DARTS: Gurney loses Dutch Masters Final

Daryl lost 6-2 to hot favourite Michael van Gerwen, but his magnificent performances saw him reach his first ever PDC final and earn £10,000 for finishing runner-up in the decider in Venray.

Gurney smashed in an incredible nine 180s and averaged 106.84 as he beat Adrian Lewis 6-4 in a thrilling semi-final clash.

He replied to Lewis’ 177 in the opening leg with a 180 as he took out a 13-darter, with Lewis levelling and sharing the next two legs before breaking with an 11-darter to move 3-2 up.

Gurney, though, replied with back-to-back 11 dart legs to move 4-3 ahead, with Lewis levelling by taking out 110.

The pair traded 180s in the next two legs, but Gurney crucially took both to cap a majestic display.

Daryl won through to his first PDC final with a 6-1 defeat of Mensur Suljovic in their last four clash.

He broke throw in leg one by finishing 75, with Suljovic firing in two 180s as he levelled with a 12-darter only to be punished for missed doubles in leg three as the Northern Irish ace edged ahead.

Gurney fired in a 180 in a 13-darter to move 3-1 up and took the next three without reply as he set up a decider against van Gerwen.

“I’m happy just to get to the final and I lost to the best player in the world,” said Gurney.

“I take my hat off to him because he’s the best day-in, day-out.”

Earlier, Daryl also dumped out Peter Wright 6-4 in what proved to be a great weekend for the Northern Ireland man in Holland.