Just over a week on from the 'head to head' clashes and I still can't quite believe how it all ended up. I'm sure the players feel the same. Phil Taylor certainly comments for the Superstars of Darts newsletter that he is in a state of disbelief and Andy Fordham has taken to a cruise with his wife to regroup.

It all started so well....

BRISTOW v LOWE

Eric Bristow and John Lowe are two living legends of Darts. During the short history that Darts has in the form we know it today probably four names spring to mind if you look at the 1940-1990 period. Jim Pike and Joe Hitchcock, Eric Bristow and John Lowe. So with not much less anticipation than for the main event itself it was up to the two grand masters of the game to see whether they could turn back the sands of time.

On paper many backed John Lowe. Still just in the world top 32, Lowe hadn't had the best couple of years of form but he was still a regular on the circuit and enters a good number of competitions. Bristow had a 12 year age advantage but the disadvantage of not playing in many competitions any more. Although earlier in the year Bristow had decided to throw his hat in the ring once more and attempt to qualify for televised tournaments, there were many naysayers who were convinced that 'The Crafty Cockney' was not the player he used to be.

Game On!

Eric Bristow won the bull up and threw his first two darts in the treble 20. At this point he turned around to the crowd who let up an almighty roar. The third didn't go in but what a start. He didn't look back either rattling off the first two legs with a 30+ average. Lowe grabbed the third but to be fair didn't play well during the rest of the match.

Bristow soared to a 6-1 win ending with an 85.8 average. Lowe disappointingly was around the 68.0 mark. A great game for Bristow fans and possibly the spur he needs to get back into the big time.

"I've been practising for the last 3-4 weeks. My children are watching at home and I wanted to win. I was probably more nervous than my first time ever on TV," said Bristow afterwards. "I've had dartitis for 10-12 years but I'm over it now. I still love the game of Darts."

MARDLE v SCHOLTEN

Wayne Mardle and Roland Scholten was the support match that puzzled the punters. After all these two meet regularly on the circuit so why the 'head to head'? My surmise was that it was for contractual reasons as the pair had been signed up to participate in a similar event that was rumoured to take place earlier in the year but of course never happened.

Mardle gave the crowd value for money with an exuberant walk on and he raced to a 4-1 lead averaging just under 86.0. Scholten clawed back a leg with a 108 checkout and that was the imptetus he needed to come back and steal the game from Mardle. 6-5 to Scholten and an average of around 91.0.

TAYLOR v FORDHAM

So to the main event. To be fair not many (the Bookies included) fancied Andy Fordham's chances against Phil Taylor but he gave it all he had. After Taylor had taken the first set out of the best of thirteen match everyone knew that if Fordham didn't strike soon, Taylor was likely to run away with the match as he had done so many times during his history.

At 2 legs each in the second set Taylor was averaging 95.7 to Fordham's 90.82. However The Viking took the set with a checkout of 80.

Taylor won the next leg before Fordham took the next winning with a bull finish 106 checkout. Fordham broke Taylor's throw but 'The Power' came back to 2-2 with a stunning 167 finish. Next leg and the set to Taylor 2-1.

Set four and again neck and neck. Fordham needed and did checkout 116 to make it 2 legs apiece but Taylor took the set to make it 3-1.

Could Fordham come back? Taylor had crept up to a 97.47 average and Fordham had also increased his to 92.55. Another five leg set but this time to Andy Fordham now 3-2 behind.

Taylor kicked off the sixth set with a 14 dart leg and he took the next as well. Fordham clawed back again to 2 legs each but Taylor took the decider to go 4 sets to 2 up.

A 96.0 average to Taylor, 92.5 for Fordham. Into the 7th set and Fordham took the first leg, Taylor taking the second with a 121 checkout and the third with a 124 checkout. Fordham had a dart at a double in the fourth leg but it was well adrift. Taylor took the set to lead 5-2 and a break followed.

A break that was never to end. After 20 minutes or so it was announced that Andy Fordham would not be able to continue as he was in a distressed state and suffering from breathing difficulties. Taylor looked shellshocked as he was awarded the match by default.

So no presentation and no glory but the winner's badge pinned to Taylor despite the abandonment of the match. A carefully worded victory given to Taylor (to avoid Sky Box Office refunding any monies) and lots of press speculation about to follow about the condition of Andy Fordham's health.

It was a great and a terrible evening all at once. A terrific contest closer than many thought but one which left the viewing public and the players shellshocked and deflated.