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Nicholson on top at Circus

Monday 1 February 2010 19:36, UK

Image: Nicholson: first major title

Paul Nicholson was a surprise winner of the totesport.com Players' Championship.

Taylor and King left trailing

Paul Nicholson was a surprise winner of the totesport.com Players' Championship with a 13-11 victory over Mervyn King at the Circus Tavern. The man known as 'The Asset' saw off Adrian Lewis 9-7 to reach his first televised semi-final, where he shocked Phil Taylor. 'The Power' simply could not cope with Nicholson's finishing power and succumbed 10-9 in a Circus Tavern thriller. Nicholson hit four ton-plus finishes - including a maximum 170 checkout - in coming from 3-1 down to lead against Taylor, and held his nerve in a deciding leg to reach the final. Mervyn King had seen off Colin Osborne 10-8 in the other semi-final and came into the final a warm favourite. But despite trailing for most of the match, Nicholson kept 'The King' within range. He levelled at 10-10 and then moved clear at 12-10 with superb legs of 14 and 11 darts. King battled back to win the next leg with an 80 checkout to stay alive, but Nicholson was not to be denied, hitting double eight with his first dart to claim his first major title and a winner's cheque of £60,000.

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