It was the night of his life as young Unicorn star Paul Nicholson switched off ‘The Power’ and dethroned ‘The King’ to win the Players Championship Finals.
It was a sensational night and a sensational performance as Nicholson nailed D8 to realise a lifetime’s dream just before midnight at the Circus Tavern.
He held it together magnificently after taking out Taylor to claim his first ‘TV Major’ on an unbelievable night when darting dreams really did come true!
Nicholson’s amazing exploits earned him a cheque for £60,000, a guaranteed spot in the Grand Slam of Darts for two years and the victory catapults him up to No.16 in the world rankings.
“It won’t sink in for weeks!” joked Nicholson. “I am still in shock after beating both Phil and Mervyn but I have put so much work into this since the World Championship and I truly believe it was in my destiny.”
“My energy was sapped after beating Phil but in the final at 10-10, I said to myself go for it and I wanted one more big push and I did it. It was a fantastic feeling when that D8 sailed in.”
“And I have a message for Simon Whitlock – I am still the No.1 Aussie!”
A night of raw emotion for the 30-year-old Geordie!
It was a topsy turvy final and in the end, Nicholson appeared to be playing on auto-pilot after his dramatic exploits against Taylor, but he found something special from somewhere!
He was always chasing against King and when he went 7-9 down, it looked like he had run out of steam. But he refused to give it up. He just wasn’t going to lose!
He won three legs on the spin with finishes of 76, 90 and 68 to knock the stuffing out of King. A third 180 and an 89 check-out for an 11 darter took him within a leg of the win…..and although King held his throw, Nicholson dominated the next leg to clinch a famous 13-11 victory.
And of course, Nicholson was simply sensational in toppling Taylor!
It was Taylor’s first televised defeat since losing in the Premier League semi-finals to King last May and his first loss in a TV ranking event since he was beaten by Raymond van Barneveld at the UK Open in Bolton in June 2008!
So it ends a run of Taylor winning 11 consecutive TV ranking events. It certainly sent shockwaves through ‘The Power’ and the sport.
“No complaints!” said Taylor. “His finishing was phenomenal – especially that 170 – but I thought at 9-9, I could win. He just played better than me.”
It was an amazing hour at the Circus! Nicholson went 6-4 in front with unbelievable bull finishes of 121, 130 and 170 and at this stage, he was 6/6 on his doubles! Taylor didn’t know what had hit him.
He just got better and stayed in control and his first 180 took him into a 9-7 lead. Taylor did get one leg back and then came a massive moment as Nicholson had two darts at D20 for the match but he missed!
Taylor didn’t and we were into the decider and how Nicholson must have been regretting giving ‘The Power’ the darts after winning the bull in the practice room!
But somehow Nicholson held his nerve in a nail-biting finale. He outscored Taylor and left himself on tops….he missed D20, he missed D10 but nailed D5 to claim his incredible win.
Taylor averaged 99.40 and Nicholson 96 – but what a momentous result!
There was disappointment for Unicorn star Colin Osborne. His run was ended in the semi-finals by King. He twice threatened a comeback but left himself too much to do and missed too many crucial doubles.
Osborne lost his throw in the opening leg after blowing four darts at D20, but the 9th leg was pivotal, because ‘The Wizard’ missed three darts to trail only 5-4 and had to watch as King took out 101 to lead 6-3.
Osborne hit six 180s but it wasn’t enough and his consolation is £15,000 and he is now up to a career high 9th in world rankings.
But this is all about Paul Nicholson – a brilliant night and thoroughly deserved!
Unicorn has unearthed another darting jewel.
Sunday night results:
Semi-Finals (best of 19 legs):
Phil Taylor 9-10 Paul Nicholson
Colin Osborne 8-10 Mervyn King
Losers - £15,000
Final (best of 25 legs):
Mervyn King 11-13 Paul Nicholson
Winner - £60,000
Runner-up - £24,000
By STUART PYKE in Purfleet
Photo courtesy Lawrence Lustig / PDC