Taylor produces stunning comeback in final Belfast appearance

Phil Taylor salutes the crowd in his final competitive appearance in Belfast. Credit: Philip Fitzpatrick.

By Gary Ellis

Phil Taylor’s final Premier League appearance in Belfast was one to remember as the 16-times world champion thrilled the sell-out 7,000 crowd at The SSE Arena on Thursday night, with a stunning comeback against Gary Anderson.

The Power was 4-0 down and heading to a crushing defeat, but he reeled off an incredible seven legs on the spin to record a 7-4 victory.

Taylor won over the fans who had raised the roof for their favourite Anderson.

“To be honest I thought I was heading to a 7-0 defeat,” said Taylor. “Gary was playing well, but I started to hit the treble 20 bed and clawed my way back into it.

“I hit a nine-darter in the practice room with Adrian Lewis, but that does not mean anything – you have to produce the form out here in front of the crowd,” added Taylor who was adamant this was his last competitive game in Belfast.

Taylor was denied a Belfast double as Dave Chisnall won the last clash of the night 7-2.

Indeed, it was Chisnall who claimed two vital wins by following up a 7-3 win over Adrian Lewis.

Michael Van Gerwen remains top of the table thanks to a 7-2 win in his all-Dutch clash with Raymond Van Barneveld who was celebrating his 50th birthday.

The pair shared the game's opening four legs - with Van Barneveld powering in a 140 checkout in leg two and Van Gerwen hitting back with an 11-darter in the third - before the world number one pulled clear.

Double eight moved Van Gerwen back ahead before he broke throw for the first time on double ten, a 14-darter opened up a 5-2 lead, a 92 finish with two double 18s secured a minimum of a point and double eight completed the triumph.

"It was a good win and I did the job tonight," said Van Gerwen. "I expected Raymond to play better on his birthday but there was only one winner tonight.

"He was not himself, I think it had to do with his birthday and the game against me put a bit of pressure on him on this day and he wasn't as focused.

"I love to play well and that keeps me motivated. I've been top for the last three years and I want to do it again."

Van Gerwen remains two points clear of Peter Wright, whose Play-Off challenge continued with a 7-3 win over James Wade.

Wright - using a new set of darts on stage - also shared the opening four legs before three in a row moved him clear, and though Wade responded with an 81 finish, the UK Open champion took the next two for victory.

"It wasn't the best performance but it's a win, two points and it keeps me in the top four," said Wright. "Getting the win was the aim tonight and I did that.

"I did enough to get the win but neither of us were at our best. I've been practising with these darts for a couple of weeks and felt good with them, but they didn't go like I thought they would tonight."

Thursday night'sc scores in the Betway Premier League:

  • Dave Chisnall 7-3 Adrian Lewis

  • Phil Taylor 7-4 Gary Anderson

  • Peter Wright 7-3 James Wade

  • Michael van Gerwen 7-2 Raymond van Barneveld

  • Dave Chisnall 7-2 Phil Taylor