Taylor upbeat after Matchplay victory

Phil Taylor predicted a bright new era for darts after his seventh Stan James World Matchplay victory in Blackpool - but issued an ominous warning to his rivals.

“The Power” believes the game is in better shape than ever with the PDC circuit going from strength to strength and young stars like Wayne Mardle and Mark Dudbridge threatening the established order.

But for those hoping to see the end of Taylor’s dominance which has now lasted more than a decade - he was unusually booed before beating Dudbridge 18-8 in the final - the 43-year-old had some bad news.