Phil Taylor walks off the stage for the final time to the soundtrack of Coldplay’s Viva la Vida – a song, as the band put it, about “a king who has lost his kingdom”. Meanwhile Rob Cross, a Sussex pub player the last time Taylor won this title and a virtual unknown even a year ago, is the new leader of the darting world. That he took the crown in such ruthless, relentless fashion only adds to the seismic nature of the night. The Power is out, and Rob ‘Voltage’ Cross is king. That’s all from me; thanks for reading and emailing. Goodnight.
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A final word from Rob Cross. “It was a dream to play Phil in the final. You won’t see another sportsman like him.” Or will we?
Phil Taylor speaks, barely audible over the crowd: “Rob was relentless, like I was 25 years ago. He’s a lot like myself, he’s dedicated. The players have got a big problem now. It’s not about the money for him, it’s about the winning, he’s like me in that way.”
“The way he started, I thought I would lose 7-0. I tried to push him, make him think, but it didn’t happen. It was an old man and a young man, and it was a mismatch really.”
Rob Cross speaks: “I’ve won my first world title, but tonight is all about Phil Taylor. Everything he’s done for the game, I hope he enjoys his retirement.” Taylor has written ‘Thank you. Thank you. Loved it’ on a piece of paper. What an odd moment this is.
@niallmcveigh The King is dead, long live The King.
— worker bee (@snice1) January 1, 2018
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Phil Taylor receives his runner-up prize and is given a long, hearty send-off by the crowd. Now it’s Rob Cross’s moment, as he receives the trophy. He lets Taylor lift it up too, which is a very nice gesture. I don’t think Van Gerwen would have done that.
A strange moment after Cross sealed this most incredible victory, as the debutant made sure to let the departing Taylor have his moment. We’ll hear from both players shortly.
Rob Cross is the new PDC world darts champion!
Treble 18. Hit. A second treble 18. Hit. Double 16 for the title. He’s taken it. Phil Taylor has been thrashed. Absolutely incredible.
Rob Cross is throwing for the title – but his first throw is poor, and Taylor rattles in a maximum! He’s not done yet, but Cross rallies brilliantly with three, count ‘em, treble 18s. He’s on a 140 finish, Taylor waiting on 50...
Ninth set: Cross 2-0 Taylor (Cross leads 6-2 in sets) Taylor’s attempted mind games have only distracted himself – he quickly falls behind on his own throw, and Cross is closing in. He misses two darts at double 16, but Taylor is adrift on 204 – but a 180 puts the pressure on. Big moment now – and he takes it on his first dart. I think that’s game over.
Ninth set: Cross 1-0 Taylor (Cross leads 6-2 in sets and throws first) Is it time for the former electrician to put The Power out? He starts strong with 134, but Taylor sticks with him. Cross has 135 to finish, and after hitting treble five, tidies up to leave tops. Taylor loses ground, and Cross takes it in one.
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Find someone who looks at you the way Rob Cross looks at D18.
— Neal (@34nd_) January 1, 2018
Taylor may have wound Rob Cross up with the latest bout of chat; he looked a little miffed as he headed off the stage. He’ll now have a chance on his own throw; if he doesn’t take it, things might get interesting.
Phil Taylor wins the eighth set and trails 6-2!
Taylor is serenaded by the crowd after that break – can he close out the set? Cross is first to a finish and Taylor’s inconsistency is hurting him again. Cross is a long way off bullseye, and Taylor is chatting to him again. Cross has three darts at 30, splits and misses double six. Taylor takes out double 16, and wins the set.
Eighth set: Cross 0-2 Taylor (Cross leads 6-1 in sets) Is Cross starting to see the finish line? A Taylor maximum puts him under pressure on his own throw, but Cross digs himself out with a 140. Taylor will have a shot at 63 – and takes double 16 with his last dart!
Eighth set: Cross 0-1 Taylor (Cross leads 6-1 in sets, Taylor throws first) This is the Brazil 1-7 Germany of darts. If Germany had never qualified before. Taylor has 141 to hold throw but can’t take it – and Cross misses double four! Taylor holds, but it’s a long way back.
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“Evening Niall, and Happy New Year to you, says Simon McMahon. “Great to see the Guardian giving the darts its rightful place with a LBL on New Years Day. Feels like a changing of the guard tonight. Cross is like a young Phil Taylor. As the legendary Sid Waddell once said of the equally legendary Jocky Wilson – what an athlete.”
Speaking of Wilson, I recently watched a Bullseye where he took on the Bronze Bully challenge with a lit snout on the go. They don’t make them like Jocky any more.
@niallmcveigh called it wrong for Bolt in his final race & it looks like I’ve given The Power The McKiss of Death. Chapeau to Cross he’s doin the business in a big dancehall style in a big dancehall! Savage darts! #LoveTheDarts
— John McEnerney (@MackerOnTheMed) January 1, 2018
Savage darts is right.
Phil Taylor’s reputation alone has taken care of many of his opponents, and an entire generation of darts talent was suffocated by the Power at his best. Rob Cross, who was watching the tournament at home last year, has come here for Taylor’s final match, and is wiping the floor with him.
Rob Cross wins the 7th set and leads 6-1!
A chance for Cross to twist the knife, as he hits 140 on Taylor’s throw. The Power is starting to look defeated but takes out 180 to leave 161. He misses bull – it’s not exactly bad, is it? – but Cross is lurking on 93. He takes it. In two darts. Is he human?
Seventh set: Cross 2-1 Taylor (Cross leads 5-1 in sets) A scrappy start to this leg, but Cross’ 66th maximum of the tournament (he’s five off the all-time record) edges him ahead. Taylor carelessly leaves 169, allowing Cross to set up double 16. This time he misses the first dart, but not the second. Nerveless.
Seventh set: Cross 1-1 Taylor (Cross leads 5-1 in sets) Taylor races away on his own throw and has some breathing space to take out double top. He gets it, and gives the crowd an intentionally over-the-top celebration. Just a bit of fun? No chance.
Seventh set: Cross 1-0 Taylor (Cross leads 5-1 in sets and throws first) Cross could go to the next break in play just one set away. He cleans up this opening leg with embarrassing ease. What is going on here?
Rob Cross takes the sixth set to lead 5-1!
Big test for Cross here – it’ll either be 5-1, or Taylor will have a chance to make it 4-2. Taylor can’t put pressure on, loose darts costing him, and Cross has six darts from 179. He gets down to 84, and Taylor leaves 58. Pressure? What pressure? Cross takes it with two darts. He’s hit 70% of his doubles, and it feels like more.
Sixth set: Cross 2-1 Taylor (Cross leads 4-1 in sets) A very tidy 123 checkout from Taylor, with Cross easing off the gas momentarily. The newcomer will throw for a 5-1 lead, though.
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Sixth set: Cross 2-0 Taylor (Cross leads 4-1 in sets) If he can keep this up, this will be a performance for the record books from Cross – another maximum and Taylor, averaging 102, cannot get near him. Cross takes out tops, and Taylor’s 110 benchmark from 2009 is within reach.
Sixth set: Cross 1-0 Taylor (Cross leads 4-1 in sets, Taylor to throw first) This is a big old set – if Cross can claim it, he’d be two from home, and on his own throw. Another 180 puts him ahead – he’s averaging 109+ now – and checks out in 11 darts. Easy!
After that missed shot at a nine-darter, Cross offered Taylor some consoling words. Taylor appeared to use the moment to try and psyche his opponent out again. It’s all a little unseemly on his big night.
Rob Cross wins the fifth set to lead 4-1!
Cross has a shot at bull for the set, but hits 25 – and Taylor has to take out 153. Treble 20, treble 19... but double 18 is missed, and Cross moves three sets clear.
Fifth set: Cross 2-0 Taylor (Cross leads 3-1 in sets) That moment would have swung the momentum entirely in Taylor’s favour – a nine-darter in his last match! – but the way Cross bounced back was telling. He’s just as ruthless here, nailing a double 16 to break Taylor again!
Taylor misses out on a nine-darter – and loses the leg!
Fifth set: Cross 1-0 Taylor (Cross leads 3-1 in sets and throws first) Destiny was calling there, as Taylor struck eight perfect darts in a row. He’s never hit a nine-darter at the Ally Pally... and misses double 12 by a hair’s breadth. He has three darts to check out, but is all over the place - and Cross punishes him! What a big moment that might be...
1 millimetre from a truly historic moment in darts.....#WHdarts #LoveTheDarts pic.twitter.com/XWLPKnKvcj
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 1, 2018
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“These high checkouts are fabulous from Cross,” says Adam Hirst. “Big numbers hit so cleanly every time, never looks in doubt. Like watching Harry Kane go through one-on-one. 20s, 19s, 18s, lovely stuff.”
It was notable in the semi-finals how many times Cross rescued a poor start with a treble on his final dart. It kept him in the game at crucial moments.
Rod Studd has been bringing up the parallels with Taylor’s first world title, when he thrashed his mentor, Eric Bristow in 1990. “Blond streaks and moustaches were in fashion back then,” Studd adds. He’s clearly not been to Dalston lately.
Phil Taylor wins the fourth set and trails 3-1!
Fourth set: Cross 0-3 Taylor That break was another boost for Taylor, but this set started on his throw, so Cross need not worry unduly. Taylor takes out 80 in two darts to cut the gap.
Fourth set: Cross 0-2 Taylor (Cross leads 3-0 in sets) That big checkout has put a spring back in Taylor’s step, and he edges ahead on Cross’s throw. The challenger is half an inch away from taking out 102, but leaves a chance for Taylor – and he breaks!
Fourth set: Cross 0-1 Taylor (Cross leads 3-0 in sets, Taylor throws first) Taylor is in danger of losing his throw again as Cross races to leave double 14. He has to take out 151 the way Cross is finishing – and does! The crowd erupts. Maybe Taylor isn’t finished after all...
Cross takes the third set to lead 3-0!
Third set: Cross 3-0 Taylor Taylor digs out a chance on Cross’s throw, but makes a meal of it from 150, and Cross takes out 153! Oh my word – he is trouncing Phil Taylor here.
CROSS WITH YET ANOTHER HUGE CHECKOUT | This time it's 153 from Voltage - he now leads by THREE
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 1, 2018
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼#WHdarts #LoveTheDarts pic.twitter.com/UcRxSkCOUw
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Third set: Cross 2-0 Taylor (Cross leads 2-0 in sets) Taylor’s decision to put Cross in first hasn’t worked; he looks the more nervous of the two, and Cross bangs in another maximum on Taylor’s throw. Four more treble 20s and he’s pulling away – on 52 with Taylor on 233. He takes it out in two darts. Taylor tries to give Cross the eyes afterwards, and is sensibly ignored.
Third set: Cross 1-0 Taylor (Cross leads 2-0 in sets and throws first) The debutant has dominated the first two sets, and has a chance to go 3-0 up here. He’s averaging 107-plus, with Taylor a shade under a ton. Double 18, first dart, no problem.
Phil Taylor has always struck me as one of those rare types who is both a bad loser and a bad winner @niallmcveigh.
— Gary Naylor (@garynaylor999) January 1, 2018
Oof! Where’s the love, guys?
The Deller option is looking the more likely scenario in these early stages. Long way to go though...
@niallmcveigh some legends don’t go out in a blaze of glory but this is The Power it’s made for him but maybe Cross will do a Keith Deller & beat a great one in a World Champ Final, only joking The Power to romp it!
— John McEnerney (@MackerOnTheMed) January 1, 2018
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Cross takes the second set to lead 2-0!
Second set: Cross 3-1 Taylor Cross starts with a 60 but recovers well with Taylor below his best. A 140 puts him on a 167 finish, but Taylor applies the pressure with a maximum. Never mind – Cross takes out the 167! If he keeps this up, even The Power won’t be able to stop him.
2nd set: Cross 2-1 Taylor (Cross leads 1-0 in sets) Taylor could use a straightforward hold to stop Cross’s momentum, and a 180 sets him on his way. He leaves tops with Cross not on a finish. Job done, but Cross will throw for a two-set lead.
2nd set: Cross 2-0 Taylor (Cross leads 1-0 in sets) Cross gets back to business on his own throw, not letting Taylor get a sniff at a double as he finishes on double two with the last dart in hand. What a start!
That awkward moment involved Cross knocking something off the table accidentally, and the crowd’s cheers disrupting Taylor’s rhythm. He apologised and Taylor seemed fine about it, but Taylor is sometimes, y’know, not fine about things like that.
2nd set: Cross 1-0 Taylor (Cross leads 1-0 in sets, Taylor throws first) Mixed start for Taylor, who starts with a 177 and follows it up with a 67. Cross hits a maximum to pile pressure on Taylor, who’s on 132. A curious moment distracts Taylor and Cross, who misses two shots at double 16. Taylor can’t punish him, and Cross doesn’t miss again.
“One thing’s for sure, if Phil Taylor wins, no matter who he name-drops in his victory speech, it won’t be as excruciating as this one” says Adam Hirst.
Rob Cross wins the first set!
1st set: Cross 3-1 Taylor It’s Taylor’s turn to start a leg with a maximum, and he’s millimetres away from taking out 147. Cross is a long way back, but puts pressure on with his next throw and Taylor makes a hash of double 18. Cross has a shot at double 16 for the set... and takes it!
1st set: Cross 2-1 Taylor Two 180s in this leg for Cross – he’s on 57 for the tournament – and double 10 seals a 12-dart leg. Composed start.
1st set: Cross 1-1 Taylor The Power edges ahead to give himself six darts from 186, and after Cross sees two straight darts bounce out, he nails double 16. One 14-dart leg apiece.
1st set: Cross 1-0 Taylor (Cross throws first) The crowd absolutely bellow their appreciation to Phil Taylor. Walking in a Taylor wonderland, indeed. Cross just has to focus on his game, and a ton-140 start does the job. He’s down to a finish in nine darts, and takes out double 18 with Taylor nowhere near.
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Let's play darts
Here we go, then. The legend against the debutant, Voltage v The Power, and the atmosphere is electric...
One more time, with feeling...
Ladies and gentlemen...
Here we go, then. John McDonald introduces Rob Cross first, whose walk-on music is, er, ‘Hot Hot Hot’. Surely it should be this:
Walk-ons coming any minute now, so here’s 90 seconds of Wayne Mardle, unaware he’s on live TV:
"There you are...on television."
— Mark Horgan (@Younghorgan) December 30, 2017
As it's darts season, please relive the greatest live interview in television history. pic.twitter.com/jExcqG72tI
Taylor has won the pre-match bull, but given the first throw to his opponent. Classic mind games from the Power.
The build-up has been all about Taylor, and fair enough really, but what of Rob Cross? He was born in 1990, six months after Taylor’s first world title, and in darting terms, that was about it until last year, when a run of impressive results earned him his first PDC Tour card.
He earned his first £250 as a pro in February, then picked up two Players’ Championship titles and reached the European Championship final in October, losing 11-7 to Van Gerwen. Suddenly, he has become one of the sport’s rising stars, but this fortnight, he’s taken things to another level.
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Your first prediction is in:
@niallmcveigh 7-6 taylor gonna be emosh for phil tonight
— Stuie Neale (@MrNeale92) January 1, 2018
Predictions? The bookies have it almost too close to call, with Taylor the narrow favourite. I’m not prepared to bet against Taylor, tonight of all nights. Taylor 7-5 Cross.
The Power
There are plenty out there who think the emerging Rob Cross, rather than Van Gerwen, will take up Taylor’s mantle as the world’s pre-eminent player. Winning the world championship at his first attempt would be a start – Taylor did just that in 1990. He won the BDO title again in 1992, before joining the breakaway PDC in 1994. He lost the first PDC final to Dennis Priestley, but made up for it soon enough.
Taylor has won the PDC world title 14 times: in (deep breath) 1995, 96, 97, 98, 99, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010 and 2013. He’s also picked up the World Matchplay title 16 (SIXTEEN) times, the World Grand Prix 11 times, and the Premier League six times. There’s an argument that over the last 25 years, he has dominated his particular sport like nobody else on the planet.
If you’re a newcomer to the wonderful world of darts, here are a couple of excellent pieces to get you in the zone. Andy Bull on a night at the Ally Pally, and Rob Smyth on the Power’s last stand:
While we’re waiting, here’s a nice read from Steven Pye, Sports Network member and 80s sports doyen, on the history of the world championships in that halcyon decade. In those pre-PDC days, the BDO title was the one to win, just ahead of Bullseye’s coveted Bronze Bully.
The road to the final
Taylor began against up-and-comer Chris Dobey, winning three sets to one, and then took care of pantomime villain Justin Pipe and another pretender in Keegan Brown, winning both matches without dropping a set. Gary Anderson, who beat Taylor in his last final appearance, was next but was beaten 5-3. That left Jamie Lewis waiting in the semi-finals, and while the qualifier almost matched Taylor’s average, the veteran took him to finishing school, winning 6-1.
Cross began the tournament as a dark horse despite his inexperience, and after an easy win over Seigo Asada he won an almighty scrap with Michael Smith by the odd set in seven. The No20 seed saw off John Henderson and held off a comeback from world youth champion Dimitri van den Bergh in the quarters. Then came that instant classic against Michael van Gerwen, won in a sudden-death leg after midnight. Cross has won three matches in the final set, and each time with a lower average than his opponent.
Preamble
When Phil Taylor announced early in 2017 that this world championship would be his last, many ventured that fate would lead him to his 17th world title. What nobody expected was that his final opponent would be a man who was yet to win a penny as a professional.
Taylor’s curtain call has loomed throughout a thrilling tournament, with the 57-year-old only really tested by Gary Anderson in a serene run to the final. After learning to share the spotlight as his darting dominance waned, he has the chance to take centre stage one more time.
Taylor will have expected, perhaps hoped, to bow out against Michael van Gerwen, the new dominant force in darts and a man he has clashed with on and off the oche. Instead, Van Gerwen was beaten in an extraordinary semi-final by Rob Cross, whose already remarkable debut season has taken another leap forward here.
If a 16-time winner against a rookie sounds like a recipe for a mismatch, think again – Cross, 30 years Taylor’s junior, matched Van Gerwen blow for blow across 11 legs and held his nerve when his opponent couldn’t. This is one of those all-too-rare occasions where a thoroughbred and an underdog meet on equal footing.
Taylor is seven sets away from going out at the very top, and it’s down to a former electrician to shut down The Power. Whoever wins, it’s going to be quite the story. Play begins at 8pm GMT.
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