Gary Anderson has tasted that winning feeling yet again!
The Scot beat Wes Newton in a thrilling all Unicorn showdown in the final of the Dutch Darts Trophy in Nuland.
It’s Anderson’s 5th title of the year….four on the Pro Tour to add to his prized Premier League crown.
But Newton is just in the form of his life at the moment isn’t he?!
The final of the UK Open, a great run in Holland and of course in between, he has become a Dad for the first time with the birth of son Fraser. But if he is honest, he will be gutted that he didn’t win, because he fought his way back in the match and he had chances to win in the deciding leg.
Newton though, missed those darts in the decider and Anderson stepped in to take the title at the De Valk Hotel.
But take nothing away from Anderson, who was again in irresistible form….in fact, he lost only three legs in four games on his way to the quarter-finals, where he overcame a determined Vincent van der Voort 6-4.
He won a nail-biting semi-final against Simon Whitlock. The Australian had earlier hit a brilliant 9 darter for the second consecutive Pro Tour weekend. The feat came in his 3rd Round win over Nigel Heydon.
In the semi-final, Whitlock missed one dart to win before Anderson clinched it.
The final was, not surprisingly, a high quality affair.
“It is an important win for me, using my new Unicorn darts. I played well all day and had to battle in the latter stages, so I am please to come through it all with another tournament victory,” said the World No.4.
Anderson broke in the opening leg and went 2-0 in front, before a 101 finish from Newton got him on the board. The Scot edged out to 3-1 but Newton then won three consecutive legs, including a 14 darter and a 100 check-out to break back!
It was anybody’s final at that stage.
Anderson levelled with his own 100 finish – 20 and two double ‘tops’ – and he was forced to produce a 12 darter to draw level again at 5-5.
‘The Flying Scotsman’ started the deciding leg with a 180 but Newton was first to a double. However, ‘The Warrior’ missed at D16 and D8 and ‘tops’ sealed the win for Anderson and of course, the £6,000 winner’s cheque.
Newton’s run included wins over Dave Chisnall, Roland Scholten, Michael van Gerwen and Mark Walsh.
“It is disappointing to lose another final,” admitted Newton. “I don’t want to become known as the bridesmaid. I have to be confident the win will come and believe that it augers well for Blackpool for me.”
It was a day of disappointment and relief for Unicorn star Colin Osborne.
He may have lost a last leg decider to Whitlock in the quarter-finals, but the £1,000 he has earned has dispelled any fears that he may miss the World Matchplay in Blackpool.
After dropping out of the top 16 in the world, Osborne was on the borderline for qualification through the Players Championship Order of Merit…..however this performance, and the money that goes with it, will see him secure his spot at the Winter Gardens next month.
Elsewhere in Nuland as far as Team Unicorn went, it was certainly a mixed day.
Kevin Painter, James Wade and Jamie Caven were all beaten at the last 32 stage….Wade lost 6-3 to Hylton, Caven went down 6-2 against Peter Wright and Painter was a 6-3 loser to Roland Scholten.
In the 2nd Round, Raymond van Barneveld suffered a surprise defeat to John Henderson. Barney was making his return to the PDC Pro Tour with new lighter darts, but after beating Andy Hamilton 6-2 in round one, he lost by the same score against the Scot.
Also in the 2nd Round, Devon Petersen lost 6-4 to Michael Smith and Joe Cullen was beaten 6-3 by Wayne Jones.
In the 1st Round, Kirk Shepherd went down 6-3 to Aodhagan O’Neill, Peter Manley was unfortunate to lose a last leg decider to Adrian Gray, while Michael Rosenauer lost 6-2 to Ruzdya Hopic.
The Unicorn trio of Adrian Lewis, Phil Taylor and Paul Nicholson were the among the high profile absentees from the Dutch double-header in Nuland.
Results – Quarter-Finals:
Gary Anderson 6-4 Vincent van der Voort
Simon Whitlock 6-5 Colin Osborne
Mark Walsh 6-0 Peter Wright
Wes Newton 6-3 Michael van Gerwen
Losers - £1,000
Semi-finals:
Wes Newton 6-3 Mark Walsh
Gary Anderson 6-5 Simon Whitlock
Losers - £2,000
Final:
Gary Anderson 6-5 Wes Newton
Winner - £6,000
Runner-up - £3,000
By STUART PYKE
Main photo courtesy Chris Sargeant.
Photo below courtesy Henk Westerdaal, BMAP.nl