Wayne Mardle and Rod Harrington have both described Sunday's semi-final clash between Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis at the Grand Slam of Darts as the greatest match that they have ever witnessed.
Taylor and Lewis averaged 109.76 and 110.99 respectively as 'The Power' won 16-9 en route to claiming his fifth title in Wolverhampton. The contest also boasted 32 180s, setting a new PDC match record.
"There's no doubt in my mind that this was the best game we've ever seen," 2001 World Championship semi-finalist Mardle told the PDC website. "The game was played at a standard we've never seen before all the way through.
"I was lucky enough to be commentating alongside Rod Studd for Sky Sports and at one point the number of 180s being hit was literally laughable - we couldn't contain our delight and we just sat back and let the darts speak for themselves.
"To watch the two best players in world darts at the moment going at it like that was a complete joy and you could see that on the faces of every fan inside the Wolves Civic, and the players themselves."
Two-time World Matchplay winner Harrington also hailed the match and said that he enjoyed watching it.
He added "It's the greatest game I've ever witnessed and it was a pleasure to watch it.
"Phil Taylor hit more 180s than I think I've ever seen, and when you break the game down it shows you just how good he is. Adrian threw everything at him bar the kitchen sink, but still lost 16-9 and it shows the quality of Phil's display.
"His consistency at the moment is probably as good as at any time during his career, and at 53 he seems to be getting even better."
Taylor and Lewis have faced each other 55 times in professional competition, with 'Jackpot' beating his former mentor on 10 occasions, as well as drawing once.
Robert Summerscales
