2009 Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts – Night 14 Preview
Posted on May 9th, 2009
PHIL TAYLOR meets Mervyn King in the final round of the 2009 Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts on Thursday looking to take pole position going into the play-offs.
Taylor plays his 12th and final league game of this season at the CIA in Cardiff, and needs to draw or defeat King if he is to jump above James Wade to finish top of the league for a fifth successive year.
That would secure a semi-final against the fourth-placed player at the Wembley Arena on Monday May 25 – which will be either King or Raymond van Barneveld – with Wade then taking on the third-placed finisher.
“It’s important to finish top, to send a little message out to the other players,” said Taylor. “I don’t care who I play in the semi-finals, it’s straight knock-out then, but it’s important to finish top.”
Taylor and King drew in Newcastle in their previous Premier League meeting, and the defending champion admits he has been impressed by his rival’s debut season.
“I’ve been putting a lot of work in and Mervyn is one of those characters who inspires you to better yourself,” he said. “We need players like him.
“At the beginning of the Premier League I thought he was untouchable, absolutely brilliant. I applaud his professionalism and the way he conducted himself.”
King enters the final night level on 12 points with van Barneveld, who takes on Terry Jenkins in Cardiff in their final league match.
“I’m obviously looking to win but it’s a hard task,” said King. “Phil is so consistent and I know I have to turn up and play my best game.
“I’m not the most consistent player in the world but when I fire, personally I don’t think any player will touch me.
“When I’m at the best of my game, I score well all round the board and hit my doubles well. If I turn up against Phil, then he’s got problems, but if I don’t turn up I’m going to get a drubbing!”
Van Barneveld overcame Adrian Lewis 7-5 in a Challenge Match in Sheffield last week, and could finish third if he wins his clash with Jenkins.
“I could still play Phil Taylor or James Wade in the semi-finals so I have to concentrate on my own game and try to win against Terry,” said the Dutchman.
“The first target was getting into the top four, and the next target is getting into the final, and I’ll be working hard for it.”
Jenkins is playing only for pride in Cardiff, knowing that a draw or win would see him finish in fifth place above John Part and earn him increased prize money based on positions.
“I’m confident that I can get that fifth spot,” he said. “I need a draw but I feel I can win against Raymond and I’m playing well.”
The night in Wales also features two Challenge Matches, introduced following Wayne Mardle’s withdrawal through illness last month.
Jelle Klaasen meets Welshman Mark Webster in the opening game in a clash of former Lakeside Champions, while John Part meets Scottish ace Gary Anderson, the 2007 International Darts League and World Darts Trophy champion.
The Challenge Matches are the best of 13 legs, with the league games held over the best of 14 legs.
Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts
Week 14 – CIA, Cardiff
Jelle Klaasen v Mark Webster (Challenge Match)
John Part v Gary Anderson (Challenge Match)
Raymond van Barneveld v Terry Jenkins
Mervyn King v Phil Taylor
Live on Sky Sports 2 from 7pm
Latest Table (after 13 weeks)
P W D L +/- Pts
James Wade 12 7 3 2 +15 17
Phil Taylor 11 6 4 1 +24 16
Mervyn King 11 4 4 3 +12 12
R v Barneveld 11 5 2 4 +5 12
John Part 12 2 5 5 -23 9
Terry Jenkins 11 2 4 5 -9 8
Jelle Klaasen 12 1 4 7 -24 6
Please note, following his withdrawal through illness and in accordance with the rules of the competition, Wayne Mardle’s results have been removed from the records.
ENDS
For information, please see below the 2009 Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts prize money
Winner £125,000
Runner-Up £65,000
Semi-Finalists £40,000
5th Place £32,500
6th Place £30,000
7th Place £27,500
8th Place £25,000
High Checkout (Per Night) £1,000
Total £400,000
Tags: Premier League Darts, Preview
Filed under PDC, Premier League Darts |
