Phil Taylor produced a stunning display to win the Bobby Bourn Players Championship for an amazing 5th consecutive year in Blackpool.
It will be a massive confidence-booster for Taylor and the perfect preparation as he bids to defend his World Matchplay crown at the Winter Gardens.
‘The Power’ won an all-Unicorn final – beating former practice partner Adrian Lewis by 3 sets to 1….Lewis had earlier produced one of the performances of the day, beating World Champion Raymond Van Barneveld in the quarter-finals. The youngster then won six straight legs to whitewash Alan Tabern in the semi-finals, before falling at the final hurdle.
Taylor didn’t drop a set until the quarter-finals, sweeping past Unicorn youngster Kirk Shepherd, Jason Clark, Chris Thompson and Steve Smith. He then came up against old adversary John Part and although he won 3-1, it was closer than the scoreline suggest. Part was again in good form throughout the event and his defeat by Taylor was the first time he’d lost a set.
Taylor was given a real run for his money in the semi-finals – edging out in-form Welshman Wayne Atwood by 3 sets to 2.
In the final, Lewis had his chances but it was the same old story – too many missed doubles. Taylor took the opening set with ease, before Lewis hit back with the help of a 12 darter and two 180s……he did have chances after that but Taylor does what Taylor does best – punishing his opponent for missing doubles – and he never looked in any real danger – to claim his 5th Bobby Bourn title.
There were mixed fortunes for the rest of Team Unicorn. Barrie Bates enjoyed a great run to the quarter-finals but came unstuck against Atwood. Bates had beaten Peter Manley in the 5th Round.
Colin Lloyd lost in the 4th Round, going down 3-2 against Alex Roy. In the 3rd Round, Colin Osborne lost 3-1 to Michael Van Gerwen….by the way, the Dutch youngster was then beaten by Mervyn King in round four.
Also in the 3rd Round, Bob Anderson lost 3-0 to Atwood, Kevin Painter was beaten 3-2 by King and Wes Newton lost by the same score to Kevin Dowling, who then beat another Unicorn star James Wade by 3 sets to 1 in the 4th Round.
There were some high profile casualties early on…..Unicorn’s new signing Terry Jenkins went down 3-2 in the 2nd Round to Bob Crawley, while Andy Hamilton lost 3-2 to former World Champion Richie Burnett. Mick McGowan’s poor run continued as he went down early on 3-0 to Kelvin Painter and Robbie Green failed to win a set against James Barton.
So, the talking is nearly over….all eyes switch to the World Matchplay and don’t forget to keep in touch with the Unicorn website for all the news and stories as they happen.
Results (sets) – 5th Round:
Phil Taylor 3-0 Steve Smith
John Part 3-0 Tony Eccles
Wayne Atwood 3-2 Wayne Mardle
Barrie Bates 3-1 Peter Manley
Raymond Van Barneveld 3-1 Mervyn King
Adrian Lewis 3-2 Andy Smith
Dennis Priestley 3-0 Kevin Dowling
Alan Tabern 3-0 Alex Roy
Losers - £300
Quarter-finals:
Phil Taylor 3-1 John Part
Wayne Atwood 3-0 Barrie Bates
Adrian Lewis 3-1 Raymond Van Barneveld
Alan Tabern 3-1 Dennis Priestley
Losers - £600
Semi-finals:
Phil Taylor 3-2 Wayne Atwood
Adrian Lewis 3-0 Alan Tabern
Losers - £1,250
Final:
Phil Taylor 3-1 Adrian Lewis
Winner - £5,000
Runner up - £2,500
BY STUART PYKE