PHIL Taylor versus Adrian Lewis – the legend against the reigning king.
Organisers had saved the best for last and the big guns served up a fitting finale at the BIC.
On another night of darting drama in Dorset, the excitement had been building towards this battle.
Taylor and world champion Lewis ensured there was no anti-climax.
As the gladiators arrived in the arena, the decibel levels went through the roof. And the action on the oche proved every bit as lively as the party atmosphere which greeted it.
The quality of the three earlier matches had been impressive.
But the Bournemouth faithful wanted to see the sport’s leading two stars. With good reason, as it turned out.
Taylor was given a hero’s welcome but, on this rare occasion, ‘The Power’ was shut off as Lewis won 8-5.
Neither player produced vintage displays prior to the interval, with Taylor’s 4-2 lead coming on the back of a 94.45 average and 40 per cent check-out percentage.
But on the resumption, Lewis stepped on the accelerator.
“I had to,” he admitted. “At 4-2 down against Phil Taylor, you have got no choice because he is the best player in the world. You have to believe in your own ability.”
As the scores soared after the break, the noise followed suit.
And it was Lewis’s fans who eventually cheered loudest as the man nicknamed ‘Jackpot’ found his form to end Taylor’s unbeaten run in this season’s McCoy’s Premier League.
A fantastic 160 finish was the highlight as Lewis stormed clear to claim the honours. The intriguing spectacle should have come as no surprise, given that the pair had played out a 7-7 draw on the opening night in Manchester.
Promoter Barry Hearn had promised another exciting clash and he was not wrong. Neither player found their best form but the game still proved a nail-biter for the capacity audience.
The match capped a fine night of action at the BIC.
Simon Whitlock opened the showpiece in style with an 8-4 victory over popular multiple former world champion Raymond van Barneveld.
The 43-year-old Aussie is a fan of the venue. He said: “Barney has got big support here – probably more than I have. But it is a great venue.”
Kevin Painter defeated Gary Anderson and claimed that the crowd had not helped his opponent by giving him a hostile reception.
But Andy Hamilton enjoyed the atmosphere after claiming a 7-7 draw with James Wade.
Hamilton said: “They make themselves heard and that is what it is all about.
“In the Premier League, you have got to expect the noise.”
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