The pair held their nerve to beat Australia’s Simon Whitlock and Paul Nicholson in a dramatic sudden death shoot-out in Hamburg.

Taylor and Lewis had raced into a 3-0 lead by winning the first three singles games. But when Lewis was edged out by Nicholson in the fourth game, Australia’s hopes were still alive. They then squared the final by winning the doubles 7-4, with Whitlock’s 124 checkout on the bull sending the match into a deciding leg.

Nerves got to both teams as Nicholson, Taylor and Whitlock all missed darts for victory before Lewis stepped up to show his class by sinking double five to give England the triumph and the £40,000 first prize.

“I’m delighted,” said a relieved Lewis. “I thought we’d thrown it away when Paul beat me in the last singles game and when we lost the doubles. And I couldn’t watch when they were throwing for the match in the sudden-death leg.

“At times this weekend I pulled Phil through but in the final, when it got tough, he pulled me through. It was a great team effort.

“This probably means more to me than winning the second World Championship title. People don’t realise what it means when you pull on the England shirt, but I’ve never felt under so much pressure in my life.”

Taylor added: “I’m over the moon. Simon and Paul both showed bottle to come back from 3-0 down and still believe they could win the final.

“I thought we’d blown it when they won the doubles and it went to the last leg. I’m a bit disappointed we missed doubles in the final leg but it made a great final for the fans because there was drama and tension.”

Potteries-born and bred Taylor beat Nicholson 7-4 to take the opener before Lewis, from Cross Heath, edged out Whitlock 7-5 to put England two up. Taylor then averaged almost 106 in a brilliant 7-6 win over Whitlock, which saw him come from 3-0 down to take victory despite missing 19 darts at a double, but Nicholson then beat Lewis 7-4 to keep Australia’s dream going and their doubles success meant a dramatic shoot-out sealed, in the end, by Lewis.

Nicholson said: “One day we will win this title for Australia.

“I’m gutted for myself, Simon and the DartPlayers Australia organisation that we lost, but we gave it everything we had.

“We grafted and got ourselves back into the match and gave ourselves a chance, so I’m disappointed we didn’t get over the winning line.”

She has therefore decided to seek sanctuary under the umbrella of darts. She, like the captain of Fed Cup team, Judy Murray, is also a diehard fan of darts.

While talking to media sources, Laura expressed her interest and desire in playing darts by saying, “You can learn a lot from a darts player”.

She continued, “I just like watching and, though I know this sounds a bit mean, I particularly like watching when they choke. It sounds horrible but it just makes it that much more exciting”.

She further shared that the best thing she finds about the game is that it requires immense concentration and focus.

It is one of those games where there are innumerable distractions around and in the presence of all these distractions a player has to perform his or her best.

Laura intends to adopt a similar habit when playing the game. “I find it amazing the amount of pressure they’re under to just make exactly the right shot at the right time,” she said.

She observed, “You can see that they start to shake sometimes and, hopefully, we don’t do that when we’re playing”.

At the same time, it is also important to mention that Robson realises the pre-requisites that are involved in insulating oneself from the distractions that are around.

As has been pointed out by experts, it is a characteristic that a player develops with the help of experience.

It is pre-dominantly the experience that plays an important and pivotal role in distinguishing an amateur from a professional.

An experienced player in darts can easily be pointed out in the kind of reactions and responses he has towards his audience and this is what precisely contributes in the graduation and development of a professional player.

On the basis of experience, a player is in a better position to develop and formulate strategies. Through these, one can easily counter their opponent’s techniques and, at the same time, overcome one’s own weaknesses.

Ten people took part in the tournament at the Hilderthorpe Pub, in Hilderthorpe Road, which was won by taxi driver Neil Hood, before a quiz was held to raise further cash.

Bev Conley from the Hilderthorpe Pub said: “It was a really good night and we’re so pleased we could give a little support to the Katie Walker Cancer Trust.”

The game show, which revolves around a series of darts-related challenges, terrible catchphrases and the opportunity for land-locked contestants to win a speedboat, is constantly repeated on Challenge TV and even saw a short-lived revival a few years ago – it seems people can’t get enough of Bully.

The new touring show aims to bring all the fun of the game show while giving it a modern twist. And taking part are some of the biggest names in professional darts. They don’t come much bigger than the Crafty Cockney, Eric Bristow, who will be taking part alongside contestants from the audience at The Hexagon.

The show will be presented by comedian Neil Wheatley and also features former world champions Bob Anderson and John Lowe.

Above all, Eric says, the event promises “lots of laughs”.

Eric, who was awarded an MBE for services to sport in 1989 after winning the world championships five times in the preceding decade, says: “It’s great, it’s just a great show.

“We’ve got a great front man and the whole night is just really good fun. There’s lots of laughs and all the old Bullseye stuff – if I wasn’t in it I’d be there to watch it.”

Bullseye was one of the most popular gameshows of the 1980s and early 1990s.

It featured contestants from the audience teaming up with professional darts players to answer questions and play darts-based games to win prizes – frequently a speed boat – and was presented by comedian Jim Bowen, with more than a little help from the show’s cartoon mascot, Bully.

“Everything’s still the same,” promises Eric. “It’s a real cracker. Bully comes on beforehand and gets the audience going with some catch phrases. There’s a half-hour comic and that gets the audience right into it. We’ve even got a speed boat – although it’s battery powered this time! It’s all really good. It’s different to anything else that’s out there. Nothing’s got me going like this for years.”

Eric’s achievements during the 80s helped turn darts into a popular spectator sport.

He retired in 2000 but further helped the popularity of the sport by discovering and funding the development of Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor – the man who would eventually usurp him as the greatest darts player in history.

“I’m dead chuffed darts is still popular,” said Eric. “It’s a great night out and it’s great fun. I think people pick up on that and get into it.”

Eric now lives in Staffordshire and still takes part in exhibitions and other darts events but says the return of Bullseye has been one of the highlights of his retirement and he hasn’t ruled out taking part if the show returns to TV.

He says: “I think it’ll get another run, we’ve had lots of enquiries already. We’ll see what happens.”

ESPN has reached an agreement with BDO, the sport’s governing body, and BBC Sport to split coverage, with former BBC presenter Ray Stubbs lined up to anchor its output.

The sports broadcaster has secured the live and exclusive rights to the evening darts sessions of the tournament running from 9-13 January.

ESPN, which broadcast its first live darts last month with the 2011 Winmau World Masters, will also air one semi-final exclusively and highlights of the final, which take place on 14 and 15 January respectively.

The BBC will hold on to live and exclusive coverage of afternoon sessions on the opening weekend – 7 and 8 January – and run extended afternoon highlights on the four days following that, as well as a late-night highlights show on BBC2.

Come finals weekend the BBC, which uses presenter Colin Murray and former darts player Bobby George, will air one semi final and the final exclusively.

Commentary for both broadcasters will come from David Croft and Tony Green.

Ba joined Newcastle on a three-year deal from West Ham United in June and has scored five goals in his last three games to help keep the Magpies flying high in fourth place in the Premier League.

The Senegal international was introduced to darts by his former agent and as the game rewards accuracy believes it has benefitted him as a striker.

“It’s a nice way to relax – playing with my friends when they come to visit. It’s brilliant,” Ba told The Sun. “My former agent introduced me to darts by saying it was a game that would be a lot of fun.

“He knew I had to concentrate on hitting three 20s or a double or a treble – as this is a target you must achieve. Your mind is focused on accuracy.

“And it’s the same in football, where I must strike the ball just to the right or left of a post. You must also be accurate to score a goal so darts is a great way of learning how to concentrate on a target.”

Ba hit his first treble for Newcastle against Blackburn last month and hasn’t looked back since.

Despite losing star players like Joey Barton and Kevin Nolan this summer, Newcastle have not struggled as expected. Ba put’s that down to the inspired signings of Yohan Cabaye and Gabriel Obertan by manager Alan Pardew.

“We have the players to do very well – quality performers who can maintain this standard for the whole season,” the 26-year-old said. “Take a player like Yohan for example. For you guys in England, he’s been a surprise. But I knew him before – when I was playing in France.

“When I heard he was going to Newcastle, it helped me decide to join too. I thought a player like him would not join unless it was something good. Playing with these kind of people makes your own game better.

“I don’t think we can play like this and then in two or three weeks it’ll be hard to achieve the same results.

“It’s early and finishing top will be really tough. You look at the two Manchester clubs and Chelsea – those teams are only winning. They also have players with experience of lifting important trophies.

“We’re not looking at winning the Premier League. However if we can be close to those clubs then there’s a chance of achieving something good like reaching the Champions League.”

The distance from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches. The distance referred to as the “oche” is the distance between the front of the board and the toe line, and the standard oche is 7 feet, 9.25 inches. Most professional darts matches are called “501 Up,” and the rules are simple.

Every player starts with a score of 501. He or she takes turns throwing 3 darts. The score for every turn is added up and deducted from the total. A bullseye gets 50 points, while the outer ring gets 25. A dart in the double ring or treble ring counts for double or triple the score for that segment. The goal is to get the score down to exactly zero, and landing the last dart in the bullseye or in a double segment.

If a player’s score goes to 1 or goes below zero, the turn is considered a “bust” and ends, with the player’s score returning to what it was before the turn. On a last turn, it is not required that the player throw all three darts: he or she can win with the first or second dart on that turn too.

When a player has mastered his technique enough to be able to develop a strategy, he’ll attempt to end up with a score that can be repeatedly cut in half to avoid ending up with a 1 and a bust. It also keeps players from having to throw extra darts just to reduce the score to an even number.

While the rules for darts are fairly simple, learning how to throw darts well takes time and practice. When you learn to throw, your grip on the dart should be stable and firm, but not tense. If the tips of your fingers turn white from squeezing the dart, it’s a good sign your grip is too tight. If your muscles are stiff enough that you have a hard time letting go of the dart, you won’t throw well. Remember, it’s not a game of brute force. More people make the mistake of gripping a dart too tightly than too loosely.

Try to use at three of your fingers to hold the dart to give you more control. Chances are you’ll discover through trial and error whether you do better with darts with longer or shorter barrels. Finding the barrel that’s the right size for you is an important step in developing your game.

When aiming your dart, have your eye, the dart, and the target all in a line. This will help decrease errors caused by needless sideways actions of your arm. Your weight should favor your forward foot, though your back foot should hold enough weight to keep you balanced. It’s not good to lean forward too much, because it throws your balance off. Once you get into the “groove” of playing darts, you’ll find it’s a really fun activity for when you hang out with your friends.

The 25-year-old from Stoke produced the best performance of his career to defeat the Scot and claim the £200,000 first prize – his first major title since turning professional in 2004.

Lewis made an incredible start to the match with a nine-dart finish in the third leg – the first time in history a player has landed a perfect leg in a World Championship final – and averaged 123 in winning the first set.

He went on to hit 20 180s in the game, pulling clear from three-all in sets to lead 6-3 before holding off Anderson’s fightback to claim victory.

“This is an unbelivable feeling and I’m in dream land to be honest, said the new World Champion. “I feel like I’ve deserved it after the potential I’ve shown over the years.

I did feel nervous in my semi-final last night, but I woke up today, felt great - and it showed in my performance.

To hit the nine-darter was fabulous, especially to do it on an occasion like this and it just adds to a brilliant night.”

Anderson, who was fell just short of a maiden World title admitted: “I was tired to honest, and tonight was possibly one match too far for me. Adrian played absolutely brilliant tonight and his scoring power really killed me.

I’m delighted to have automatically qualified for the Premier League Darts and I will look forward to playing in that now,” added Anderson.

Anderson won the opening leg of the contest in style with a 104 checkout, with Lewis waiting on double 18 but the Stoke won the second leg with the aid of two maximums.

Lewis then kicked-off the third leg with consecutive 180s at the start of the third leg to leave the opportunity of a nine-dart finish.

The seventh treble 20 was accurate and treble 19 and double 12 soon followed to complete a 141 checkout, and confirm the first ever nine-darter in a World Championship final.

Lewis then had an opportunity to take out 161 for the set, but his attempt at bullseye fell just wide of the target, but the leg was won in 14-darts to take a dramatic opening set.

Lewis kicked-off the second set with his fifth maximum of the game and went to win the leg by hitting double one after both players had missed previous opportunities to take it.

The 25-year-old kept up the incredible standard by taking the second leg with a 103 finish and then took out a ‘showpiece’ 100 checkout, courtesy of two double tops to establish a two sets lead.

Anderson hit a maximum at the start of the third set and went to take the leg by hitting double two in 15-darts, to win his first leg since in seven.

The Scotsman, who averaged over the hundred mark in every round of the competition then won the next two legs in fabulous fashion with checkouts of 130 and 136 to win the set.

The number five seed won the opening leg of the fourth set in 13-darts before both players recorded 180s in the second.

Anderson won it by landing double five after Lewis missed three darts at doubles for a 2-0 lead.

Lewis missed the bullseye for a 170 checkout in the third leg before both players missed chances to take the leg before Lewis won it by hitting double one.

A missed dart at double top from Anderson proved costly in the fourth leg as Lewis recorded a 78 finish to win the set and restore his two sets advantage.

Anderson managed to hold throw at the start of the fifth set but missed two darts at doubles in the second leg allowing Lewis to take it by landing double 10.

Anderson hit his fifth maximum of the game in the next leg but missed three darts at double 10 to win the leg.

However, Lewis could not capitalise as he missed two chances at double 16 and the Scotsman accepted the reprieve by hitting double 10.

In the fourth leg Anderson hit another 180 and went on to win the leg with an 81 finish, hitting double top with his last dart to reduce the deficit to 3-2.

Lewis made a winning start to set with a 76 finish, punishing Anderson for three missed attempts at double 18.

Anderson managed to win the second leg with a 14-dart-finish to after Lewis missed a dart at double top for a 151 finish.

The Scotsman then won the third leg with a fantastic 164 checkout and then took the fourth with an 86 finish to level the game at three apiece.

Anderson won the opening leg of set seven by hitting double top to lead for the first time in the match. But Lewis quickly hit-back to win the second with a fantastic 10-dart-finish.

Anderson was on course to win the third leg but a 10^th maximum from Lewis applied pressure and the 11^th seed succumbed as three darts at doubles were off-target allowing Lewis to hit double five to break.

The Stoke hit another maximum in the fourth leg and then went on to hit double 12, for a 15-dart-finish, to take set and move 4-3 in front.

Lewis missed five darts to win the first leg of the eighth set and Anderson managed to nick it with a two-dart 84 finish.

Lewis hit kicked-off the second leg in succession with a 177 score and managed to win the leg by converting 97 in two-darts to break-back.

Lewis won the third leg by hitting double 14 before Anderson won the fourth in 13-darts to force a deciding leg.

Lewis held the advantage in the final leg and high scoring from the Stoke ace saw him first to a finish and he hit double 18 to establish a two sets gap, once again.

Lewis hit a 12-darter to win the first leg of set nine which included two 180s, and he hit another in the process of taking his third leg in a row.

Anderson managed to take the third leg in 15-darts but Lewis soon took the fourth leg with the aid of his 16^th maximum to move three sets clear of Anderson.

Both players traded 15-darters in the opening two legs of set 10 before the Scotsman secured a break of throw in the third leg by hitting double four after Lewis was guilty missing two darts at double nine.

Both players hit maximums in the fourth leg, but Anderson won it by hitting double 16 to take the set and keep his hopes alive.

Anderson managed to hold throw at the start of set 11 by hitting double top with his first dart after Lewis missed three chances to break.

The Scotsman hit the same bed to complete a 76 finish to win the second leg and then won his sixth leg in succession by hitting double five, to leave Lewis just one set ahead at 6-5.

Lewis managed to hit double top to stop Anderson’s run and then won the second against the darts, which included his 20^th 180 of the match.

That put Lewis one leg away from the title and he secured the victory by hitting double 11 to make the dream of becoming World Champion a reality.

The 20-year-old took the £10,000 title, a silver salver and a sponsorship from Rileys as well as writing his name into the record books by defeating his Dutch rival in front of 2,500 fans.

The pair had won through to the final in November when the last 64 players, following a series of international qualifiers and qualifying events in Rileys Darts Zones across the UK, competed down to the last two in Barnsley.

Monk maintained the form to average 93 in the final and double van Gerwen’s disappointment, following a first round defeat at Alexandra Palace a fortnight earlier in the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship to Mensur Suljovic.

Arron, the son of veteran professional Colin, won the opening leg by hitting double top and repeated the trick to win the second against the darts.

Monk hit back-to-back 180s in the third leg which was won with a 13-dart finish, before van Gerwen managed to get on the board with a 104 checkout to win the fourth.

Monk regained his three-leg advantage by hitting double 18 but the Dutchman took out 90 in two darts to keep himself in touch at 4-2.

Van Gerwen then won the next two legs, hitting double eight on both occasions, to level the game at four apiece and lift his own hopes of claiming the title.

Monk regained the lead in superb fashion with a 121 checkout, completed on the bullseye, to move one leg away from victory, which was duly secured in the next as he recorded a 67 finish to end the contest.

“I’m over the moon,” said Monk. “I didn’t score too well but my doubles, which I’ve been practising with Simon Whitlock, came through for me.

“Every time I play Michael I always seem to go 3-0 up and he gets used to the board and the throw and comes back at me. He seems to get level and I pull away from him every time, and I did it again.

“The 121 was such a huge shot. Simon Whitlock won the deciding leg of a game against me once by going 17, treble 18 and bull and I though I would go his way, and it was brilliant when it went in.

“Simon has been great practising with me and giving me confidence and I owe a lot to him, but I can’t wait for the rest of this year. It’s going to be a huge year for me.”