Phil Taylor Hilariously 'Cheated' For Opponent in Game as Rare Footage Resurfaces

Phil Taylor was involved in one of the most bizarre legs in darts history when he came up against Chinese player Shi Yong Sheng – and footage from the PDC-sanctioned event is going viral.

Back in December 2004, Taylor took part in the PDC China Telecom Cup alongside a number of standout names, including John Part, Colin Lloyd, Wayne Mardle, Peter Manley and Roland Scholten.

"The Power" secured $20,000 in prize money after beating Kevin Painter in the final, but many will remember the Shantou-based event for his extraordinary last-16 victory over Chinese player Shi Yong Sheng.

As seen in the footage below, Taylor decided to interrupt Shi Yong Sheng's throw in the third leg of the second set.

After tapping him on the shoulder, Taylor made his way over to the board before moving both of Yong Sheng's arrows into the treble 20 bed – a moment that brought a loud cheer from those in attendance.

Okay I've just found THE GREATEST LOST DARTS CLIP OF ALL TIME.
2004 China Telecom Cup
Phil Taylor vs Shi Yong Sheng.

This includes a 9 DART ATTEMPT. A 10 Dart Attempt on the Bullseye, and PHIL TAYLOR CHEATING *FOR* the opponent.

Enough with the clickbait though, just watch it. pic.twitter.com/tUBCJ1s7tb

— David John Schlichting 🇩🇪 (@dazi180turtle) January 5, 2026

Yong Sheng, who was visibly shocked by his opponent's antics, proceeded to throw his final dart at the 1 bed, giving him a final score of 121, as announced by the referee.

Here's how fans on social media reacted to the old footage.

One said: "That’s actually unbelievable," and a second commented: "...'Okay, I suddenly have an opportunity to hit a 180 against Phil Taylor.' Nearly hits a double 1. Amazing."

A third wrote: "Is that allowed in the rules ahahah, might do the opposite and put all my opponents' darts in the 1."

A fourth said: "Littler is gonna do that in a world final at some point," while a fifth added: "Look how much smaller those trebles were."

Phil Taylor recorded score of 240 while competing in 1993 UK Matchplay

For many, Taylor will go down as the greatest darts player of all time. In total, he won 214 professional tournaments across a trophy-laden career that featured 16 World Championship titles.

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'The Power' also has a number of impressive records to his name, including the most televised nine-dart finishes (11).

As well as the above, he became the first player to throw two nine-darters in the same match, accomplishing the feat in a memorable 2010 Premier League final against James Wade.

A more uncommon feat in Taylor's career, meanwhile, came at the Aquarius Club in Chesterfield, when he recorded a score of 240 while competing in the 1993 UK Matchplay.

Taylor threw the maximum score on a Quadro board, which was introduced by Harrows Darts Technology the previous year.

Featuring an extra ring between the treble and outer bull, which meant you could get quadruples as well as trebles, the highest possible checkout was 210 from two quadruple 20s and then the bull.

Taylor went one better by throwing the maximum 240 score against Jocky Wilson, who went on to reach the final against Dennis Priestley.