Mardle wants to power his way to title

Wayne Mardle, the "nearly man" of darts, admits no world title success would feel like the genuine article unless it included a victory over Phil Taylor.

And the 32-year-old from Dagenham has the chance to set up his dream scenario on New Year’s Day when, in his third consecutive Ladbrokes.com World Championship semi-final, he will aim to secure a place in the Circus Tavern showdown for the first time at the expense of ‘The Power’.