David Cameron denies Phil Taylor to claim World Seniors Masters crown

David Cameron claimed the inaugural World Seniors Masters title with a 6-3 victory over Phil Taylor in the final at Lakeside on Sunday.

The Canadian thrower had come through the qualifying stages last month to seal his spot in the event and enjoyed a sensational triumph which saw him defeat a quartet of former major champions along the way.

Cameron began his run by recovering from 3-1 down to defeat former Players Champion Kevin Painter 4-3 in Friday’s Preliminary Round, before dispatching reigning World Seniors Champion Robert Thornton 4-2 in Round One.

He began the final day of action by battling his way to a hard-fought 4-2 victory over 1996 World Master Colin Monk, before ending the hopes of Richie Howson in the Semi-Finals with a 5-2 success and a tournament high average of 93.

Cameron came up against 16-time World Champion Taylor in the final and surrendered the first set in a deciding leg following multiple missed darts at doubles.

A role reversal in set two saw Taylor squander multiple attempts at doubles to allow Cameron to level up, and after the Canadian had taken set three in successive legs, ‘The Power’ produced a 100 checkout on two double tops on his way to parity at two-all.

A 78 finish handed Cameron set five in a decider before an 85 checkout in the deciding leg of set six saw him move two clear for the first time.

The one-way traffic continued as the WDF World Championship participant moved three ahead, before Taylor stopped the rot in set eight to stay alive at 5-3 behind.

However, Cameron responded superbly and crushed any hopes of a Taylor comeback by taking out 96 to seal set nine without reply and clinch the title.

“To win against Phil is amazing,” said an emotional Cameron. “The only word I can come up with is ‘grateful’ – to have the chance to play against the guys that made the game what it is today.

“This is something nobody can ever take away from me.”

Cameron becomes the first North American to win a televised title at Lakeside since his compatriot John Part in 1994 and pockets a cheque for £10,000.

Taylor was forced to settle for second prize in his quest for a maiden Seniors crown, having lost in the Quarter-Finals of February’s World Seniors Championship at the Circus Tavern.

The 61-year-old had whitewashed Part 4-0 before fending off a late revival from Les Wallace to seal a 4-3 win in the Quarter-Finals.

He then thrashed Tony O’Shea 5-1 in the Semi-Finals but failed to convert his chances in the final, averaging 84.4 to Cameron’s 86.

Howson, the WSDT Order of Merit leader, saw off Terry Jenkins, Trina Gulliver and Keith Deller on his way to the Semi-Finals, while O’Shea overcame Lisa Ashton and Martin Adams.

The World Seniors Tour now heads to the Bonus Arena in Hull from July 1-3 for the inaugural World Seniors Matchplay.

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World Seniors Masters 2022 – Day Three Results

Sunday May 29

Quarter-Finals

Afternoon Session
David Cameron 4-2 Colin Monk
Phil Taylor 4-3 Les Wallace
Tony O’Shea 4-1 Martin Adams
Richie Howson 4-2 Keith Deller

Evening Session

Semi-Finals
Phil Taylor 5-1 Tony O’Shea
David Cameron 5-2 Richie Howson

Final
David Cameron 6-3 Phil Taylor