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VAN GERWEN DENIES WRIGHT IN THRILLER AT UNIBET WORLD SERIES OF DARTS FINALS

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN'S incredible run of form continued as he claimed a third successive televised title at the inaugural Unibet World Series of Darts Finals in Glasgow on Sunday night, defeating Peter Wright 11-10 in a superb final.

World number one van Gerwen has won the European Championship and Grand Slam of Darts titles this month, and claimed the 30,000 pound first prize at the Braehead Arena with some stunning darts. Van Gerwen, the winner of May's Dubai Darts Masters in the first of five international World Series events this year, was outstanding in his defeats of Raymond van Barneveld and Adrian Lewis to reach the final. He then held off Wright's fightback from 4-0 down, as the Scot moved 5-4 up and also led 10-9 before the Dutchman produced a stunning 11-darter in the deciding leg.

"It feels amazing to also win this tournament and it's a good feeling," admitted van Gerwen, who took home a 30,000 pound first prize. "I had to play really well and I think this was a fantastic final, one of the best. Peter's a fantastic player and sooner or later he'll win a TV tournament, but I played well when I had to, especially at the end. The 129 was better than the 170 finish, but then the 180 afterwards was even better again because Peter put the pressure on me with a 140 at the start of the last leg, and I can see how strong I am when I need to be. The level at the moment is phenomenal and I'm really glad to be a part of that. I'm feeling great and I'm probably playing the best darts of my life. I want to win everything but it was a pleasure to play in this event and I think I deserved to win this trophy."

Van Gerwen made a storming start to the final, winning the opening four legs without reply, twice punishing Wright for missed doubles and landing back-to-back 14-darters. Wright hit back with a 14-dart leg of his own in the fifth before a superb 121 bull finish was followed by a second successive 12-darter, and he added another 180 to level and double eight to amazingly move 5-4 up. Van Gerwen stopped him in his tracks with a sensational 170 checkout, but Wright held throw to win two of the next three before the Dutchman hit 180s in successive legs to move 8-7 up. Wright, though, again responded as he took out a 116 checkout to break and level and a 13-darter to move 9-8 up, and after van Gerwen took the 18th with another 12-dart finish the Scot posted double nine to move a leg away from his first televised title.
Wright then hit a 180 to leave 90 in the 20th leg, only to see van Gerwen produce a killer 129 checkout on the bull to force a decider. Wright's two 140s were bettered by a 180 from van Gerwen as he left 50 after nine darts, and when the home favourite was unable to take out 121, the Dutchman stepped in to land double 16 for an 11-darter and glory.

Wright has previously lost to van Gerwen in the World Championship, Dubai Darts Masters and UK Open finals, and admitted: "It was a good final and I really enjoyed it - and I'm getting closer. The 129 was a fantastic shot and Michael played brilliantly in the last leg, and that's why he's number one in the world. Michael's a different class above everyone else at the moment, and for me to get that close, having been using these darts for a few weeks, I'm pretty happy and it won't be long before it's my turn. I'm pushing Michael and it was good to give him a game because the last time we played I didn't, and there's more to come from me. The support was incredible and I can only thank the fans for their support."

Wright had earlier defeated 16-time World Champion Phil Taylor 11-9 in another thrilling contest, taking a 6-3 lead in mid-game and holding off the Stoke legend's fightback to close out the win.
Van Gerwen had been unstoppable in his 11-5 semi-final win over Adrian Lewis, hitting a 108 average and nine 180s in a stunning display.

Lewis - August's Auckland Darts Masters champion - averaged over 100 himself after averaging 105 in his quarter-final win over Terry Jenkins, and admitted: "I lost to the best player in the world at the minute and he was just too good tonight. "I missed a few doubles early on and he got ahead of me, but I really enjoyed the tournament and it's been another learning curve for me. I'm putting a lot of work in at the moment and the results will start to come."

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