Essex star Kevin "The Artist" Painter came up just short in a masterpiece Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship final in Purfleet last night.
Painter, the tenth seed, was pipped 7-6 in a thrilling match by 11 times world champion Phil "The Power" Taylor at the Circus Tavern.
DespitePainterleading by four sets to one at one stage, Taylor drew on all his experience to snatch the match in a sudden-death leg.
In the final set, Painter was one leg from the title five times, only for Stoke-on-Trent-based Taylor tosnatch the crown from his reach.
Afterwards, Painter, who moved from his hometownof Chelmsford to Cambridgeshire five yearsago, said: "I gave it my best shot but it just was not to be.
"Phil is just greedy. Every time I left a good out or something nice hechecked out.
"I gave it my best and I will definitely be back next year."
Published Monday January 5, 2004
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