs in front and he just kept coming back at me.

"He was always clinging to me and he's done himself proud this week. He's got a good future ahead of him."

Match Stats