Darts legend Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor loses to 14-year-old

A 14-year-old boy has become an overnight darts sensation – after beating legendary world champion Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor.

Talented Josh McCarthy claimed the scalp of the world number one in a shock victory in front of 300 cheering fans.

The plucky youngster threw a 15-dart leg to secure a win over his hero, out-pointing the current world champ with scores of 118, 100 and 140.

He finished off the 15-time world champion with a ‘double 2’ for the leg and match.

The victory took place at his local darts club, where Taylor easily saw off challenges from 14 other contenders, 12 of them adults.

Josh – who started throwing arrows when he was just five and now plays for the Wiltshire Mens adult team – has earned the nickname ”Legend Killer”.

He said: ”It was a brilliant moment for me to beat Phil in front of my family – my hands were shaking.

”I thought I could give him a game, but I never thought I would win.

”I played good darts and hit a 15-dart leg, checking out with double two.

”My mates probably won’t believe that I have won – it took a lot of convincing for them to believe I was even going to play Phil.

”It was great to meet Phil, he is my favourite player, so I?m up for a rematch whenever.”

Taylor played legs of 501 against competition winners to open a new darts zone in Rileys, Bristol, on Friday.

Josh, of Swindon, Wilts., won an under-16s tournament to earn the right to face Taylor during a competition where amateurs could challenge the champ.

And despite facing three teenagers and 12 adults on the night, Josh was the only player to beat Taylor.

After his unusual defeat, Taylor said: ”Darts will always be a working-class game and you need a strong grass-roots scene.

”There’s an awful lot of darting talent and potential in Bristol, without a shadow of a doubt, and I think if the recession deepens, you’ll see more players coming out and trying to make a good living out of darts.

”You only have to do well once and you’re set for the rest of your life.

”They talk about Deal Or No Deal being the dream factory – well, darts really is a dream factory now.

”It’s great to come to places like this and see the good work Rileys are doing for the grass-roots of the game.”

The 50-year-old right-hander has won the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship a record 15 times since 1993.

He retained his title earlier this year, enjoying a 7-3 victory over Aussie Simon Whitlock.