The dreams of Barney and the Power of Taylor
Phil Taylor might have faced a knock out at the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship of 2011-2012, but there remains no doubt about the fact that the status and position he has acquired and maintained in the game for such a long time will serve as an eternal source of guidance and motivation for all amateur and aspiring players of the game.
Also, it would be a misconception to believe that the journey of winning the tag and label of 15-time champion was a walk in the park for him.
Each time at the oche he had a new opponent to face, a new strategy to counter and a new counter strategy to devise while standing in the presence of a crowd, all cheering and going crazy to see him lift the trophy.
One of his key opponents with whom his rivalry has in one way or the other redefined the visage of the game was the Dutch darts player and champion, Raymond van Barneveld.
The hostility between these two players sparked the very moment both of them decided to undergo a split and joined the competing organisations of darts, namely, PDC and BDO.
On one hand, when Taylor was busy collecting trophies and awards, enlightening the portfolio of PDC, Barney was doing the very same for BDO.
However, neither player competed against each other until Barney was able to join hands with PDC in the year 2006.
This was when both champions were able to face each other on the oche. Their very first encounter at the 2006 Premier League Darts tournament ended in a 7-7 draw. The rematch ended in favour of the power.
Barney was, however, fully determined to avenge his defeat. He got the opportunity the very same year at the UK Open, where after a nail-biting encounter, the Dutch darts player was finally able to avenge his defeat, beating Taylor by 11-10.
Taylor stayed calm after the defeat but there was no doubt about the fact that their rivalry was taking on a new course.
With the definition of sport rivalry undergoing modification, the year 2007 was termed as crucial for both players.
This was pre-dominantly because of the hype and sensationalism created about the encounter taking place between the two players.
However, the excitement and exhilaration associated with the game came to an astounding end with Barney defeating the champion, with seven to six in a sudden-death leg, in the thirteenth set of the game.
This was more than the limit for Taylor. He decided to retaliate, and his retaliation exemplified his nickname of being ‘the power’ of the game.
After defeating Barney in the 2007 Premier League Darts and then in the UK Open, if anyone was thinking that he has finally overcome his rage, they were deluded.
Taylor is not amongst those who would leave their opponents that easily.
Even in the year 2009, their rivalry took new forms and the looks they shared while standing on the oche testified for the intensity in their competition.
After manifesting his status of dominion in the year 2010 and 2011, Barney had no other option but to acknowledge that, "I'm the number two at the moment, and players like James Wade, Simon Whitlock and Gary Anderson are all trying but he's just too good for everyone".
Irrespective of the competitive edge and intensity, darts fans must acknowledge the entertainment value each of their encounters has added to darts and thrilled its fans on the whole.
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