Andy Hamilton’s brave bid to rewrite the darting history books fell short as Adrian Lewis was crowned World Champion for a second successive year.
It wasn’t an epic final by any means and the Unicorn star made Lewis scrap for every leg, but in the end a 7 sets to 3 scoreline told its own story.
“Of course I’m disappointed yes,” said Hamilton. “But it has been a great tournament for me. I have got the hunger back and I want more of this!”
“Maybe the occasion got to me and Adrian’s experience of a World Final came into play. I just couldn’t put enough pressure on him and he deserved to win.”
An honest assessment from Hamilton, but what a tournament it has been for the 44-year-old….£100,000 will be some consolation, he’s up to No.7 in the world rankings now and is in pole position to win a Premier League wildcard after his achievements at the Alexandra Palace.
“I thought I would push him a bit harder, but I have proved that I belong at the top of world darts and hope that I have done enough to get in the Premier League. That would be another dream for me,” he admitted.
Hamilton could only average 91 to Lewis’ 93 and in a scrappy final, there were 19 legs won against the throw…..crucially though, 11 of those were won by Lewis.
“Andy made me battle hard,” said the World Champion. “It wasn’t the best of finals, but it was the best of results and my target now is to try to win 10 World Championships.”
Hamilton wasn’t ahead at any stage of the final after losing the opening set against the throw and Lewis steadily took control, with the 9th set the crucial moment….won by Lewis to go 6-3 up after Hamilton missed a dart to make it 5 sets to 4.
Lewis revealed he will pay the tax man, go on holiday and buy a car with his £200,000 winner’s cheque…he is only the third man in history after Eric Bristow and Raymond van Barneveld to defend the title after winning the World Championship for a first time.
The Final as it happened:
• Set 1: A really scrappy start to the World Final as both players display a few nerves and average just 82, but Lewis takes it against the throw in a deciding leg with a brilliant 122 check-out on the bull…..1-0 Lewis
• Set 2: Not much better to be honest, but Andy Hamilton isn’t complaining! Neither player can find any scoring power and a trio of Lewis misses allows Hamilton to take the set on D6. Incredibly six of the nine legs so far have been won against the throw….1-1
• Set 3: Lewis is so close to hitting a 9 darter in the World Final for the second successive year! He bangs in eight perfect darts but narrowly misses the D12….Hamilton can’t compete in the set and Lewis takes it with three straight legs….2-1 Lewis
• Set 4: Hamilton levels brilliantly! All four sets have now been won against the throw…the pair are only averaging 87 but it’s still gripping stuff. ‘The Hammer’ nails finishes of 147 and 105 to take it!......2-2
• Set 5: The fifth set brings disappointment for the Unicorn man, because despite two 180s and a terrific 104 finish, he misses two darts to go ahead for the first time in the final….it allows Lewis to strike back and take the set against the throw with a 112 finish….3-2 Lewis
• Set 6: And Lewis opens up a two set advantage, becoming the first man to win a set on his own darts….Hamilton hits another 104 check-out but it isn’t enough….4-2 Lewis
• Set 7: Don’t write off ‘The Hammer’ – he is back with a bang, winning three straight legs despite two Lewis 180s….Hamilton also completes the 13th break of throw in the World Final as both struggle to produce their best…..It’s 3-3
• Set 8: And still we wait for someone to light the tungsten touch paper, but Lewis does enough to re-establish his two set advantage with the help of an 8th 180….Lewis 5-3
• Set 9: The big turning point in the final. Hamilton hits two 180s and forces a deciding leg with the darts but misses one dart at bull to make it 5-4 in sets….Lewis nails a brilliant 118 finish on D19 and for the first time Hamilton’s head drops…..Lewis 6-3
• Set 10: The Unicorn star gives himself a chance by winning the first two legs, but Lewis isn’t to be denied….the World Champion hits a 13 darter and an 11th 180 and ‘tops’ at the third attempt gives him the crown once more…..Lewis 7-3
Result:
Andy Hamilton
Winner - £200,000
Runner-up - £100,000
2 January 2012
By STUART PYKE at the Ladbrokes World Championship
Photos courtesy Chris Sargeant