Under-par Taylor through first hurdle against Hedman, Painter brushes aside Lowe in whitewash win at World Seniors Darts Matchplay

Phil Taylor is through to the Quarter-Finals of the World Seniors Darts Matchplay but once again in a WSDT tournament, it wasn't 'The Power' at his vintage.

Last time he played in these tournaments, it was a final defeat to David Cameron at the Lakeside and he began his quest for Matchplay glory by seeing off Deta Hedman 8-4 with a 75 average. Peter Manley or John Part await.

Taylor started the tie missing multiple darts to hold and Hedman broke throw on double 20 to lead. She had three at double 20 to double her lead but she spurned the chance and Taylor hit 80 to break back.

But ‘The Power’s spark still wasn’t there as he was averaging only 66 and he was broken again with a 50 checkout.

Hedman missed a 160 checkout to hold but wasn’t punished and she made it 3-3 as neither player again caught light. This continued but Taylor went into a 5-3 lead after following a solid hold with a break of throw to go towards the finishing line. A 78 checkout saw Taylor go two away at 6-3.

Hedman looked for a lifeline as she produced an incredible 158 checkout to make it 6-4 but this was a mere hold. Taylor started the requisite leg with a 180, 140 and 100 as he looked to go one away doing so with an 81 checkout. He missed a match dart at 106 for the match but returned to seal it.

While when it came to Kevin Painter, it was a superb at times whitewash win for 'The Artist' as he brushed aside John Lowe 8-0 to safely progress also.

A 180 and 80 checkout for Painter saw him lead 1-0. Lowe was royally punished for missing darts to hold with Painter smashing in a superb 140 checkout to double his lead. A 124 checkout on the bull saw Painter make it 3-0.

Lowe went into double seven from 102 but returned only to fluff his lines with his counting and this was the start of a scrappy end to the leg with ‘Old Stoneface’ handing Painter another break to make it 4-0. Double eight saw ‘The Artist’ go three away.

A 180 and a 64 checkout saw Lowe’s doubling woes continue and Painter make it 6-0. A 96 to leave double five saw him go one away. A 180 and 81 checkout saw ‘The Artist’ brush Lowe aside.