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Unicorn’s World No.1 flopped against Roland Scholten and Raymond Van Barneveld and admits he now has it all to do to reach finals day in Plymouth at the end of next month.

But Phil Taylor guaranteed his ticket to the big Premier League party night, after demolishing Team Unicorn stablemate Peter Manley for the second successive week.

Lloyd went into week seven at the Newport Centre with high hopes, knowing two victories would put him in 3rd place in the table. Instead, he left with two defeats and has now slipped back in the pecking order.

‘Jaws’ was beaten 8-5 by close friend Scholten and never really recovered from losing the first three legs. Four 180s were not enough, as he paid the price for missed doubles.
Lloyd also lost the opening three legs against Barneveld, who continued to look impressive and continued to pile the pressure on ‘The Power’ in the race for top spot.

He was 4-2 down at the break against Barney and the pivotal moment came in the 7th leg, when Lloyd missed three doubles to break the Dutchman’s throw and haul himself back into contention. He banged in an impressive 136 check-out but an average of 88 just wasn’t good enough. Yet again double-trouble hit Lloyd hard….he hit only three from 13 attempts. Barney coasted home 8-4.

Barneveld averaged 101.56 and he remains only two points behind Taylor, with a game in hand. The Clash of the Titans II takes place in Doncaster on Thursday week, when Taylor is desperate to show the Dutchman who is boss!

‘The Power’ was yet again far too good for Peter Manley, winning comfortably 8-3. It was another impressive show, with Taylor hitting eight 180s and averaging 102.19.

The only consolation for Manley was a cheque for £1,000, after a brilliant 160 kill earned him the highest check-out of the night. ‘One Dart’ has now suffered three consecutive heavy defeats and remains just one off the bottom, with four points from nine matches.

He will be hoping that history repeats itself. In the 2005 Premier League, Manley won his last three games to qualify for the semi-finals and he is going to have to repeat that feat. He now has to win against Wayne Mardle, Roland Scholten and Ronnie Baxter!

Taylor was thrilled after his victory…..and the message was loud and clear: “Bring on Barneveld!”

“I was so disappointed with the 7-all draw in Bournemouth,” he admitted. “This time I will be more switched on and focused. I have been very busy sorting out the opening of my sports shop but come Doncaster, I will be in the zone and it will be down to business…..unfinished business!”

Taylor and Barneveld are through to finals day in Plymouth. Scholten’s victory over Lloyd gives him 10 points and he is almost there, so it seems four players are left to scrap it out for that one remaining prized spot in the semi-finals.

Lloyd faces a tough run-in, as he chases qualification. His last four matches are against Scholten, Taylor, Barneveld and Mardle.

‘Hawaii 501’ was involved in his 3rd successive draw….this time 7-7 with Ronnie Baxter and amazingly, Mardle still has an outside chance of making it – despite not winning any of his eight matches. He is still bottom of the table with three points but is only three points behind Baxter, who is in that 4th and final qualifying spot.

Roll on Doncaster on April 20th!

By Stuart Pyke