Taylor beat Wayne Mardle in the final, after disposing of fellow Team Unicorn star Colin Lloyd in the semi’s.
It was a lot closer than the 2 sets to 0 scoreline suggests, as Mardle – in his first final for nearly a year – showed once again that he is getting back to something like his best.
Taylor won a last leg decider in the opening set after Mardle had just missed double 14 for a 148 finish. Both men had their chances in the second set but Taylor’s finishing won the day, the title and £5,000. Mardle had beaten Adrian Lewis, James Wade, Roland Scholten, Mervyn King and Vincent van der Voort to reach the final and his consolation is a cheque for £2,500.
Lloyd also pushed Taylor all the way in the semi-finals…..Taylor took the first set, before Lloyd hit back to take the match into a decider….again missed doubles proved to be crucial.
Lloyd won his quarter-final against Steve Beaton by 5 legs to 3, with the help of a 13-darter to take the match, while Taylor demolished Dennis Priestley 5-0 in their quarter-final.
It is Taylor’s second UK Open regional triumph, as he sets his sights on regaining the title he lost to Barneveld in Bolton in June.
Results – Quarter Finals (best of nine legs):
Colin Lloyd 5-3 Steve Beaton
Losers - £600
Semi-Finals (sets):
Phil Taylor 2-1 Colin Lloyd (3-0, 1-3, 3-1)
Losers - £1,250
Final (sets):
Phil Taylor 2-0 Wayne Mardle (3-2, 3-0)
BY STUART PYKE
