Phil Taylor produced a stunning display to win the Bobby Bourn Players Championship for an amazing 5th consecutive year in Blackpool. It will be a massive confidence-booster for Taylor and the perfect preparation as he bids to defend his World Matchplay crown at the Winter Gardens.
‘The Power’ won an all-Unicorn final – beating former practice partner Adrian Lewis by 3 sets to 1….Lewis had earlier produced one of the performances of the day, beating World Champion Raymond Van Barneveld in the quarter-finals. The youngster then won six straight legs to whitewash Alan Tabern in the semi-finals, before falling at the final hurdle.
Taylor didn’t drop a set until the quarter-finals, sweeping past Unicorn youngster Kirk Shepherd, Jason Clark, Chris Thompson and Steve Smith. He then came up against old adversary John Part and although he won 3-1, it was closer than the scoreline suggest. Part was again in good form throughout the event and his defeat by Taylor was the first time he’d lost a set.
Taylor was given a real run for his money in the semi-finals – edging out in-form Welshman Wayne Atwood by 3 sets to 2.
In the final, Lewis had his chances but it was the same old story – too many missed doubles. Taylor took the opening set with ease, before Lewis hit back with the help of a 12 darter and two 180s……he did have chances after that but Taylor does what Taylor does best – punishing his opponent for missing doubles – and he never looked in any real danger – to claim his 5th Bobby Bourn title.
There were mixed fortunes for the rest of Team Unicorn. Barrie Bates enjoyed a great run to the quarter-finals but came unstuck against Atwood. Bates had beaten Peter Manley in the 5th Round.
Colin Lloyd lost in the 4th Round, going down 3-2 against Alex Roy. In the 3rd Round, Colin Osborne lost 3-1 to Michael Van Gerwen….by the way, the Dutch youngster was then beaten by Mervyn King in round four.BY STUART PYKE
