1st FOR GLORY
New start for Anderson
GARY ANDERSON felt like the new kid again as he shook back into the Unibet Premier League in style.
The Scottish star enjoyed a thrilling return to his homeland as he sank Daryl Gurney to give 7,000 fans a chance to celebrate in Aberdeen.
Anderson missed the whole of the 2019 league campaign as he recovered from injury issues but the two-time champion of the world fought back from a tricky position to gain a terrific opening success.
Anderson felt it was all new to him again as the nerves kicked in at the P&J Live Arena just like they did when he was just starting out.
He smiled and said: “It felt like I had never done it before. I was shaking and it was like it was my first time ever.
“I was really nervous. It was very loud and I wished I’d been here when Gerry Cinnamon was on because there were 15,000 in here and it would have been spot on.
“It’s like I’m learning again and I’m enjoying it.”
Anderson was in trouble as he trailed 4-2 but his rival buckled at a key stage as the home crowd got on his back.
Gurney missed eight at double in one leg and the Scot took full advantage as he pounced and reeled off four straight legs to win by a 7-5 scoreline.
He said: “The game was slipping away early on.
“I always struggle against Daryl’s pace but I just started to play at my own pace.
“Dealing with the pressure is okay, it’s just when it comes to throwing the things.”
While Anderson savoured success along with Glen Durrant. Rob Cross and Gerwyn Price drew 6-6 but there was no fairy story for local hero John Henderson.
The Highlander was piped on to the stage, yet then blown off it by Nathan Aspinall who smacked a sensational 170-finish during his convincing 7-3 win.
It was heartbreak for devastated Henderson who said: “I was awful. I hadn’t had any match practice since the worlds. It was disappointing.
“Nathan was a deserved winner and I just could not get going at all. I appreciated the chance to play in the Premier League but, like I said, I was just awful.”