IT’S DOUBLE DUTCH TIME
Van Gerwen leaps past Ando as home hero rues missed chances
GARY ANDERSON was last night denied a fabulous homecoming Scottish success at the Ladbrokes World Series Finals.
The double world champion came agonisingly close to lifting the trophy before losing out in the Final 11-6 to Michael van Gerwen in Glasgow.
Anderson, who had won regular-season events in Dubai and Perth, had the chance to take down the world No.1 in front of 4000 passionate home fans at the Braehead Arena.
But van Gerwen had just too much for the Scotsman and won the battle of the top seeds as he claimed the £50,000 cheque and a staggering 38th TV tournament triumph.
Anderson never recovered from missing three darts at double to break in the opening leg. But despite his defeat in the last game he was pleased enough at his weekend’s efforts having barely played in two months due to the birth of daughter Cheylea.
He said: “I’m gutted for the fans. I wanted to send them home happy. But from a personal point of view I have to be happy with the weekend.
“I’m still fairly rusty so to get to the Final was a bonus.
“I just missed too many opportunities against Michael. I got battered but my top form will come back over the next few weeks.
“It wasn’t my night but that will come with games. I can feel my form returning. My scoring isn’t what it should be but I’m going in the right direction.”
Anderson made it through to the showpiece after a couple of cracking wins through the day, first taking care of his grudge match with Gerwyn Price.
Anderson wasn’t impressed with the Welshman’s antics during his explosive Saturday night victory over Corey Cadby and vowed to do his talking on the board.
The Musselburgh man was true to his word with a 10-8 success and followed that up with a solid 11-5 victory over James Wade in last night’s first semi-final.
Despite not hitting his heights Anderson was able to take out the shots when it mattered and eased through to face van Gerwen as the Dutch destroyer made his way to the Final with trademarks wins.
Van Gerwen overcame hot new sensation Rob Cross in the quarter-finals before disposing of new world No.4 Daryl Gurney in the last four.
But Scotland’s other Sunday hope for success Peter Wright was defeated 10-7 by Gurney in the quarters to set up his semi-final with van Gerwen.
The Dutch ace was delighted with his third straight Braehead title and said: “Gary always makes you work hard. You know what you have to do and that’s have a top performance.
“Gary missed three darts in the first leg and that gave me confidence. I had the extra gear when I needed it and I’m glad to win again.”