Darts: Taylor and Lewis on top of the world
POTTERIES double act Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis teamed up to clinch World Cup glory for England last night.
The pair held their nerve to beat Australia's Simon Whitlock and Paul Nicholson in a dramatic sudden death shoot-out in Hamburg.
Taylor and Lewis had raced into a 3-0 lead by winning the first three singles games. But when Lewis was edged out by Nicholson in the fourth game, Australia's hopes were still alive.
They then squared the final by winning the doubles 7-4, with Whitlock's 124 checkout on the bull sending the match into a deciding leg.
Nerves got to both teams as Nicholson, Taylor and Whitlock all missed darts for victory before Lewis stepped up to show his class by sinking double five to give England the triumph and the £40,000 first prize.
"I'm delighted," said a relieved Lewis. "I thought we'd thrown it away when Paul beat me in the last singles game and when we lost the doubles. And I couldn't watch when they were throwing for the match in the sudden-death leg.
"At times this weekend I pulled Phil through but in the final, when it got tough, he pulled me through. It was a great team effort.
"This probably means more to me than winning the second World Championship title. People don't realise what it means when you pull on the England shirt, but I've never felt under so much pressure in my life."
Taylor added: "I'm over the moon. Simon and Paul both showed bottle to come back from 3-0 down and still believe they could win the final.
"I thought we'd blown it when they won the doubles and it went to the last leg. I'm a bit disappointed we missed doubles in the final leg but it made a great final for the fans because there was drama and tension."
Potteries-born and bred Taylor beat Nicholson 7-4 to take the opener before Lewis, from Cross Heath, edged out Whitlock 7-5 to put England two up.
Taylor then averaged almost 106 in a brilliant 7-6 win over Whitlock, which saw him come from 3-0 down to take victory despite missing 19 darts at a double, but Nicholson then beat Lewis 7-4 to keep Australia's dream going and their doubles success meant a dramatic shoot-out sealed, in the end, by Lewis.
Nicholson said: "One day we will win this title for Australia.
"I'm gutted for myself, Simon and the DartPlayers Australia organisation that we lost, but we gave it everything we had.
"We grafted and got ourselves back into the match and gave ourselves a chance, so I'm disappointed we didn't get over the winning line."
8 Comments
by seandenton
Tuesday, February 07 2012, 12:46PM
“Jarvis you're a dick.”
by johnygreenway
Tuesday, February 07 2012, 9:29AM
“Jarvis
You are becoming abusive and offensive.
I notice you must have watched the darts to notice Taylor and Lewis kissing after the match just like footballers do or is that different somehow.Do footballers split with their partners ewverytime they celebrate a goal . Your argument does not bear up.You have given me no sensible reason other than cheap remarks to hold up your argument.
If Sky Sports say it is a sport then it is.”
by Jarvisx321
Tuesday, February 07 2012, 8:14AM
“It's not a sport. So stop saying it is. I bet you are a big fat man aswell. Which is why you like darts and also seem to dream about Lewis and Taylor. And you dont know why they have split up with their birds? Did you not see them kissing eachother after they won? That's a big clue johny 'loser greenway'. You should know the signs considering you are a batty boy aswell”
by johnygreenway
Tuesday, February 07 2012, 7:05AM
“Jarvis
I do not Know why . Do You ? Are you a marriage or relationship councilor ?
If so can you explain the goings on with people like the footballers John Terry and what does people splitting up with their partners have to do with the discussion on whether darts should be recognised as a sport.”
by Jarvisx321
Monday, February 06 2012, 5:55PM
“Most Darts players also split up with their wags. I wonder why?”
by johnygreenway
Monday, February 06 2012, 12:52PM
“jarvisx321
I am not the looser mate but the sport is
Darts is as sporting as archery and shooting but requires personal skill other than made easy with the hi tech equipment used in the first two sports mentioned.
As for the overweight comment... have you seen the bellies on those sumo wrestlers ? and I dont think you would see that accuracy on the dart board thrown by any drunk in fact its only water in those glasses on stage . Also when did you ever hear of a pro darts player caught cheating after using ileagal enhancing drugs.
Get into the modern world jarvis and accept darts has come a long way since only bein played in pubs.
The sport is being played at the MEN arena in Manchester this week and shown on the biggest SPORTS CHANNEL on tv . Now that is one big sports media and one big pub.”
by Jarvisx321
Monday, February 06 2012, 11:03AM
“JohnyGreenway you are a loser mate. Darts isn't a Sport and will never be in the olympics so keep dreaming. It's a pub game and played by overweight drunken men.
Whether you like it or not that's the truth.”
by johnygreenway
Monday, February 06 2012, 10:16AM
“World Champs from Stoke ......Brilliant
Darts is a sport and should be in the Olympics.”