2210: Who said dreams don't come true?

On New Year's Day darts fans will be presented with the World Championship final we've all been rooting for, and probably expecting.

Phil Taylor has just blitzed Andy Hamilton 6-0 to set up a showdown with Raymond van Barneveld in what should be the match of the century.

It's perhaps the most eagerly anticipated spectacle in the history of the sport but we've all got to keep our fingers crossed that there will be no repeat of the entertainment on offer tonight.

Somehow I doubt it and I'm sure nobody will be able to wait.

Fellow blogger Steve Joyce commented the other night that if Benjamin Franklin lived on for another century or more then he might have added 'Phil Taylor winning darts matches' to his list of certainties in life which only included death and taxes.

But what would the great American statesman make of Monday's potentially explosive final? Surely 'Barney' can be the man to take the tax and the death out of darts.

Based on the speed at which both men reached the final tonight, I think it's very possible indeed.

2155: We're on the brink of our second whitewash of the night as the Power moves into a 5-0 lead. It may not be as quick as the previous walkover but it's been pretty predictable stuff.

Looking ahead to the final I would tip Barney to win simply because his semi-final victory was a little more convincing. It was a slightly better masterclass than the one Taylor is putting on but I don't know if this is an indicator of how amazing these two players are, or just how bad the rest are.

However I think we should focus purely on the positive side of the situation and appreciate that we're going to witness one hell of a final on Monday.

2145: The difference between both men tonight is the killer instinct.

Just when the Hammer shows any sign of a glimpse (yes, that's all it is - a sign of a glimer) that he could get back into this match, he collapses in a deciding leg.

In the fourth set he produced flashes of brilliance to level up at two legs apiece but he could never hammer hard in the decider as Taylor surged on to move 4-0 up.

It's getting rather depressing now. Well, only in the sense that this match is tedious to watch - not that we're going to have a sensational final to look forward to on New Year's Day!

2125: For a moment then we all thought the Hammer would pull a set back after checking out from 148 to take a 2-1 leg lead.

It was probably the best moment of the night and a couple of spectators actually felt the urge to rise to their feet!

But it all counted for nothing as a cool Taylor glided through the next to legs to win his third set on the bounce and put one foot firmly into the final.

2115: Well I'm feeling very sorry for the crowd right now, who have all been looking forward to this night for a long time.

It's deathly quiet here in Purfleet which is so unusual, especially at this stage of the tournament and there is little for anyone to cheer about.

On the biggest darting night of his life, Hamilton has frozen and finds himself two sets down against the greatest player of all time.

There is no way back now and the paying public will go home disappointed having seen such a lack of competition.

2055: So far so good for the Power who, despite not being at his best, has ruthlessly taken the first set with Hamilton struggling to find any rhythm.

It's a shame both outsiders haven't been to cope with such a huge stage tonight and suddenly all that hard work to get here is counting for nothing.

I really thought the Hammer would come out all guns blazing but he's fading away fast with little resistance.

2042: "U Can't Touch This" and "I've Got The Power" both ring out inside the Circus Tavern as Andy "The Hammer" Hamilton and Phil "The Power" Taylor both take to the stage for the second-semi final.

One thing is for sure, the whole of Stoke will be watching this clash - the hometown of both these players - but there is no doubt who the favourite is to join Barney in the final.

2030: Barneveld has just effectively admitted he's as bad as Pinocchio! Asked whether it mattered who wins the second semi-final he said, "no" before indicating his nose was growing because of his lies!

But afterwards he got truthful and insisted he has dreamt of a final against the Power ever since he joined the PDC.

"I hope to play Phil in the final. It would be a dream final on New Year's Day. Everybody would watch that," he said and I'm sure they will.

He's done his side of the bargain and now it's up to Taylor to do the rest. Let's hope there is a little more drama in this contest than the last.

2015: Reece Killworth told you to bank on Barney with this betting preview at the start of the tournament and if you didn't listen to him then I reckon you're feeling rather foolish now.

That's only if you read it of course, and decided to oppose his advice! But it's no excuse to say you didn't read it because it's been on our website long enough!

Anyway the Dutchman has thrashed Jenkins 6-0 in this first semi-final and next up it's Taylor against Hamilton.

2008: Phil Taylor was today quoted as saying that he didn't think there would be any easy games tonight.

In fact he predicted: "I think you will see two good semi-finals - neither of them will be 6-0."

How wrong he is. It's already 5-0 to Barney having won the last two sets quicker than I can type this latest entry. And trust me, thats not me being slow at writing, it really isn't! And I'm not joking!

1955: This is getting a bit embarrassing. The gulf in class is massive and you have to feel for Jenkins who just doesn't have the presence to rattle the Dutch ace.

At least he did manage to win two legs in the previous set but it's now 3-0 to Barney who will probably be in the final by 8.30 tonight.

I did put a couple of small bets on Jenkins and Hamilton to shock the world of darts this evening but I wish I hadn't bothered now.

1940: Muted applause greets Barney as he takes the second set in double-quick time following some nervous attempted-finishing from Jenkins.

In fact I don't think a set winning double has received less cheers from the crowd during this tournament. It's almost as if we've all read the script and are just taking the quality of the Dutchman for granted.

Let's hope for everyones sake that Jenkins can get into this game. He's now 12/1 to win from here while Barney is an incredible 1/80!

1930: Any hopes, or fears, that Jenkins will cause an upset here seem to have dwindled after Barney took the first set quite comfortably.

He capitalised on Rocky choking on a double 16 in the fourth leg to take it 3-1 and it looks like he'll have few problems doing his bit to ensure a dream final.

"But you said you had a sneaky feeling that Jenkins was going to win," I hear you say. Well, you never know, but at this moment in time Jenkins looks fazed by the occasion while Barneveld is cruising.

1920: The players are now out on the stage and Barneveld has pumped up the crowd following his dramatic entrance to the Eye of the Tiger!

It sends shivers down all darts fans' spines and you can just sense it will be yet another unforgettable night of action and drama here at the Circus Tavern.

1900: Andy Jenkins has received a text message from Harry Redknapp to wish him all the best tonight.

The Portsmouth manager told the rank outsider that he better deliver the goods, especially because his team went down 3-2 at Bolton earlier today in the Premiership.

Jenkins has also unsurprisingly claimed he's desperate to ruin the plan for a dream final and it's clear to see he's as cool as a cucumber.

Raymond van Barneveld says he's wary of Jenkins' threat but believes his special breathing techniques will keep him relaxed as he aims to reach the PDC final at the first time of asking.

1530: With the semi-finals at the Circus Tavern just hours away, many darts fans around the world are licking the lips at the prospect of a showdown between Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld on Monday.

By all account this would be a dream final. It is the final the PDC want - the two biggest names going head-to-head in what would almost certainly be a classic.

They would slug it out in a breathtaking match, hitting ton 80s after ton 80s, 10 dart finishes after 9 dart finishes before going down to a sudden death deciding leg after hours of thrilling the crowd and television audience.

The victor would be able to claim he won the best final of all time and we'd all wonder if it could ever be bettered.

However wake up from those thoughts now because my namesake Andy "The Hammer" Hamilton and Andy Jenkins are out to wreck those dreams.

Taylor meets the Hammer and the Power is only too aware of the task he faces.

He's described his opponent as a John Lowe-type character who will grind away till the bitter end and believes he'll one day be champion.

You never know, he could upset the odds and fulfill this vision sooner than we expect.

Meanwhile I've been impressed with Jenkins so far in this tournament and I've got a sneaking suspicion he'll knock the Dutchman out and cause my colleague Reece Killworth, who tipped him to win the tournament, to cry long into the night.