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Online Feature Article

 
North American Golden Harvest Cup
 

 

May, 15-18, 2003

The Sheraton Cavalier Hotel was the site for players to pick up their player's packets from the Golden Harvest organizers.  The enthusiam was evident in that many players immediately headed for the exhibition hall to warm up for the draw doubles scheduled to start at 7:30 PM that evening. Check in was required to confirm that each players was on site and ready to play.

The field of players registered for the draw doubles totaled 438 and included competitors from all over the world. A strong contigent of players came from Japan to test their skills against the best in the world.  Of course, Canada had the strongest contingent and the US had many players registered. The Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, England, France and other European countries had a stong force of top ranked players in the world present.

Ken Finch and Kevin Thorsteinson, hosts of the Golden Harvest tournament,  welcomed the players, set down the guidelines for the dress code, rules for the tournament, and schedule of the events.  The format changed from previous years to the best of 5 legs all the way through all rounds.

Reaching the semi final matches were Simon Whatley and local favorite Randy Schwab against Ronnie Baxter and Wesley Newton.  Schwab has been instrumental as a Golden Harvest volunteer, setting up the hall with all equipment and making sure the operations of the event are in order.  The match was close, but Baxter and Newton were too strong and advanced to the final by the narrow margin of 3 games to 2.

In the other semi final it was Shawn Brenneman, past Canadian Champion from Ontario, and Colin Lloyd against local Canadian team player Carl Mercer and his partner Barbara Lee. Lloyd has been on a terror as of later winning in england and making the singles finals in Montreal just the weekend before. Mercer and Lee put up a good fight taking two games from Brenneman and Lloyd, but it was the later team that finished the 5 and deciding leg to move to the final match against Baxter and Newton.

The finals was a thrilling match with Baxter and Newton taking the first two legs.  Lloyd and Brenneman took the next game in just 11 darts.  Not to be out done, Baxter and Newton threw a terrific final game hitting 100, 100, 140, 97 and a finish from 64 in 15 darts. Three games to two and Baxter and Newton collected $3,000 in first place prize money.  Lloyd and Brenneman received $2,000  for their second place finish, but they entered the EPA Ultimate Concepts Inc. “Ultimate Blind Draw Dart Challenge” where they each put up $20.00 to win $250 for a 12 darter, $750 for an 11 darter, $1,250 for a 10 darter, and $20,000 for the perfect game. Having hit a 10 darter earlier in the evening and then an 11 darter in the final, Lloyd and Brenneman capitalized on their prize money by earning an additional $2,000, making them the big winners for the evening.  Thank you EPA Ultimate Comcepts, Inc. Word is that there will be many more players investing in EPA Ultimate Concepts, Inc. next year, and it won’t be for the minimal amount either. What a great way to start the 2003 North American Golden Harvest Cup.
 

FRIDAY SEEDS

Friday and Saturday’s competitions are designed to determine which players qualify to move into the knockout brackets for Sunday’s final competition. The men were divided into 31 sections with 9 or 10 in each section.  Seeding into the sections for Friday’s competition was based first on PDC World rankings, how they finished last year at the North American Golden Harvest Cup, then other ranking systems were taken into consideration, such as the National Dart Federation of Canada’s rankings. As a result, each group had players of all skill levels. The women were divided into 17 sections of 7 or 8 players using the same ranking systems for seeding purposes. There were a total of 306 men and 129 women to begin the tournament.

The format had each player in the round robin competition playing a match against every other player in his or her section.  A match consisted of best of three sets, each set being best of three games of 501. The results of Friday’s round robin competition would determine how the sections for Saturday’s competition would be seeded.  Total number of matches won, sets won and games won for both days of round robin competition would determine the final seeding for the final knockout brackets on Sunday.

Friday’s top seeds for the women, in order, into their sections were:  A1 Trina Gulliver (Eng), B1 Francisca Hoenselaar (Neth), C1 Carina Ekberg (Swe), D1 Deta Hedman (Eng), E1 Sandra Pollett (Bel), F1 Stacy Bromberg (USA), G1 Jennifer Daggy (USA), H1 Crissy Howat (Eng), I1 Carolyn Mars (USA), J1 Gayl King (Can), K1 Marilyn Popp (USA), L1 Kristina Korpi (Swe), M1 Stacy Walker (Eng), N1 Karen Marie La Fleur (Can), O1 Kim Whaley (Can), P1 Amy Earle (Can), Q1 Patricia Farrell (Can).

Top seeds for the men’s groups, in order, were:  A1 Phil Taylor (Eng), B1 John Part (Can), C1 John Lowe (Eng), D1 Jamie Harvey (Sco), E1 Lionel Sams (Eng), F1 Peter Manley (Eng), G1 Dennis Ovens (Eng), H1 Peter Evison (Eng), I1 Dennis Priestley (Eng), J1 Bob Anderson (Eng), K1 Alan Caves (Eng), L1 Roger Carter (USA), M1 Colin Lloyd (Eng), N1 Ronnie Baxter (Eng), O1 Dennis Smith (Eng), P1 Alan Warriner (Eng), Q1 Richie Burnett (Eng), R1 Andy Jenkins (Eng), S1 Kevin Painter (Eng), T1 Dave Askew (Eng), U1 Keith Deller (Eng), V1 Cliff Lazarenko (Eng), W1 Steve Brown (USA), X1 Ken Thomas (Wal), Y1 Rory Orvis (Can), Z1 Dennis Latimer (Can), AA1 Greg Lewis (Can), AB1 Steve Beaton (Eng), AC1 Alex Roy (Eng), AD1 Mark Holden (Eng), AE Mick Manning (Eng).
 

GOLDEN HARVEST FINALS

The day began with 256 men seeded into their respective brackets based on how they finished in the two previous day’s round robin competitions.  The top four men’s seeds were Phil Taylor, followed by Mark Dudbridge, Roger Carter and Lionel Sams. The top 128 women were seeded likewise on their bracket with Deta Hedman as the top women seed followed by Stacy Bromberg, Trina Gulliver and Patricia Ferrell. The men would play best of 3 legs, best of 5 sets, while the women would play best of 3 legs, best of 3 sets. The format would become longer once the players reached the semi final stage matches.

On the men’s side, reaching the top eight in the top half of the bracket were the number 1 seed Phil Tayor, against the number 8 seed Ronnie Baxter, the 45th seed and current World Champion, from Canada, John Part versus 37th seed Mark Walsh. The bottom half of the bracket featured the 47th seed John Lowe against number 7 seed Roland Scholten, andthe 14th seed Andy Jenkins would face the number 6 seed Wayne Mardle.

The stage of eight is usually the most difficult match for the men as it is the difference between not being on television and getting television coverage.  The format changes after reaching the final 4 to best of 7 sets rather than best of three. Making it through to the semi final matches were Phil Taylor over Ronnie Baxter, John Part over Mark Walsh, John Lowe over Roland Scholten, and Andy Jenkins over Wayne Mardle.  There were some terrific games along the way to the semi finals including two perfect 9 darters, one by Sean Brenneman, former Canadian Champion, and one by Roland Scholten, of the Netherlands.  Each received $1,000 in addition to their prize money because the games were shot in the preliminary rounds before the televised games. Had they been shot on television, the bonus would have been up to $100,000 for a perfect game in the finals.

The quarter finals for the women included in the top half of the bracket the number 8 seed Yukari Nishikawa from Japan against Karin Krappen from the Netherlands. Number 5 seed, Francisca Hoenselaar  also of the Netherlands, against the 20th seed Vicky Pruim of Belguim.  In the bottom bracket, the number 2 and number 7 seeds Stacy Bromberg of the USA and Carina Ekberg of Sweden would meet and England's Trina Gulliver and number 3 seed would face Barbara Lee, the number 32 seed. Winning spots in the semi final matches would be Krappen, Hoenselaar, Ekberg and Gulliver.  Three of the four were repeat quarter-finalists from one year ago.

The show began with Stacy Finch singing the Canadian National Anthem ending to the cheers of the spectators waiting to see the outcome of the 2003 North American Golden Harvest Cup Championship.

The first  semi final on stage was between fellow country darters, Francisca Hoenselaar against Karin Krappen, both of the Netherlands. It would be best of three legs, best of 5 sets. Hoenselaar came out quickly with 19 dart game.  But Krappen threw 100, 140, 45, 100 and finished the 116 remaining triple 20, 16, double top for a 15 darter.  The first set decider went with the darts, as did the first two legs, to Hoenselaar with an 18 darter.

Krappen began the second set, first leg, but Hoenselaar had the first shot at double and took it on dart 17. Hoenselaar kept the pressure on in game two starting 140, 83, 81, 85, 72 with Krappen following 95, 100, 60, 60, 95. Hoenselaar missed her shot at tops and Krappen failed to convert from 91 giving the set back to Hoesnelaar which she took on dart 19.

Down two set to nil, Krappen needed to step up her game, but Hoenselaar kept the pressure on, staying focused throughout the competition.  She finished leg one of the third set from 74 on her 18th dart.  The match was now in Hoenselaar's sights with one game to win and against the darts she threw 60, 140, 140, 100 while Krappen scored 100, 60, 140 45, 85,  Hoenselaar took the remaining 61 on her next turn to win the set two games straight, and take the match 3 sets to none.

The men’s first semi final was between John Lowe and Andy Jenkins, both hailing from England.  Jenkins a very fast player would need to pace himself against the methodical but very steady Lowe. Jenkins won the coin toss and the advantage of the start.  Capitalizing on that advantage, Jenkins took the first leg. Now with the start, Lowe was unable to find the triple until the very end when he needed 135 and fell short, giving the first set to Jenkins in two games straight.

Lowe wasn’t about to hand the match over just yet and fired his first maximum of the match in the opening leg of set two.  Lowe cleaned up the remainder neatly and jumped to a quick lead against the darts in leg two as Jenkins lost the range on the triple.  Jenkins found it on his third turn, but gave Lowe the first shot at double and he did not fail hitting the 118 finish in 15 darts.  That leveled the sets at one each.

It appeared the players were now in their groove, focused on the match, wanting to be the one to advance to the final. Jenkins opened the third set and left himself 76 after 15 darts, but Lowe had a shot at 122 before Jenkins was able to convert the 76.  But he got the chance and put game one of the third set in his pocket. Now against the darts, Jenkins opened with his first maximum of the match.  Jenkins did what he had to do, setting himself up for a 12 darter leaving 170 after 9, but Lowe’s advantage of the start gave him the time needed to take game two.  A deciding leg would be required for set three and Jenkins opened with 120 and one dart on the floor. After 15 darts, Jenkins was looking at 84 with Lowe on 56. Jenkins missed, and Lowe stole the set in two darts, going up 2 sets to one.

The 4th set was a thriller.  Lowe had the darts in the first leg and opened 96, 140, 100, 100 while Jenkins answered 105, 125, 40, 98. With 65 remaining, Lowe missed, but got a second chance and missed again. Incredibly, Lowe got a third chance, but busted and Jenkins thanked him for the game. Jenkins open the second leg with 140, but Lowe answered with a matching 140. A 60 followed by his second maximum left Jenkins with 121 to do and an 89 left the favorable 32 after 12 darts.  One turn later, the match was level at two sets each.

Jenkins had the start in set five. He had a shot at a 15 darter, but missed tops and cleaned up the balance of 39 in two darts when Lowe missed his 15 dart effort from 116.  A good start by both players in leg two was capitalized on by Lowe leveling the set at one each. The decider opened with a 140 from Jenkins followed by a ton from Lowe. The advantage of the start was just too much for Lowe to overcome and set five went to Jenkins, giving him a 3 sets to 2 lead.

Lowe had the advantage of the start in set six and that help him get to a double first even though Jenkins threw his third maximum of the match. However, a devastating mathematical error, hitting 76 out with the center bull when he needed 75, let Jenkins have a shot at 20.  Jenkins converted and took the next leg with the darts to win the match 4 sets to 2 and advance to the final.

The second women’s semi final featured the Women's World number one player and current defending champion, Trina Gulliver from England, against last years semi finalist, Carina Ekberg from Sweden. Gulliver won the coin toss and the advantage, starting thee first set. Ekberg was not able to catch up to the consist throws of Gulliver who scored 41, 100, 100, 100, 78, 62 and game shot on dart 19.  Against the darts, Gulliver kept up her steady scoring with 26, 100, 100, 125, 114 to leave 56 which she converted in three for an 18 darter and the first set.

Ekberg, opened the second set strongly with 125, 60, 100, 60.  She worked the score down to 40 with Gulliver still back on 197 and converted the 40 on her first dart.  With the darts in the second leg, Gulliver was making a statement hitting 121, 140, 60, 100 to leave 80 after 12 darts.  One turn later, Gulliver was on 40 and a slip reduced it to 20, but she still had time to take the 20 to level the set at one game each.  It was still Ekberg's set to take with the darts, and after 15 darts she was sitting on 74.  Gulliver had reduced her score to 40, so Ekberg had a must hit shot.  A 14, and a slip into the 5 forfeited her opportunity at a game shot and Gulliver stole the game and set, going up two sets to none.

With the start, Gulliver was now in the driver's seat and threw her first maximum of the match in the first leg. Although Ekberg had two darts at double 3, Gulliver was still the victor. In the second leg, Gulliver opened with her second 180 of the match, quickly reversing the advantage of the start Ekberg had.  Her scores after 12 darts were 180, 66, 45, 174, and a quick double 18 gave Gulliver a 13 dart game, third set, and the match.  Gulliver would advance to the final to for a chance to defend her title.

As with last year, the match that everyone was geared up for was between England’s, Phil Taylor, and Canada’s own, John Part. Only this year, the roles are reversed. John Part is the current World Champion and number one ranked player in the World, where last year it was Taylor who was World number one and World Champion. Part defeated Taylor in the final of the World Championship back in January and Taylor has been looking for this chance to avenge his defeat, and on Part’s home court advantage would be the perfect stage. What a semi final!

The current World Champion won the toss and started with 140, but Taylor, not to be outgunned, tossed in a 140 to match. Part threw a 135, Taylor a 140, Part 100, Taylor 100. With 126, Part hit the 57, 19 and just missed the bull for a 12 darter.  Taylor followed with 17, 54 and also just missed the bull for a 12 darter. Part hit the out on dart 14 to open the match. And what a match this was to be!

Against the darts, Part threw 100, 100, 95, 100 but Taylor was scoring big with 140, 60, 123, and 140 to leave 38.  Taylor leveled the set at one game each on dart 17. Part opened the decider with 58 and Taylor pounced on it with his first maximum score, 180. Part followed with 96 and 100, Taylor with 60, 100. With 161 after 9 darts Taylor felt the out was in his hand.  60, 51, double bull to do, but only a single.  It gave Part the opening he needed to get to the double should Taylor miss again.  One turn later, Part had his shot and he took it to win the first set, two games to one.

Set two opened with Taylor hitting his second maximum of the match and taking the first leg in 14 darts.  Part opened the second leg with a 140 and Taylor answered with his third maximum of the match. Taylor was scoring heavily leaving him a shot at 121 after 9 darts with Part siting on 36 after 12. Taylor had the shot at bull, missed and Part took game two in 14.  In game three, the decider, Part hit 140, 125, 134 to leave 102 after 9.darts and he converted the 102 remaining for a 12 darter. Game set and a 2 sets to none lead to Part.

Now with the start, Part was pouring on the pressure, but Taylor is a ten times World Champion and was not about to lay down.  Against the darts, Taylor hit 140, 97, 100, 140 and one dart at 24 gave him a steal and a 13 darter.  Part, now against the darts, opened leg two 100, 140, 100 to Taylor's 48, 100, 100, 140. Part needed 161 for the 12 darter, Taylor needed 113.  From 96 Part took two darts and stole the leg back against the darts.  Now with the darts, Part opened with 100.  Taylor 140. Part hit another 100.  Taylor 118.  Part came back with his third ton.  Taylor another 140, setting up another steal against the darts from 103.  Part hit another ton to leave 101.  Taylor hit 20, 51 and just missed the game shot. Part hit 60, 9, double sixteen for the game set and now a 3 sets to none lead.

What a match!  Taylor with the start in set 4 pumped in 139, 86, 140, 100 leaving only 36 after 12 darts and took the game on dart 13. In the second leg, Part opened 95, 100, 135, 139 to Taylor’s 140, 140, 100, 116, missing the double 5 on his 12th dart for the game.  Part looking at 32 was sure to level the set, but it was not to be. Taylor got his chance and converted from 5 to take his first set of the match.  Now, 3 sets to 1 in favor of Part.

Part had the start in set 5 and seemed to cool off a bit, possibly thinking of the missed opportunity at the 32.  Taylor, on the other hand, was still hitting scores of 60, 140, 100, and 100. But with 40 left, Taylor missed all three and Part had his chance. Two darts at double failed to find the mark and game one went to Taylor, against the darts. Now Part had to step up and win one against the darts if he was to capitalize on his start advantage.  Three tons kept him close, but Taylor was shooting at 157 on his 13th dart. One turn later, Taylor left 40 to do, but Part failed to convert from 76. For the second time in a row, Taylor, The Power, failed to convert from 40, and it cost him dearly this time as Part nailed the double 18 for the win. Back on track Part needed this last game for the win. But, Taylor knew it too. Taylor shot his 4th 180 of the match to take the start advantage of the start away from Part.  Part hung in there leaving 167 after 9 darts, 96, 140, 98. Then a 97 left him with 70, and Part had the match in hand, 18, 20 and just outside of the wire on the double 16 gave it back to Taylor. how many times can one miss a match shot against Phil Taylor and still go on to win? Nerves working overtime, miss, miss and double 10 for the win and Taylor's second set.  Part 3 sets to 2. But, the fire in Part seemed to go out with the miss at 32.

Taylor posted his 5th 180 of the match in game one after starting with 57, 60. He took a commanding lead in game one with a second, back to back, 180, his 6th of the match, which put Taylor on game shot, which he converted on his next turn. Taylor, now showing The Power, opened the next leg with 174, 123. Part was fighting to regain his earlier scoring skill. A 180 helped him get to 120 after 12 darts, but he could only manage 60.  Taylor missed from 16 and Part again could not convert. Taylor took the game and the set to level the match at 3 sets each.

Part open the deciding set with 58.  Taylor answered with 140. Part hit 97, Taylor 140.  Part came back with only 55 and Taylor, seeing the crack managed, only 60.  Part hit 100 and Taylor came back with 78.  Part set up 51 with a 140 and Taylor missed center bull from 83. But Part failed to convert from 51 and Taylor stole the first leg, just about sealing the match.  Part would have to win this next leg against the darts to stay alive in the tournament.  The Power opened with 140.  Part answered with only 59. The writing was on the wall. The Power, 123, Part only 84. The Power, 100, Part 140, staying in the game.  The Power, 98 to leave 40.  Part 121 to leave 97. It was too little too late.  Taylor hit the 40 on dart number 14 for the win.  It was the greatest comebacks in Golden Harvest Cup history!  Down, and virtually out, Taylor, The Power, took the next 4 sets on the trot!  What a match! What a disappointment  for the World Champion on his home court. The home crowd felt Part’s pain. Taylor, on to the final. How could it be as good as this one?

The women’s final for the 2003 North American Golden Harvest Cup would be an exact duplicate of the 2002 final, as far as the participating players were concerned, Trina Gulliver, defending champion versus Francisca Hoenselaar, finalist.  Hoenselaar was determined to have a different outcome of the match than in 2002.  Gulliver was bent on repeated and defending her title.

Gulliver won the start and opened with 100, 83, 41, 26.  Hoenselaar answered with 41, 140, 140, 100, and the steal was on.  Gulliver hit 100 and Hoenselaar went 20, 20 and 20 instead of double 20. But one turn later, she converted the remaining 20 and now had the start in leg two. The first set would be hers if she could win with the darts.  Gulliver's scores were not large enough to take the advantage from Hoenselaar but poor scoring and a bounced dart late in the game, gave Gulliver the first shot at double.  With 36 to do, Gulliver returned the favor and leveled the set, one game each. Now back on track, Gulliver failed to take advantage and scored only 28 to Hoenselaar’s 100.  Gulliver was looking at 132 with Hoenselaar on a very possible 42. Gulliver failed to convert and Hoenselaar took the game and a one set lead. All game went against the darts in the first set.

Now with the start advantage, Hoenselaar shot 40, 125, 81, 66 and Gulliver answered with 60, 81, 140, 85. An 80 left Hoenselaar with 109 and Gulliver was looking at 135.  A couple of missed shots at double and Gulliver stole leg one of the second set, also, against the darts.  Good scoring in the next leg from both players got the crowd back into the match. Gulliver had the first shot at double from 72 and scored 52, missing 40.  Getting another shot, Gulliver nailed the double 10 on her first dart and leveled the match at one set each.

A 100, 83, 100, 98 left Gulliver on 120 in the first leg of set three. A 45 reduced it to 75 and Hoenselaar was now down to 61 hitting a 95, 100, and 140 along the way. Gulliver missed the 75 shot and Hoenselaar took the first game of set three from 61, against the darts.  Opening with 125, 100, 60, Hoenselaar looked like she controlled the game, but Gulliver was staying close with 60, 140, 60.  Hoenselaar needed 116 or Gulliver would have a shot at 76. 96 left 20 and Gulliver failed.  Returning the favor, Hoenselaar missed from 20 and Gulliver took the second leg against the darts.  The decider, opened by Gulliver, moved to the double with Hoenselaar hitting the first maximum in the match and looking to steal from 143.  Triple 20, triple 17 and double 16 was the brilliant finish that put her one set from unseating the champion and victory.

Hoenselaar now had the start seemed to be on fire. Her shots were determined.  In the first leg she was on 78 with Gulliver back at 150. Two darts later, Hoenselaar was one leg away from her goal.  Gulliver was not about to give it away. Gulliver opened 97,  46, 100, 99 but Hoenselaar had the answer to every turn with 96, 140, 105, 118.  Gulliver needed desperately to hit from 160, but managed only 45.  Hoenselaar needed only 42 for the win, but only scored 22, missing two at double. Gulliver could only score 43, and Hoenselaar hit no score shooting at 20.  Gulliver needed 72, but only erased 32. The rest is history with Hoenselaar taking the final double and the win. The new North American Golden Harvest Cup Women's Champions, Francisca Hoenselaar.

The men’s final was set with Andy Jenkins versus Phil The Power Taylor for a best of 7 sets match.  Taylor won the toss so he had the advantage with the start. Nothing like giving the 10 World Champion an advantage right?  The Power took a good look at 147, hitting 60, 51 and just outside the double18 for the win in game one. One turn later, game to Taylor.  Against the start, The Power, opened with 98 and followed with his first maximum of the match. Another 97 left 126 which he converted to 68.  Missing from 68, gave Jenkins a chance from 80, but he only managed 60.  First set to Taylor.

Now Jenkins had the advantage and knew he must make the most of it.  He opened with good scores of 100, 97, 100, 60, but The Power was lurking right behind with 100, 60, 100, 100. Jenkins would only have one chance and he wasted no time punching 50 out on dart 17 with Taylor needing only 12. Now against the darts, Jenkins followed Taylor’s 137 with 121. The Power hit 98, 97, 137 and Jenkins followed that with 60, 100, 100. The Power was on 32 and Jenkins never got a look at his double.  With one leg each in set two, Jenkins knew this was do or die. A 100 to start wasn't bad, but the 41 that followed gave The Power the opportunity to steal the advantage. Jenkins corrected that with a maximum of his own and a 63 to leave 32. He got the shot when Taylor left 41.  Jenkins could not hit the double and incredibly, Taylor missed from 41, giving Jenkins another go at 16.  Jenkins converted and leveled the match at one set each.

Inspired, Jenkins nailed his second 180 of the match and gave himself a chance to steal from 73 with Taylor sitting on 40. A timely double gave Jenkins the game and the advantage, as he started game two of the set. It was Taylor who needed to break to level the set and he put the pressure on.  Taylor needed 61 and calmly stroked the double home on dart 15.  Back on track, Taylor opened with 100, 100, 140 and Jenkins took a 140, 43, 40.  The Power needing 161 for the win took 97 and he cleaned up the 64 remaining on dart 15. Two sets to one, The Power.

Back on the start, Jenkins scored 40 and Taylor pounced on that with a 180, taking the advantage back on the first turn of set four. A 100 and 60 left Taylor on 161, where he scored 129 leaving 32. One dart later, The Power was up one game to none in the 4th set.  Jenkins now had to break Taylor and he looked to do it with scoring. A maximum followed by 123 and 134 left him with only 64 to do after 9 darts.  Unbelievably, The Power had only  76 left after 12, so Jenkins had to convert, and he did.  What a valiant effort to win a must win game against the darts.  Now he had the start and could level the sets with another good game. 140, 81, 140 gave Jenkins only 141 to do after 9 darts. Taylor was still back on 248.  With 86 left after his next turn, a nice finish leveled the sets at two apiece.

Jenkins was staying right there with The Power. From 79, Taylor shot 57, double 11 to take the first leg of set 5.  Jenkins on the start in game two hit 96, 80, but Taylor struck back with 140, 140, to take back the advantage.  With 161 remaining after 9 darts, Taylor hit triple 20, triple 17 and a fat 18, never looking at the game shot, center bull. Jenkins had an out , albeit a big one from 167, and Taylor’s strategy paid off as Jenkins did not convert and Taylor hit the 32 on dart 13.  Three sets to 2 in favor of Taylor.

Champions Phil Taylor & Francisca Hoenselarr [photo]The Power was on cruise control at this point hitting another maximum in leg one of the sixth set. But Jenkins had a shot at 100 and hit his first dart at 60, then missing two at the 40.  Good fortune prevailed and Jenkins was given another look, which he wasted no time in stealing the leg. Revitalized, Jenkins got his score to 130 after 12 darts, but had to wait to see if Taylor converted from 93. The Power made it look simple to level the set at one game each.  The Power was determined to steal the last leg and end the match opening with 137. 174, 100 to leave 90 with Jenkins back on 159.  Taylor knew had had two turns and double bull, 20, miss left 20. That was it! Taylor nailed the double 10 on his next turn and the match went 4 sets to 2 to Phil Taylor.

Taylor made reference to the great tournament that the North American Golden Harvest Cup was and to the great champion John Part is during his final remarks. What a show the players gave the crowd.

Complete Men’s & Women’s Singles 501 - Final 32 Brackets can be found in the July/August print edition of BEN on pages 42 & 44

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