Lewis Targets Taylor Scalp

ADRIAN LEWIS is aiming for his first ever televised win over Phil Taylor in the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts on Thursday.

The Stoke youngster has never defeated his former mentor on the big stage, and gets arguably his best chance yet in Plymouth - a week after Taylor's first ever Premier League loss, to James Wade in Glasgow.

Lewis lost 8-2 in both league games in last year's Premier League, and was also defeated in the World Series of Darts final in 2006.

However, the 23-year-old is looking to end that run and maintain his unbeaten start to the 2008 Premier League.

"I won't be thinking that Phil's my mate and he's had a few bad results - I just want those two points," Lewis told The Sentinel.

"I've never beaten Phil on television before and I want that run to end. But you can never take him lightly. He's the best player there's ever been.

"He missed a few doubles last week, but he's got some new darts and it will take some time for him to get used to them.

"He's been in great form in practice and he just needs to get a win on television to get his confidence back - and then he will take some stopping."

Lewis has been labelled by many pundits as a future World Champion, and he added: "I was consistent last year and now I've got to take the next step and win a televised tournament.

"If I can win a tournament, I will take a lot of confidence from that and go from strength to strength."

Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts
Night Two, Plymouth Pavilions

John Part v Raymond van Barneveld
James Wade v Terry Jenkins
Phil Taylor v Adrian Lewis
Peter Manley v Wayne Mardle
Live on Sky Sports One from 7.30pm

Follow the action live in DartsTV, with Live Audio Commentary for subscribers and a Free Live Scoreboard, along with Highlights available from Friday evening

Click here to purchase the official 2008 Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts programme