Robert Thornton produced a stirring comeback to defeat Phil Taylor in a gripping World Seniors Matchplay final in Hull.
The Power was bidding to win his first seniors title having finished runner-up to David Cameron at the Masters event but struggled in his opening two victories over Deta Hedman and Peter Manley.
However, he averaged an impressive 88 during a thrilling 12-10 victory over Kevin Painter in Sunday night's semi-final and maintained that momentum against the World Seniors champion when surging into an early 4-2 lead.
The 16-time world champion kept his nose in front and even had a match dart when 8-6 ahead but he missed double 16 as his Scottish opponent went on to level matters at 8-8 and force a tie-break.
The next four legs were shared before Thornton, who famously beat Taylor in the 2012 UK Open final, moved 11-10 ahead and then broke the Power throw to take the title.
Thornton had previously Martin Adams 9-7 in a fantastic semi-final in which both players averaged over 92 while his earlier victims were Brian Dawson and Terry Jenkins.
World Senior Darts Matchplay: Tournament results
Friday July 1
Evening Session (1900 BST)
TV Coverage: BT Sport 1
First/Second Round (Best of 15 legs)
- Trina Gulliver 5-8 Deta Hedman (R1)
- Keith Deller 3-8 Colin McGarry (R1)
- John Lowe 0-8 Kevin Painter (R2)
- Phil Taylor 8-4 Deta Hedman (R2)
Saturday July 2
Afternoon session (1300 BST)
TV Coverage: BT Sport 1
First/Second Round (Best of 15 legs)
- Tony O'Shea 7-9 Brian Dawson (R1)
- Lisa Ashton 8-5 Paul Hogan (R1)
- John Part 10-11 Peter Manley (R2)
- Colin McGarry 8-0 Peter Evison (R2)
Evening Session (1900 BST)
TV Coverage: BT Sport 2
First/Second Round (Best of 15 legs)
- Terry Jenkins 8-5 Ronnie Baxter (R2)
- Brian Dawson 5-8 Robert Thornton (R2)
- Martin Adams 8-2 Bob Anderson (R2)
- Lisa Ashton 8-4 Larry Butler (R2)
Sunday July 3
Afternoon session (1300 GMT)
TV Coverage: BT Sport 1
Quarter-finals (Best of 15 legs)
- Terry Jenkins 6-8 Robert Thornton
- Lisa Ashton 0-8 Martin Adams
- Phil Taylor 8-4 Peter Manley
- Kevin Painter 8-5 Colin McGarry
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
TV Coverage: BT Sport 1
Semi-Finals (Best of 17 legs)
- Robert Thornton 9-7 Martin Adams
- Phil Taylor 12-10 Kevin Painter
Final (Best of 17 legs)
- Robert Thornton 12-10 Phil Taylor
Darts: Related content
- 2022 Premier League schedule
- 2022 PDC Darts Calendar
- 2021 PDC Darts Results
- Ranked versus unranked
- How to make it as a pro?
- How much money do players earn?
- Greatest darts rivalries
- Phil Taylor's greatest display
- World Cup of Great Darts performances
- Fantasy Darts: Bristow v MVG
- Fantasy Darts: Cross v Deller
- Fantasy Darts: Taylor v Burnett
- Fantasy Darts: Hankey v Durrant
- Fantasy Darts: Rees v Price
- Sky Bet's darts odds
