In a very one-sided PDC World Darts Final at Alexandra Palace in London on Sunday, Phil Taylor won his fourteenth World Title, further cementing his place as the most succesful man in the sport.
This was one of the most eagerly awaited final in years, especially as the last time Raymond 'Barney' Van Barneveld met Phil 'The Power' Taylor in the final, in 2007, the match went to a sudden death leg at 6-6 in sets and is regarded by some as the greatest darts match ever.
Taylor started well in this match-up, breaking Van Barneveld's throw in the first set and then holding his own to take a 2-0 lead in the First to 7 match. It looked ominous for Barney; Taylor was scoring heavily and taking the doubles with ease.
But after the break, one of many awarded to the players between sets by the numerous advert breaks on Sky Sports, Van Barneveld came out and took the third set comfortably. At 2-2 in legs the fourth, and on Taylor's throw, Barney had the chance to break with two shots at double. He missed and The Power went 3-1 up.
Taylor offered mere scraps to van Barneveld thereafter, as he threw a new three-dart average record for a major final of 110.94, and closed out the match without van Barneveld taking another set.
What a difference a year makes. Taylor was knocked out in this very tournament 12 months ago by Wayne 'Hawaii 501' Mardle in the quarter finals and went on a few weeks later to lose his first Premier League darts match in three years. Since then, The Power won all but one of the televised tournaments in 2008 and must already be very strong favourite to make it 15 World Titles at the Ally Pally next year.
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