Whatever you think about Phil Taylor, even the cattiest observer will agree that he's been the greatest player to ever throw a dart.
That he's had the greatest darts career of all time. That he's been one of the greatest sportsmen of all time over the course of his 31 year career.
Phil Taylor retired after tonight's game. That was always the plan. That was the script. The script wasn't that he would get torn to shreds by a man in his first year as a professional.
That's exactly what happened. But that only tells half the story, becuase Cross threw darts like a seasoned campaigner at the peak of his powers. That's what he is because he's at the top of this game now.
'The Power' was subject to a merciless battering by the future, Rob Cross, in their World Darts Championship final clash in Alexander Palace. But that won't tarnish the great career of the 16 time champion at this grade.
Because Taylor has been the best and he's been at the top of his game for so long, ever since he won his first BDO World Championship in 1990.
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But here, he was only second best, and that much was crystal clear from the outset.
The Ally Pally crowd were unusually subdued in the New Year's day final. That's because of Rob Cross. Rob Cross the machine from Pembury.
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The former electrician dispatched of Taylor in a merciless, almost systematic manner in the decider. Taylor didn't play badly, but how the hell could he be expected to live with the pace of a man who averaged 107.66 over nine sets of darts?
Cross' tungsten arrows went wherever he wanted them to. That was regularly to the triple 20 mark, but whenever he needed a double to finish out, they obliged, he obliged and he took them out with a ruthless streak like we've never seen before.
It was one of the best displays of darts you're likely to see anywhere. Ever.
The scenes were emotional in Ally Pally afterwards, as the crowd chanted 'There's only one Phil Taylor,' and as Cross got his hands on the trophy for the first time, you could sense that this might be the changing of the guard. From one Englishman to another. From one retired darts player to the future.
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It's the end of an era.
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One of the great sporting careers of all time.
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He was honoured by having the World Matchplay Trophy renamed as the 'Phil Taylor Trophy.'
A classy touch.
https://twitter.com/OfficialPDC/status/947958246891032576
Just what he deserves.
