They say lightning doesn't struck twice. But Phil Taylor proved that's possible with what is questionably one of the greatest sporting achievements of all time in throwing two perfect 9 dart legs in last night's Premier League Darts final.
Whilst next door in Wembley Stadium, England's World Cup hopefuls put on a mediocre performance in beating Mexico, just metres away in Wembley Arena, one of the best champions of any sport was showing that perfection isn't a momentary thing.
The first 9 darter came in just the second leg of the match against James Wade, that after the Machine had fired in a 136 checkout to win the opening leg. So far, so perfect. It was becoming one of the greatest matches of darts to be seen. The Power switched on, Wade matching the 15-time World Champion throw for throw.
Then in leg number 15, with the score at 7-all - the impossible became reality. OK, Taylor had hit 8 televised 9-darters before, but the Power is beyond any other man to throw a dart. And when he hit double 12 to complete the feat for a second time in a match, he wrote yet another piece of history for himself.
Is it the greatest sporting achievement? Many will argue not, for they do not see darts as a sport. But there is no denying Phil Taylor's brilliance - anyone who has played a bit of arrows down the pub will know how difficult this game is - and his continued ability to dominate and dictate, improve and influence, can only manifest itself in true greatness.
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