SUPER TAYLOR HITS BACK AGAINST BARNEY

 

PHIL TAYLOR maintained his 100 percent start to the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts season with an 8-2 rout of Raymond van Barneveld at the Westpoint Arena in Exeter.

 

The 15-time World Champion came from 2-0 down to win eight successive legs against the Dutchman, who was condemned to defeat for a third successive game.

 

Taylor sealed victory with a 116 checkout to ensure that he remains two points clear of Mervyn King ahead of their meeting at the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester next week.

 

"I'm pleased to get the win but I felt the pressure a little bit and started slowly," said Taylor. I expected Raymond to click into gear but when I went in front his head dropped and he wasn't the same player.

 

"When you see a weakness you have to exploit your opponent and hit them hard, and that's what people are doing to Raymond at the moment."

 

King picked up his third win of the season with an impressive 8-5 win over Terry Jenkins, winning four of the game's final five legs to pull clear for victory.

 

Ronnie Baxter won his second successive match, seeing off Simon Whitlock 8-6 in a thriller.

 

Baxter led 4-1 and 7-4 but missed ten match darts as Whitlock hit back to force a deciding leg, only for the Blackpool-based star to land double ten for the win.

 

The night's other game at Exeter's Westpoint Arena saw reigning champion James Wade pick up his first point of the season with a draw against Adrian Lewis.

 

Wade made an electric start with finishes of 148 and 104 in assuming a 3-0 lead, and after Lewis hit back to level the left-hander produced a classy 132 checkout of bull, bull and double 16 in leading 7-4 - only for the Stoke star to win the final three legs and claim a point.

 

Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts

Week Four - Westpoint Arena, Exeter

James Wade 7-7 Adrian Lewis

Ronnie Baxter 8-6 Simon Whitlock

Mervyn King 8-5 Terry Jenkins

Raymond van Barneveld 2-8 Phil Taylor

 

JAMES WADE 7-7 ADRIAN LEWIS

 

JAMES WADE was denied his first win of the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts season as Adrian Lewis snatched a point from a thriller in Exeter.

 

Reigning champion Wade hit three ton-plus finishes in taking a 7-4 cushion against Lewis, but failed to close out victory as the Stoke youngster grabbed a draw.

 

Wade shook of his below-par form of the opening three weeks with a blistering start to the contest at the Westpoint Arena, bringing the 4,000-strong crowd to its feet in the opening two legs with checkouts of 148 and 104.

 

He then hit a 180 to set up a double 12 finish for a 13-darter in the third leg as he took a 3-0 lead, only for Lewis to hit back in style.

 

Lewis landed his first 180 of the game in taking the fourth leg, and punished two missed doubles from Wade in taking out a 13-dart finish of his own to pull back to 3-2.

 

Lewis then levelled the game by taking the sixth leg, and returned from the break to open the next leg with a maximum - which was matched by Wade before the left-hander landed double ten to regain the lead.

 

Lewis took out a brilliant 134 checkout to take leg eight, only for double six to edge Wade back in front before the world number three produced a brilliant 132 checkout of bull, bull and double 16 in moving 6-4 up.

 

A missed bullseye from Lewis, for a 161 finish, was then punished in leg 11 as Wade followed up a 171 score with double 18 to ensure his first point of the season.

 

Lewis fired in a fifth 180 of the game in taking the next leg, and a 14-darter against the throw ensured the game would go to a decider.

 

Wade kicked off with a maximum, but Lewis hit a 180 of his own to take him to the finish first, and he returned from a missed bullseye to land double four and secure a draw.

 

"I gave myself enough opportunities to win the game but 18 months ago I would have killed the game off and I'm not doing that at the moment," said Wade.

 

"It's my own fault because I didn't play well enough to finish the game off, but hopefully this was a glimmer of the James Wade that is there.

 

"Perhaps this is a building block for me, and I'm not as negative as I have been for the past three weeks and I know if I turn up and play I can beat anybody on my day."

 

Lewis said: "I knew James would be determined to get his first win tonight but I went out there and dealt with it.

 

"Other players have been hitting big finishes against me recently and he did a few against me - the 132 finish was fantastic - and when I went 7-4 down I hit the scores and put the pressure on.

 

"If I'd been 7-4 up and in James' shoes, I'd have been so relaxed that I'd have won but he hadn't got a point on the board and it's different for him."

 

RONNIE BAXTER 8-6 SIMON WHITLOCK

 

RONNIE BAXTER claimed his second victory of the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts with an 8-6 win in a dramatic clash with Simon Whitlock at the Westpoint Arena.

 

Baxter took leads of 4-1 and 7-4 against the Australian, but almost allowed Whitlock to grab a draw when he missed ten match darts before finally nailing double ten for the win.

 

He made an explosive start to kick off the match with a 180, and won the opening leg in 11 darts before double ten for a 13-darter put him two legs up.

 

Double eight for a break of throw got Whitlock off the mark, but Baxter produced back-to-back 15-dart finishes on double ten in moving three legs clear.

 

Whitlock produced finishes of 74 and 76 in taking the next two to pull back to 4-3, but was denied a chance to level as Baxter fired in a 177 and double top to lead 5-3.

 

The Australian missed the bullseye to take the ninth leg as double 16 gave Baxter a three-leg cushion, although Whitlock hit the same bed to win the next.

 

The pair traded 180s in leg 11, with Baxter taking out double five with his third dart to secure a 7-4 cushion and ensure he would avoid defeat.

 

Whitlock battled back with a 180 in the next, and stepped in after Baxter missed two darts at double 16 for victory to land double five and stay in the game.

 

Baxter then missed seven match darts in leg 13, as double top from Whitlock ensured a decider - but it was the Englishman who prevailed with a 14-darter against the throw to seal victory.

 

"I started well and went into the break, and managed to hold that," said Baxter. "I didn't falter except a few doubles, but it's such a relief to get the win again because it would have hurt if I'd not got that winning leg!"

 

Whitlock admitted: "I felt good but I didn't settle down on stage and I'm disappointed. He started fantastically and it was hard to come back from that."

 

MERVYN KING 8-5 TERRY JENKINS

MERVYN KING inflicted a first defeat of the 2010 Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts season on Terry Jenkins with an 8-5 victory at Exeter's Westpoint Arena.

 

Jenkins had taken a win and two draws from the tournament's opening three weeks, but was edged out by a fine King performance.

 

King won the game's opening two legs, hitting double six for a 72 finish and double 16 in the second, before being punished as Jenkins landed a 14-darter to get off the mark.

 

A fine 116 checkout for a 12-dart leg saw Jenkins level, and the pair traded the next four legs to leave the scores poised at four-all.

 

Two missed darts at double eight gave Jenkins his chance to edge ahead, but crucially he was off-target on tops as King returned to take his opportunity.

 

The duo swapped maximums in the tenth leg before King moved two clear at 6-4, but he saw a dart at tops for a 160 finish in the next land on the wrong side of the wire as Jenkins hit the same bed to halve the arrears.

 

However, he missed his chance to level again in leg 12, as double 16 gave King his seventh leg before he powered over the winning line, hitting two 180s in a 12-dart finish to wrap up the victory.

 

"It's always nice to beat Terry because he's such a battler," said King. "Usually when you give him a sniff he takes it, but luckily he missed a couple of chances and it's nice to come out on the right end of the result."

 

Jenkins admitted: "I kept with Mervyn but when he made a mistake I didn't punish him, and you can't afford to do that against him.

 

"I knew I had to break him at four-all and I think that was my big chance, but my dart at double top was just the wrong side of the wire. Overall, my performances are a bit patchy at the moment and I need to be more consistent."

 

PHIL TAYLOR 8-2 RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD

PHIL TAYLOR won eight successive legs to defeat Raymond van Barneveld 8-2 in the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts at Exeter's Westpoint Arena.

 

Dutch star van Barneveld took the game's opening two legs in making an ideal start to his search for a first win over the 15-time World Champion in over 18 months.

 

But he failed to maintain the pressure as Taylor levelled and then punished two missed darts from van Barneveld in the fifth before pulling away to claim a fourth successive victory in this year's Premier League.

 

"I'm pleased to get the win but I felt the pressure a little bit and started slowly," said Taylor. I expected Raymond to click into gear but when I went in front his head dropped and he wasn't the same player.

 

"I seemed to settle down a bit but it wasn't my best performance."

 

Taylor certainly began below-par, hitting only one ton in the opening leg as van Barneveld capitalised on double four before then taking out double 19 to win the second leg.

 

The Dutchman missed a dart at the bullseye for a 128 finish in the third, with Taylor checking out double 16 to get off the mark before squaring the game with a fine 12-dart finish, featuring three ton-plus scores and a 96 finish.

 

Taylor kicked off the fifth leg with his first maximum of the night, and a brace of missed darts at double top from van Barneveld allowed him to hit the same bed and take the lead.

 

World number one Taylor added another 180 in the sixth leg, which he took on double 16, before a second 12-dart finish saw him move 5-2 up.

 

Van Barneveld was punished for another missed double in leg eight - this time at double 16 for 110 finish - as Taylor took out 77 in two darts to lead by four legs.

 

A 13-darter against the throw, where Taylor hit three scores of 96 before a 177 set up double 18, saw the Stoke great move to the brink of victory, which was sealed in style with a 116 checkout.

 

"When you see a weakness you have to exploit your opponent and hit them hard, and that's what people are doing to Raymond at the moment," added Taylor.

 

"I think he needs to be a bit more competitive and he's missing out on some major tournaments. It's like playing football and having two or three weeks off, you're not going to be match fit and I think he's got to start thinking about playing in more tournaments now."

 

TAYLOR POWERS TO DERBY WIN

 

PHIL TAYLOR powered past Terry Jenkins 6-1 to claim Saturday's Players Championship in Derby in his first PDC ProTour appearance of 2010.

 

The world number one confirmed his return to top form following a virus at the Moorways Centre in Derby, backing up a third successive Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts victory on Thursday with a devastating Players Championship win.

 

Taylor dropped just six legs in seven matches on his way to the £6,000 title, which included whitewashes of Andy Hamilton and Chris Thompson, with Co Stompe being the only player to win two legs against him, in their quarter-final.

 

After storming to victory against York's Thompson in the semi-finals, Taylor blew away Premier League rival Jenkins 6-1 in the final.

 

He opened the final with a 14-dart finish, and set up a double eight checkout with a 168 score in breaking Jenkins' throw in the second leg.

 

A missed double 11, for a 124 finish, allowed Jenkins to hit back in the third, but Taylor slammed home checkouts of 108 and 124 in taking the next two legs, before hitting a 180 in a 13-darter to lead 5-1.

 

Four missed match darts in the next leg allowed Jenkins a chance to stay in the game, but he wasted two darts at double top as Taylor returned to hit double two for victory.

 

Jenkins' run to the final was his best display in a Players Championship since last April, and included a superb comeback from 5-2 down to defeat Steve Brown in the quarter-finals.

 

He also overcame Premier League star Ronnie Baxter and resurgent Chris Mason on the day in claiming the £3,000 runner-up prize.

 

Mason defeated Michael van Gerwen, Simon Whitlock, Gary Anderson, Mark Webster and Jelle Klaasen in an impressive run of form in his second weekend after returning from an eight-month break.

 

Thompson reached his first PDC ProTour semi-final for almost two years, defeating Jamie Caven 6-4 in the last eight as well as whitewashing his York rival Martyn Turner, who had knocked out Colin Lloyd in round one.

 

Mervyn King and Kevin Painter joined Lloyd and Klaasen in being seeded players to exit in round one, while Welshman Richie Burnett enjoyed a return to form with a run to the last 16, defeating Alan Tabern and Dennis Priestley on the day.

 

Players Championship Four

Preliminary Round

Dave Ladley 6-2 Nick Fullwell

Adrian Gray 6-3 Ian Lever

Steve Watts 6-2 Mike Roberts

Matt Padgett 6-4 Stuart Bousfield

Darren Webster 6-5 Michael Barnard

Gary Welding 6-5 Matt Draper

Dave Smith 6-3 Dave Askew

Anton Liscsey 6-5 Colin Monk

Darren Latham 6-3 Henry Zapata

Richie Burnett 6-2 Kevin Harris

Joe Cullen 6-2 Steve Grubb

Steve Brown 6-1 Jim McKevitt

Stuart Dutton 6-2 Peter Hudson

Mark Frost 6-3 Anthony Urmston-Toft

Bryan de Hoog 6-5 Steve Musson

Tony Ayres 6-1 Ian Jopling

Andy Hutchings 6-1 Kirk Shepherd

Wayne Atwood 6-1 Gary Blades

Simon Whitlock 6-4 Matt Clark

Tony Randell 6-0 Tony Clark

Kevin McDine 6-0 Tony Blundell

Justin Pipe 6-1 James Barton

 

First Round

Phil Taylor (1) 6-1 Steve Evans

Mark Hylton 6-3 Mark Carter

Peter Manley (32) 6-4 Tony Martin

Dave Ladley 6-2 Andy Pearson

Andy Hamilton (16) 6-0 Daz Mawer

Jyhan Artut 6-4 Robert Alford

Vincent van der Voort (17) 6-2 Mick McGowan

Adrian Gray 6-2 Steve Watts

Wes Newton (8) 6-2 Anastasia Dobromyslova

Roland Scholten 6-1 Andy Fordham

Co Stompe (25) 6-1 Jimmy Mann

Matt Padgett 6-1 Paul Rowley

Steve Beaton (9) 6-5 Ian McFarlane

Louis Blundell 6-2 John MaGowan

Rick Lowther 6-2 Kevin Painter (24)

Darren Webster 6-4 Danny Pinhorne

Adrian Lewis (5) 6-0 Geoff Whitworth

Mark Stephenson 6-3 Tom Martin

Brendan Dolan (28) 6-2 Steven Perry

Gary Welding 6-2 Dean Allsopp

Jamie Caven (12) 6-3 Kevin Dowling

Paul Williams 6-5 Toon Greebe

Andy Smith (21) 6-0 Tony Comerford

Dave Smith 6-5 Anton Liscsey

Martyn Turner 6-1 Colin Lloyd (4)

Chris Thompson 6-2 Andy Relf

Tony Eccles (29) 6-0 Tommy McIntosh

Stephen Hardy 6-3 Darren Latham

Dennis Priestley (13) 6-0 Ron Atwill

Mark Lawrence 6-0 Frazer Hill

Alan Tabern (20) 6-3 Lee Williams

Richie Burnett 6-5 Joe Cullen

Mark Walsh (2) 6-1 Robbie Newland

Darren Weaver 6-4 Mareno Michels

Steve Hine (31) 6-1 Matt Gallett

Steve Brown 6-2 Andy Callaby

Robert Thornton (15) 6-4 Steve Maish

Nigel Birch 6-4 Nigel Heydon

Denis Ovens (18) 6-3 Chris Loudon

Mark Frost 6-4 Stuart Dutton

James Wade (7) 6-1 Mark Jodrill

Wayne Mardle 6-3 Sean White

Peter Wright (26) 6-2 Arron Monk

Sam Allen 6-5 Bryan de Hoog

Ronnie Baxter (10) 6-5 Steve Farmer

Simon Burt 6-2 James Dunlop

Terry Jenkins (23) 6-4 Par Riihonen

Dylan Duo 6-1 Tony Ayres

Gary Anderson (6) 6-2 Dennis Smith

Alex Roy 6-1 Matthew Wenham

Chris Mason 6-4 Jelle Klaasen (27)

Mark Webster 6-1 Andy Hutchings

Wayne Jones (11) 6-0 Lee Hayes

Terry Temple 6-1 Martyn Bevan

Paul Nicholson (22) 6-5 John Part

Simon Whitlock 6-3 Wayne Atwood

Colin Osborne (3) 6-3 Robert Parker

Dave Honey 6-2 Andy Pearce

Mark Dudbridge (30) 6-1 Michael Smith

Mark Jones 6-5 Tony Randell

Darren Johnson 6-4 Mervyn King (14)

Barrie Bates 6-0 Jon Archer

Michael van Gerwen (19) 6-4 John Quantock

Kevin McDine 6-5 Justin Pipe

 

Second Round

Phil Taylor 6-1 Mark Hylton

Peter Manley 6-1 Dave Ladley

Andy Hamilton 6-2 Jyhan Artut

Vincent van der Voort 6-2 Adrian Gray

Wes Newton 6-4 Roland Scholten

Co Stompe 6-3 Matt Padgett

Louis Blundell 6-5 Steve Beaton

Darren Webster 6-3 Rick Lowther

Adrian Lewis 6-3 Mark Stephenson

Brendan Dolan 6-3 Gary Welding

Jamie Caven 6-1 Paul Williams

Dave Smith 6-0 Andy Smith

Chris Thompson 6-0 Martyn Turner

Stephen Hardy 6-3 Tony Eccles

Dennis Priestley 6-3 Mark Lawrence

Richie Burnett 6-5 Alan Tabern

Mark Walsh 6-2 Darren Weaver

Steve Brown 6-5 Steve Hine

Robert Thornton 6-2 Nigel Birch

Denis Ovens 6-3 Mark Frost

James Wade 6-0 Wayne Mardle

Peter Wright 6-1 Sam Allen

Ronnie Baxter 6-1 Simon Burt

Terry Jenkins 6-2 Dylan Duo

Gary Anderson 6-2 Alex Roy

Chris Mason 6-3 Mark Webster

Wayne Jones 6-4 Terry Temple

Simon Whitlock 6-4 Paul Nicholson

Colin Osborne 6-3 Dave Honey

Mark Dudbridge 6-5 Mark Jones

Darren Johnson 6-4 Barrie Bates

Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Kevin McDine

Losers £200

 

Third Round

Phil Taylor 6-1 Peter Manley

Andy Hamilton 6-4 Vincent van der Voort

Co Stompe 6-3 Wes Newton

Louis Blundell 6-5 Darren Webster

Brendan Dolan 6-4 Adrian Lewis

Jamie Caven 6-4 Dave Smith

Chris Thompson 6-5 Stephen Hardy

Richie Burnett 6-2 Dennis Priestley

Steve Brown 6-3 Mark Walsh

Robert Thornton 6-4 Denis Ovens

James Wade 6-2 Peter Wright

Terry Jenkins 6-4 Ronnie Baxter

Chris Mason 6-3 Gary Anderson

Simon Whitlock 6-3 Wayne Jones

Mark Dudbridge 6-3 Colin Osborne

Michael van Gerwen 6-1 Darren Johnson

Losers £300

 

Fourth Round

Phil Taylor 6-0 Andy Hamilton

Co Stompe 6-2 Louis Blundell

Jamie Caven 6-2 Brendan Dolan

Chris Thompson 6-5 Richie Burnett

Steve Brown 6-3 Robert Thornton

Terry Jenkins 6-3 James Wade

Chris Mason 6-5 Simon Whitlock

Michael van Gerwen 6-2 Mark Dudbridge

Losers £500

 

Quarter-Finals

Phil Taylor 6-2 Co Stompe

Chris Thompson 6-4 Jamie Caven

Terry Jenkins 6-5 Steve Brown

Chris Mason 6-2 Michael van Gerwen

Losers £1,000

 

Semi-Finals

Phil Taylor 6-0 Chris Thompson

Terry Jenkins 6-3 Chris Mason

Losers £1,500

 

Final

Phil Taylor 6-1 Terry Jenkins

Winner £6,000

Runner-Up £3,000

PDC LAUNCHES PDC WORLD CUP, PDC UNICORN UNDER-21 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP & PDC UNICORN WOMENS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

 

Following the decision, by a majority vote, of the BDO County Associations not to agree to discuss the detail of the PDC’s  offer to acquire the British Darts Organisation nor to grant the PDC access to its books of accounts in order for normal due diligence to be carried out the Board of the PDC can issue the following statement:

 

The Board of the PDC find the decision of the BDO County Associations not to engage in discussions as to how to distribute the PDC’s proposed cash injection of £2m into amateur darts contrary to the best interests of the membership they represent.

 

Nevertheless the PDC Board has accepted this decision and intends to move on with its plans for the expansion of the professional game of darts offering all players the opportunity to compete with the elite of world darts for prize money at a level never before experienced.

 

As the first stage of these new exciting plans we are proud to make a number of announcements:

 

1)                   PDC World Cup of Darts

 

To be screened live by Sky Sports from December 3 to December 5 2010 with 24 competing countries drawn from the PDC’s Order of Merit and offering prize money of £150,000.

 

2)                   PDC Unicorn Under-21 World Championship

 

The PDC’s official darts equipment provider Unicorn will sponsor this open competition available to any darts player over 18 but under 21 on January 3 2011.

Regional events will be played at Rileys Dartzones with the winners playing down to the two finalists who will compete for the title live on Sky Sports at Alexandra Palace before the final of the Ladbrokes.com World Championship.

 

A total of £30,000 in prize money will be paid as follows:

 

Winner                                  £10,000

Runner- Up                           £5,000

Semi-finalists                       £2,500 each

Quarter-finalists                 £1,250 each

Last 16 losers                      £625 each

 

Additionally, the two finalists will also be invited to become PDC ProTour card holders for 2011 and 2012 and would receive sponsorship from Rileys Dartzones, the PDC’s staging partners in this event.

 

3)                   PDC Unicorn Women’s World Championship

 

The PDC’s official darts equipment provider Unicorn will sponsor this open competition open competition available to any female over 18, with regional events to be played at Rileys Dartzones between May and July with the two finalists competing for the title live on Sky Sports at the Winter Gardens before the final of the World Matchplay.

 

Prize money and PDC ProTour card invitations will be granted on the same basis as for the Under-21 World Championship with sponsorship again provided by Rileys Dartzones, the PDC’s staging partners in this event.

 

4)                   Grand Slam of Darts

 

The finalists of the PDC Unicorn Under-21 and Women’s World Championships will be invited to compete in the Grand Slam of Darts in November 2010.

 

Invitations previously issued to the BDO Women’s World Championship and Winmau World Masters will be withdrawn, although the four invitations from the Lakeside Championship continue to apply.

 

The PDC feels that with eight players seeded through to the final stages and a level of prize money below standard PDC ProTour Weekends the Winmau World Masters does not reach credible qualification criteria.

 

5)                   PDC ProTour Cards

 

In addition to the automatic granting of PDC ProTour cards for the finalists of the PDC Unicorn Under-21 and Women’s World Championship events the PDC will grant PDC ProTour card membership to the four semi-finalists of the BDO Lakeside Championship on application.

 

The PDC remains totally committed to the PDC ProTour card and its instigation in January 2011 and will be looking to substantially increase PDC ProTour prize funds in 2011.

 

PDC ProTour Cards will be issued to the top 88 players from the PDC Order of Merit who have competed in at least ten events on January 4 2011.

 

The remaining 32 PDC ProTour cards will be allocated as follows:

 

-          Top 4 from BDO Lakeside Championship (semi-finalists and finalists)

-          Top 2 from PDC Unicorn Under-21 World Championship (finalists)

-          Top 2 from PDC Unicorn Women’s World Championship (finalists)

-          Top 24 from January 2011 PDC ProTour Q School

 

As tournaments will be comprised of 128 players only, the remaining eight places, plus any that have been created by a deficit in entries, will be filled by players from Friday night qualifying competitions held before PDC ProTour events. These qualifying competitions will only be open to players who have competed in the January 2011 Q School.

 

Full details on the PDC ProTour and ProTour Cards for 2011 and beyond, including entry criteria for non-UK events, will be announced by the end of March 2011 following further consultation with the PDPA.

 

6)                   PDC UK Open

 

To thank the eight counties who voted in favour of at least discussing the PDC’s offer to the BDO, the PDC would like to offer each of those counties one spot in to the 2010 PDC UK Open, with the qualification criteria to be discussed individually with each relevant county.

 

Following these announcements, PDC Chairman Barry Hearn commented:

 

“The aim of our offer to the BDO was to unify the sport of darts and this remains our long-term objective despite the decision by the BDO County Associations.

 

“To turn down £2m without even sitting down with us to discuss the details of our offer is, in my opinion unbelievable, when you consider the poor state of health financially of the amateur game.  I would like to congratulate the eight counties who voted to at least consider the offer in detail by way of meeting – they have done their membership and the sport of darts proud and can hold their heads high and we are delighted to offer each of those counties one entrant into the 2010 PDC UK Open. Now we move forward with the beginning of a new era for darts.

 

“The PDC Unicorn Women’s World Championship carries prize money of £30,000 plus £10,000 of sponsorship, compared with the Lakeside version of just £12,000 total prize fund.  The PDC Unicorn Under-21 World Championship carries prize money of £30,000 plus £10,000 of sponsorship, compared with the BDO Teenage Championships prize fund of £2,000 and the World Youth Masters that carries no prize money at all.  

 

“The PDC World Cup carries prize money of £150,000 compared with the WDF version which carries no prize money at all.

 

“The PDC ProTour in 2011 will see over 35 events with prize money of at least £35,000 with around a dozen weekends offering £70,000-plus in prize money – truly the basis for a proper professional tour.

 

“We shall continue to drive this great sport forward undismayed by the intransigencies of the amateur game which is built on inept financial management, self interest and mediocrity. 

 

“The future is exciting for all players and I hope today’s announcements show that the PDC is a vibrant, efficient and effective body well qualified to take the sport of darts to an entirely new level.”

 

Unicorn Managing Director Edward Lowy added:

“Unicorn are delighted to support the PDC's initiatives in creating opportunities for female and youth dart players by sponsoring the PDC Unicorn Women's World Championship and the PDC Unicorn Under-21 World Championship.

“For too long, ladies and younger players have suffered from a lack of investment in competitive tournaments and a lack of prize money to enable them to develop their game. Sky televising the Finals of these tournaments live will be the vital oxygen that will start to breathe new hope and new life into aspiring - and extremely capable - lady and youth competitors.

“We applaud Rileys for their ongoing contribution to the sport of darts and look forward to partnering with them through the qualifying rounds of these two exciting PDC Unicorn tournaments.”

 

PDPA Chairman Peter Manley said:

“The PDPA is delighted to give the PDC its full support as continues to take darts to new levels. We are excited about these new tournaments and the opportunities they will offer both our current and future membership.

 

“We applaud the PDC’s vision and determination to continue developing darts around the world and look forward to an exciting year ahead.”

 

BELOW-PAR TAYLOR OPENS 2010 WHYTE & MACKAY PREMIER LEAGUE DARTS WITH VICTORY

 

PHIL TAYLOR climbed out of his sickbed to begin the 2010 Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts with an 8-3 win over Australian Simon Whitlock at The O2 in London.

 

Taylor had spent much of the week in bed with a virus ahead of the tournament's opening night, but put aside his health concerns to repeat his victory over Whitlock in the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship final a month ago.

 

The world number one only travelled to The O2 in London on the afternoon of the game, and a lack of practice showed in a below-par opening, but he won seven of the game's final eight legs in sweeping to victory.

 

"I hadn't thrown a dart for about a week before today and really had to concentrate and push through," said Taylor. "I got better as the game went on but Simon wasn't at his best either.

 

"I know we will both improve over the next few weeks, and I'll certainly be better in Bournemouth next week after I've had a good rest to recover properly."

 

The tournament's opening night, witnessed by over 8,000 fans at The O2, began with a draw between Ronnie Baxter and Terry Jenkins, who took the game's final two legs to grab a point against the Lancastrian.

 

Mervyn King, the runner-up in 2009, made an impressive start to this year's event with an 8-5 win over Adrian Lewis, who led 2-0 early on but failed to keep up the pressure as the Norfolk man posted a 101 average.

 

"To average 101 and win my opening game is very pleasing and it's a very good start to the tournament for me," said King. "I'm using some new darts and still getting used to them, and believe me there is plenty of room for improvement."

 

Reigning champion James Wade, though, suffered an 8-5 loss to Raymond van Barneveld, who marked his return from a month's break with some strong finishing against the left-hander.

 

"I'm very happy with the win and pleased with the performance but I know I'll improve as this tournament goes on," said van Barneveld. "I'm working hard on my fitness at the moment and am back practising well too, and that showed a bit.

 

"The O2 Arena is an incredible place to play darts and the level I want to perform at. It's a superb venue and I can't wait to play the next three months in arenas like this."

 

The event continues next Thursday in Brighton, live on Sky Sports in High Definition, when Lewis meets van Barneveld, Jenkins faces Whitlock, Taylor takes on Baxter and Wade comes up against King.

 

2010 Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts

Week One - The O2, London

Ronnie Baxter 7-7 Terry Jenkins

Mervyn King 8-5 Adrian Lewis

Raymond van Barneveld 8-5 James Wade

Simon Whitlock 3-8 Phil Taylor

 

RONNIE BAXTER 7-7 TERRY JENKINS

TERRY JENKINS scrambled from behind to grab a draw with Ronnie Baxter in the opening game of the 2010 Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts.

 

Baxter seemed set to take victory on his return to the Premier League, where he last competed in 2006, after taking a 7-5 lead against Jenkins to secure a point.

 

But he paid the price for failing to close out victory as the 2007 runner-up took the final two legs to share the spoils.

 

The pair both struggled to hold their throw in the early stages, with Jenkins punishing missed doubles to take the first leg before Baxter returned the favour in taking the second.

 

The duo traded 180s in the third, with Jenkins taking out 81 for an 11-darter, only for Baxter to land 180s in the next two in edging 3-2 up.

 

The Lancastrian also hit a maximum in leg six, but Jenkins matched that and took the leg, before trading 15-darters to remain locked after eight legs.

 

Baxter took out double 16 at the first time of asking to win the next leg, and rode his luck before breaking Jenkins' throw on double two to go 6-4 up.

 

Jenkins broke back in the ninth, but wasted three chances to square the contest as Baxter took out double ten for a point.

 

However, Jenkins remained alive with double top, and was too strong in the deciding leg to land double eight to snatch a draw.

 

"I'm happy with a draw because it's a point on the league table early doors, but I'm not happy with my performance," said Jenkins. "Early on I felt I should have been three or four legs, but Ronnie hit some 180s at the right times."

 

Baxter said: "Neither of us could hold our throw early in the game, but I felt I was in control in the second half.

 

"When I went 7-5 up I wanted to put a good leg in, but that didn't happen, Terry stuck in there and got the draw."

 

MERVYN KING 8-5 ADRIAN LEWIS

MERVYN KING kicked off the 2010 Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts campaign in style with a superb 8-5 win over Adrian Lewis.

 

The 2009 runner-up opened the new season where he left off in 2009, having reached the final in his debut campaign with some fine darts, and averaged 101.39 in powering past the returning Stoke ace.

 

Lewis made a typically explosive start to the contest, taking the first two legs without reply from King - hitting a 177 to leave 24 in a 13-dart finish before landing a 180 in a 12-darter to double his lead.

 

King took out 121 for a 12-darter of his own in the third, and punished missed doubles from Lewis to level in the next.

 

A 14-darter against the throw allowed Lewis to lead 3-2 - only for the Norfolk ace to win the next three, taking out 124 in the first of three successive legs under 15 darts

 

Lewis responded with 180s in taking the next two, with a 100 finish squaring the game, only for King to find another gear in powering to the victory.

 

He opened leg 11 with a 180 before taking out a 14-darter to regain the lead, double 1 in the next for a 13-dart finish and then double four to seal both points.

 

"Even when I went behind I didn't stop believing in my own ability and I'll never give up," said King. "I'm using some new darts and still getting used to them, and believe me there is plenty of room for improvement.

 

"But to average 101 and win my opening game is very pleasing and it's a very good start to the tournament for me."

 

Lewis admitted: "It's a disappointing start for me, but it's one game out of 14 and I'll hopefully put this behind me next week.

 

"I let Mervyn in a few times and didn't quite perform, there were too many slack darts which gave him chances, and he took them."

 

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 8-5 JAMES WADE

DUTCH star Raymond van Barneveld condemned reigning champion James Wade to defeat on the opening night of the 2010 Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts.

 

Van Barneveld avenged his semi-final loss to the left-hander last season with an assured display at The O2 in London, returning to action for the first time since the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.

 

Wade edged the early stages to lead 3-2, but a mid-game surge from van Barneveld saw him win four successive legs in taking a vital 6-3 cushion.

 

Perhaps inspired by a 180 in opening the sixth leg, he landed double ten to break throw and returned from the break to land double top and lead 4-3.

 

Wade then hit 180s in the next two legs, but failed to close out the eighth as double 16 allowed van Barneveld to step in, and an 11-darter from the Dutchman, including a maximum of his own, gave him a three-leg advantage.

 

Van Barneveld then opened the tenth leg superbly, with scores of 140, 180 and 145 leaving him 36 after nine darts - only for five missed doubles to allow Wade to land a maximum and double top to steal the leg.

 

Wade then missed his chance to pull back another leg when, following another 180, he was off-target on double top for a 120 finish, with double 16 ensured a minimum of a draw for van Barneveld.

 

Tops gave Wade hope of snatching a point, but he missed a dart at the same bed in the 13th leg, and van Barneveld posted double four to ensure the win.

 

"I'm very happy with the win and pleased with the performance but I know I'll improve as this tournament goes on," said van Barneveld. "I'm working hard on my fitness at the moment and am back practising well too, and that showed a bit.

 

"The O2 Arena is an incredible place to play darts and the level I want to perform at. It's a superb venue and I can't wait to play the next three months in arenas like this."

 

Wade admitted: "I started well but didn't keep up the pressure on Raymond, and it's disappointing. But there are another 13 games remaining and I've plenty of chances to put it right."

 

PHIL TAYLOR 8-3 SIMON WHITLOCK

PHIL TAYLOR climbed out of his sickbed to begin the 2010 Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts with an 8-3 win over Australian Simon Whitlock at The O2 in London.

 

Taylor had spent much of the week in bed with a virus ahead of the tournament's opening night, but put aside his health concerns to repeat his victory over Whitlock in the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship final a month ago.

 

The world number one only travelled to London on the afternoon of the game, and a lack of practice showed in a below-par opening, but he won seven of the game's final eight legs in sweeping to victory.

 

Taylor hit a 180 in the opening leg, but missed double 16 to break Whitlock's throw as the Aussie landed double top for the opening leg.

 

Four-time Premier League winner Taylor hit the same bed to win the second leg, before a classy 13-darter from Whitlock edged him 2-1 up.

 

Taylor levelled on double five following a scrappy fourth leg, which saw him miss eight darts at a double under little pressure from his opponent, only hit a 180 and take out 122 on the bull with a 12-dart finish for a sparkling break of throw.

 

The duo traded maximums to kick off leg six, but Taylor's profligacy on doubles cost him for a second time in the match as Whitlock landed tops for an 80 finish to square the game at the break.

 

Taylor hit a second 12-darter of the game to win the seventh leg, with another 122 finish, and double top in the next put him two legs clear.

 

A double 16 checkout, with his third dart, saw Taylor move 6-3 up, and he wrapped up the win in style with a pair of 12-darters, landing a 180 in the tenth leg and finishing 103 to seal victory.

 

"I hadn't thrown a dart for about a week before today and really had to concentrate and push through," said Taylor. "I got better as the game went on but Simon wasn't at his best either.

 

"I know we will both improve over the next few weeks, and I'll certainly be better in Bournemouth next week after I've had a good rest to recover properly.

 

"I'll have to get better too, because it's a fantastic Premier League this year and probably the strongest field ever, but there's a long way to go."

 

He added: "The O2 is a fabulous venue, probably the most impressive I've ever played in and a great way to begin this year's tournament."

 

OVENS TAKES GIBRALTAR TITLE

 

DENIS OVENS won his first PDC Pro tour event since 2007 with victory over Gary Anderson in the final of Sunday's Gibraltar Players Championship.

 

Ovens claimed the £6,000 title with a fine day of darts in the Tercentenary Sports Hall, picking up his first win in two-and-a-half years and reaching a final for the first time in 16 months.

 

In a day of steadily improving form, he overcame Tony Blundell, Andy Relf and Par Riihonen in the early stages before blowing away Mark Dudbridge and Andy Hamilton 6-1 and dropping just two legs against Steve Evans.

 

He enjoyed a thrilling final against Hamilton, hitting two 180s in taking a 4-2 lead before Anderson took out 78 and 96 to level.

 

A 120 finish put Ovens 5-4 up, with Anderson taking the tenth leg but having no answer in the decider, as the Stevenage man hit another 180 and took out 96 for the title.

 

Anderson was in blistering form in the early rounds, dropping only two legs in victories against Bryan De Hoog, Tab Hunter, Wayne Atwood and Robert Thornton before sweeping past Terry Jenkins 6-3 and seeing off Nigel Heydon 6-2 in the semi-finals.

 

Heydon, an undertaker from Leamington Spa who competed as an amateur qualifier in the 2007 UK Open, celebrated his debut weekend on the PDC Pro Tour by reaching the semi-finals.

 

He overcame Darren Johnson, Andy Smith, Paul Nicholson, Kevin McDine and James Wade in an excellent run before losing to Anderson, but takes home the biggest paycheck of his darts career with £1,500.

 

Hamilton's run to the last four saw him match Anderson in dropping only two legs in his first four games, including a whitewash of Colin Osborne - who he will now practice with on a regular basis after moving to Derby.

 

Welsh pair Steve Evans and Richie Burnett enjoyed fine runs, with Evans defeating John Part and Colin Lloyd - the winner of Saturday's StanJames.com Eddie Cox Memorial Trophy - in reaching the quarter-finals.

 

Wade reached the last eight for a second successive day, while Jenkins battled past Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts rival Adrian Lewis in progressing to the quarters.

 

The day also featured the first nine-dart finish of 2010, as Matt Clark achieved the feat in his first round win over Dave Askew, earning him a £3,600 bonus.

 

Gibraltar Players Championship

Preliminary Round

John MaGowan 6-2 George Ramos

Mareno Michels 6-3 Dyson Parody

John Quantock 6-2 Jeremy Cruz

Chris Loudon 6-0 Jimmy King

Manolo Vilerio 6-3 Miguel Tejero

Christian Tosso 6-5 Geoff Whitworth

Marko Puls 6-0 Kevin Negron

Harry Parody 6-3 Steve Randall

Dennis Smith 6-3 Daz Mawer

Christian Robba 6-4 Alan Kimberley

Adrian Gray 6-1 David Bautista

Mark Stephenson 6-5 Nick Fullwell

Rocco Maes 6-2 Salvador Santiago

Sebastijan Pecjak 6-2 Francisco Arias

Maik Langendorf 6-4 David Rodriguez

Michael Barnard 6-0 Alvaro Gonzalez

Andy Relf 6-2 Francisco Lucena

John Part 6-0 Wayne Mardle

Steve Evans 6-5 Steve Grubb

Darren Webster 6-2 Michael Frydendahl

 

First Round

Mark Walsh (1) 6-3 Jason Clark

Joe Cullen 6-0 Andree Welge

Kevin McDine (32) 6-4 Tony Randell

John MaGowan 6-1 Mareno Michels

Andy Smith (16) 6-0 Lee White

Nigel Heydon 6-4 Darren Johnson

Paul Nicholson (17) 6-2 Carlos Rodriguez

John Quantock 6-0 Michael Schmidt

James Wade (8) 6-1 Ian Eames

Louis Blundell 6-0 Agustin Hernandez

Jelle Klaasen (25) 6-2 Rafael Carrero

Steve Maish 6-2 Chris Loudon

Ronnie Baxter (9) 6-1 Mick McGowan

Dave Honey 6-2 Matthew Wenham

Co Stompe (24) 6-0 Dave Ahmet

Colin Monk 6-3 Manolo Vilerio

Gary Anderson (5) 6-1 Bryan De Hoog

Tab Hunter 6-4 Stuart Bousfield

Wayne Atwood 6-3 Steve Hine (28)

Michael Kloenhammer 6-0 Christian Tosso

Robert Thornton (12) 6-1 Jon Archer

Barrie Bates 6-1 Raul Lazaro

Kevin Painter (21) 6-5 Darren Latham

Marko Puls 6-2 Sam Allen

Adrian Lewis (4) 6-1 Michel Helder

Tony Martin 6-3 George Federico

Peter Manley (29) 6-2 Ian MacFarlane

Dennis Smith 6-3 Harry Parody

Vincent van der Voort (13) 6-0 Carsten Christensen

Mark Jodrill 6-0 Jann Hoffmann

Terry Jenkins (20) 6-0 Stefan Federico

Christian Robba 6-3 Paul Wills

Colin Osborne (2) 6-0 Glenn Cameron

Keith Rooney 6-1 Kirk Shepherd

Matt Clark (31) 6-4 Dave Askew - Matt Clark hits nine-dart finish

Adrian Gray 6-1 Mark Stephenson

Alan Tabern (15) 6-2 Alex Roy

Mark Webster 6-0 Mark Robinson

Andy Hamilton (18) 6-0 Jim Leighton

Peter Hudson 6-1 Rocco Maes

Wes Newton (7) 6-2 James Barton

Tomas Seyler 6-1 Mike Roberts

Tony Eccles (26) 6-3 Michael Rosenauer

Sebastijan Pecjak 6-1 Gary Mawson

Wayne Jones (10) 6-2 Mark Lawrence

Justin Pipe 6-2 Justin Broton

Tony Ayres 6-2 Peter Wright (23)

Maik Langendorf 6-4 Simon Craven

Steve Beaton (6) 6-4 Dylan Duo

Antonio Estelerric 6-3 Didier De Vuyst

Mark Dudbridge (27) 6-1 Carlos Martinez

Michael Barnard 6-1 Mark Hylton

Jamie Caven (11) 6-1 Henry Zapata

Par Riihonen 6-1 Danny Peach

Denis Ovens (22) 6-4 Tony Blundell

Andy Relf 6-2 Mario Masurka

Colin Lloyd (3) 6-2 Dave Ladley

Jyhan Artut 6-1 Anastasia Dobromyslova

Steve Brown (30) 6-1 Martyn Turner

Steve Evans 6-5 John Part

Richie Burnett 6-1 Michael van Gerwen (14)

Lars Erkelenz 6-0 Alex Nunez

Chris Thompson 6-2 Mervyn King (19)

Roland Scholten 6-0 Darren Webster

 

Second Round

Mark Walsh 6-0 Joe Cullen

Kevin McDine 6-1 John MaGowan

Nigel Heydon 6-1 Andy Smith

Paul Nicholson 6-4 John Quantock

James Wade 6-0 Louis Blundell

Steve Maish 6-5 Jelle Klaasen

Ronnie Baxter 6-3 Dave Honey

Co Stompe 6-3 Colin Monk

Gary Anderson 6-1 Tab Hunter

Wayne Atwood 6-5 Michael Kloenhammer

Robert Thornton 6-3 Barrie Bates

Marko Puls 6-2 Kevin Painter

Adrian Lewis 6-2 Tony Martin

Dennis Smith 6-5 Peter Manley

Vincent van der Voort 6-3 Mark Jodrill

Terry Jenkins 6-0 Christian Robba

Colin Osborne 6-3 Keith Rooney

Adrian Gray 6-3 Matt Clark

Mark Webster 6-5 Alan Tabern

Andy Hamilton 6-1 Peter Hudson

Wes Newton 6-3 Tomas Seyler

Tony Eccles 6-2 Sebastijan Pecjak

Wayne Jones 6-2 Justin Pipe

Tony Ayres 6-1 Maik Langendorf

Antonio Estelerric 6-4 Steve Beaton

Mark Dudbridge 6-0 Michael Barnard

Par Riihonen 6-4 Jamie Caven

Denis Ovens 6-2 Andy Relf

Colin Lloyd 6-3 Jyhan Artut

Steve Evans 6-3 Steve Brown

Richie Burnett 6-2 Lars Erkelenz

Chris Thompson 6-0 Roland Scholten

Losers £200

 

Third Round

Kevin McDine 6-4 Mark Walsh

Nigel Heydon 6-3 Paul Nicholson

James Wade 6-3 Steve Maish

Co Stompe 6-1 Ronnie Baxter

Gary Anderson 6-0 Wayne Atwood

Robert Thornton 6-4 Marko Puls

Adrian Lewis 6-5 Dennis Smith

Terry Jenkins 6-2 Vincent van der Voort

Colin Osborne 6-4 Adrian Gray

Andy Hamilton 6-1 Mark Webster

Wes Newton 6-4 Tony Eccles

Wayne Jones 6-1 Tony Ayres

Mark Dudbridge 6-4 Antonio Estelerric

Denis Ovens 6-2 Par Riihonen

Steve Evans 6-5 Colin Lloyd

Richie Burnett 6-2 Chris Thompson

Losers £300

 

Fourth Round

Nigel Heydon 6-3 Kevin McDine

James Wade 6-3 Co Stompe

Gary Anderson 6-0 Robert Thornton

Terry Jenkins 6-5 Adrian Lewis

Andy Hamilton 6-0 Colin Osborne

Wes Newton 6-2 Wayne Jones

Denis Ovens 6-1 Mark Dudbridge

Steve Evans 6-5 Richie Burnett

Losers £500

 

Quarter-Finals

Nigel Heydon 6-3 James Wade

Gary Anderson 6-3 Terry Jenkins

Andy Hamilton 6-5 Wes Newton

Denis Ovens 6-2 Steve Evans

Losers £1,000

 

Semi-Finals

Gary Anderson 6-2 Nigel Heydon

Denis Ovens 6-1 Andy Hamilton

Losers £1,500

 

Final

Denis Ovens 6-5 Gary Anderson

Winner £6,000

Runner-Up £3,000