Gary Anderson beaten in World Darts Championship final

Gary Anderson failed in his bid to win a third PDC Word Darts Championship after losing in the final on Sunday night.

Anderson, 50, was defeated 7-3 by Gerwyn Price, a former rugby player who had a spell at Glasgow Warriors.

Price also becomes the new world number one after holding his nerve in a thrilling contest against Anderson – known as the ‘Flying Scotsman’ – at Alexandra Palace.

The 35-year-old stormed into a 5-1 lead in their best-of-13 final and, although he faltered with the title in sight, Anderson failed to capitalise.

Anderson was scathing of his own display, but admitted he had not expected to reach the final, which was won last year by fellow Scotsman Peter Wright.

“To get beaten in the final, yes disappointing, but to get to the final in the first place was a pat on the back for myself,” he told Sky Sports.

“Tonight I just couldn’t get that dart up to treble 20. Doubles, atrocious, but that’s what happens when you do that, you get thumped. But what I’ve done this week is a big bonus for me.”

Price turned to darts in 2014 after a rugby career as a hooker for Welsh sides Neath and Cross Keys before a loan spell in Glasgow as injury cover in 2013.

He missed 11 match darts to give Anderson hope of turning the clash around before sealing his win with a double five.

“It’s going to take a couple of days for it to sink in,” Price told Sky Sports. “I’m on cloud nine. I can’t even speak. This means the world to me.

“I was looking over at the scoreboard and it was 6-3 and I thought, ‘I’ve got a few darts, hopefully I can get more chances’.

“But I bombed numerous opportunities and I was like, ‘Please give me another chance’ and I had to have Gary miss to give me one more opportunity.

“Double five is close to double top, but it’s not my favourite. I’ve never felt pressure like that in my life. That was tough that winning double.”