Continue reading »]]> James Hubbard hailed his PDC Unicorn World Youth Final victory as ‘a dream come true’, after the 19-year-old beat Michael van Gerwen at the O2 Arena in London on Thursday.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

The Norfolk youngster put on a highly impressive display to overcome his 23-year-old opponent in front of 10,000 people, ahead of the final of the McCoy’s Premier League.

Hubbard banished any fears of nerves on the big stage when he opened the match with a brilliant eleven dart leg, before going on to take the match 6-3.

“It feels amazing,” said the former painter and decorator, who only turned professional in January. “When you start playing darts, this is the stuff that dreams are made off.

“To play and win in front of 10,000 people at the O2 is just a dream come true and to come away as World Champion is amazing.”

Hubbard, who took the first three legs before van Gerwen replied, admitted that he was nervous ahead of the match.

He said: “I settled down as soon as I got on stage to be honest. I was nervous before hand but Simon Whitlock helped me brilliantly and gave me some great advice. That was a massive help and the start I made was terrific.”

‘Mighty Mike’ refused to beaten easily and Hubbard knew that he had his work cut out when the Dutchman reduced his lead to 4-3 with a fantastic 102 checkout.

“I did get quite nervous when Michael launched a comeback because he is a quality player,” said Hubbard.

“I missed a few darts a double four to go 5-1 up and then I thought about it for a leg, but I managed to clear my head and get the job done.”

Hubbard won the final two legs of the match to become World Youth Champion, and the youngster declared his gratitude for the support he has received.

“It was the best feeling in the world when that double top went in to win. I’ve come into form recently on the Pro-Tour & I’m over the moon to be in the UK Open next month,” added Hubbard, who heads to Bolton as a top 32 seed after reaching the quarter-finals of a recent qualifier.

“I’ve been helped all the way by the people around me at MODUS. Mark Webster, Paul Nicholson and Simon (Whitlock) have been brilliant. Mark sponsors me and I always want to impress him and repay the faith he has put in me.

“The same goes for everyone involved. Mervyn King will be delighted for me as well. This is for him too. I practise with him a couple of times a week and he drives me to the Pro-Tours.  He is like a second dad to me and he has given me so much advice.

“I’m happy for those guys as much as I am for myself because without their support I wouldn’t be here.”

By Chris Murphy

Continue reading »]]> Simon Whitlock was denied a double comeback in the McCoy’s Premier League Play-offs, after the Australian, who hit a nine-dart finish in his semi-final triumph over Andy Hamilton, was denied victory by Phil Taylor in the final.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

‘The Wizard’ came back from 4-1 down to win 8-6 in his last four clash with ‘The Hammer’, in which he produced a moment of pure magic, when he achieved the fabulous feat of a perfect leg, sending the O2 Arena’s 10,000 strong crowd into raptures.

Whitlock looked like he might produce an even more remarkable turnaround when he won five consecutive legs, to draw level with ‘The Power’ after trailing 7-2 in the final. But Taylor halted Whitlock’s charge and won the last three legs to take the coveted crown.

“It’s a bit disappointing in the end,” said Whitlock, who will now turn his attentions to next month’s UK Open in his quest for a first PDC major title.

“I had a shot to go 8-7 up but Phil deserved to win. I’ve had a fantastic Premier League season. Phil is a worthy champion.”

Taylor, who was crowned Premier League champion for the sixth time, hailed the performance of his opponent.

He said: “Simon came back at me. He’s a real fighter. I hit him has hard as I could but he kept coming back and hitting me harder. It was a very hard final to win.”

James Wade had earlier given ‘The Power’ an almighty scare, when he ran Taylor agonisingly close in the semi-final.

‘The Machine’ was undone by a brilliant 149 checkout from the world number one, when the pair where tied at 6-6, with Wade on throw in the race to eight.

Whitlock almost produced the exact same finish in the final, but just missed double 16 to take an 8-7 lead.

James Hubbard came away from London’s O2 a happy man, after beating Michael van Gerwen to be crowned PDC Unicorn World Youth Champion.

The 19-year-old produced an impressive performance to take the title and £10,000 prize money.

By Chris Murphy

See Simon Whitlock and James Wade in action in Grimsby on Friday 1st June / Weston-Super-Mare on Saturday 2nd June

Continue reading »]]> JAMES HUBBARD 6 – 3 MICHAEL VAN GERWEN

James Hubbard showed maturity beyond his years to win the PDC Unicorn World Youth Championship, with a classy performance in the final against Michael van Gerwen at London’s O2.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

The youngster, appearing on TV for just the second time, oozed quality in a match where both players played fantastic darts.

The match, which preceded the final of the McCoy’s Premier League, more than befitted the occasion and delighted the 10,000-strong crowd.

Hubbard showed no sign of nerves in the early exchanges, producing a stunning eleven dart leg to hold his throw.

Van Gerwen levelled up the maximum count in the second leg, but Hubbard doubled his lead by taking out 32, after a fabulous 171 setup.

The 19-year-old’s sharp shooting continued, as he took out 81 in two darts to extend his advantage to three nil.

‘Mighty Mike’ produced a clinical finish of his own, taking out 76 for a 14-dart leg, before Hubbard regained his three leg lead.

Van Gerwen took out 48 to hold his throw in the sixth leg, before grabbing his first break of throw, thanks to his second 180 and a brilliant 102 finish.

But Hubbard broke straight back, hitting double top to leave himself throwing for the match, and he hit the same double to become World Youth Champion.

By Chris Murphy

Continue reading »]]> JAMES WADE 6 – 8 Phil Taylor

James Wade produced a fantastic performance, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Phil Taylor reaching the McCoy’s Premier League final.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

Wade gave ‘The Power’ an almighty scare, pushing his opponent all the way, but a brilliant 149 checkout against the throw in the penultimate leg of the match was effectively the difference, in a high quality affair at London’s O2.

Wade settled in quickly, as he held his throw with a twelve-dart leg, but ‘The Power’ took out 112 to level up.

‘The Machine’ edged back in front by taking out 104 in ruthless fashion, before Taylor hit double eight to restore parity.

Wade hit his first 180 in the fifth leg and Taylor responded in kind. ‘The Machine’ then narrowly missed the bullseye for a 161 checkout, but tidied up the remaining 25 to restore his lead.

The world number three grabbed a potentially crucial break of throw before the break, hitting his second maximum in the process.

Taylor broke back immediately after the interval, before holding to tie the match at four legs each.

Wade missed double 18 by no more than the width of the wire, before the world number one hit double five to break.

With Taylor leading for the first time in the match, Wade piled on the pressure by hitting another maximum against the throw, but Taylor managed to hold after both players missed darts at their double.

‘The Machine’ hammered home his fourth 180 in leg eleven, before hitting double twelve to cut the deficit to a single leg.

Wade just missed the bull again, this time for a spectacular 164 checkout, but he hit trusty double ten to grab what looked like being a vital break of throw.

Taylor took out a brilliant 149 finish on Wade’s throw to leave himself throwing for the match, before hitting double top to progress to the final.

By Chris Murphy

Continue reading »]]> SIMON WHITLOCK 8 – 6 Andy Hamilton

Simon Whitlock hit a sensational nine-dart finish in an 8-6 victory over Andy Hamilton, as ‘The Wizard’ booked his place in the McCoy’s Premier League final and moved a step closer to clinching his first PDC major title.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

‘The Wizard’ was one nil down when he produced a perfect leg, hitting two maximums before taking out 141 with treble 20, treble 15, double 18.

The Australian ace went on to defeat Hamilton, despite trailing his opponent 4-1 after his nine-darter.

“That was a fantastic match. Andy has had a fantastic year,” said Whitlock, who was beaten by ‘The Hammer’ in the semi-finals of the World Championship in January.

“I’m over the moon to win the match. I had to throw a nine-darter to beat him; he’s always brilliant against me.

“I’m delighted to be in the final of what has probably been the best Premier League ever.”

Having won the bull in the practice room, ‘The Wizard’ threw first, but he was broken by a neat 130 checkout from Hamilton.

‘The Hammer’ opened the next leg with the first 180 of the match, before Whitlock responded in amazing style, breaking back with his spectacular nine-darter.

Hamilton hit double 16 to edge back in front, before holding for the first time to double his lead.

The 2012 Ladbrokes World Championship finalist then made it four out of four on the doubles, as he moved three legs in front.

‘The Wizard’ slotted in his third 180 before hitting double top for a crucial break of throw, as both players went into the break with a one hundred percent record on doubles.

The Australian hit double ten to win the seventh leg, but Hamilton held his throw to go 5-3 ahead.

Whitlock punished Hamilton for missed doubles, when he hit double six to take a crucial leg, reducing the deficit to a solitary leg once again.

‘The Hammer’ restored a two-leg cushion, with another tidy finish, this time taking out 110 in three darts.

Whitlock responded by quickly closing the gap once more, hitting his fourth maximum, before finishing 84 in audacious style, going bull and double 17.

‘The Wizard’ then hit double top to grab a vital break of throw and tie the match at six legs a piece.

Hamilton had two darts to retake the lead before Whitlock stepped in to hit double nine, and take the lead for the first time in the match.

The 2010 semi-finalist ensured he would go at least one step further this time, as he took out 76 to book his place in the final.

By Chris Murphy