Qualifier Cameron conquers Taylor to become inaugural World Seniors Darts Master

Last month, David Cameron lost at the WDF World Championship at Lakeside to Ian Jones 2-1 in sets in the opening round and instead of heading straight back to Canada, ‘Excalibur’ stuck around and played the qualifier for the World Seniors Darts Masters.

This decision paid off as Cameron has become the inaugural World Seniors Darts Master. A 33/1 outsider before the action began, he has seen off Kevin Painter, Robert Thornton, Colin Monk and Richie Howson and now Phil Taylor in a 6-3 sets win as he produced a superb display to defeat the lauded greatest player of all time at the home of World Darts.

Taylor took the opening set but missed chances to double his advantage and Cameron levelled up. The close nature of the final continued with Taylor producing a 100 checkout using two double 20’s to level up.

Cameron missed 102 for the set and Taylor hit a 116 checkout to make it 1-1 but the Canadian sealed a 3-2 lead from there as he looked to surge ahead. Taylor held to make it 1-1 on double 16 for a 13-darter but Cameron was throwing for a 4-2 lead. He was first to a finish of 85 with Taylor pressuring with a 133 to leave 40 only for the Canadian to seal daylight by pinning double five to make it 4-2. 

105 setup from Cameron left 56 in case Taylor couldn’t pin 97 and he couldn’t to allow ‘Excalibur’ back for double 10 to break and go one leg away from a 5-2 sets lead. He missed a 47 checkout to seal the set but returned with a 64 checkout missed by Taylor and Cameron mopped up double 10 to go one set away.

A 46 checkout saw Cameron go one away from the title. Double eight was pinned by Taylor to level up and stay alive. Trebles dried up but a 140 put Cameron back on track, Taylor produced the same to leave 80 for the set with Cameron left on 81 for the match.

Taylor missed one dart though but Cameron seized up and didn’t get a shot allowing Taylor to prolong it. He missed 94 for a hold but returned with Cameron missing the bull for a 119 only for Taylor to block the target and Cameron picked his pocket to break.

Again when throwing for the match, Cameron failed to produce initially but hit a 96 checkout to not hand Taylor another chance.