DENIS OVENS is looking to take the form which helped him into the semi-finals of the Rileys Darts Zones UK Open into the year's remaining televised events.
The Stevenage thrower reached his first televised semi-final last weekend after spending 25 years on the professional circuit.
The run - ended by Phil Taylor at the last four stage in Bolton - was his latest impressive performance on the big stage, a place Ovens has looked increasingly comfortable over the past 18 months.
"I'm enjoying myself on the TV now," he admitted. "In Blackpool last year I beat Dennis Priestley and then played Terry Jenkins, came back at him and it went to 14-12.
"I played Colin Lloyd at Ally Pally and maybe I should have won, and also at Purfleet against him I had a lead and kept throwing it away - and 4-2 up in the UK Open semi-finals you should go on and win, but you're playing a legend.
"I'm playing a lot better now on TV and am just going up there to throw darts. I'm enjoying it."
Ovens, who still combines competing on the PDC circuit with his job in building developments, quietly came through the field in Bolton, defeating Arron Monk and Andy Smith before powering past Wes Newton 10-3 in the quarter-finals.
He also led Taylor 4-2 in their semi-final before the eventual champion reeled off eight out of nine legs to take victory - leaving Ovens with a handy £10,000 pay-day.
"I went to Bolton with no expectations," admitted Ovens. "I was already in the last 64 on £1,000 and wanted to win a game, make £2,000 and go back to work on Monday.
"But I rode my luck, although there was only one person who had darts to beat me - Phil Taylor. I gave him a scare but so many things go through your mind when you're up there; it's like a film.
"It's hard to put into words because you're playing a legend. I grew up with Eric [Bristow], who is my legend, and when he walks in a room I look, but if Phil walks in I don't, because he came along after me, but what an awesome dart player."