Taylor Wins Classic Semi

PHIL TAYLOR 6-5 WAYNE MARDLE
(3-2, 3-2, 3-1, 1-3, 1-3, 2-3, 2-3, 3-2, 2-3, 3-1, 3-1)

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PHIL TAYLOR edged out Wayne Mardle 6-5 to move into the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship final following a fantastic encounter at the Circus Tavern.

The 12-time champion looked on course for a simple win when he led 3-0, but Mardle stormed back to win the next four sets and lead.

The Essex star also went 5-4 up but Taylor battled his way back to take the game into a decider and held his nerve to set up a final against Peter Manley on Monday.

"I'm absolutely shattered, what a match," said Taylor. "Once it got to five-all, I thought it was going all the way to a tie break.

"I had to dig in but I never thought I was going to lose and I don't think I've ever felt this proud of myself."

Taylor won the opening set of the match in dramatic fashion, with both players missing a host of doubles before the Stoke man landed double top at the 11th attempt.

He also won the second set 3-2 and moved into a 3-0 lead in the game by coming from a leg down to win the third.

Mardle began his fightback by taking the fourth set 3-1, and roared 'I'm not finished yet' after landing the winning double.

He took the next set 3-1 with a 76 checkout and, though Taylor hit back with a 123 finish in the sixth Mardle's momentum saw him power through to level matters.

Incredibly, the Romford fans favourite then went ahead by stepping in to win the seventh set after Taylor missed the bullseye for a 121 finish.

Mardle could - and should - have extended his lead to 5-3, but paid the penalty when he missed four darts to win the set and Taylor hit back to square the game again.

After losing the opening leg of the ninth set, Mardle then broke Taylor's throw and subsequently landed a 112 checkout on his way to a 5-4 lead.

Taylor dug deep to win the tenth set 3-1 and move the tie into a decider, echoing his final against Kevin Painter two years ago which went to the wire.

After breaking Mardle's throw to win the first leg, Taylor then moved 2-0 up after his opponent was unable to land his favoured double 18.

Mardle took the third leg with double top, but it was Taylor who hit the same bed to seal a remarkable win.

"It was as tough as the final against Kevin," admitted the 45-year-old. "The difference was that Kevin was so far in front I had to come back, but Wayne kept coming back at me.

"Every time I tried to kick he kicked bigger. I'd hit 140 and he'd follow it with a big shot.

"I think he's become a man in darting terms now."

Taylor defeated Manley in the 1999 and 2002 World Championship finals, and he said: "It's going to be a cracking final.

"I so badly want a 13th World Championship and even if I'd won 6-0 today I'd have celebrated just was much. Bring it on."

The defeat saw Mardle bow out at the semi-final stage for the third successive year, and he said: "You cannot keep him down, he's brilliant.

"I missed chances, but if Phil was at his best he may have won more convincingly. I hit crucial doubles but I did miss too many crucial doubles.

"When it was 3-0 I knew I should have won two of the sets and I thought my chances were still as good as any.

"He threw a couple of legs away but the thing was that I was there to clean up when he did, and people are not normally there to do that against him.

"I was there to take him but if you give him a chance he'll take it. He showed his class but I know I can win this now."

Match Stats