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‘The Hammer’ won in the last leg, while Taylor won a wonderful match – beating Gary Anderson 13-11.

It was high quality stuff between the respective PDC and BDO No.1 stars. After five legs, Anderson had already hit three 180s, a 120 finish and led 3-2, despite two maximums from Taylor and a 118 check-out.

It was that good! A 74 from Taylor gave him the first break of the semi-final and he went 5-3 in front….back came Anderson, with 180 No.7 and a 134 and it was the turn of the Scot to lead 7-6. It was thrilling fare but the big moment came in the 15th leg, when Taylor broke the Anderson throw to lead 8-7.

From that moment, the two darting heavyweights traded punches on the stage at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall and from then, every single leg went with throw! Anderson missed one dart at double 10 to make it 10 apiece and Taylor dug in to clinch his win and his place in an all Stoke Final.

Taylor said: “It was difficult, because he was banging in the big scores all the time and I had to use all my experience out there. I hit the right the right shots at the right times.”

He added: “I was surprisingly relaxed considering how big the match was but I was just concentrating on winning my legs, knowing that would see me into the final.”

What a moment for Unicorn ‘Contender’ Andy Hamilton, as he reached his first ever ‘Major’ TV Final at the fourth attempt….and what a match, as Hamilton held his nerve to edge out youngster Kevin McDine in a last leg shoot-out.

“Phew!” admitted Hamilton. “That was close but I knew I could get across that finishing line. Kevin played superbly and I just had a feeling, half-way through the match that it may go down to the wire. It was then up to me, because I had to break his throw and when he made that mistake in the final leg, I just seized my chance.”

He added: “It’s a great feeling to finally reach a big final. I will enjoy every minute of the experience and I truly believe that I can win the Grand Slam.”

It was pure darting drama….terrific tungsten tension. That last lag decider came down to a battle of nerves. McDine had the throw and they were both sat on a finish but ‘Supermac’ blew his big chance. He needed 67, hit 17 to leave 50 and needed a single ten, which would have left him a dart at tops to win it…..but he hit a single 15 and Hamilton had his chance.

‘The Hammer’ stepped up to nail double 16 to end a nail-biting semi-final.

The first six legs went with throw, before McDine hit brilliant back-to-back finishes of 130 and 136. Hamilton responded in style, reeling off four consecutive legs to go ahead for the first time.

It was nip and tuck, before McDine won three legs on the spin to go 10-9 in front. The next five legs went with throw, including a 118 from McDine and a brilliant 81 from the Stokey to make it 12 apiece.

But Hamilton deserves his big chance in a big final….it remains to be seen whether there is a fairytale finish to a perfect week. ‘The Hammer’ hit four 180s and under the circumstances, his 94.30 average was superb….and he is now guaranteed the biggest pay day of his career – at least £35,000 – for reaching the final.

So, all-Unicorn, all-Stoke…..it’s ‘The Power’ against ‘The Hammer’ for the right to be crowned the first Grand Slam Champion and the little matter of that £80,000 winner’s cheque.

Semi-Final results:

Andy Hamilton 13-12 Kevin McDine

Phil Taylor 13-11 Gary Anderson

Losers - £15,000

Final/Sunday at 3.30pm live on ITV1 (best of 35 legs)

Andy Hamilton v Phil Taylor

BY STUART PYKE