Burnham-On-Sea’s Gary Anderson has won through to today’s final of the World Darts Championships and remains on course for a third successive title.
Gary – who lives in Burnham-On-Sea with his partner Rachel – beat Peter Wright 6-3 on Sunday evening to reach the final at Alexandra Palace.
After initially looking in control, he had to dig deep after Wright battled back to level the contest at 3-3, but from there stormed ahead to book his place in the final.
Wright had his moments and threatened Anderson before eventually running out of steam, leaving Anderson to face Michael van Gerwen, who beat Raymond van Barneveld, to make the final.
Anderson surged into a two set advantage as the ruthless reigning champion looked for a quick progression into the final for a third straight year, while Wright struggled for consistency during the early stages.
Wright found his feet in the third, as he moved into a 2-1 lead before winning the set on double 18, and took the fourth to a deciding leg where Anderson took out double top to move into a commanding lead.
As well as the usual collection of fancy dress, the evening’s matches were played in front of Tottenham full-back Danny Rose who, earlier in the day, had helped his side beat Watford in the Premier League.
Gary broke Wright in the first leg of set five before holding to move one away from a 4-1 lead, but Snakebite levelled matters to take it to a decider. Knowing he needed to take the set to avoid slipping three behind, Wright battled and took out 90 on double 15 to breath new life into the contest.
Anderson was beginning to miss, letting Wright in, and this time it was the latter who took a deciding leg as he fired in double 12 to make it 3-3.
The shock of being pegged back stirred Anderson back into life during a rapid seventh, which ended on a 157 checkout as he edged in front once again, before a 3-0 victory in the next put him on the brink.
Wright missed a host of darts at doubles, before Anderson took out double 10 to win the final set 3-0 and secure his final place.
Gary lives in Burnham-On-Sea with his partner Rachel. He has three sons – Ryan, Joel and Tai.
Having previously worked as a builder, he and his partner Rachel previously ran the Wellington Arms pub in Rooksbridge, near Burnham, until a couple of years ago.
Gary was given a civic reception by Burnham and Highbridge’s Mayor following his 2015 triumph, which was his first world championship.
