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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

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

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