Darts: Taylor's perfect finish

Phil "The Power" Taylor last night claimed the first live televised nine-dart finish. The feat, achieved in the World Matchplay event quarter-finals in Blackpool, earned the Englishman a £100,000 bonus.

Taylor's superb achievement came in the fifth leg of his last-eight showdown with Chris Mason, after the two had shared the opening four legs. The world champion was cool and composed as he struck two 180s before rounding the job off with a treble 20, treble 19 and double 12.

Taylor's magnificent effort sent the Winter Gardens crowd into raptures. It was the first nine-darter before televison cameras since Paul Lim did it in 1991, when his was broadcast after the event.