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‘The Power’ was switched off – Taylor losing a last leg shoot-out, as Barney edged it 11 legs to 10.

So, the dream of the darting grand slam is over for another year. If there is a crumb of comfort for Taylor, he has now reclaimed the World No.1 spot from Colin Lloyd, after his convincing 11-2 victory over ‘Jaws’ in the 5th Round.

Taylor and Barney produced a match of the highest quality….it really was thrill-a-minute stuff. Taylor was 6-2 up and looking ready to land the knock-out blow – but back came Barney, time and time again.

It means there will be a new name on the UK Open Trophy. Early on, Taylor led 3-2, after Barney missed some costly doubles. The match was turned on its head, when Barney found some consistency. He got it back to 6-4, before Taylor hit back in the next leg. Four legs on the spin gave Barney the lead for the first time in the match. ‘The Power’ produced a brilliant 124 bull finish to level it up again.

The pair exchanged blows like prize fighters to set up that amazing final leg. Taylor looked in control and turned down a bull finish on an 84 check-out, with Barney back on 202. He paid the price – missing three darts at double top. Barneveld stepped in to take out 97 and ‘The Power’ was switched off in Bolton.

Taylor said: “It was a great game and fair play to Raymond. I had my chance and blew it. That’s the way it goes sometimes but I’ll be back having a go at the next big tournament in Las Vegas.”

Taylor’s defeat completed a miserable day for Team Unicorn. Lloyd paid the price for missing 18 darts at doubles against ‘The Power’.

In the 5th round, John Part was 4-0 up against Andy Callaby and lost 11-9. Bob Anderson was no match for Barney – losing 11-3. Adrian Lewis’ tournament was ended by 65-year-old John Magowan 11-8.

5th Round results:

BOB ANDERSON 3-11 Raymond Van Barneveld
PHIL TAYLOR 11-2 COLIN LLOYD
Andy Callaby 11-9 JOHN PART
Alex Roy 11-9 Ronnie Baxter
Roland Scholten 5-11 Barrie Bates
Robbie Green 11-6 Terry Jenkins
John Magowan 11-8 ADRIAN LEWIS
Denis Ovens 10-11 Alan Tabern

Quarter-Final results:

PHIL TAYLOR 10-11 Raymond Van Barneveld
Alan Tabern 11-5 Andy Callaby
Robbie Green 8-11 John Magowan
Alex Roy 10-11 Barrie Bates

Semi-final draw:

Alan Tabern v Barrie Bates
Raymond Van Barneveld v John Magowan

BY STUART PYKE