Defending champion Phil Taylor has been knocked out of the SkyBet World Grand Prix in the opening round by Adrian Gray.
First round results
Defending champion Phil Taylor has been knocked out of the SkyBet World Grand Prix in the opening round, with 'The Power' being switched off by Adrian Gray in Dublin.
Gray, who when he isn't dumping multiple world champions out of major darts tournaments plys his trade as a carpet fitter, when their contest two sets to nil.
And the scoreline reflected the largely dominant display offered by the 26-year-old, with Gray's
coup de grace being back-to-back 180s in the final leg.
Seeking his first major victory since May, Taylor took the opening two legs but his 26-year-old opponent showed he had no fear of lofty reputations by promptly levelling.
Sloppy
Taylor was throwing sloppy darts and continued the trend as Gray found himself needing a double 12 for the set. He missed but, with Taylor then missing the bull, he made the most of his reprieve.
Gaining confidence all the while, Gray then took the opening leg of set two and, with Taylor looking increasingly rattled, a 50 checkout saw him taking his fifth leg in a row.
The 13-times world champion pulled a leg back, but there was no coming back from the successive 180s the youngster then summoned.
"It's amazing, I was shaking but the crowd were telling me to relax," Gray said. "Phil's not at his best and everyone knows he's lost twice in the first round here before, and that does give you belief."
'Pieman' through
Gray will now play Andy Smith in round two, with 'The Pieman' eventually prevailing against Ronnie Baxter in the deciding leg of the deciding set of their meeting.
Two-time finalist John Part made heavy work of the first set of his match against retired fireman Billy Matthews, eventually taking it 3-2 before easing to a two-set victory.
Wayne Jones took the opening set in his contest with fellow West Midlander Terry Jenkins but, after levelling following a closely-fought second, 'The Bull' eventually scored a 2-1 win.
After going one set down, Wayne Mardle came to within one leg of losing his first round match against eighth seed Andy Hamilton.
But 'Hawaii 501' took the deciding leg of set two to force a deciding set - in which he then sealed a comeback win and set up a meeting with Part.
Monday's later matches saw Chris Mason comfortably beat Colin Osbourne 2-0, another shock exit occurred when Peter Manley succumbed 2-1 at the hands of Mark Dudbridge, but Terry Jenkins held his nerve to see off Jason Barry 2-1.
