World Matchplay 2015 - Preview
Here is our preview of the darts action coming up from Blackpool!
Blackpool is the focus of darts fans from Saturday night when the PDC World Matchplay kicks off at 7pm. If ever an event summed up what is great and what is not about the PDC then this is it. One man has dominated this tournament, (some of you will already be stifling yawns) yes Phil "The Power Taylor has won the event 15 times. It has only been held 21 times!Taylor is an incredible player but for too long he was left alone by the rest of the players to win virtually everything he played in. This is the good and bad I was referring to, on one hand there is this immense talent, on the other sport was meant to be competitive, for way too long the PDC lacked that competitive edge.
But things have changed now! Anderson, MVG, Lewis and even Barney have all defeated The Power in recent times. They will still have to contend with not just Taylor but some amazing records and stats, such as: the last time Phil lost in Blackpool was in 2007! Taylor holds the record for the highest average in the final, in 2013 defeating Lewis he banged in a 111+ average. And my favourite, Taylor in unbeaten in the last 35 games he has played at the Matchplay!
Can Taylor repeat the trick again in Blackpool? In his side of the draw he may have to overcome Chizzy or Barney. Anderson or maybe Wade could be waiting next and then MVG or Lewis to take the title is a hypothetical but potential scenario for The Power. The bookies aren't taking any chances, they have him at a measly 7/2.
Other than Taylor attempting to prove the value of a successful history at an event the other special feature of the Matchplay is the winning by 2 clear legs rule. This rule was tweaked slightly a few years ago and it allows for 5 extra legs to be played to determine a winner and then the 6th additional leg is sudden death!