Colin Lloyd finally got the better of his nemesis Phil Taylor at the UK Open Irish Regional on Sunday but just missed out on the title! Unicorn’s World No.1 was in great form all day but ran into an inspired Raymond Van Barneveld in the final…..Barney - the current UK Open Champion – got the better of Lloyd by 2 sets to 1. Earlier, Lloyd had ended his long barren spell against Taylor in style….winning their quarter-final by 5 legs to 2…..he hardly missed against ‘The Power’ and double 18 took the match. Afterwards, Taylor had no complaints admitting he was beaten by: “A Colin Lloyd back to his best!” Lloyd then came from behind to win a thrilling semi-final against Terry Jenkins. He was a set down and a leg down after Jenkins took out 154 – but stormed back to set up the final against Barney. “I am not too disappointed,” said Lloyd. “I know that I am in really good shape for the World Grand Prix and I want that title back.” Barneveld had a few close shaves along the way before winning the tournament and a cheque for £4,000. He just beat Team Unicorn’s Wes Newton 5-4 at the last 16 stage. In the final though, he produced his best darts of the day. Lloyd started the final with a 180 but the Dutch star then reeled off two 13-darters and a 12 dart leg to take the opening set, which included 160 and 100 check-outs. Lloyd hit back to level the match by taking the 2nd set. The turning point came in the opening leg of the deciding set. Lloyd missed four darts to take it and was made to pay, as Barneveld banged in a brilliant 144. From that moment, Barney wasn’t going to be stopped and hit double six to end Lloyd’s dream day. Andy Hamilton took out John Part on his way to the quarter-finals, where he was edged out 5-4 by Roland Scholten. Kevin Painter, James Wade, Adrian Lewis, Bob Anderson and Peter Manley were all beaten at the last 32 stage. Results – Last 32: Paul Watton 5-3 Kevin Painter Mark Lawrence 5-2 Steve Hine Wes Newton 5-1 James Wade Raymond Van Barneveld 5-4 Jason Clark Dennis Priestley 5-0 Adrian Lewis Roland Scholten 5-3 Tom Kirby Andy Hamilton 5-3 John Part Andy Jenkins 5-3 Wayne Jones Andy Smith 5-4 Sean Palfrey Phil Taylor 5-0 Bob Anderson Colin Lloyd 5-0 Steve Beaton Denis Ovens 5-1 Peter Manley Alan Warriner 4-5 Terry Jenkins Steve Maish 5-3 Dave Askew Barrie Bates 5-2 Wayne Mardle Mick McGowan 5-4 Gary Welding Last 16: Paul Watton 4-5 Mark Lawrence Raymond Van Barneveld 5-4 Wes Newton Roland Scholten 5-3 Dennis Priestley Andy Hamilton 5-3 Andy Jenkins Phil Taylor 5-2 Andy Smith Colin Lloyd 5-4 Denis Ovens Terry Jenkins 5-0 Steve Maish Mick McGowan 5-2 Barrie Bates Losers £300 + 8 ranking points Quarter-finals: Raymond Van Barneveld 5-0 Mark Lawrence Phil Taylor 2-5 Colin Lloyd Roland Scholten 5-4 Andy Hamilton Mick McGowan 2-5 Terry Jenkins Losers £500 + 10 points Semi-finals (sets): Raymond Van Barneveld 2-0 Roland Scholten (3-1, 3-0) Colin Lloyd 2-1 Terry Jenkins (1-3, 3-2, 3-2) Losers £1,000 + 12 points Final: Raymond Van Barneveld 2-1 Colin Lloyd (3-1, 1-3, 3-0) Winner: £4,000 + 20 points Runner up: £2,000 +16 points BY STUART PYKE
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