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

Winter Gardens, Blackpool

The Winter Gardens is a large entertainment complex in the town centre of Blackpool, Lancashire, England. It has twelve different venues, including a theatre, ballroom and conference facilities. Opened in 1878, it is a Grade II* listed building, incorporating various elements built between 1875 and...

 played host to the event for the second year running.

Seven former world champions were in the field. Defending champion Larry Butler

Larry Butler (darts player)

Larry Butler is an American darts player, who was the winner of the 1994 PDC World Matchplay Darts Championship. This success made him the first, and so far only American player to have won a major darts tournament in Europe....

 beat one of them Eric Bristow

Eric Bristow

Eric Bristow MBE is a British darts player, whose skill at the game in the 1980s helped turn it into a worldwide spectator sport.- Early career :...

 in the first round. Butler's title defence ended with a quarter final defeat to Dennis Priestley

Dennis Priestley

Dennis Priestley is an English professional darts player. He has won two world championships, and was the first player to win both the BDO and WDC world championships, in 1991 and 1994 respectively...

.

Jocky Wilson

Jocky Wilson

John Thomas Wilson known as "Jocky" Wilson, is a former Scottish darts champion. He retired from the game in 1995.Wilson was twice World professional Darts Champion in 1982 and 1989...

 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

Rod Harrington

Rod Harrington is a former English darts player. He used the nickname The Prince of Style for his matches, often wearing a suit and waistcoast for his games...

 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.

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) 5 - 8
• 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 Larry Butler(US) 11 - 9

Semi 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