What a way to win the match for Phil Taylor ⚡️ The Power will take on Dennis Harbour tomorrow afternoon for a place in the last 4⃣. #WorldSeniorsMasters
Taylor impresses in victory over McGeeney as Gates survives Dudbridge onslaught in tie of the round at the World Seniors Darts Masters
WSDTSunday, 25 June 2023 at 00:02
As the first round of the World Seniors Darts Masters comes to a close, Phil Taylor and Leonard Gates were the final players to book their place in the next round, taking the win against Mark McGeeney and Mark Dudbridge respectively.
A newer, leaner Phil Taylor, admittingly enjoying a new lease on life since beginning a keto diet, took on former Lakeside finalist Mark McGeeney. 'The Power' started in style too, romping to victory in the opening set to quickly stretch into a 1-0 lead.
In a much scrappier second set, McGeeney began to find his feet and after both players had missed numerous darts at double, he levelled the game up at a set apiece. After the break though, Taylor was somewhere back towards the best we've seen of him on the Senior Tour, impressing in the third set to go 2-1 up.
Then a pair of brilliant 144 and 138 finishes saw Taylor increase his lead to two sets at 3-1. The momentum was with 'the Power' and he was soon a leg away from the win. McGeeney kept the tie alive after Taylor had missed a dart at bull for the match. Then in the subsequent leg, pulled back to 3-2. It turned out to be nothing more than a consolation though, Taylor taking a 4-2 win.
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Finally, rounding off the first round was Leonard Gates and Mark Dudbridge. The opening set was a high-quality affair, Dudbridge taking it with a 100 average to nudge 1-0 ahead. Gates though, a previous winner on the WSDT at the Champion of Champions, fought back to take the second set and enter the break 1-1.
Gates took the third set as well thanks to an 82 finish on double 16, with both players still averaging in the high 90s. After Gates increased his advantage to two sets, Dudbridge came roaring back with six perfect darts in the opening leg of the fifth set, eventually taking it in 10 darts. 'Flash' then sealed the set with a stunning 156 finish and a set average of near 135.
Gates though was unflustered by the Dudbridge barrage, but when Gates missed one dart at double top for the win, Flash was on hand to punish with a ruthless 80 checkout and send the sixth set to a decider. In that final leg of the set though, it was Gates that prevailed.
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- No chance. His throw is all staccato. It is forced. Not natural.medinabello19-12-2024
- More roid rage than nonsenserichieburnettrocks18-12-2024
- Even the wild crowd went easy on him... we really have gone soft in this country. He should now play in the men's events and try and recover a smidgen of respect, rather than take advantage of the women's game.MrYnyslas197118-12-2024
- The bloke wouldn't get any abuse if he just earned his way in instead of putting on lipstick and larping as a bird.thebogeyman17-12-2024
- Imagine what he'd be like if he done it on TV.medinabello15-12-2024
- Moot point Wattemina will beat him anyways so he will have an early Xmas after all.medinabello15-12-2024
- Grow up mate it's a game of darts surely a player has the capacity to play more than 1 best of 5 set match in one evening.medinabello15-12-2024
- Modus will be good for him. Great comp.medinabello15-12-2024
- I'm with Asp here. If they moan about it don't pick them. Simple as.medinabello15-12-2024
- We don't need the Saudi's money and prohibitive laws. Simply take the World's to other countries like Germany, Holland, Scotland, Poland, Belgium. Not only will you get sell out crowds with bigger venues but it will also freshen up the comp a bit. Let's face it Ally Pally is getting a bit boring now. Imagine 10,000 in Berlin, Rotterdam, Brussels etc.medinabello15-12-2024