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Last Updated: Sunday, 1 January 2006, 22:30 GMT

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Taylor beats Mardle in epic match

Phil Taylor celebrates beating Wayne Mardle

Taylor bounced back after losing four sets in a row to triumph

Phil Taylor used all his experience to defeat in-form Wayne Mardle 6-5 and reach the PDC World Championship final.

The 45-year-old stormed into a 3-0 lead before some erratic finishing let Mardle fight back and take a 5-4 lead.

But a determined Taylor nailed a difficult double top to claw back to 5-5 before sealing the final set 3-1.

The second seed will now face Peter Manley - who he beat in the 1999 and 2002 finals - after the fifth seed beat Wayne Jones 6-0 in the earlier semi.

The see-saw tone of Taylor and Mardle's semi-final was immediately set when both missed nine doubles apiece in the first-set decider.

Taylor clinched it 3-2 with a double top and ruthlessly went 3-0 up. But Mardle suddenly found his groove with a series of high scores.

While Taylor struggled to find his doubles, Mardle could do no wrong at the Circus Tavern, hitting his 10th maximum as he edged ahead of the second seed.

But the pressure began to tell on the Essex player in the closing stages and a classy Taylor claimed the last two sets to the roars of the crowd.

"I'm shattered," said Taylor. "No interviews - I've got to get ready for tomorrow. But Wayne - what a player."

There was no such drama for Manley as he cruised through a one-sided contest after clinching an edgy opening set 3-2.

He compiled a series of high scores, including five 180s, which qualifier Jones could not match.

"This was one of my better performances," Manley said.

"I know Taylor wants me and I think I'm ready for him. But I don't really care who I meet because I've already got �50,000 in the bank (for reaching the final)."

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