Toeing the Oche'

Danny, the head man at the Roxy, writes, “The Lord of Darts is back but Roxy still lost a beer-game having a check-out when the other team having 500. Roxy lost it (the beer leg) due to the Lord himself. Being so pessimistic his fear spread through the team. We are all waiting for the “real coach” to come back.” You can check out Pattaya dart league action by going to http://sanmig. leaguerepublic.com/. How about that?

Hard to type sarcasms but that’s what “shocker in Ireland” is. It would come as a surprise to no one that Phil Taylor warmed up for the Skybet World Grand Prix with a win in the Sunday version of the Irish Players Championship. There was a shocker as Adrian Lewis did capture the Saturday event 6-4 over Andy Hamilton and took the £6,000. Taylor was over powering as he went 24-6 in his last four matches. It would also come as no surprise that Taylor has odds on fav for the £350,000 Skybet. World Grand Prix. Taylor has won the event 8 times and losing 3. Those loses all came in the first round which is a est of three set’s. “it’s a format that challenges us all”, said Taylor.

Even with the able assistance of the Old Dart Coach it is impossible to devise a story line for Phil Taylor’s ninth Skybet World Grand Prix Championships. The scene of the slaughter was Dublin’s Citywest Hotel and an almost world wide TV audience. The £100,000 first plave check will boost Taylor’s winnings for 2009 past the £500,000 mark. Taylor did have a slight sturggle in the final against Raymond van Barneveld, who he bested in this tournament last year. The two players met in the final of this year’s Las Vegas Desert Classic with Taylor coming out on top with a easy win. After 2 sets it didn’t appear that Taylor would repete. Taylor found himself down 2 sets to nil in the race for 6. The ODC would write, “Taylor had Barney right where he wanted him.”

The World Grand Prix is unique as it’s the only PDC tour stop that requires a double to start and finish. Old timers will remember the gnashing of teeth when the none gone North American Open wa sa double start and finish. Taylor found himself down 0-2 because he missed 11 darts to open in the firstset with the score tied at 2. In the second set Taylor, again tied at 2, missed one to finish which allowed Barney to hit double top for a 2-0 lead. From that point forward it was all Taylor as he annexed 6 of the next 7 sets going 20-7 in legs. Taylor won 3 sets 3-0 including the final still Barney averaged 86.62 which is not too “chablis’ considering the double/ double format. Taylor’s average was 97.07. Both players tossed 9 maximum’s with Taylor winning 6 matches against the darts. To the surprise of no one Phil Taylor now holds all major PDC ranking titles. Reminded by the ODC to report that of course Taylor said, “I’m over the moon.” Who would have thunk it?