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The tungsten sparks were flying, as Taylor sent out the perfect message ahead of the World Championship: “I’m back and I want my World title back!”

Andy Hamilton certainly wasn’t disgraced in the all-Unicorn affair and the scoreline doesn’t really reflect just how impressive ‘The Hammer’ was in his first ever TV Final….and he will be a better player for the experience.

Taylor was desperate to be the first man to win the Grand Slam crown and it was the best we have seen from the great man for a long time. If anyone thought that Taylor was past his best, then think again! He dished out a reminder that he is still the man to beat in any big tournament….and what a performance to end the longest barren spell of his golden career.

Both players set a phenomenal standard and both averaged over 100 after 29 legs of brilliant darts…..it really was that good…..Hamilton hit 13 180s with an end average of 101, while Taylor banged in seven maximums and averaged nearly 102.

But Taylor found the big shots, when it mattered, at the big moments of the final.

“It’s been a long time hasn’t it, since I won a big tournament and this means so much to me – it really does.”

He added: “Fair play to Andy because he played brilliantly considering this was his first big final and I am sure it is the first of many….but I wanted this, I needed this…..this is massive for me, absolutely massive.”

Hamilton was rightly proud of the way he performed. “I gave it my best shot,” he said. “The match got away from me in the middle legs but I still kept going. Phil was awesome but I will take a lot away from this experience. Now I have tasted the atmosphere of a big final, I want more and I will win one soon!”

For ten legs, it was gripping stuff, as Hamilton gave as good as he got….every leg went with throw and at that stage, both were averaging nearly 106. ‘The Hammer’ nailed three 180s in the first four legs and really threw everything at Taylor, who was forced to play at his optimum level. Taylor had to produce 11, 12 and 13 darters, just to hold onto his throw!

The turning point came in the 11th and 12th legs….Hamilton missed his chance to break the Taylor throw, and paid the price – as Taylor secured the vital first break of the final.

From 5-5, it was the start of that ‘Power’ surge….how many times have we seen it over the years in the really big finals?!

Taylor incredibly reeled off NINE consecutive legs to take him to the brink of victory. It was another Taylor darting masterclass and poor Hamilton couldn’t respond….however, his 9th 180 finally stopped the rot but Taylor led 14-6 and the damage had been done.

Hamilton refused to be bullied by Taylor and three more maximum’s in two legs finally saw him break the Taylor throw for the first time in the final in the 25th leg!

Taylor though, was biding his time….he missed two darts to win it 17-9 and 17-10, as Hamilton kept on coming back! Finally, double top secured the title and confirmed Taylor’s return to the top of the darting tree.

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And remember to check back with the Unicorn website, because we will bring you first news of the big draw for the World Championship, which is taking place at 3.30pm on Monday November 26 – live on Sky Sports News

BY STUART PYKE

Photo courtesy of Chris Sargeant