Darts review 2010

Paul Higham relives all the highs and the lows from 2010 on the oche, read them and share your views...

Paul Higham relives the highs and lows of 2010 on the oche

Is The Power fading? That is somehow the question many people are asking as 2010 comes to a close, but make no mistake Phil Taylor has been as good as ever during the year with a 15th world title under his belt and a moment of history in the Premier League. OK, so Taylor did not pick up every major title like he seemingly did in 2009, but 2010 started in regulation fashion with the Stoke legend beating Australian Simon Whitlock at Alexandra Palace for his 15th world title. Paul Nicholson sprung a shock when he beat Taylor en route to claiming the Players Championship final soon after, but The Power sprung back into action by regaining his Premier League crown from James Wade. In one of the best matches ever, Taylor made history by scoring not one, but two nine-dart finishes in beating the left-hander 10-8 at Wembley Arena. The UK Open and World Matchplay titles also went Taylor's way but his crown slipped slightly as Wade upped his game and took the Championship League of darts and then the World Grand Prix over in Dublin - although The Power was beaten in the semis by Adrian Lewis. Taylor then lost to Steve Beaton in the Grand Slam, which was superbly won by Scott Waites in one of the shocks of the year, and Taylor's stock hardly rose as he and Wade were stunned in the World Cup of Darts by minnows Spain. The year-ending World Darts Championships saw Taylor struggle through his first round, but you'd still be a brave man to count him out of lifting the title once again come January 3.

Player of the Year - Phil Taylor

A boring choice some might say, but how can you look anywhere else for this award as, despite his struggles late in the year, Taylor's still had a fantastic 2010 by anyone's standards. A few defeats here and there does not make it a bad season, and anyone else on the circuit would have had the year of their careers had they won the World Championship, Premier League, UK Open and World Matchplay all in the same year. Add to his titles two nine-darters, both in the same game, and a world record TV average of 118.66 in Bolton and even regardless of his reputation you still have the most successful year of anyone in professional darts. Mentions must go to West Newton, Wayne Jones, Scott Waites and of course James Wade, but Taylor is still very much the man to beat on the oche.

Match of the Year - Taylor 10-8 Wade

Forget match of the year, for quality this could well be match of the decade, with Taylor reclaiming his Premier League crown and making history by hitting two perfect nine-darters in the same match. Wade played brilliantly too, and never before has a player had such a fine stat line - hitting four 180s, averaging over 100 and taking out finishes of 121 and 136...and lost! Taylor recorded a blistering average of 111.67, struck ten 180s and hit outshots of 110, 141 and 147 to go along with his two nine-darters and one ten-dart leg. Taylor's nine-dart finish in the second leg was the first ever televised in a final, but he repeated the dose in the 15th leg, achieving the feat in a different route, to become the first player ever to have two perfect legs in the one match, and the quality he and Wade produced will be hard to match ever again in a single match.

Year to Remember - Scott Waites

Maybe we shouldn't have been surprised in Wolverhampton given what happened 12 months ago, but eyebrows were still raised as Scott Waites lifted the Grand Slam of Darts trophy after beating James Wade in the final. Although Waites made it to the final in 2009 few expected a repeat performance from the Halifax thrower, but he proved them wrong by beating Raymond van Barneveld, Co Stompe and Steve Beaton to reach the final. Even then, he faced world number two Wade and soon found himself 8-0 down, only to rally in spectacular fashion to also record the best comeback of the year when winning 16-12 to bag the £100,000 first prize and the biggest win by far of his career.

Year to Forget - John Part

Canadian John Part is a three-time former world champion, but he has not looked or played like that during 2010 as he has slipped right down the rankings to just cling on to the number 32 spot. Part missed out on the Premier League due to a drop in the rankings, and although he picked up the North American Darts Championship he failed to build on that limited success. 'Darth Maple' entered the World Championship as the 32nd seed but he was knocked out in the first round, when an awful display of doubles saw him beaten 3-0 by qualifier Per Laursen to cap a dreadful 2010.

Shock of the Year - England's World Cup flop

The World Cup of Darts was introduced to the PDC schedule at the start of December, and it proved to be a memorable event for Dutch duo Raymond van Barneveld and Co Stompe, but one to forget for England. World numbers one and two combined in the form of Phil Taylor and James Wade to form what looked an unbeatable duo, but as England have a habit of doing in all major sporting tournaments they fluffed their lines. Spain's unheralded pair of Carlos Rodriguez and Antonio Alcinas caused the big upset as they put out the powerhouse English duo in what was the upset of the tournament.

Controversy - Jaws packs a punch

Colin Lloyd produced a unique outburst at the World Championship as he punched the dartboard in frustration as he threatened to throw his first round match against German Andree Welge away. Lloyd had led 2-0 but watched in horror as his form deserted him and Welge drew level at 2-2, and the response of 'Jaws' - to thump the board so hard it almost came off the wall - stunned everyone from the scorers to the Ally Pally crowd. Despite drawing blood and badly bruising the knuckles on his throwing hand, Lloyd managed to scrape through and win his match, but despite apologising he will surely get a frosty reception on his next appearance.