25/06/2023

Taylor impresses in victory over McGeeney as Gates survives Dudbridge onslaught in tie of the round at the World Seniors Darts Masters

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.

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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.