Phil Taylor rolled back the years with a classic spot of mind games during his run to the final of the World Seniors Matchplay.
The Power reached his second World Seniors final in a row, only to lose to Robert Thornton, who added the Matchplay title to the World Championship crown he clinched in February. Despite falling at the final hurdle it was more like the Taylor of old. He even dabbled in some mind game during his semi-final win over old rival Kevin Painter.
At 5-5, Taylor approached the board with just 80 needed to go ahead, with Painter on 118. After straying into the single five, he hit a 25, meaning a bullseye would have won the leg. But despite Painter being on a finish, Taylor went for 18 instead.
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“That is really trying to score physiological points. How can he [Painter] respond,” said BT Sport commentator John Rawling.
The move almost backfire though as Painter went close to taking out 118, hitting treble 20, single 18 but narrowly missing double top. Taylor went on to win a tight match 12-10 before losing by the same score to Thornton.
After the match, Taylor spoke defiantly about his form, having previously expressed doubt over the continuation of his comeback if his game didn’t improve.
“I really wanted to win this, I had my chances,” he told Online Darts TV. “I can get better. I’ve got to go home now and improve. We’re going to go back at six in the morning so I can practice.
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“So at 12 o’clock I’m going to get back on the practice board with Matthew, my grandson, and just practice a bit harder.”
Taylor believes his form will have caught the attention of his rivals on the World Seniors Tour, with the next event the World Championship at the Circus Tavern in February.
“The difference is now, they’re worried. Now they’re thinking ‘don’t get Phil, because Phil’s coming back’,” he said. “The one thing they’ve got on me is my finishing, my finishing was poor today. I was pushing it, pulling it, but it’s coming.”
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