Muriel: I'll go easy on 'The Power'

He is the most successful darts player in history while she is an 85-year-old pensioner from the Black Country.

But on October 26, Muriel Holland will be stepping up to the oche to face Phil "The Power" Taylor at Rileys Pool Snooker & Poker Club in Wolverhampton.

The darts legend needn't worry to much though as widow Muriel, who lives in Pelsall, Walsall, has promised to take it easy on the world champ. She said: "I have got to let him beat me really as I don't want to show him up."

Muriel played for Pelsall Social Club ladies team for more than 50 years, practising every Wednesday evening at the club in Norton Road.

While she has not played competitively for the last few years the pensioner is now coming out of retirement for one last game against her favourite player.

Muriel said: "I have not picked up my darts in quite a few years now but I still have a darts board up on the veranda at home and I have been practising again since I found out about this."

Her daughter Lynn Holland, who lives with her mother, won the match-up of a lifetime through a competition on Phil's website asking for his nickname.

The family will be cheering Muriel on at the Broad Street club.

Lynn said: "Mum loves Phil Taylor and is always watching him on TV.

"She has always played darts as long as I can remember, and has lots of trophies as well.

"I think it will be a great night as Phil is a friendly, fun person and will hopefully have a chat with her afterwards as well."

Born in Swansea, Muriel moved to Birmingham during the war before arriving in Pelsall after meeting husband Richard, also a keen darts and dominoes player.

She worked as a home help for the elderly for more than 30 years.