Новости Unicorn

Shepherd though, will make all the headlines after beating ‘Hawaii 501’ by 6 sets to 4 in a performance that belied his youth and experience. He has no fear and darting reputations count for absolutely nothing when this kid is on the oche.

“It is the most amazing feeling,” he said. “I have to pinch myself that I am actually in the World Championship Final. It is the ultimate for every darts player and I have done it at the first attempt!”

Shepherd was in a daze: “I knew I had the game to beat Wayne and I know I have the game to beat John. He is a great champion but I have never been here just to make up the numbers and I believe I can be World Champion!”

After losing the opening set, Shepherd stunned the conqueror of Phil Taylor by racing into a 3 sets to 1 lead and we wondered if he had blown his big chance when he missed four darts to make it 4-1, because Mardle found some form and won three sets on the spin to level the match.

It was fabulous fare! Mardle hit finishes of 170 and 140, while Kirk banged in a 128 and a succession of 12 and 13 darters.

The big moment came at the start of set nine, with Mardle sat on a finish and Kirk hit a brilliant 123 to break the throw and break Mardle’s heart. He went 5-4 up, broke the Mardle throw again at the start of the 10th set and closed out the semi-final like a veteran.

The 21-year-old Unicorn ace collapsed on the stage and shed a few tears after keeping one of the most remarkable darting tales of all time going all the way to a closing chapter on New Year’s Day.

For Part, his first World Final since he beat Phil Taylor in 2003 and now one more giant step away from winning the biggest crown in world darts for the third time.

For Painter, bitter disappointment, because he undoubtedly saved his worst performance for the biggest game of the tournament. He missed his chances at key moments and Part didn’t….it was as simple as that, because both players averaged around 93.

Not surprisingly, both players looked very edgy in the opening set with so much at stake. Part missed three darts to win it 3-0, only for Painter to peg back and miss two clean darts at double top for the set himself. The Canadian blew a fourth opportunity, before hitting a crucial 86 to take it against the throw.

It was the same story in set two, as Part took two legs, Painter came back with the help of a 101 finish but the two-times World Champion took it in the decider but instead of ramming home the early advantage, Part went off the boil.

Painter got on board winning three consecutive legs to take the 3rd set but that was the cue for Part to wake from his slumbers and the semi-final burst into life. An 89 kill gave ‘The Artist’ his fourth consecutive leg at the start of set four…..Part though, upped the ante. He won the next three legs and stunned his opponent with a brilliant 177 to leave D12 to clinch the set.

Set No.5 proved to be a huge moment in the match….Painter went two legs clear after a terrific maximum followed by a 108 finish but then we witnessed a real purple patch by Part. He smacked in a 160 check-out, just missed a 148 but won the leg and opened up a 4 sets to 1 lead thanks to a touch of genius. Painter was left on 88 and Part hit a 180 to leave 44…..Painter missed the bull for the set and Part stepped in….it was brilliant!

You could sense Painter’s head dropping and he will have been hurting after going 5-1 down….in that set, the first four legs went against the throw, before Part again stamped his authority on proceedings. His third 180 started the deciding leg and he finished it in 12 darts with a superb 88 finish.

Painter briefly threatened a revival by racing through the 7th set without reply but Part just wasn’t to be denied. The 8th set again went to a decider….Painter just missed D16 for a 109 check-out to take it and Part sparkled to win the semi-final with a fantastic 130 finish.

So Unicorn is guaranteed another World Championship title…..will it be a hat-trick for Part or an incredible triumph for Shepherd on his debut…..WOW!

Semi-Final results (best of 11 sets):

Kevin Painter 2-6 John Part

Wayne Mardle 4-6 Kirk Shepherd

Final – New Year’s Day (best of 13 sets):

John Part v Kirk Shepherd

BY STUART PYKE

Photo courtesy of Lawrence Lustig / PDC