Gary Anderson avoids scare with John Bowles (From Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News)

Gary Anderson avoids scare with John Bowles

5:17pm Friday 21st December 2012 in Sport Latest

DARTS ace Gary Anderson narrowly avoided a shock exit out of the PDC World Championships following a 4-3 win over John Bowles at London’s Alexandra Palace.

The Flying Scotsman, who has family links with the Wellington Arms pub in Rooksbridge, near Burnham, cruised to a win in the opening set but Bowles belied his 95th world ranking to peg Anderson back.

Bowles strolled into a 3-2 lead before fifth seed Anderson held his nerve to level the scores in a nervy last leg of the sixth set.

In the final set of the match, Bowles took a 2-0 lead before Anderson again bounced back to 2-2.

The pair battled it out in sudden death before Anderson came out as a 6-4 winner in the final set to claim the victory.

Anderson defeated debutant Jani Haavisto 3-1 in the first round on Sunday but could not repeat the performance during today’s (December 21) match.