Power retains European title

Taylor: Continued dominance

Phil's 140 checkout in the fifth leg was a killer but that's what winners do and even I have to say it would have rounded off the tournament if Phil had taken out the nine-darter.

Steve Beaton
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Phil Taylor continued his clean sweep of all the major ranking events in the PDC as he successfully defended his European Championship title in Holland.

'The Power' defeated the in-form Steve Beaton 11-3 in the final and almost capped his brilliant performance with a nine-darter in the closing leg, but he missed the double 12 that would have finished it.

World number one Taylor scorched into a 9-1 lead in the final with seven legs on the spin, while he also hit two 11-darters, the second of which sealed the win.

Taylor has now claimed all the PDC's major ranking titles and the £50,000 winner's cheque means he has won over £600,000 in prize money in 2009 alone.

Taylor was also an 11-3 victor in his semi-final over Dutchman Jelle Klaasen, while he defeated Scotsman Gary Anderson 10-3 in the last eight.

Delighted

"I'm delighted with that win as it was really hard work," said Taylor. "Obviously finishing with the nine-darter would have been perfect but Steve never gave up.

"Even after missing the nine-darter he hit me with a 180 that is probably the best one I've seen in my career - when your back's against the wall like Steve's was, to hit 180-ton-180 like that shows real bottle."

Beaton's run to the final books his place in the Grand Slam of Darts after his first tournament win in eight years at the Players Championship in Nuland last weekend.

"Steve has got his will to win back and he believes he can win tournaments now," added Taylor.

"It's a different Steve Beaton and he looks like he's enjoying his darts which is important. It's great to play against people like Steve as it tests your ability and takes you to limits."

Beaton picked up the £20,000 cheque which was rich reward after coming through a thrilling final leg decider in the semi-finals against James Wade, and sent out a warning that he was not finished there.

Top dogs

"I want to be there with the rest of them," said Beaton, who climbs to 19th on the Order of Merit after his strong showing.

"I've got my little notches next to the ones I want to beat. I'm over the moon with how the week has gone.

"I've qualified for the Grand Slam and I'm moving back up the table and I want to be back in the top 16.

"Phil's 140 checkout in the fifth leg was a killer but that's what winners do and even I have to say it would have rounded off the tournament if Phil had taken out the nine-darter."