Darts: Taylor on top of the world

by Matt Bozeat

POTTERIES hero Phil 'The Power' Taylor tore up the record books as he reclaimed the PDC Ladbrokes.com World Championship last night.

Taylor had missed out on darts' biggest prize for the last two years – but last night ended his wait for world title number 14 with a 7-1 thrashing of Ray van Barneveld at Alexandra Palace that avenged his defeat in the 2007 final.

His three-dart average of 110.94 was the highest in the 16-year history tournament and confirmed he is in the best form of his record-breaking career.

Taylor has now won more world titles than the combined tallies of Eric Bristow, Van Barneveld and John Lowe – widely considered the next three greatest players in the history of the sport.

"This was so satisfying after not winning the world championship for the last two years," said the 48-year-old, from Bradwell. "I had to get that out of my system.

"There's been a photograph of me with the trophy on my mantle piece for the last two years.

"Being stuck on 13 world titles was no good for me. I had to get it off my back.

"I want as many world titles as I can get. As Barry Hearn said to me afterwards, 14 world titles is good, but 15 is better."

Taylor again outlined the importance of his 8-3 defeat against Peter Manley in the Whyte & Mackay Premier League in Coventry last March in turning around his career.

He said: "That was the lowest I have ever been. He battered me and then rubbed my nose in it. He made me realise I was rubbish and that I had to get on the practice board and put things right.

"He helped me turn my career around and if I can find him, I will give him a kiss or buy him a car!"

Typically, Taylor found room for improvement in a performance.

He saw Barneveld scoop a £20,000 bonus for throwing a perfect nine-dart leg in his quarter-final thumping of Paul Nicholson and Taylor said: "I wanted to get one in the final.

"But it was still a great final. I feel sorry for Raymond because he didn't play badly, but one of us had to lose and I'm glad it wasn't me."

Meanwhile, Barneveld, who himself averaged more than 100, was in awe of Taylor's performance.

"I didn't have many chances and when I got them, I didn't take them," he said.

"Phil hit everything, so what can I do ? I averaged 101.50 and still lost 7-1.

"Whatever I'm doing I can't play at that level. I don't know how to beat this man. He is the greatest on earth."