Taylor looked out-of-sorts playing his first competitive darts since losing his World Championship to Raymond Van Barneveld a month ago. Scholten stormed back from 6-3 down winning four legs on the spin, thanks to heavy scoring and two brilliant finishes on 126 and 146, which earned him a £1,000 bonus for the highest check-out on the first night at the Plymouth Pavilions.
Scholten then stepped up to throw for the match but his scoring let him down when it mattered most in that final leg. Taylor nailed 71 for a 7-7 draw. Only Colin Lloyd in 2005 and Barneveld last year had previously taken a point from Taylor.
“I am happy to get the draw,” admitted a relieved Taylor. “Roland played really well but after a month off changing some things in my game, I know I will get better as the weeks go by.”
Taylor’s 93 average told its own story but at least he managed to keep that amazing unbeaten record in the history of the event.
The all-Unicorn clash between Peter Manley and Colin Lloyd turned out to be the match of the opening night, with ‘One Dart’ winning it in spectacular fashion.
Lloyd had clawed his way back to six apiece but then saw Manley win the last two legs with terrific 90 check-outs…..the match-winner with a bull finish.
He then revealed he used the new ‘Rocky Balboa’ movie as an inspiration!
He said: “My wife Crissy and I went to see the film and in it, ‘Rocky’ said that you had to take the hits. Well, I’ve taken the hits over the years and I was determined to come out fighting against Colin.”
Manley took the opening three legs, including another bull finish on an 86 check-out and he produced a stunning display on his finishing all night. Despite missing a stack of doubles, Lloyd fought his way back from 6-3 down to level the match and looked good for at least a point but Manley notched up an impressive 60 per cent check-out rate – hitting 8 doubles from 12 attempts.
Lloyd suffered several bounce-outs during the game….but back-to-back 180s in the last leg of the match set him up for the draw. ‘Jaws’ though missed two more darts which would have earned a point and Manley stepped in to punish Unicorn’s former World No.1
Adrian Lewis’ Premier League debut ended in disappointment when he lost the opening match of the night against World Champion Raymond Van Barneveld.
It was a high quality affair….Barney averaging 98 to Lewis’ 97 but nerves may well have got the better of the young Unicorn star.
Lewis made a great start winning the first two legs before Barney started to find his range and the Dutchman soon opened up a 6-3 lead. In the 13th leg, Lewis actually missed five darts to take himself to only 6-7 down. Barneveld then nailed double four to win it 8-5.
It is all a great learning curve for Lewis who will get stronger as the tournament goes on and many still believe that he will clinch a place in the semi-finals.
The Premier League roadshow rolls into Wolverhampton next Thursday.
Results from Plymouth:
Raymond Van Barneveld 8-5 Adrian Lewis
BY STUART PYKE
