Новости Unicorn

Lloyd out-scored Taylor for long periods during their quarter-final clash in Utrecht but finishing was the big difference. It is arguably the best Unicorn’s World No.1 has played against ‘The Power’ but ultimately it still wasn’t good enough.

Both players averaged just over 98 and Taylor won three of the sets by 3 legs to 2 but he was awesome on the finishing in front of a strangely subdued crowd over in Holland.

Taylor took the first set with a 116 check-out and was soon three sets up thanks to three ton plus finishes on the bull….when he banged in a 123 to win that third set, all Lloyd could do was smile, with the realisation that it just wasn’t going to be his night.

So, the jinx goes on……Lloyd still hasn’t beaten the 13 times World Champion in a major tournament but on this evidence, he is getting closer.

‘Jaws’ deservedly took the fourth set but in the end it was mere consolation, because Taylor came out firing after the break and booked his place in the semi-finals on Saturday afternoon against either Ronnie Baxter or Mike Veitch.

A lot of darts fans believe the ‘Dream Final’ would see Taylor against teenage sensation Michael Van Gerwen…..and it is still on, after the 17-year-old produced a miraculous comeback to beat Mervyn King in a thriller.

Van Gerwen felt the full force of King’s armoury, as he looked down and out trailing 4 sets to 2…..King missed a dart for the match in the 7th set but you just cant write the young man off!

He won the last three sets with an amazing twenty minutes of top tungsten, which had the Dutch fans in raptures.

Van Gerwen has now beaten Raymond Van Barneveld, Simon Whitlock and King. He will face either Martin Adams or Niels de Ruiter in the semi-finals.

So, while Taylor is left to chase the big prize, Lloyd is now hoping to re-arrange his travel plans so he can fly to Ireland on Friday to play this weekend in the category one Ireland Open Classic.

And we have seen enough signs this week that Lloyd is getting back to something like his best.
Thursday’s Quarter-Final results:

Mervyn King 4-5 Michael Van Gerwen
Phil Taylor 5-1 Colin Lloyd

BY STUART PYKE