Normal order has been restored in the world of darts!
Phil Taylor powered to yet another Major ‘TV’ title…..his third in as many months after a barren year!
The Unicorn star was nowhere near his best in the final at the City West Convention Centre, as he missed so many doubles, but he was still too good for Brendan Dolan, winning by 6 sets to 3.
This title follows on from his big successes at the World Matchplay and European Championship in the summer….and of course this latest triumph puts another £100,000 into the Taylor pension pot!
For Dolan, the consolation of a place at the Grand Slam of Darts, that history-making 9 darter, £45,000 in the bank account, up to No.25 in the world and the prospect of a very bright future over the next few years!
Taylor’s end doubles stats were 23 hits from 67 attempts and that tells you everything you need to know! ‘The Power’ was at half voltage but it will still go down as a significant win.
“I have to admit the crowd got to me. They were supporting the local boy and it affected me, so there was certainly pressure,” he said.
“That’s why winning this title means such a lot to me. It has been a tough week and Brendan played very well considering it was his first big final. I know I didn’t play my best darts but am delighted that I was good enough on the night!”
Dolan said: “It has been a brilliant week for me….a dream I guess you could say! This is why I play darts and I want more of this please! A great experience and hopefully, this will be a big help to me going forward over the next couple of years.”
Taylor though, has silenced the critics once again…..next on his agenda, Finals Day at Championship League Darts and then of course, he wants to regain his Grand Slam crown in Wolverhampton next month.
The Story of the Final:
• Taylor races into a two set lead, dropping only one leg….it looks like being a breeze!
• Dolan though, deservedly hits back! After the Unicorn man took out 101, the Irishman won three consecutive legs to get off the mark
• The 4th set is crucial….a 120 finish helps Taylor go two legs clear, only for Dolan to nail a brilliant 170 check-out which has the big crowd on its feet! But ‘The Power’ pinches it in a deciding leg and is 3 sets to 1 in front.
• Dolan is a fighter – that’s for sure! Another set goes all the way and after Taylor misses the bull for a 124, Dolan hits 86 in two darts and wins another set
• The big moment comes in the 6th set. Again Dolan comes back from losing two legs to force a decider and he was throwing first….however, he takes eight darts to get away and Taylor starts with a 160, also hits a 171 and wins it for a 4-2 advantage in sets.
• And he goes within one set of victory, thanks to some clinical finishing this time….100 with two double ‘tops’ and an 85 check-out to make it 5-2.
• But Dolan isn’t finished just yet, winning a third set in his first ‘Major Final….incredibly, it takes Taylor 12 darts to get away in another deciding leg and although he avoids the whitewash, the local hero nails D8 to win another set – and it’s no more than he deserves
• Despite Dolan taking his 180 tally in the final to 10, Taylor keeps his composure and after losing the first leg of the 9th set, he goes to work – winning three consecutive legs and winning that 10th WGP title on ‘tops’ – job done!
Result:
Phil Taylor 6-3 Brendan Dolan
By STUART PYKE
Photo courtesy Chris Sargeant