The 2010 Premier League Darts season was a spectacle of thrilling debuts, surprising comebacks, and unprecedented drama, culminating in arguably the greatest final in darts history. Newcomers like Simon Whitlock made an instant impact, while defending champion James Wade endured a rocky start before a remarkable recovery. However, the season truly belonged to Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor, whose dominance was capped by an astonishing two nine-dart finishes in a single match against a resilient James Wade in the final, securing his fifth Premier League title in an unforgettable display of skill.
A Fresh Start: The 2010 Lineup
The 2010 Premier League Darts season kicked off with some significant changes to its elite roster, promising fresh rivalries and exciting contests. Three players made way, opening doors for both a highly anticipated debut and the return of two fan favorites.
- New Face: Australian sensation Simon Whitlock, fresh from his World Championship final appearance, made his Premier League debut.
- Returning Stars: Adrian Lewis and Ronnie Baxter re-joined the ranks, bringing their experience and flair back to the big stage.
- Defending & Established: World Champion Phil Taylor, reigning Premier League champion James Wade, Raymond Van Barneveld, Mervyn King, and Terry Jenkins completed the formidable lineup.
Early Season Shocks and Stellar Performances
The action began at London’s iconic O2 Arena, a venue that would later host the playoffs. The opening night immediately delivered drama:
- Ronnie Baxter marked his return with a hard-fought draw against Terry Jenkins.
- Mervyn King, last year’s runner-up, started strong with an impressive 101.39 average in an 8-5 victory over Adrian Lewis.
- Defending champion James Wade faced an early setback, losing 8-5 to Raymond Van Barneveld with a concerning 90.44 average.
- The night concluded with a repeat of the World Championship final. Phil Taylor once again defeated Simon Whitlock 8-3, with debut nerves perhaps affecting Whitlock’s performance, as he averaged just 84.20.
Night 2 brought more intensity. Adrian Lewis and Terry Jenkins both hit averages over 100, but it was Ronnie Baxter who nearly pulled off a major upset, leading Phil Taylor 4-0 before Taylor mounted a stunning comeback to win 8-6. Meanwhile, James Wade’s struggles continued as Mervyn King avenged his 2009 final loss with an 8-4 win.
Wade’s Woes and Barney’s Blip
The early weeks proved challenging for several big names. While Terry Jenkins, Simon Whitlock, and Ronnie Baxter secured their first wins in Night 3, James Wade’s form remained a significant concern. Despite improving his game, he couldn’t secure a victory, even running into a rampant Phil Taylor who averaged 104.44.
Wade finally earned his first point in Night 4, but it was a frustrating draw against Adrian Lewis after leading 7-4. Raymond Van Barneveld also faced a tough period, struggling significantly and managing only two legs against Taylor with a sub-90 average. This marked a rare slump for ‘Barney’, who had consistently been a top performer.
Taylor’s Dominance and the Race for the Playoffs
By Week 6, Phil Taylor’s superiority was undeniable. He delivered a crushing 8-4 victory over Terry Jenkins with a 106.79 average, solidifying his position at the top. It became clear that while Taylor was in a league of his own, the battle for the remaining three playoff spots was fierce and unpredictable.
The mid-to-late season saw a fascinating race unfold:
- Raymond Van Barneveld’s Resurgence: After a challenging start, Barney found his form late in the season, culminating in a spectacular moment.
- A Perfect Leg: In the final league night in Aberdeen, Barney hit a nine-dart finish against Terry Jenkins – a perfect leg comprising nine darts to finish a 501 score. This was only the second in Premier League history, thrilling the Scottish crowd.
- Ronnie Baxter’s Heartbreak: ‘The Rocket’ had a fantastic season and seemed destined for the playoffs. However, late struggles with crucial doubles saw wins turn into draws and losses. He agonisingly missed out on a playoff spot by just five legs to Mervyn King, both finishing on 13 points.
- Simon Whitlock’s Dream Debut: After initial nerves, Whitlock settled in brilliantly, finishing an impressive second in the league table.
- James Wade’s Turnaround: The defending champion overcame his early slump with a strong mid-season rally, doing just enough to secure his playoff berth.
The Road to Wembley: Semi-Final Showdowns
The playoffs at Wembley promised high stakes and intense competition. The semi-finals delivered:
Semi-Final 1: James Wade vs. Simon Whitlock
In a clash between the second and third-placed players, Whitlock’s usually formidable finishing deserted him. Missed doubles allowed Wade to gain an early lead, which he skillfully maintained to close out the match 8-6. This secured Wade’s place in the Premier League final for the third consecutive year, a testament to his mid-season recovery.
Semi-Final 2: Phil Taylor vs. Mervyn King
This match was a highly anticipated rematch of the previous year’s semi-final, where King had triumphed. However, Taylor was in devastating form. ‘The Power’ delivered a masterclass, averaging an incredible 107.98 in an 8-1 demolition of King, exacting sweet revenge. The legendary actor Stephen Fry, joining the commentary team, witnessed a true exhibition of darts.
A new addition for this season was a third-place playoff, where Simon Whitlock initially led Mervyn King 7-5. However, King staged a late comeback, winning three consecutive legs to snatch third place.
The Grand Finale: A Match for the Ages
The stage was set for the main event: Phil Taylor vs. James Wade. What unfolded would go down in history as the greatest Premier League final ever, and one of the most astonishing darts matches of all time.
Wade started strong, taking the first leg. But Taylor responded with immediate perfection: a nine-dart finish! This was the second perfect leg of the Premier League season and set the tone for an extraordinary contest. Both players maintained an incredibly high standard, exchanging legs.
Taylor built leads of 5-2 and 7-4, but Wade, with his trademark calm and precise finishing, relentlessly fought back, leveling the score at 7-7. The tension was palpable.
Clearly spurred by Wade’s resilience, Taylor then did the unthinkable: he hit another nine-dart finish! This was the first time two nine-darters had ever been achieved in a single match, and the only time one player has hit two perfect legs in a single professional darts match. The crowd erupted in disbelief and awe.
Incredibly, Taylor almost made it three in a row in the very next leg, narrowly missing the treble 17 on a 147 finish, settling instead for a 10-darter to go 9-7 up. At this point, many would have expected Wade to crumble under such an onslaught, but he continued to fight, winning another leg.
Ultimately, Taylor sealed the victory 10-8, needing both of his perfect legs to overcome Wade’s incredible resistance. The final averages were astounding: Taylor finished with 111.67 (the highest ever in a Premier League final), and Wade with 100.08. These were truly astronomical figures, showcasing a final of unparalleled quality.
Reflecting on his historic win, Phil Taylor declared, “I’ve won every title in the PDC, and I don’t think I can ever do better than this – it’s the proudest day of my life.” A fitting statement for a final that etched itself into darts folklore.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
