Phil Taylor moved effortlessly four points clear at the top of the Holsten Premier League after a breathtaking display in front of 3,500 fans at the BICC in Bournemouth. And at last, there was something for Adrian Lewis to smile about, as the young Unicorn star ended his five-game losing streak – and ended the Colin Lloyd revival.
There’s just no stopping Taylor, who demolished Terry Jenkins 8-1 with a display that sent out a message that he is back to his very best.
“I feel good and am getting really fit and it’s showing in my darts,” he said. That’s an understatement! Taylor averaged 107 and was 7-0 up in the blink of an eye, before Jenkins finally got on the board. It made no difference, as the 13-times World Champion produced exhibition darts for the sell-out crowd on the South coast.
Lewis stays bottom of the table despite his impressive victory over Lloyd….both players now have six points and look to be out of the race for a semi-final spot. It’s been a tough few weeks for the Stoke youngster but this time, he kept it all together and produced some brilliant finishing.
He raced into a 3-0 lead, including a 124 check-out to take the first leg, only for Lloyd to reel off four consecutive legs. This time though, Lewis didn’t crumble. A 129 finish made it four apiece….Lloyd then delivered a 12-darter to edge in front again.
Lewis then came good with a four-leg burst to claim victory….a terrific 164 finish broke Lloyd and gave ‘Jackpot’ the £1,000 bonus for the highest check-out of the night.
He was a relieved man afterwards: “I have learned so much during the Premier League and perhaps now I can start to relax and show everyone what I can really do over the next four weeks.”
Peter Manley came from 4-7 down to snatch a dramatic draw against World Champion Raymond Van Barneveld. Remember, it was on this stage against Manley that Barney came up with his brilliant 9-darter in last year’s Premier League.
This time, he looked on course for a comfortable win but you have to give Manley great credit for refusing to throw the towel in….’One Dart’ broke Barneveld’s throw twice in the last three legs to earn his point.
It may be too late though for Manley, who is still three points off the top four. “Realistically, I have to win all my remaining games now,” he admitted.
At 7-6, Barneveld missed three darts at double eight to win the match, leaving Manley to take out his favourite double top to draw with the Dutchman for the second time in the league.
In the other match of the night, Dennis Priestley won the last leg of a fine tussle with Roland Scholten to snatch a draw and stay 2nd in the league table.
Week 10 results:
Peter Manley 7-7 Raymond Van Barneveld
Week 11 in Cardiff:
Roland Scholten v Colin Lloyd
BY STUART PYKE
