Recap Gary Anderson's wonderful 2015 after his Premier League Darts win
Highs and lows... but mainly highs!
Friday 22 May 2015 14:37, UK
Gary Anderson added the Premier League Darts crown to his World Championship title to further enhance a memorable year so far. Here are his best moments...
Powering into the play-offs
Phil 'The Power' Taylor failed to qualify for the Premier League play-offs for the first time in his legendary career after a defeat inflicted by Anderson, whose own spot in the final four was made to look even more impressive by the absence of the 16-time world champion.
The Scot missed his eighth double to ruin hopes of a nine-darter but Anderson's scoring on that Newcastle night was consistent enough to dump Taylor out and create history in the process.
Having a Barney with Raymond!
Among a year of terrific highs, Anderson also became embroiled in a regrettable row with Raymond van Barneveld.
After letting a four-leg lead slip away to lose 7-5 in Birmingham, Anderson began finger-wagging and accusing Van Barneveld of walking too close to him as he left the oche - putting the Scotsman off his throw.
Wayne Mardle, Sky Sports' darts expert, later claimed it was a sign of pressure getting to Anderson rather than Barney bending the rules.
Mixed fortunes in Wales
Anderson played twice when the Premier League passed through Cardiff but produced two vastly different performances - the first suggested he wouldn't trouble the latter stages of this competition but the second confirmed him among the world's elite throwers.
A disastrous average of 82.98 led to a 7-1 thrashing by Stephen Bunting, who finished in eighth place, before Anderson returned to the oche for an ominous looking meeting with Michael van Gerwen.
The table-topping Dutchman had just whitewashed James Wade but the Flying Scotsman threw a 105.94 average en route to a 7-5 victory. It was a sign of things to come...
Nine-darter... nearly!
Anderson received a rapturous reception when he played Kim Huybrechts in Glasgow and almost sent his passionate fans home with the ultimate gift.
He nailed eight perfect darts midway through defeating Huybrechts 7-5 - leaving himself just one more shot away from darts' most prestigious accomplishment - but the ninth dart fell centimetres short of its target. Better luck next time Gary...
Playing in the pub
He might have been a world champion by this point, but Anderson's feet remained firmly on the ground. Shortly after lifting the Ally Pally honour, he was back in the pub, throwing arrows at a practice board to gear up for the Premier League.
Becoming world champion
A special year for Anderson kicked off in early January when Anderson lifted his first World Championship trophy at the iconic Alexandra Palace. Edging out Phil 'The Power' Taylor, a 16-time world champion, to win the accolade made his achievement even greater.
An electric atmosphere at the London darts haven led to Anderson dealing with a poor quality board and having a row with a spectator but Taylor missed crucial doubles. The Scottish thrower became a champion for the first time in 2015.
