Lewis looks absolutely gutted as he collects his runner-up bauble. He threw everything at Anderson in the last two sets, but that 170 finish sucked the wind from his sails. “When I took the lead, I thought come on, hit him, but he came back... it was a strange game, that. I’ve got to put the demons behind me and get on with the job”
Anderson looks wide-eyed as McDonald declares him “still the champion of the world”. After hauling the enormous Sid Waddell trophy over his head, he says “it was a scrape from the word go. There were some good darts, and some really bad ones. I’m getting old, I’ll take a scrape. I’ve got it for another 12 months at least.”
The king of self-effacement, is our Gary. A decent darts player too. He joins the likes of Eric Bristow, Raymond van Barneveld and well, Adrian Lewis in successfully defending his debut world title. He’s a worthy champion after a strange final that never quite caught fire. Anderson’s 170 in the penultimate leg showed that the Ally Pally always has something up its sleeve. Thanks for joining me. Goodnight.
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Gary Anderson beats Adrian Lewis 7-5 to win the PDC world darts championship!
Anderson starts the leg with four 60s, then hits a treble 1 as his aim goes off. He still races to 104, and suddenly, he just needs double 12 against a broken Lewis to win the title... an inch away. He’ll get three more... and he only needs one. Gary Anderson is world champion again!
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12th set: Lewis 1-2 Anderson (5-6 in sets; first to seven wins) A nervous hush across the minions, Santas and Power Rangers watching on, as both players stutter at the start of a crucial leg. Anderson gets to 170... double 20... and another... just the bull for the big fish. Oh my word. He’s got it! And he’s one leg away. Lewis has visibly deflated.
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12th set: Lewis 1-1 Anderson (5-6 in sets; first to seven wins) Another max for Lewis, and this match has now seen more 180s than any other in the PDC’s history. And it’s not even been a classic... yet. Anderson is keeping cool, and has a shot at 121, with Lewis on 140. He leaves 64, but Lewis only gets down to 80. Treble 16, double eight... and that’s why he’s world champion. Ice cold after being wiped across the oche for four legs.
12th set: Lewis 1-0 Anderson (5-6 in sets; first to seven wins) Here we go then – and Lewis takes out another, and then another 180, to set up an 11-dart leg... he misses double 16, but gets it at the second time of asking. He breaks the throw, and from nowhere, is well and truly ablaze.
Adrian Lewis wins the 11th set and trails 6-5
11th set: Lewis 3-0 Anderson (5-6 in sets; first to seven wins) Anderson will throw first in the next set, so won’t be too worried; but Lewis is top dog in this set by a distance, and has six darts from 74. He does it in three, and is far from done just yet.
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11th set: Lewis 2-0 Anderson (4-6 in sets; first to seven wins) We’re up to 30 maximums, just two off the record. Lewis won’t give a fig about that now, chasing after Anderson again despite edging the averages. Anderson is on 70, but Lewis nails 133 to leave double top. The pressure’s on, and Anderson drops his shot at tops short. Lewis doesn’t, and he’s pulling ahead in the set.
11th set: Lewis 1-0 Anderson (4-6 in sets; first to seven wins) Lewis to throw first, but Anderson’s maximum sneaks him ahead. Lewis snuffs that out with a 180 of his own, and checks out with a double 12.
They certainly haven’t helped, but it’s perhaps symptomatic of Lewis’ need for speed; he wants to play faster when the going’s tough; it digs him out of holes, but sometimes leaves him clattering his own darts in the pub style. Anderson’s ability to ease off the gas has got him a two-set advantage here, but it’s not over yet.
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Gary Anderson wins the 10th set to lead 6-4
10th set: Lewis 0-3 Anderson (4-5 in sets; first to seven wins) Lewis piles in with another maximum, but he’s lacked Anderson’s consistency, following that up with a 39. Anderson has 108 to take the set, and he does it with all the drama of a man going to the shop to get a paper. One more set for a title repeat.
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10th set: Lewis 0-2 Anderson (4-5 in sets; first to seven wins) From 161, Anderson shows nerves of steel to cut his target down to 24. Lewis on 110, and he’s a whisker away from closing it out on double top. Anderson with a big chance... and he takes it on the second dart! He’s getting closer...
10th set: Lewis 0-1 Anderson (4-5 in sets; first to seven wins) Lewis has momentum on his side, but this is where Anderson so often delivers. From 86, he takes the leg in three darts to save his throw, and save himself a headache.
Adrian Lewis wins the ninth set, and trails 5-4
Ninth set: Lewis 3-0 Anderson (3-5 in sets; first to seven wins) Anderson has missed double 10 eleven times; no wonder it’s his least favourite out shot. The Scotsman is putting down his darts for this set, which is just as well, as Lewis steams to a 3-0 win with a 121 checkout.
Ninth set: Lewis 2-0 Anderson (3-5 in sets; first to seven wins) Anderson isn’t messing about here, taking nine darts to cruise to within 58 points – but blows a couple of darts at the finish. That count rises to five darts, with Lewis keeping the heat on, waiting for a shot at tops. He misses his first two, then hits double ten to break!
Ninth set: Lewis 1-0 Anderson (3-5 in sets; first to seven wins) Lewis throwing first here; if Anderson can take this set, it could be curtains. He holds his throw with Anderson lurking on a double 16 finish, taking out tops to stop the rot.
Questions: how good has this final been? Good but not great (yet) is my hot take, although these two could still set a record for 180s, despite those occasional clanging errors. Secondly: how good would Gary Anderson be if he could see the board?
Anderson seems to be saying that he’s struggling to see the board. He mentioned to Donald McRae that it can be an issue for him, but he can’t adjust to contacts or glasses on the oche.
I can see a dartboard fine but my problem is if it ends anywhere near the wires. I struggle to see if it’s a double or treble. Soon as they go near that wire I struggle to see. I’ve tried with glasses but it put me off my throw. And there’s not a hope in hell I’d ever wear contact lenses as I hate anything going in my eyes.
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Gary Anderson wins the eighth set to lead 5-3!
Eighth set: Lewis 0-3 Anderson (3-5 in sets; first to seven wins) Lewis has outscored his opponent, but Anderson has hit 45% of his doubles, with Lewis on 32%. Trebles for show; doubles for dough. Anderson is a mile clear in this leg, but from 86, he miscounts again, and busts! Both players look perplexed, but Anderson gets out of jail with a double 12. He’s two sets away from back-to-back world titles. Not bad for a guy who can’t count...
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Eighth set: Lewis 0-2 Anderson (3-4 in sets; first to seven wins) There’s a lull in the atmosphere, with several punters on their way back from the bar. Lewis looks ill at ease, knocking his own darts out, but Anderson can’t take out 107. Lewis regroups with a 60, but misses double ten, then double five, and Anderson piles on the hurt with a break.
Eighth set: Lewis 0-1 Anderson (3-4 in sets; first to seven wins) Lewis puts away his 12th maximum. That’s why they call him Jackpot. Anderson is first to a finish though, and sets up double top in no time. Lewis is back on 118, and Anderson takes it out. Is he firmly in the groove now?
Gary Anderson wins the seventh set to lead 4-3
Seventh set: Lewis 1-3 Anderson (3-4 in sets; first to seven wins) Anderson clutching his right hand after that leg – pain or nerves? We shall see. It’s a scrappy leg, with Anderson working his way to 130. He’s got six darts at it, but Lewis keeps the heat on, landing 140 to leave double 18. Anderson has a dart at double top, but the pressure’s too much, and Lewis has a chance. Double 18, then double 9 – but he hits single 9, and won’t be getting out on this throw. Double 10 for Anderson, and he takes it. That could be a big moment.
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Seventh set: Lewis 1-2 Anderson (3-3 in sets; first to seven wins) Anderson plants three in a bed to surge ahead, but Lewis gets a maximum of his own. Anderson on 104, but he misses a shot at bull. Lewis has two shots at double top, but both rattle the wire! Anderson on double 12, then double 6 – and that’s the third break in a row. The temperature’s rising...
Seventh set: Lewis 1-1 Anderson (3-3 in sets; first to seven wins) The noise is rising inside the Ally Pally as Lewis and Anderson both set up double-figure finishes. Anderson doesn’t get a look in, with Lewis pouncing to break back on double 12. Anyone fancy calling this?
Seventh set: Lewis 0-1 Anderson (3-3 in sets; first to seven wins) One more set before another break, with both players’ averages hovering above 99. Lewis misses a dart at tops to save his throw, letting his frustration show as Anderson coolly takes out double seven.
Gary Anderson wins the sixth set to level the match
Sixth set: Lewis 1-3 Anderson (3-3 in sets; first to seven wins) A maximum from Anderson, followed by a limp 40 from Lewis, leaves Anderson with a chance at 170 to take out the set. He falls just short with his second dart, and only leaves 86. Lewis has a shot at double 12, but misses, and Anderson struggles, leaving only a hopeful last dart at bull. He gets it. Of course he does.
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Sixth set: Lewis 1-2 Anderson (3-2 in sets; first to seven wins) The drama so far coming not from dazzling darts, but by nerves kicking in at unexpected moments. Lewis is off the boil, and Anderson has time to get a shot at tops. He takes it out first time, and edges ahead in the set.
Sixth set: Lewis 1-1 Anderson (3-2 in sets; first to seven wins) Anderson fires back, getting two darts at tops with Lewis mired at 244. He misses his first two, but Lewis can’t get to a finish off 12 darts, and Anderson eventually ties it up on double five. Confounding form from Lewis so far.
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Sixth set: Lewis 1-0 Anderson (3-2 in sets; first to seven wins) Lewis has the bit between his teeth, and breaks Anderson in the blink of an eye. Advantage with the Stoke man as he chases a two-set advantage.
Have to agree with this. Hoping it’s consigned to history in time for the 2017 tournament.
Adrian Lewis wins the fifth set to lead 3-2
Fifth set: Lewis 3-2 Anderson (3-2 in sets; first to seven wins) Another max for Lewis takes the total to 13 180s, and his scoring is too much for Anderson, giving him six darts to seal the set. From 124, he sets up double top with Anderson adrift. He drops short, then misses two chances at double ten. Anderson is on 167 – he couldn’t, could he? No, but Lewis is wobbling on double five... he gets there, second dart. The pendulum swings.
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Fifth set: Lewis 2-2 Anderson (2-2 in sets; first to seven wins) Both players start with 180s as the intensity ratchets up a notch. Anderson gets to 36 in 12 darts, but Lewis has a shot for the set – but he clips the wire on double 8, and Anderson saves the set.
Fifth set: Lewis 2-1 Anderson (2-2 in sets; first to seven wins) A 180 from Lewis, who lets out a roar, on his way to 131 – but Anderson gets a maximum of his own, finding his range, and he’s on 41. Two shots at tops go begging, but Lewis lets him off the hook – and Anderson blows three chances, chasing doubles and missing by a mile. Double ten gets Lewis home.
Fifth set: Lewis 1-1 Anderson (2-2 in sets; first to seven wins) Lewis certainly hasn’t found his A-game yet, and another maximum from Anderson sets up a double-top finish. Lewis is adrift on 131 – but he hits treble 19, treble 16, double 16 to take it out! Now we’ve started.
Fifth set: Lewis 0-1 Anderson (2-2 in sets; first to seven wins) Lewis throwing first after a short break, but Anderson looks to have focused himself again off the oche. That said, two darts go begging to break the throw – and Lewis is a millimetre away from a double-double-top! Anderson does take out double 10, though, to settle his nerves.
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Anderson came flying out of the traps after that first break in play, but a bit of dodgy darts – miscounting, then losing his range on his own throw – has let his opponent back in. It’s level, and still on a knife-edge.
“Wow. Will that miscount come back to haunt Anderson? Almost unbelievable, especially as he looked to be moving through the gears before it” says Simon McMahon. “It’s up for grabs now.”
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Adrian Lewis wins the fourth set to level the match
Fourth set: Lewis 3-2 Anderson (2-2 in sets; first to seven wins) 141 from six darts from Anderson, but Lewis is only 18 points ahead after a similarly slow start. A big leg this, and a 140 edges Lewis ahead. He’s cancelled out the advantage, but a 130 from Anderson keeps the pressure on. A shot at double tops – and he gets it! We’re level again.
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Fourth set: Lewis 2-2 Anderson (1-2 in sets; first to seven sets wins) With the match finely poised, the crowd break into the Yaya/Kolo Toure song with expert timing. Anderson looking to win 9 legs of the last 11, and he keeps on Lewis’s heels. Lewis looks shaky, but almost takes out a 106 finish. Double 16, first time, gets him over the line.
Fourth set: Lewis 1-2 Anderson (1-2 in sets; first to seven sets wins) Anderson was on the verge of pulling clear before that mistake; on his own throw, Lewis can’t increase the pressure, leaving Anderson with six darts to check out. Double 18 seals the deal.
Fourth set: Lewis 1-1 Anderson (1-2 in sets; first to seven sets wins) Can Lewis restore order on his own throw? He muddles his way to 115, but Anderson is outscoring him, and sets up a tidy double 12 finish – but hits nine – and then miscounts, leaving Lewis to snaffle double 8! That’s a schoolboy error, and Lewis is off the hook...
Fourth set: Lewis 0-0 Anderson (1-2 in sets; first to seven sets wins) Lewis hits the 626th maximum of the tournament – that’s a new record. Anderson’s not bothered, cracking in a 121 finish to turn the heat up on Lewis.
Gary Anderson takes the third set to lead 2-1!
Third set: Lewis 1-3 Anderson (1-2 in sets; first to seven sets wins) Anderson, who seems to have the crowd on side, bags a 140 to set up a shot at a 170 finish for the set. He can only cut it down to 75, but takes it out in three darts! Clinical stuff from the defending champ.
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Third set: Lewis 1-2 Anderson (1-1 in sets; first to seven sets wins) The ton-plus scores are back, with Anderson first to a finish on Lewis’s throw. He needs 108, and has one dart at tops – but it drops short. Lewis needs double 12 to save his throw, but misses – and Anderson nails double 10 at the third attempt! He breaks, and the crowd show their appreciation.
Third set: Lewis 1-1 Anderson (1-1 in sets; first to seven sets wins) Celebrities spotted so far: Skeletor, the Power Rangers and Ghostbusters villain Stay-Puft. A mediocre leg here, but Anderson whittles his way down to 76. With Lewis on 85, the champion makes a mess of it – but Lewis misses a shot at bull, and Anderson takes out double top.
Third set: Lewis 1-0 Anderson (1-1 in sets; first to seven sets wins) A strange start, with two one-sided sets meaning it’s level, but it’s not yet been competitive.
Lewis to throw first, and the players exchange ton-plus scores, with a maximum for Lewis, before some sloppy darts from Anderson give Lewis six darts to finish. He leaves himself on double eight, and puts it away.
“Can you get a message to the commentary box. They are spoiling the darts, always rattling on. Phil Taylor said he would have to watch with the sound off!” says Irene Thompson.
Mute the TV and follow along with us, Irene – and Phil, if you’re reading.
Gary Anderson levels the match at 1-1!
Second set: Lewis 0-3 Anderson (1-1 in sets; first to seven wins) If the first set belonged to Lewis, the second is the exact opposite, with Anderson tearing to 41 with Lewis over 300 points back. Double top for another 11-dart leg – and it’s there! It’s fair to say Anderson has arrived.
Second set: Lewis 0-2 Anderson (1-0 in sets; first to seven sets wins) Another ton-forty gives Anderson the initiative, and Lewis offers just 58 in response. Both players muddle along as the arena rocks to ‘stand up if you love the darts’. Not a filled seat in the house. Anderson on 60 against the throw, but Lewis hits a max to apply some pressure. Easy for the champion though, 20, double 20, break.
Second set: Lewis 0-1 Anderson (1-0 in sets; first to seven sets wins) Anderson never really got started in that set – averaging 79.14 – but at least it was on his opponent’s throw. He’s up first here, and nails a nerve-settling 140, and then his first maximum! Lewis is on his heels with a 140 of his own, but Anderson edges down to double figures, and takes out double 12, his favourite, first time.
Adrian Lewis wins the first set!
Lewis hits 137, and Anderson gets a nervous bounce out, scoring just 39. Jackpot bags his first 180 to move ahead, and has a shot at bull for the set – but takes 10 with Anderson far from a finish. Double top for the first set... now double ten... double five... and he gets there in the end.
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First set: Lewis 2-1 Anderson (first to seven sets wins) An edgy start from both men, but a 171 gives Lewis the edge – and with Anderson falling short on a 164 finish, Lewis cleans up on tops.
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First set: Lewis 1-1 Anderson (first to seven sets wins) Anderson in control until a very shaky 28, but Lewis can’t take advantage, and Anderson moves to a chance at 119. He only makes 40, but Lewis can’t get close from 120, and Anderson has a shot at tops – but pulls it a long way down! Double ten for Lewis – but he misses three shots for a break, and Anderson saves his throw.
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First set: Lewis 1-0 Anderson (first to seven sets wins) Lewis throws first, and fires down a 100 and two 140s to coast clear. He races to a double eight finish in 12 darts, and nails it first time.
Here we go
The lights are down, and MC John McDonald introduces the players. First up, Adrian ‘Jackpot’ Lewis, to his theme tune, Papa’s Got a Brand New Pigbag (the Perfecto Allstarz version, naturally). Then Gary ‘the Flying Scotsman’ Anderson, to the strains of Jump Around. There’s a party atmosphere, to say the very least.
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That’s better. The venue is filling up nicely – you’ve got three minutes to grab a pitcher and a hand-written sign, and enjoy this spot of banter from Jackpot himself.
Here’s Simon McMahon: “Evening Niall. Both players know what it’s like to win a world title, but Anderson seems to have found another level this year. If he hits his doubles early he’ll take some stopping. The Flying Scotsman to win 7-4. By the way, I was on a nine darter the other day, but I missed the first treble. HONK! PS. hope you’re in fancy dress”.
I’m sporting a budget-brand hoodie, and it’s just after Christmas, so I look a bit like an off-duty darts player. No good? Okay, I’ll just slip into my giant hot dog outfit.
Both players are giving it plenty in their pre-match VTs. Lewis says he “hit the turbo button” to fire past Barney in the semi-finals, while Anderson summarises his thrashing of Jelle Klaasen: “ton-40s, ton-80s, my finishing wasn’t bad either. six-nil, Happy Christmas”.
Eric Bristow, looking ever more like a mahogany carving of Eric Bristow, says it’s been a tough year for Anderson, never quite being the centre of attention despite being the world champion. Meanwhile, deep in the bowels of the Ally Pally, Lewis has won the throw for the bull, hitting it clean in the middle, and will choose whether to throw first.
When the players met in the 2011 final, Lewis hit a nine-darter in the first set. The roof might come clean off the grand old Alexandra Palace if that happens again tonight.
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The first prediction from you, the readers, is in. I agree on both counts.
Predictions?
The bookies make Anderson the odds-on favourite after his scintillating form so far – but I have a sneaking feeling that Lewis has had his eyes on a route to glory since day 11, when he made the quarter-finals and van Gerwen crashed out. If Lewis can start like he did against Wright and van Barneveld, he could get under Anderson’s skin. The longer it stays close, the more I lean towards the superior finishing of the Flying Scotsman. Anderson 7-5 Lewis is my prediction, lacking in conviction.
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The story so far...
It’s been another wild and wacky fortnight in North London, with the early rounds punctuated by two shocks. Popular former winner Raymond van Barneveld stunned world No1 and red-hot favourite Michael van Gerwen, while former BDO champ Jelle Klaasen sent an off-colour Phil Taylor home.
At the quarter final stage, Anderson became the bookies’ favourite, thrashing James Wade 5-1 in an unexpectedly one sided affair. Klaasen ended the debut run of Alan Norris, but was blown away by No2 seed Anderson in the semi finals. Anderson won 6-0 and hit the tournament’s first nine darter, producing the best darts of the fortnight with a laconic shrug of his shoulders.
The top half of the draw saw an even sprint for the final with van Gerwen gone. Van Barneveld showed nerves of steel to outlast Michael Smith, and No5 seed Lewis raced away from Peter Wright to set up a titanic semi final. Lewis shot out to a 5-0 lead, and left the indefatigable Barney just too much to do, prevailing 7-5 to set up a final with Anderson – it’s both players’ third appearance in the sport’s biggest game.
Preamble
The sporting year starts here. Ben Stokes has been swinging away in South Africa, the Premier League is ticking along – but this is different gravy, a world championship final, played out in the colourful cauldron of the Ally Pally.
And what a final. Adrian Lewis, winner in 2011 and 2012, and Gary Anderson, the defending champion, both step up to the oche in fine form. Both also have a point to prove, their existing triumphs failing to fully elevate them into the tungsten pantheon.
Lewis, Phil Taylor’s Potteries protégé, was expected to keep this global prize firmly within the city limits of Stoke-on-Trent after taking those two titles on the bounce, but streaky form has seen him fall behind other contenders for the Power’s vacant throne – not least his opponent tonight.
Anderson, a huge talent but an introverted sort, once looked like being forever stymied by stage fright – especially after a painful defeat to Lewis in 2011. The Flying Scotsman stuck it to the doubters last year, beating Taylor 7-6 in a nerve-shredding final.
Neither man was widely seen as the form horse this year, but both are deserving finalists, easing through an unpredictable draw with dazzle and determination. The winner tonight will climb the list of all time greats, the loser will need a stormtrooper’s shoulder to sob into. It’s England v Scotland, trebles for show v doubles for dough – and it’s all or nothing. Let’s play darts.
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