Anderson claims Welsh Open glory

Scotland^s Gary Anderson emerged victorious in The BDO Welsh Open at Pontin^s, Prestatyn, late on Sunday evening, with a resounding 4-0 win over 2007 champion Mark Webster of Wales in the final.

After a long day of darts, the duo were the last men standing, with the home player simply blown away by the awesome Anderson in the decider, which was screened live on Setanta Sports.

Anderson, who defeated Adam Norris in his semi-final, breezed through the first set of the final, winning three legs unanswered, but Webster - who beat Robert Hughes in the last four - hit back to take the first leg of the second set. However, some wayward throwing from the Welshman in the second allowed Anderson to level it up straight away.

Anderson then showed true class to go ahead in the leg with a fine double 18, double 20 finish. Webster levelled again, despite missing out on a nine-darter, but the Scot finished the fifth leg with a double 14 to go two sets clear.

Anderson^s first 180 of the game helped him on his way to claiming the first leg of set three and he was really running away with it when he added the second thanks to a clean 110. Webster failed to garner a reprieve handed to him in the third leg and suddenly Anderson was one set from glory.

Webster was buried by this stage and while he most certainly never gave up, he was clearly out on his feet as, aided by another 180 and some more loose throwing from the Welshman, Anderson moved to within one leg of victory.

He started the next leg with another 180, but Webster earned a stay of execution with a double six finish. However, the next leg was the last one as, despite a strong Webster effort, Anderson was the first man to zero and the title was his.

Winner Anderson says he was surprised by the whitewash nature of his win, but paid tribute to the vanquished Webster, who he rates as one of the brightest young players in the game.

"I never expected that," Anderson told Setanta Sports. "Mark came on the scene two years ago and he^s something special."

Equally complimentary was the runner-up, Webster describing Anderson as: "definitely a worthy winner.

"Once he is in the position he doesn^t lose many finals."

Story By: Setanta Sports.

http://www.setantasports.com/en/Sport/News/Other-sports/2008/05/18/Darts-BDO-Welsh-Open/?facets/sport-space/great-britain-locale/darts/