Bob Anderson justified his billing as favourite throughout the Betfred.com League of Legends by capturing the inaugural title with a 10-4 final victory over Keith Deller.
The 60-year-old from Clevedon produced a sparkling display at the Circus Tavern that was reminiscent of the years when he reached two World Championship semi-finals at the same venue.
Deller was back on the stage only 30 minutes after beating Cliff Lazarenko to reach the £15,000 showdown and could not reproduce the fine form he had shown in that success.
It was the Limestone Cowboy who flew out of the blocks and into a 4-0 lead thanks to crisp finishing on several doubles.
And that margin was never bridged by Del Boy, who simply could not live with his opponent and had to settle for the £13,000 runner's up cheque.
"My mindset was to get in there and win and I'm happy to say I did that," said 1988 world champion Anderson.
"I'm very proud to be the inaugural Betfred.com League of Legends champion.
"I was particularly delighted with the way I played in the semi-final to beat Peter Evison. He's a tough nut to crack.
"Keith had just had a tough game against Cliff and I'd had a rest so maybe that explains why I started as well as I did.
"To play against these guys on a regular basis again has been fantastic. It's really woken me up and told me I can still do it and be up there and compete.
"At the age of nearly 61 I'm very pleased to be in the League of Legends and I'm looking forward to next year."
Deller acknowledged he had simply been outplayed by a better opponent on the night.
"In the first six legs everything went to plan for Bob," said the 48-year-old from Suffolk. "That was the form of someone who could be ranked in the top 16 in the world. His first six legs were absolutely fantastic.
"He admitted to me afterwards that he had hit absolutely everything and that's what you want to do in a final.
"I wasn't expecting him to play as well as that but he is a great champion and at the end of the day the best player won it. I can't argue with that.
"I think all eight players have done really well in the competition and I'd like to say a very big thank you to Betfred because without them the League of Legends wouldn't have happened."
Del Boy sets up Cowboy clash
Keith Deller claimed the second spot in the final when he got the better of a see-saw encounter 9-4 against his close friend Cliff Lazarenko.
The 1983 world champion, who needed to beat Dave Whitcombe in Stoke just to secure a place in the last four, stormed clear again after the Wellingborough ace had fought back from 5-1 down to 5-4.
After the opening two legs had been shared, Deller struck a rich vein of form by winning four in succession to put himself well on course for a meeting with the Limestone Cowboy.
But then Lazarenko produced some of the quality that had earned him his last-four place after a superb run of results and he got himself right back into it at 5-4.
However, the 48-year-old from Suffolk was unfazed by the fightback and pulled away again with five legs on the spin to clinch a shot at the £15,000 first prize and the inaugural League of Legends trophy.
Lazarenko admitted he had not been on his game and that he lost a little patience when he was trailing.
"I knew Keith would come out with all guns blazing," said Big Cliff. "He took command early, I missed a few doubles and I started to get frustrated. I didn't really let myself flow.
"At the start of the tournament I really made a goal of getting into the top four and I did it. And against Keith I gave it everything I had. I'm not really disappointed but I am upset with my performance.
"With the players we have and the support of Betfred, who knows where the League of Legends will take us.
"It wasn't my year this year, but maybe it will be next year."
Anderson tames the Tiger
Bob Anderson became the first finalist in the inaugural Betfred.com League of Legends as he ended Peter Evison's challenge with a 9-6 semi-final win at Purfleet's Circus Tavern.
The Limestone Cowboy made the decisive breakthrough in leg 10, which he took against the throw on double four to lead 6-4, and from that point on he was always in command.
In leg 11 Anderson consolidated his advantage by opening up with a 180 on his way to going 7-4 up, and the next two legs were shared to put the Clevedon professional on the brink of victory at 8-5.
Evison was not done with, however, and kept his hopes alive with a brilliant 141 checkout, hitting treble 20, treble 15 and double 18.
But in the next leg the Fen Tiger could not go one better by taking out a 142 and Anderson capitalised, pinning the double nine to clinch his place in the £15,000 showdown later in the evening.
Evison admitted he had been well below his best.
"I was shocking," said the 44-year-old from West Drayton. "That was upsetting but Bob played proper darts. He pressurised me at the right times and when I was in I didn't get in quickly enough.
"If I had taken out the 142 I would have been back in the match without a doubt, but fair play to Bob.
"It's been a pleasure to be in the Betfred.com League of Legends and it's been like a family thing. Every week we all meet up and it's been very enjoyable. I'd like to thank everyone involved."
by Jon Wilde 23/08/2008 BACK TO TOP ^ |
