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It all came down to a final leg shoot-out after a rollercoaster ride….3 sets all, 2 legs all and unbelievable tension….but it was Barney who held his nerve to finally nail double 9 and Taylor looked totally gutted at the end.

Both players averaged 99 and the match produced 23 180s…..13 to Barneveld and 10 to Taylor. Unicorn’s star man actually missed one dart at double 14 in the 4th leg of that dramatic final set to win the match.

Barneveld will take on Team Unicorn ace John Part in the final, after the Canadian came from two sets down to beat Wes Newton 4-2.

Taylor though, will be hurting because this rivalry is going to dominate the darting world for many years to come. It is the second time in just three weeks that Taylor has suffered heartache at the hands of Barney…who can forget that memorable quarter-final at the UK Open in Bolton, which also went all the way. Taylor missing three darts to win it and the Dutchman nailing a 97 finish to triumph 11 legs to 10.

This time it was just as close, with the pendulum swinging one way, then the other. Taylor went two sets up, despite hitting only 3 doubles from 16 attempts in the first set. He looked to be on course for the final but Barneveld had other ideas. The Dutch star took the third set…only just, after Taylor just missed a 160 check-out to make it 3-0.

A ‘Power’ surge restored Taylor’s advantage, as he took the fifth set by 3 legs to 1. That included a brilliant recovery when he needed 81. He hit single one but raised the roof with double top, double top and at that stage he appeared to be unstoppable.

But you never write off Raymond Van Barneveld and as the temperatures soared at the Mandalay Bay, ‘The Man’ proved he was just that! He took the match into a 7th set and started the decider with a jaw dropping 148 finish. Taylor was now feeling the pressure but won the 3rd leg against the throw and needed just one more for victory. Barneveld though held it together and his 13th maximum set up a shot for double three to take it all the way.

Barneveld missed three golden chances before striking the jackpot with that double 9 to take his place in the final of the Desert Classic V.

The Dutchman was ecstatic: “ What a match and what a player Phil is! But I proved I have the belief and I always believed. I just kept telling myself to keep battling away and it was an incredible feeling when that winning dart went in!”

Taylor was hugely disappointed. “He finished better than me and took out some quality shots under pressure. It was a terrific game. Raymond has been great for the sport since he switched over. It has certainly given me fresh enthusiasm and I will have to practice even harder.”

Sadly, we won’t get another showdown at the World Matchplay later this month, because Barney failed to qualify for Blackpool.

John Part produced another virtuoso performance to reach his first major final, since losing to Unicorn stablemate Colin Lloyd in Blackpool last year. He held his nerve and composure to beat Wes Newton in another gripping encounter.

It is the 2nd time Part has reached the Las Vegas final. In 2003, he lost to Peter Manley and he knows he will have to be at his very best, if he is to go one step further and claim the big prize this time.

He celebrated his 40th birthday earlier in the week and celebrated Canada Day with a gutsy display to oust Newton, despite making a slow start…after losing those opening two sets, there was no stopping him.

Part won 12 of the next 15 legs to claim a memorable victory and guarantee himself precious ranking points and at least £7,500.

In the 6th set, his 6th maximum set up the victory shot and he hit double 9 after Newton had missed four darts to save the match.

“It was a good fightback,” admitted the Canadian. “I hit some great finishes and played good darts after a shaky start. It is a great feeling to be in a major final again. Now I have just got to go out there and give it to Barney!”

So, Taylor has certainly met his match and now it’s Barney against Part for the title, in what should be a tremendous finale to the Desert Classic V.

BY STUART PYKE