RONNIE Baxter's dreams of winning the greatest prize in darts were shattered in the "the greatest ever final" of the Embassy World Championship.

Baxter threw the darts of his life against reigning champion Ray Barneveld in an epic tie-break final at the Lakeside last night in front of more than three million TV viewers.

The 37-year-old from Church and the Dutch world number one had traded blows for almost two hours in front of a capacity 1,500 crowd before Barneveld delivered the knockout blow in the 11th and final set.

It left Barney clutching the trophy, a cheque for £42,000 and the honour of being the first man since the great Eric Bristow to retain the title.

And second seed Baxter was left to reflect on a memorable week, but even a consolation prize of £21,000 couldn't ease the pain of missing out right at the nail-biting death.

"I came here to win it and I didn't, so I have to be disappointed," said the beaten finalist.

"I will look back in years to come with great pride and delight in having taken part in perhaps the greatest ever final but at the moment I feel low."

There had been nothing to separate these two giants of the oche in a gripping match, but Baxter was left to lament a missed double top in the sixth and deciding leg of the 11th set which would have kept the match alive. He missed and Barneveld checked out on 52 and Baxter groaned: "I've been hitting double top all week and felt like hitting it again. But that's what its all about. If you don't get the doubles then you don't get the prizes."

But Baxter was generally pleased with his performances over a stirring week and plans to be back next year to go one step further.

"I have proved to a lot of people this week that I am an excellent player in pressure situations. My critics have said that I couldn't play on the big stage - well I've proved them all wrong.

"I was loving every minute of it up there and can't wait for another chance at the prize."

Gracious champion Barneveld said: "There were so many times when I thought I was beaten. Ronnie is an excellent player and this was the final that everyone wanted and is one they will be talking about for years."

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