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But Team Unicorn stablemate Colin Lloyd beat former BDO World Champion Ted Hankey, to set up a semi-final showdown against his great mate Roland Scholten.

Taylor was always playing catch up against ‘The Wizzard’. He was 3 sets to 1 down and 4-2 behind….in the end this dramatic semi-final went to the very last leg of the deciding set. At five sets and two legs apiece, Taylor missed one dart at the bull to win it and he missed another dart at the bull to clinch it in the sudden-death decider. Whitlock checked out 94 to claim a famous victory.

Both players averaged 101 in a quite brilliant game…..Whitlock nailed 12 180s to Taylor’s six.

‘The Power’was gracious in defeat: “I was disappointed to lose because I played well but fair play to Simon. That’s life…I’ll get back on the practice board and prepare for the next big one – the Premier League semi-final against Colin Lloyd.”

Whitlock admitted it was the best performance of his career….it had to be to upset Taylor.

Lloyd produced a battling display to beat Hankey 6 sets to 3. He lost the opening set but warmed to the task and produced 128 and 152 finishes to move 4-2 up. Although Hankey pegged back, Lloyd pressed his foot to the floor to seal victory.

He said: “I really am over the moon! It wasn’t spectacular but all that matters is the win. I really believe I can win this now.”

His semi-final against Scholten should be a cracker. The Dutchman beat England captain Martin Adams 6 sets to 4. From four sets each, Scholten reeled off four consecutive legs to wrap it up.

Raymond Van Barneveld won the all-Dutch battle against young star Michael Van Gerwen 6 sets to 3. It was another brilliant match….Barney averaging over 100 again but Van Gerwen showing yet again that he is destined for big things in the world of darts.

Van Gerwen twice hit seven perfect darts on his way to a 9-darter but experience told, as Barneveld held his nerve. The master finally putting the pupil in his place.

IDL quarter-final results (best of 11 sets):

Colin Lloyd 6-3 Ted Hankey

Raymond Van Barneveld 6-3 Michael Van Gerwen

Roland Scholten 6-4 Martin Adams

Phil Taylor 5-6 Simon Whitlock

Semi-Finals

Raymond Van Barneveld v Simon Whitlock

Colin Lloyd v Roland Scholten

BY STUART PYKE