PHIL TAYLOR has vowed to bounce back from losing his unbeaten record in the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts with the help of his new darts.
Taylor had romped through the first three years of the Premier League unbeaten over 44 games, a record which was shattered by newcomer James Wade in Glasgow last week.
That saw Taylor use a newly designed set of darts for the first time, a change he made in January following a disappointing 2007.
A visit to his dart manufacturer, Unicorn, led to Taylor learning of the company's research into the flight dynamics of a dart and to him trying out a new style of dart.
Taylor was so impressed he has adopted the new dart, leaving behind his longer, slimmer barrel and more ridged grip for the development of the 'Sigma Pro' dart, which is slightly heavier and more oval in design.
As he prepares to face Adrian Lewis in Plymouth on Thursday night, Taylor believes he will improve as a player as he adapts to the new darts.
"I'm really excited," he said. "I've got new darts and I'm excited about them, and pleased with the way I played with them for the first time on television.
"I could have played a lot better in fairness, but I'm pleased with how I've practised. I'm getting more confident and I'm excited.
"I've been playing for about 30 years and I feel as though my career is starting again.
"I'll keep getting stuck in and enjoying the games - and I'm really looking forward to winning again.
"That's the challenge - and when I win you're going to see me bouncing all over the stage because I'll enjoy it."
Lewis made a confident start to the event last week, winning 8-5 against Terry Jenkins after taking a 7-0 lead in clinical fashion.
"I was just pleased to start with a win," said Lewis, who lost both fixtures to Taylor in last year's Premier League.
"There was a lot of pressure last week and it's no different against Phil, but I'm feeling confident."
Current PDC World Champion John Part takes on 2007 holder Raymond van Barneveld in the night's opening game at the Plymouth Pavilions.
Entertainers Peter Manley - who drew with Part last week - and Wayne Mardle also clash, while 2007 runner-up Terry Jenkins faces in-form Wade.
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