WOLVERHAMPTON darts fans were treated to what experts have hailed as the "greatest ever" match on Sunday afternoon, as Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis produced a classic semi-final in the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts.
The pair totalled 32 180s in a thrilling contest which Taylor won 16-9 as he progressed to a fifth final at the Wolves Civic.
However, Lewis played his part in an epic, hitting an amazing 18 maximums and averaging 110.99 - but saw his rival win eight successive legs to turn an 8-7 deficit into a 15-8 lead.
Taylor went on to complete the win, averaging 109.76 and taking out finishes of 167 and 160 in a match which ended with the Wolves Civic crowd giving the pair a standing ovation.
Sky Sports experts Rod Harrington and Wayne Mardle both hailed the game as the best in darting history, surpassing Taylor's sudden-death defeat to Raymond van Barneveld in the 2007 World Championship final.
"There's no doubt in my mind that this was the best game we've ever seen," said Mardle. "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.
"Even though Adrian Lewis lost, he's a winner because he's shown again that he can go toe-to-toe with the greatest."
Two-time World Matchplay champion Harrington added "It's the greatest game I've ever witnessed and it was a pleasure to be here 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!
"Adrian was a joy to watch and it's so pleasing to see him playing probably the best darts of his career and there's no question that if he carries on playing the way he is then he's a serious threat to lift a third World Championship title at Alexandra Palace on New Year's Day."