Niggle at the darts: Mind games get to Phil Taylor

Playful banter or poor sportsmanship?

Social media was divided after darts legend Phil Taylor and young Aussie Corey Cadby exchanged words in a tense semifinal at the Auckland Darts Masters last night.

Cadby, the world youth champion, partook in plenty of banter with the 57-year-old Taylor on a number of occasions in a back and forth semifinal that had everyone in the arena on the edge of their seats.

The niggling tactics employed by Cadby appeared to throw Taylor off his game even though the 16-time world champion continued to smile throughout.

After closing out the match Cadby refused to sign the board prompting more words between the pair.

There were a number of fans on social media who weren't too pleased with the actions of Taylor, who was celebrating his birthday yesterday.

There was some support for Taylor on Twitter.

Cadby went onto lose the final to fellow Australian Kyle Anderson 11-10.

The series moves to Melbourne next week.