Premier League Darts preview
The Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle hosts the penultimate week of the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts tonight. The heat is on for the final play-off spots as five players are bidding to join 15-time world champion Phil Taylor in the semi-finals.
Mervyn King, James Wade, Ronnie Baxter, Simon Whitlock and Adrian Lewis are in contention for the final places. With Taylor sitting at the top of the pile, King is in second place with 13 points, with Wade, Baxter and Whitlock all tied on 12 points.
The evening begins with The Rocket Baxter taking on Lewis. Baxter lies fourth in the table, and Lewis needs to avoid defeat in his last two matches to progress. “I love playing Adrian because he’s the same pace as me and we have a good game together. He’s got a lovely throw and he knows he can hit the big scores, but it’s about who performs on the night,” said Baxter.
Jackpot Lewis must not lose tonight or to Taylor next week in his final match to make it to the semi-finals. “There’s no reason why I can’t qualify, but I’ve got to win both games,” said Lewis.
Lewis has suffered from a broken point on his regular darts, and believes it may have hampered his play-off chances. “My point snapped when one fell out of the board and I had to use heavier darts for a couple of weeks, and my darts were dropping lower. I'm confident again with the darts and I think I can beat both Ronnie and Phil,” said Lewis.
Reigning Premier League champion Wade plays Whitlock in a crunch encounter for the play-offs. “It’s obviously a huge game and to win and get the two points would be massive for me. Simon’s had a good first season in the Premier League and is a lethal finisher, but if I play like I can there’s no reason why I can’t win,” said Wade.
Whitlock is impressing in his debut season in the Premier League, and this is his biggest match since finishing runner-up at the 2010 PDC world championship. “It’s massive for me. I love playing every player and all the matches are tough but I’ll be prepared for James. I think he brings the best out of me and I’ve got to perform,” said the Australian.
Raymond van Barneveld, who cannot qualify for the last four, plays King. After hitting a nine-darter last week, Van Barneveld is looking to find form to take to the World Matchplay in Blackpool in July. “I've got to work very hard because the other players are brilliant, and I'm back in the gym, on a diet and I hope will be back fit and well in the World Matchplay. I'm more of a knockout player and I can focus better on knockout games than a league and I'll look forward to Blackpool,” said Van Barneveld.
In the final game of the night, The Power Taylor takes on Terry Jenkins. With 10 wins out of 12 and still undefeated, Taylor has booked his place in the play-offs, while Jenkins doesn’t have a chance of qualifying.
A defeat for any of the semi-final hopefuls might damage their chances of getting to Wembley Arena to compete for the £125,000 top prize and title of Premier League champion.
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