Darts: Taylor prepares for trip into unknown

PHIL Taylor's bid for world title number 14 starts at Alexandra Palace this month starts with a trip into the unknown.

Yesterday's draw for the first round of the PDC Ladbrokes.com world championship pitted Bradwell thrower Taylor against Steve Grubb, while Cross Heath's Adrian Lewis meets veteran Russell Stewart from Australia and Talke Pits publican Andy Hamilton takes on Michael Barnard in the event, which starts a week on Friday.

Taylor and Grubb have never met in competition before and while the publican from Radstock in Somerset is ranked 89th in the latest PDC listings, he showed his capabilities by reaching the last 16 of the PDPA Players Championship in Ireland in October and claiming the scalp of Gary Mawson, who reached the final of the Blue Square UK Open final in June. (full article...)

Taylor retains South Africa title

Phil Taylor defeated John Part 5-2 in Johannesburg on Sunday to take his second South African Masters title.

The 13-time World Champion reeled off three straight legs to retain the title he won in 2007.

Earlier 'The Power' beat South African Shawn Hogan 4-1 in the first round before beating Wayne Mardle 5-2 in the semi-final.

Taylor now moves on to the World Grand Prix in Dublin, where he is drawn to meet Ronnie Baxter in round one. (Story Source)

Taylor: Don't write me off

THIS is the time of year when the focus of all darts players intensifies.

Ahead of us are major tournaments in the build-up to the Ladbrokes.com World Championship at Christmas.

August and September have been pretty quiet on the circuit but that hasn’t stopped the hard work. We’ve had tournaments in Australia, Canada, America and Holland.
(full article...)

Taylor Wins Championship League Darts Opener

PHIL TAYLOR claimed victory in Group One of the inaugural Championship League Darts with a 7-0 whitewash of Colin Lloyd in the final.

Taylor booked his place in October's Winners Group with an imperious showing at Crondon Park GC in Essex.(full article...)

Dutch Double For Taylor

PHIL TAYLOR claimed back-to-back PDC Pro Tour wins with victory in Sunday's Players Championship at the NH Conference Centre in Koningshof.

Taylor had defeated James Wade to take the title on Saturday, and saw off Terry Jenkins in the final 24 hours later with a 3-0 victory. (full article...)

Video - Taylor's 9 Dart Attempts - World Matchplay/Semi Final

Should darts be included in the Olympic Games?

Now that the 2008 Summer Olympics have begun, I thought it would be a good time to find some articles about darts and the Olympics....

World champions Phil Taylor and Andy Fordham say it is about time darts was recognised as a sport and included in the Olympic Games.

Liberal Democrat MP Bob Russell has launched a campaign aimed at achieving both these aims.

And Taylor, the defending Professional Darts Corporation champion, said: "It's about time because we really have worked hard for this. (full article...)

Yes, says thirteen-times World Darts champion Phil 'The Power' Taylor

By the summer of 2012 I am not sure if I will still be playing darts at a professional level, but I know I will be looking forward to the Olympic Games in London. And, as another world darts championship ended this week - with us gaining as much publicity as ever - the time is right for our sport to become part of the world's greatest sports show.

(full article...)

Darts steps up to the oche to stake claim for Olympics

By Ian Herbert
Monday, 2 October 2006

From Jocky Wilson to Andy Fordham, its belt-busting legends have hardly exuded an image of Olympia. But the sport of darts is to stake its claim to a place in the 2012 Games by opening its first British academy of excellence.

The location of this latest example of fast-tracking tomorrow's sporting heroes is a room above a bar on a main road out of Hull. But the man behind the scheme, John "JJ" Gibbs, says that swilling lager will not be one of the skills on his six-week programme for 7- to 18-year-olds which starts next month. Instead, his protégés will learn such skills as how to stand at the oche for the best throwing position and how to calculate the best finish in three darts. The only drinks available will be soft. (full article...)

Let's play darts - at the Olympics...

The time for talking has stopped. It is time for darts to take its rightful place at the Olympic Games.

A fortnight ago, Raymond van Barneveld's epic win over 13-times champion Phil Taylor in the PDC final was hailed as the best ever battle of the oche.

Then on Sunday, five million people tuned in as two 50-year-old veterans slugged it out in the BDO version and trumped it for pure drama. (full article...)



DARTS IN FIT STATE TO EARN OLYMPIC CALL' SAYS ADAMS

MARTIN ADAMS is ready to back a new bid to bring darts to the Olympic Games.

England captain Adams believes such a triumph would be the perfect incentive for young players.

Adams, 50, the top seed at the Lakeside World Championships in Surrey, said: "I would love to see darts in the Olympics.

(full article...)

Phil Taylor - greatest shot ever?

Taylor Bullseye Hailed

PHIL TAYLOR'S winning bullseye at the Stan James World Matchplay has been hailed as 'the greatest dart ever thrown'.

more...

PHIL TAYLOR'S winning bullseye at the World Matchplay final was the greatest dart EVER thrown.

That’s according to Sky Sports commentator Sid Waddell after the 13-times world champ hit a 132 checkout in his win over James Wade last Saturday.

Waddell said: “Phil Taylor is now defying the laws of physics the way he throws darts.

“Since he changed his darts on March 1 he is a more sophisticated player. He can actually get a dart to change direction just millimetres before it hits the board. (full article...)

Incredible Taylor Claims Ninth World Matchplay

PHIL TAYLOR was left in tears after winning the Stan James World Matchplay for a ninth time with an 18-9 destruction of James Wade.

Wade, the defending champion, led 7-4 in his bid for a first victory over the Stoke legend in a final - only to fall victim to an incredible performance as Taylor averaged almost 110 to take the £60,000 first prize.


(full article...)

PHIL TAYLOR 17-8 DENNIS PRIESTLEY - Stan James World Matchplay Semi-Finals

PHIL TAYLOR bulldozed his way into the final of the Stan James World Matchplay with a scintillating 17-8 win over Dennis Priestley.

Taylor produced one of the most heavy-scoring games in the history of the tournament, hitting 12 180s and setting up three potential nine-darters - missing double 12 on one occasion to see a £10,000 bonus elude him.
(full article...)

Stan James World Matchplay
Semi-Finals
Phil Taylor 17-8 Dennis Priestley
Wayne Mardle 5-17 James Wade

PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic - Sunday

PHIL TAYLOR claimed his fourth PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic title with a 13-7 win over James Wade at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. (full article...)

PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic
Semi-Finals
Phil Taylor 11-2 Roland Scholten
James Wade 11-8 Peter Manley

Final
Phil Taylor 13-7 James Wade

PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic - Saturday

PHIL TAYLOR survived a scare from Adrian Gray before booking his place in the semi-finals of the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic.

Taylor was knocked out of last year's SkyBet World Grand Prix by Gray, and the youngster threatened another upset when he took a 3-1 lead. (full story...)

PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic VII
Quarter-Final
Roland Scholten 11-2 Mervyn King
Phil Taylor 11-4 Adrian Gray
James Wade 11-7 Andy Hamilton
Alan Tabern 8-11 Peter Manley

PHIL TAYLOR vs DENNIS PRIESTLEY

PHIL TAYLOR 8-4 DENNIS PRIESTLEY

PHIL TAYLOR saw off old foe Dennis Priestley 8-4 to march into the quarter-finals of the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic.

Taylor was in merciless form to see off Kevin Painter in round one, and produced some ruthless finishing and remain on course for a fourth Desert Classic title.(full story...)

PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic VII
Second Round
James Wade 8-5 Mark Walsh
Peter Manley 8-6 Adrian Lewis
Andy Hamilton 8-7 Jelle Klaasen
Roland Scholten 8-6 Terry Jenkins
Phil Taylor 8-4 Dennis Priestley
Alan Tabern 8-4 Raymond van Barneveld
Adrian Gray 8-3 Sam Rooney
Mervyn King 8-6 Darin Young

Quarter-Final Order of Play
Roland Scholten v Mervyn King
Phil Taylor v Adrian Gray
James Wade v Andy Hamilton
Alan Tabern v Peter Manley
Best of 21 legs
Play begins at 11am on Saturday (7pm BST)

Unicorn - News: Phil Taylor has rewritten the darting history books yet again

Phil Taylor has rewritten the darting history books yet again – clinching a third consecutive Premier League crown in style at the Brighton Centre…..and with it a winners cheque for £75,000.

It all started in his hometown of Stoke back in February 2005 and now 44 unbeaten matches later, Taylor completed his Premier League hat-trick beating Terry Jenkins in the final.

The predicted Taylor/Barney showdown failed to materialize, as the Dutchman failed in the semi-finals yet again and Barneveld left the arena before the final – a hugely disappointed man.


Semi-finals:

Raymond Van Barneveld 10-11 Terry Jenkins

Phil Taylor 11-6 Dennis Priestley

Losers - £30,000

Final:

Phil Taylor 16-6 Terry Jenkins

Winner - £75,000

Unicorn - News: Phil Taylor has rewritten the darting history books yet again

Irish Examiner: Breaking News: Premier League darts comes to a climax this weekend

The 2007 Holsten Premier League Darts will reach a climax with the play-offs on Bank Holiday Monday - with Phil Taylor on course for a third successive title.

Taylor has won the tournament for the past two years and went through the 14-week league phase of the event unbeaten to top the table heading to the Brighton Centre.

The 13-time World Champion meets Dennis Priestley in the semi-finals on Monday, with the winner facing either Raymond van Barneveld or Terry Jenkins to claim the prize.
Irish Examiner: Breaking News: Premier League darts comes to a climax this weekend

Unicorn - News: YANKEE DOODLE TAYLOR!

Phil Taylor took the States by storm to be crowned the first ever US Open champion after a blistering darting display against his arch-rival Raymond Van Barneveld.

‘The Power’ produced surge after surge in a dominant performance and Barney just couldn’t respond, with Taylor winning by 4 sets to 1 to take the £12,500 winners cheque.

He’d earlier accounted for Kevin Painter, Mervyn King and John Part on his way to the final at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut.

Unicorn - News: YANKEE DOODLE TAYLOR!

Planet Darts - Taylor Wins PDC US Open: Results

Taylor Wins PDC US Open PHIL TAYLOR defeated Raymond van Barneveld 4-1 to win the inaugural PDC US Open title at the Mohegan Sun Casino, Connecticut. The 13-time World Champion was close to his imperious best throughout the weekend, battling through from a field of over 230 players to claim the £12,500 winner's cheque.

PDC US Open
Fifth Round - Last 16

Phil Taylor	3-2	Kevin Painter
Mervyn King	3-2	Wayne Mardle
Mick McGowan	0-3	John Part
Peter Manley	0-3	Ronnie Baxter
Raymond van Barneveld	3-0	Barrie Bates
Roland Scholten	3-1	Wayne Jones
Dennis Priestley	1-3	Andy Hamilton
Jim Widmayer	1-3	Mark Dudbridge

Losers £3,000

Quarter-Finals

Phil Taylor	3-0	Mervyn King
John Part	3-0	Ronnie Baxter
Raymond van Barneveld	3-0	Roland Scholten
Andy Hamilton	3-0	Mark Dudbridge

Losers £4,000

Semi-Finals

Phil Taylor	3-1	John Part
Raymond van Barneveld	3-1	Andy Hamilton

Losers £5,000

Final - Best of Seven Sets, Best of Three Legs per Set

Phil Taylor

4-1

Raymond van Barneveld

Winner £12,500
Runner-Up £7,500

Planet Darts - World Darts Challenge Win For Barney & Johnny K

World Darts Challenge Win For Barney & Johnny K

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD and John Kuczynski won the World Darts Challenge 14-11 against Phil Taylor and Ray Carver at the Mohegan Sun.

The inaugural event saw the world's two best players team up with the top stars from America for the Fox Sports-broadcasted event. Planet Darts - World Darts Challenge Win For Barney & Johnny K

Planet Darts - PDC Trio Progress But Taylor Misses Out

A DEFEAT to Michael van Gerwen saw Phil Taylor drop out of the Topic International Darts League as the final Second Round group games were played on Thursday.

The top two players from each group progress to Friday's Quarter-Finals, with only Mark Webster going into the third set of Round Two games assured of a last eight place.

Topic International Darts League
Thursday Results
Tony O'Shea 7-5 Wayne Mardle
Michael van Gerwen 7-6 Phil Taylor
Raymond van Barneveld 7-6 Darryl Fitton
Adrian Lewis 7-4 Simon Whitlock
Gary Anderson 7-3 Mark Dudbridge
Gary Robson 7-5 Martin Adams
James Wade 7-4 Scitt Waites
Mark Webster 7-4 Tony Eccles

Quarter-Final Matches
Gary Anderson v James Wade
Darryl Fitton v Adrian Lewis
Tony O'Shea v Raymond van Barneveld
Mark Webster v Gary Robson

IDL JOY FOR LEWIS + WADE AS TAYLOR TUMBLES OUT
11 May 2007

Unicorn young guns James Wade and Adrian Lewis produced two of the best performances of their careers to book their places in the quarter-finals of the International Darts League.

But star man Phil Taylor is out of the tournament in Holland…..a dramatic defeat to Michael Van Gerwen, combined with Raymond Van Barneveld’s last leg victory over Darryl Fitton, sent Taylor home.
Unicorn - News