Return To Articles

Mark Hylton v Phil Taylor

Monday the 18th July 2011 undoubtedly produced the most memorable darts match in Mark Hyltons career to date as a professional darts player when he played Phil Taylor in the first round draw at Blackpool in the Sky World Matchplay Championship.

The Rugeley Monday Darts League was holding its annual end of season challenge match when the best players in the league play the best team. Halfway through our match, at about 9-30, the lounge emptied as everybody trooped out to watch local lad Mark, on the television in the bar. Normally everybody supports Phil as he is well known to the pub and league, but on Monday all the cheers were for Mark. Mark was undoubtedly the underdog and an outsider. At least that was what the experts thought before he started throwing.

Mark Hylton started the performance of his life brilliantly and went into an early lead going 3-1 up against the all time superstar Phil Taylor. Unfortunately, as often happens with Phil, he seems to step up a gear after a few legs and he started winning legs to put the score at 9-5 in his favour. Then it was Mark who stepped up a gear showing the world just what he is capable of as he pulled it back to 9-8 with some great scoring and superb finishing.

Click Here For The Darts BabesMark was going great guns on what proved to be the last leg when he hit a score that unfortunately left 121 with Phil getting past him and leaving himself a lower shot out. A couple of unlucky darts then messed up Marks chances of levelling the games up at 9 a piece. Only a few minutes before Mark had just had a couple of ton plus finishes, and a 121 finish for him had definitely been on the cards, but sadly it was not to be as he didn’t get another chance with Phil showing no mercy, although Phil’s face did show a broad smile and a lot of relief as he got the final double 16.

Marks standard of throwing on the night could easily have beaten anybody in the world with an average higher than most professional players ever get in their whole careers. Unfortunately, at around a devastating 99, Phil, who got an average nearer to 103, beat it, but Mark did hit more 180’s (7 I think against only 4 or 5 for Phil) and he also hit more 140’s (14?) against Phil who only got about 9 or 10. Phil did get a lot more 100 pluses though and obviously 2 more finishing doubles!