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‘The Power’ won the PDPA Players Championship event in Wales for a second consecutive year – but he was forced to work hard in the all-Unicorn Final, before finally beating James Wade 3 sets to 1.

It was a repeat of the World Matchplay Final and Wade again played some great stuff but lacked the killer instinct against an in-form Taylor. From one set apiece, Wade missed four darts to go 2-1 in front….and that, as they say was that. In the fourth set, Taylor hit a 13-dart leg and then took the match, the title and a cheque for £5,000 with a brilliant 120 check-out.

But Wade again showed just why he is being tipped for big things over the next 18 months. The young left-hander, who packed his job in to go full-time on the circuit, looked very good all day.

So did Andy Hamilton – until he came up against Wade in the semi-finals. ‘The Hammer’ failed to win a single leg, on what turned out to be another terrific tournament for Team Unicorn.

Wade collected £2,500 and 16 precious world ranking points. Hamilton’s run to the semi-finals saw him pocket £1,250 and 12 more points to push him further up the rankings.

Unicorn veteran Bob Anderson enjoyed a good run to the quarter-finals. He beat Kevin Painter 3-0 in the last 16, before becoming another of Wade’s victims by the same score. Wade also accounted for Unicorn stablemate John Part at the last 32 stage!

Wes Newton reached the last 16 – losing to Andy Hamilton….Adrian Lewis and Colin Lloyd both lost in the 4th Round…..Lewis went down 3-2 to Dave Askew, while Lloyd lost by the same score to World Championship semi-finalist Wayne Jones. ‘Jaws’ actually missed four darts to win the match.

Raymond Van Barneveld’s interest was ended in the 3rd Round by Wayne Mardle. Peter Manley lost in the 4th Round to Hamilton, Ray Carver was beaten in the 3rd Round by Mark Thomson and Michael Barnard lost in the 2nd Round to Andy Smith.

Results – Last 16:

Andy Smith 3-0 Josephus Schenk
Dennis Priestley 3-0 Dave Askew
Roland Scholten 3-0 Barrie Bates
Phil Taylor 3-0 Mark Walsh
Wayne Mardle 3-1 Steve Smith
Andy Hamilton 3-1 Wes Newton
Bob Anderson 3-0 Kevin Painter
James Wade 3-0 Wayne Jones

Losers £300 + 8 ranking points

Quarter-finals:

Dennis Priestley 3-0 Andy Smith
Phil Taylor 3-0 Roland Scholten
Andy Hamilton 3-1 Wayne Mardle
James Wade 3-0 Bob Anderson

Losers £600 + 10 ranking points

Semi-finals:

Phil Taylor 3-1 Dennis Priestley
James Wade 3-0 Andy Hamilton

Losers £1,250 + 12 ranking points

Final:

Phil Taylor 3-1 James Wade

Winner £5,000 + 20 ranking points
Runner-up £2,500 + 16 ranking points

BY STUART PYKE