Phil Taylor has done it again!
The Unicorn star swept to victory on Finals Day at Championship League Darts – winning the tournament for the second time in the four-year history of the event, as he took out Paul Nicholson in an all Unicorn Final at Crondon Park.
And it is now four consecutive big tournament wins on the spin for ‘The Power’
After a 12 month barren spell, Taylor has won the World Matchplay, European Championship, World Grand Prix and now the Championship league, after a 6-1 victory over ‘The Asset’ – and a winning average of 113.71
And what a day it was for Taylor, who also banged in a magical 9-darter!
It came in his 6-3 victory over Mervyn King in the group stages, in a match where he averaged an amazing 120.64…..incredible! Not surprisingly, Taylor was perfect in the group, winning all seven matches
In the semi-finals, Taylor demolished Steve Beaton 6-1, while one crucial break of throw was enough to give Nicholson a 6-3 victory against King.
But Taylor was just too good for the field on the day.
Nicholson’s consolation is that by reaching the final, he has also secured his place at the Grand Slam of Darts in 2012 as well….and the little matter of £14,900
But Taylor pocketed £22,400 and more importantly the title at Crondon for the second time.
In the final, he broke Nicholson in the second leg and there was no going back from there….he hit three 12 darters, two 180s and hit six doubles from seven attempts.
“I am so pleased,” he said. “I have really enjoyed the day and for me, it is all about having fun nowadays and that attitude takes the pressure right off me.”
Taylor added: “I didn’t really give Paul a chance and after hitting the 9-darter, I felt it was going to be my day…now, I look forward to the Grand Slam and the World Championship and I want both those titles back!”
However, it was a hugely disappointing day for Gary Anderson, who went into the event as second favourite to win it and failed to qualify for the semi-finals.
But in truth, he only had himself to blame.
We saw some flashes of Anderson brilliance, but all too often he was off the pace and missed far too many doubles, which will again be a source of great frustration for the Unicorn star, who is going through an indifferent patch in front of the TV cameras at the moment.
He was unlucky to lose his first match against Taylor in a last leg decider, but after that his form dipped….After four matches, he had won only one – against Simon Whitlock
But after his two best displays of the day when he beat King 6-3 and Walsh 6-2, he actually looked favourite to sneak in to those semi-finals.
Anderson went into his last match knowing that if he beat Steve Beaton, he was in…..but he saved arguably his worst performance for the most important game, and a 6-2 defeat ended his hopes at Crondon Park.
His total prize money from CL Darts was £5,900
Results – Finals Day:
Final:
Phil Taylor 6-1 Paul Nicholson
Semi-Finals:
Phil Taylor 6-1 Steve Beaton
Mervyn King 3-6 Paul Nicholson
Winner’s Group:
Gary Anderson 5-6 Phil Taylor
Steve Beaton 4-6 Dennis Priestley
Mervyn King 6-3 Simon Whitlock
Paul Nicholson 6-3 Mark Walsh
Dennis Priestley 6-2 Gary Anderson
Phil Taylor 6-3 Steve Beaton
Mark Walsh 3-6 Mervyn King
Simon Whitlock 2-6 Paul Nicholson
Dennis Priestley 6-5 Paul Nicholson
Gary Anderson 6-4 Simon Whitlock
Mark Walsh 6-3 Steve Beaton
Phil Taylor 6-3 Mervyn King (Taylor 9 darter)
Paul Nicholson 6-1 Gary Anderson
Dennis Priestley 3-6 Simon Whitlock
Phil Taylor 6-3 Mark Walsh
Steve Beaton 0-6 Mervyn King
Steve Beaton 6-2 Paul Nicholson
Mervyn King 3-6 Gary Anderson
Simon Whitlock 5-6 Phil Taylor
Mark Walsh 6-1 Dennis Priestley
Mervyn King 6-2 Dennis Priestley
Phil Taylor 6-1 Paul Nicholson
Simon Whitlock 3-6 Steve Beaton
Gary Anderson 6-2 Mark Walsh
Steve Beaton 6-2 Gary Anderson
Dennis Priestley 2-6 Dennis Priestley
Mark Walsh 6-5 Simon Whitlock
Paul Nicholson 6-3 Mervyn King
Final Group table:
1 – Phil Taylor – 14pts
2 – Mervyn King – 8 pts (+7 leg diff)
3 – Paul Nicholson – 8pts (+5 leg diff)
4 – Steve Beaton – 6pts (-3 leg diff)
5 – Mark Walsh – 6pts (-4 leg diff)
6 – Gary Anderson – 6pts (-5 leg diff)
7 – Dennis Priestley – 6pts (-9 leg diff)
8 – Simon Whitlock – 2 pts
By STUART PYKE at Crondon Park, Essex
Photo courtesy Lawrence Lustig / PDC