1995 World Matchplay Darts

The 1995 Websters World Matchplay was the second annual World Matchplay darts tournament organised by the World Darts Council (WDC, which became the Professional Darts Corporation in 1997). The Winter Gardens, Blackpool played host to the event for the second year running.

Seven former world champions were in the field. Defending champion Larry Butler beat one of them Eric Bristow in the first round. Butler's title defence ended with a second round defeat to Peter Evison.

Jocky Wilson made what turned out to be his last ever appearance in a televised tournament at this event. The two-time former World Champion beat Rod Harrington in the first round, but then lost to Nigel Justice in the second round.

Phil Taylor and Dennis Priestley continued their rivalry when they met in another major final. This time it was Taylor who came out on top by 16 legs to 11 to claim his first World Matchplay title.

Results

1st Round

(best of 15 legs, must win by 2 clear legs)
*Steve Brown (USA) v Ritchie Gardner (Eng) 8 - 5
*Eric Bristow (Eng) v Larry Butler (USA) 5 - 8
*Bob Anderson (Eng) v John Lowe (Eng) 8 - 10
*Shayne Burgess (Eng) v John Russell (Eng) 8 - 5
*Kevin Burrows (Eng) v Paul Lim (USA) 10 - 12
*Keith Deller (Eng) v Steve Raw (Eng) 8 - 3
*Sean Downs (USA) v Tom Kirby (Ire) 6 - 8
*Peter Evison (Eng) v Graeme Stoddart (Eng) 8 - 1
*Rod Harrington (Eng) v Jocky Wilson (Sco) 4 - 8
*Jamie Harvey (Sco) v Jerry Umberger (USA) 8 - 3
*Nigel Justice (Eng) v Jef Scheyltjens (Bel) 8 - 4
*Cliff Lazarenko (Eng) v Dennis Smith (Eng) 8 - 6
*Davy Kelly (USA) v Kevin Spiolek (Eng) 8 - 10
*Gerald Verrier (USA) v Alan Warriner (Eng) 4 - 8
*Gary Mawson (Can) v Phil Taylor (Eng) 5 - 8
*Mick Manning (Eng) v Dennis Priestley (Eng) 5 - 8

2nd Round

(best of 15 legs, must win by 2 clear legs)
*Dennis Priestley (Eng) v Steve Brown (USA) 8 - 3
*Shayne Burgess (Eng) v Cliff Lazarenko (Eng) 5 - 8
*Keith Deller (Eng) v Kevin Spiolek (Eng) 8 - 2
*Peter Evison (Eng) v Larry Butler (USA) 8 - 5
*John Lowe (Eng) v Tom Kirby (Ire) 8 - 5
*Nigel Justice (Eng) v Jocky Wilson (Sco) 8 - 5
*Jamie Harvey (Sco) v Phil Taylor (Eng)6 - 8
*Paul Lim (USA) v Alan Warriner (Eng) 8 - 5

Quarter Finals

(best of 21 legs, must win by 2 clear legs)
*Phil Taylor (Eng) v Paul Lim (USA) 11 - 4
*Keith Deller (Eng) v John Lowe (Eng) 10 - 12
*Nigel Justice (Eng) v Cliff Lazarenko (Eng) 6 - 11
*Dennis Priestley (Eng) v Peter Evison (Eng) 11 - 8

emi Finals

(best of 25 legs, must win by 2 clear legs)
*John Lowe (Eng) v Phil Taylor (Eng) 4 - 13
*Dennis Priestley(Eng) v Cliff Lazarenko (Eng) 13 - 10

Final

(best of 31 legs, must win by 2 clear legs)
*Phil Taylor (Eng) v Dennis Priestley (Eng) 16 - 11