REPORTS from the NIA in Birmingham from the eighth league night of the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts.
The visit to the Midlands included the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship final rematch between Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld.
See highlights from the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts from Friday evening in PDCtv
Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts
Week Eight - NIA, Birmingham
Wayne Mardle 2-8 Mervyn King
Terry Jenkins 6-8 Jelle Klaasen
John Part 7-7 James Wade
Phil Taylor 8-2 Raymond van Barneveld
See match highlights in PDCtv from Friday evening - click here for PDCtv
Click here to purchase the official Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts Programme
Click here for your chance to win FREE FLIGHTS with Virgin Atlantic - the Official Airline of the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts
MERVYN KING 8-2 WAYNE MARDLE
MERVYN KING got his Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts campaign back on track with an 8-2 trouncing of Wayne Mardle in Birmingham.
King had begun his debut Premier League season with four straight wins, but defeats in his last two outings had seen him slip to third in the table.
However, he took full advantage of another sloppy doubling display from Mardle to sweep to victory at the NIA.
Mardle began the game well enough, winning the first leg, but missed three darts for the second - allowing King in to level.
Further misses in the third allowed King to lead, and the Norfolk thrower set up a double eight finish in the fourth with a 165 score.
Mardle saw single darts at double 18 and double 12 go begging in the next two legs as King established a 5-1 lead at the break.
A 120 'Shanghai' finish saw Mardle pick up his second leg, but he failed to apply any pressure in leg eight as King took out double one for a 6-2 cushion.
Both players missed double top in the next before double ten put King to the brink of victory, which he sealed in sparkling style, hitting a 180 and a 126 bullseye finish for the match.
"In the last couple of weeks I haven't performed and I struggled a bit at the start of the game, but I felt more comfortable as the match wore on," said King.
"Wayne gave me some chances and I took them, and I'm delighted to get back to winning ways."
Match Stats
JELLE KLAASEN 8-6 TERRY JENKINS
JELLE KLAASEN picked up his first Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts victory with an 8-6 defeaat of Terry Jenkins at the NIA in Birmingham.
The young Dutchman went into the second half of the league campaign bottom of the table, but jumped above Wayne Mardle with the two points.
Having seen Jenkins come from behind to lead 3-2, Klaasen earned himself a point at 7-5 and held off the Englishman's fightback to take victory.
Klaasen took advantage of a slow start from Jenkins to win the opening leg against the darts, and took out double ten to move 2-0 up before Jenkins got off the mark.
He broke back to level before penalising a missed double top from Klaasen, for a 104 checkout, to lead 3-2.
The youngster took out 64 to level going into the break, but wasted one chance to break again in leg seven - albeit on a tricky double 17 - before finding his top gear.
Klaasen hit the game's first 180 in a 14-darter before then breaking throw to lead 5-4, following another maximum with a 111 checkout for a 12-dart leg.
Double ten put the Dutchman into a 6-4 lead, with Jenkins hitting back with a 180 to set up a 12-darter of his own.
But a 171 score from Klaasen left him 36 in the next, which he took out to ensure a minimum of a draw.
Double ten from Jenkins sent the game into a decider, but Klaasen was too strong as he wrapped up the win - taking out 81 on double 13 for a 12-dart leg.
"I've been close to the win so many times recently but missed doubles cost me, and today they went in," said Klaasen.
"Terry's such a hard player to play against because he scores well but I relaxed after the break and everything went for me.
"It's nice to look at the league table and not be bottom, and hopefully I can start to move closer to the top four, but I'll take every game at a time."
Match Stats
JOHN PART 7-7 JAMES WADE
JAMES WADE extended his unbeaten run in the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts to six matches with a draw against John Part.
Wade saw the Canadian end his winning streak, but won the deciding leg of a tight battle where amazingly no legs went against the throw.
Both players proved too strong when starting the leg, only to find themselves unable to apply the pressure against the darts.
Wade hit a 180 in the game's opening leg, but two previous 140s from Part helped him to set up a double 16 finish.
He repeated the dose in the third leg, with Wade having got off the mark with an 85 checkout before trading 180s in winning leg four in 13 darts to level at two-all.
A third double 16 finish from Part maintained his flawless finishing and, after Wade took out double eight for 3-3, the Canadian edged in front again with a 113 checkout.
Again the duo traded 180s in leg eight, but Part's hopes of a break of throw were ended when Wade took out double five with his opponent waiting on 24.
Part hit double 16 in leg nine, with an 11-darter from Wade levelling at five-all - only to miss one dart at the bullseye for a break of throw on a 128 finish.
The Canadian took out double six - having missed two earlier darts for the leg - for a 6-5 lead, with Wade hitting back on double top.
A two-dart 65 finish ensured Part would not be defeated, and his hopes of claiming the win lifted when he kicked off the deciding leg with scores of 140 and 180.
But Wade clawed his way back into the leg, and a two-dart 78 checkout gave him a share of the spoils.
"It was a struggle throughout the match," said Part. "I'm not pressuring against the throw and was disappointed in the final leg not to win after hitting 140 and 180."
Wade admitted: "I thought I was going to blow it at times but I'll take a draw because I played pretty well and couldn't get the shot I wanted to get on top of him.
"I did enough to get a point and can't be too disappointed with that, but I can improve."
Match Stats
PHIL TAYLOR 8-2 RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD
PHIL TAYLOR stormed to the top of the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts with an 8-2 defeat of Raymond van Barneveld at the NIA in Birmingham.
Taylor sits ahead of James Wade on leg difference after picking up a comprehensive win over his great rival van Barneveld.
Both missed a host of doubles in the opening leg, but Taylor did land double eight before opening up a 3-0 lead.
Although van Barneveld won two of the next three, Taylor powered clear and won four successive legs to complete the rout.
"I'm always up for games against Raymond and this was no different," said Taylor. "I came out expecting a tough game and we both messed up the first leg and maybe it affected him more than me.
"His head dropped a little and I kept the pressure on him, and I'm over the moon to be top of the table.
"The challenge now is to stay there for the next six weeks and win the play-offs!"
Taylor began the game with three successive 140s, while a 180 from van Barneveld left him on 121 after nine darts - only for both players to lose their range on the doubles.
Taylor missed seven darts at double 16 and van Barneveld was off-target with six darts for the leg before the world number one nailed double eight.
He then took out double ten to break throw, and landed double eight for a 14-darter in taking a 3-0 cushion.
Van Barneveld responded in style with a 13-darter to get off the mark, and was waiting on a finish when Taylor took the next in 11 darts for a 4-1 lead.
Double top pulled van Barneveld back into the game, but Taylor returned from the break in clinical fashion, following up a 14-darter with an 11-darter to break throw as his opponent sat on 40.
A 13-dart kill put him 7-2 up, and he landed a third 180 of the game in sweeping to victory on double ten in the next.
"My scoring tonight was huge for me and my average could have been massive if I'd hit all my doubles," said Taylor. "I was really pleased with that part of my game.
"I had a dip a few weeks ago but I think things are coming together again. I'm happy and my confidence is very good, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the Premier League now."
Match Stats
See highlights from the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts from Friday evening in PDCtv
The visit to the Midlands included the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship final rematch between Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld.
See highlights from the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts from Friday evening in PDCtv
Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts
Week Eight - NIA, Birmingham
Wayne Mardle 2-8 Mervyn King
Terry Jenkins 6-8 Jelle Klaasen
John Part 7-7 James Wade
Phil Taylor 8-2 Raymond van Barneveld
See match highlights in PDCtv from Friday evening - click here for PDCtv
Click here to purchase the official Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts Programme
Click here for your chance to win FREE FLIGHTS with Virgin Atlantic - the Official Airline of the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts
MERVYN KING 8-2 WAYNE MARDLE
MERVYN KING got his Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts campaign back on track with an 8-2 trouncing of Wayne Mardle in Birmingham.
King had begun his debut Premier League season with four straight wins, but defeats in his last two outings had seen him slip to third in the table.
However, he took full advantage of another sloppy doubling display from Mardle to sweep to victory at the NIA.
Mardle began the game well enough, winning the first leg, but missed three darts for the second - allowing King in to level.
Further misses in the third allowed King to lead, and the Norfolk thrower set up a double eight finish in the fourth with a 165 score.
Mardle saw single darts at double 18 and double 12 go begging in the next two legs as King established a 5-1 lead at the break.
A 120 'Shanghai' finish saw Mardle pick up his second leg, but he failed to apply any pressure in leg eight as King took out double one for a 6-2 cushion.
Both players missed double top in the next before double ten put King to the brink of victory, which he sealed in sparkling style, hitting a 180 and a 126 bullseye finish for the match.
"In the last couple of weeks I haven't performed and I struggled a bit at the start of the game, but I felt more comfortable as the match wore on," said King.
"Wayne gave me some chances and I took them, and I'm delighted to get back to winning ways."
Match Stats
|
Wayne Mardle |
2-8 |
Mervyn King |
|
14 |
100+ |
13 |
|
5 |
140+ |
9 |
|
1 |
180 |
2 |
|
28.35 |
Ave1 |
32.08 |
|
85.06 |
Ave3 |
96.24 |
|
120 |
High Finish |
126 |
|
0 |
Legs Against Throw |
3 |
JELLE KLAASEN 8-6 TERRY JENKINS
JELLE KLAASEN picked up his first Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts victory with an 8-6 defeaat of Terry Jenkins at the NIA in Birmingham.
The young Dutchman went into the second half of the league campaign bottom of the table, but jumped above Wayne Mardle with the two points.
Having seen Jenkins come from behind to lead 3-2, Klaasen earned himself a point at 7-5 and held off the Englishman's fightback to take victory.
Klaasen took advantage of a slow start from Jenkins to win the opening leg against the darts, and took out double ten to move 2-0 up before Jenkins got off the mark.
He broke back to level before penalising a missed double top from Klaasen, for a 104 checkout, to lead 3-2.
The youngster took out 64 to level going into the break, but wasted one chance to break again in leg seven - albeit on a tricky double 17 - before finding his top gear.
Klaasen hit the game's first 180 in a 14-darter before then breaking throw to lead 5-4, following another maximum with a 111 checkout for a 12-dart leg.
Double ten put the Dutchman into a 6-4 lead, with Jenkins hitting back with a 180 to set up a 12-darter of his own.
But a 171 score from Klaasen left him 36 in the next, which he took out to ensure a minimum of a draw.
Double ten from Jenkins sent the game into a decider, but Klaasen was too strong as he wrapped up the win - taking out 81 on double 13 for a 12-dart leg.
"I've been close to the win so many times recently but missed doubles cost me, and today they went in," said Klaasen.
"Terry's such a hard player to play against because he scores well but I relaxed after the break and everything went for me.
"It's nice to look at the league table and not be bottom, and hopefully I can start to move closer to the top four, but I'll take every game at a time."
Match Stats
|
Terry Jenkins |
6-8 |
Jelle Klaasen |
|
18 |
100+ |
16 |
|
11 |
140+ |
10 |
|
1 |
180 |
2 |
|
29.96 |
Ave1 |
31.80 |
|
89.88 |
Ave3 |
95.40 |
|
60 |
High Finish |
111 |
|
1 |
Legs Against Throw |
2 |
JOHN PART 7-7 JAMES WADE
JAMES WADE extended his unbeaten run in the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts to six matches with a draw against John Part.
Wade saw the Canadian end his winning streak, but won the deciding leg of a tight battle where amazingly no legs went against the throw.
Both players proved too strong when starting the leg, only to find themselves unable to apply the pressure against the darts.
Wade hit a 180 in the game's opening leg, but two previous 140s from Part helped him to set up a double 16 finish.
He repeated the dose in the third leg, with Wade having got off the mark with an 85 checkout before trading 180s in winning leg four in 13 darts to level at two-all.
A third double 16 finish from Part maintained his flawless finishing and, after Wade took out double eight for 3-3, the Canadian edged in front again with a 113 checkout.
Again the duo traded 180s in leg eight, but Part's hopes of a break of throw were ended when Wade took out double five with his opponent waiting on 24.
Part hit double 16 in leg nine, with an 11-darter from Wade levelling at five-all - only to miss one dart at the bullseye for a break of throw on a 128 finish.
The Canadian took out double six - having missed two earlier darts for the leg - for a 6-5 lead, with Wade hitting back on double top.
A two-dart 65 finish ensured Part would not be defeated, and his hopes of claiming the win lifted when he kicked off the deciding leg with scores of 140 and 180.
But Wade clawed his way back into the leg, and a two-dart 78 checkout gave him a share of the spoils.
"It was a struggle throughout the match," said Part. "I'm not pressuring against the throw and was disappointed in the final leg not to win after hitting 140 and 180."
Wade admitted: "I thought I was going to blow it at times but I'll take a draw because I played pretty well and couldn't get the shot I wanted to get on top of him.
"I did enough to get a point and can't be too disappointed with that, but I can improve."
Match Stats
|
John Part |
7-7 |
James Wade |
|
15 |
100+ |
14 |
|
8 |
140+ |
11 |
|
5 |
180 |
5 |
|
33.09 |
Ave1 |
33.07 |
|
99.27 |
Ave3 |
99.22 |
|
113 |
High Finish |
85 |
|
0 |
Legs Against Throw |
0 |
PHIL TAYLOR 8-2 RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD
PHIL TAYLOR stormed to the top of the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts with an 8-2 defeat of Raymond van Barneveld at the NIA in Birmingham.
Taylor sits ahead of James Wade on leg difference after picking up a comprehensive win over his great rival van Barneveld.
Both missed a host of doubles in the opening leg, but Taylor did land double eight before opening up a 3-0 lead.
Although van Barneveld won two of the next three, Taylor powered clear and won four successive legs to complete the rout.
"I'm always up for games against Raymond and this was no different," said Taylor. "I came out expecting a tough game and we both messed up the first leg and maybe it affected him more than me.
"His head dropped a little and I kept the pressure on him, and I'm over the moon to be top of the table.
"The challenge now is to stay there for the next six weeks and win the play-offs!"
Taylor began the game with three successive 140s, while a 180 from van Barneveld left him on 121 after nine darts - only for both players to lose their range on the doubles.
Taylor missed seven darts at double 16 and van Barneveld was off-target with six darts for the leg before the world number one nailed double eight.
He then took out double ten to break throw, and landed double eight for a 14-darter in taking a 3-0 cushion.
Van Barneveld responded in style with a 13-darter to get off the mark, and was waiting on a finish when Taylor took the next in 11 darts for a 4-1 lead.
Double top pulled van Barneveld back into the game, but Taylor returned from the break in clinical fashion, following up a 14-darter with an 11-darter to break throw as his opponent sat on 40.
A 13-dart kill put him 7-2 up, and he landed a third 180 of the game in sweeping to victory on double ten in the next.
"My scoring tonight was huge for me and my average could have been massive if I'd hit all my doubles," said Taylor. "I was really pleased with that part of my game.
"I had a dip a few weeks ago but I think things are coming together again. I'm happy and my confidence is very good, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the Premier League now."
Match Stats
|
Phil Taylor |
8-2 |
Raymond van Barneveld |
|
12 |
100+ |
12 |
|
13 |
140+ |
10 |
|
3 |
180 |
2 |
|
33.77 |
Ave1 |
32.25 |
|
101.32 |
Ave3 |
96.76 |
|
81 |
High Finish |
80 |
|
3 |
Legs Against Throw |
0 |
See highlights from the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts from Friday evening in PDCtv