GARY ANDERSON overcame Mark Webster 13-9 to win the final of the Topic International Darts League in Nijmegen.
Anderson had progressed through both group stages of the tournament unbeaten before powering past James Wade and Adrian Lewis with thrilling displays in the Quarter-Finals and Semi-Finals.
He struggled to match that form in the final, but finished the stronger of the two following a titanic struggle in which he landed 18 180s.
Webster, appearing in his first major final, gave as good as he got for 18 sets before Anderson took three of the four for victory and the biggest title of his career and a 30,000 euro cheque.
"I'm absolutely shattered," said Anderson, whose campaign began nine days earlier. "I feel sorry for Mark because the two of us hadn't lost a game all week to get to the final.
"He played well all week and he fights all the way through a game. This wasn't his best display but he never gave up."
Anderson started superbly, opening with a 180 in his first three darts and an 11-darter for the first leg before taking the set with a 164 finish.
Webster hit back with a maximum and a first-dart double top finish to begin set two, but Anderson added further maximums in taking the next two legs to double his advantage.
Welshman Webster took out 164 to open set three, which he took in a decider to maintain his 100 percent checkout ratio and cut the lead to 2-1.
He then squared the game in taking the fourth set in three legs, but a 161 finish gave Anderson the fifth.
Webster missed four darts to take the sixth as Anderson went into the break 4-2 up, although the 23-year-old returned to the stage with back-to-back legs to win set seven.
He again paid the price for missed doubles as Anderson kept his two-set cushion in the eighth, with Webster then taking out 110 to win the next without reply before the Scotsman returned the favour with a 112 checkout.
Webster bettered that with a 113 finish in leg one of the 11th set, and double top again cut the lead to just one set.
Webster hit back from 1-0 down to take the 12th into a third leg, but missed the bullseye for a 12-darter to see Anderson check out 95 on double top and again go into the break ahead, this time at 7-5.
The next four sets were also shared before Anderson punished a missed double top from Webster to create a three-set cushion for the first time at 10-7.
Webster hit back from a leg down to go into the third break just two sets behind, but four successive legs from Anderson following the restart put him on the brink of victory.
A fine 22nd set - including an 11-darter - kept Webster's hopes alive, but Anderson took the next in the third leg on double four to take the win.
"I'm over the moon and now I can start believing in what other people say about me," said Anderson, the number one seed from the BDO/WDF players in the event.
"It's not about the title but showing people how I can play. On the floor and in practice I play better than this, but to actually play well on stage for once consistently, not just one game, is great.
"Last year, I won just about every title there was to win on the circuit but what makes this more special is winning a tournament featuring the likes of Phil Taylor, James Wade, Adrian Lewis and Dennis Priestley.
"To come out on top of that is very special. It's the best night of my career - so far!"
Holland's Pascal van Mourik won the Afab Junior International Darts League with a 6-5 defeat of Richie George in the evening's opening game.
The 16-year-old included a 150 finish in fighting back from 4-1 down to take the title.
Click here for full Topic International Darts League Results
Match Stats
|
Mark Webster |
9-13 |
Gary Anderson |
|
77 |
100+ |
70 |
|
29 |
140+ |
51 |
|
8 |
180 |
18 |
|
31.51 |
Ave1 |
31.95 |
|
94.54 |
Ave3 |
95.85 |
|
164,128,113,110 |
High Finish |
164,161,122,112 |
|
40.0% |
Checkout % |
33.7% |
Pictures courtesy Robert Lusing/Topic International Darts League