Sunday 31 August 2014 19:42, UK
Phil Taylor was again in supreme form as he comfortably retained his Sydney Darts Masters title to complete an Australian double.
The Power followed up last week's victory in Perth with a second straight World Series of Darts crown after overpowering Kyle Anderson and Stephen Bunting on the final day at the Hordern Pavilion.
Taylor posted a three-dart average of 106.76 as he cruised to a 10-4 win over home favourite Anderson in the semi-finals, while Bunting - in his first World Series of Darts appearance - took out world No 6 James Wade by the same margin.
Bunting took the opening leg of the decider, but Taylor replied with a 12-dart leg before moving 2-1 up after Bunting missed five darts at a double.
Former BDO champion Bunting then missed at least one attempt at a double in each of the next four legs as Taylor's superior finishing earned him a 6-1 lead.
Taylor then reeled off the next three legs before Bunting finally stopped the rot on double nine, only for the defending champion to hit double-eight and move a leg away from the title.
Bunting extended the contest with a valiant 11-dart leg, but it proved only a brief respite as Taylor hit a 180 and nailed double-six to retain his unbeaten record in the tournament.
"I've loved it in Australia and I'm over the moon," said Taylor. "To have won in Perth and Sydney back-to-back means a lot to me and it's been another great week in Sydney, like last year.
"The scoreline in the final didn't reflect the game really. Stephen didn't play like he can do, and if he had he'd have put me under pressure and made it a lot closer game.
"He was having a few darts at doubles and I kept thinking that if I put him under pressure he might start missing. You do feed off players and the way they behave, and I just wanted to keep matching him and put him under pressure.
"He's a great player and he's got a lot more potential than he showed. He's done absolutely marvellously this week. It was a bit of a struggle in the final and there were a few tired darts. I felt that my energy levels were dropping during the final, so I've got to improve on that."
Bunting added: "You've got to hit your doubles against Phil or he'll punish you, and that's what he did tonight, but it's my first time over in Australia and to be in the final is great.
"To be the runner-up in my first World Series event is a great achievement for me and I want to take this form into the rest of the year."
