For now, Taylor had somehow hung
on and won his second world-title
in perhaps the most satisfying
triumph of his career. Top arrows.
By Liam Newman
shot at double tops, but missed.
The excitement exploded though
as Taylor failed with his checkout
attempt to leave his opponent
with three darts to add his name
to the sport’s greatest prize.
Incredibly though, Gregory fluffed
it yet again with a single 20 and
two missed attempts at double
10. Taylor needed just one more
dart to take this classic contest to
its inevitable finale.
Once the crowd settled, the
two competitors threw for bull
to determine who would start
the most nail-biting leg of their
respective careers. Taylor went
first but was some way off;
Gregory stepped up and his the
bullseye. Advantage Mike.
The 53rd and conclusive leg
started with the cruellest of
bounce-outs for Gregory and
when Taylor retorted with a 140,
the balance of the championships
had been turned on its head.
Phil won the race to the double
and subsequently clinched the
title with his first match point at
double tops. Euphoria for Taylor
as he claimed his second title in
an absolute screamer of a final.
Gregory’s failure to finish the job
with six missed match winning
doubles made gave him the
unenviable title of becoming
the first (and only) man to ever
have a title-winning opportunity
and not go on to lift the trophy.
Meanwhile, highlight footage of
the match would soon be released
on a VHS (youngsters, ask your
parents) tape that many believe
was a huge contributing factor
towards the forthcoming split. But
that’s another story altogether.