Taylor defeats Dennis Week Nine Holsten Premier League
Phil Taylor moved three points clear at the top of the Holsten Premier League Darts with a convincing 8-2 win over Dennis Priestley in Reading.
Taylor pushed three points clear of both Priestley and Terry Jenkins thanks to a strong display against his long-time sparring partner.
Taylor averaged 102.17 and took five successive legs in the second half of the match to romp to the victory.
He took out a 121 finish for a 12-darter against the throw in the first leg, and doubled his advantage with double 16 in the second.
Priestley hit back to land double top at the first time of asking, but a 13-darter in leg four put Taylor 3-1 up.
A strong fifth leg saw Priestley hit back with a 73 finish on double top, but his missed attempt at bullseye in the sixth allowed Taylor in to take the leg and go into the break with a two-leg cushion.
Taylor landed three ton-plus scores to take leg seven against the throw with ease, and then won the next two without Priestley reaching the double to go 7-2 up.With one foot over the finishing line, a relaxed Taylor threw his first maximum of the game in the next leg, and finished 84 in two darts for an 11-darter and victory.
"I'm very happy to get the win because I had to try hard," said Taylor. "Dennis concentrates so much but it didn't come off for him.
"The league table is starting to take shape with the players who look like they will qualify for the play-offs, and I'm relieved to be sat at the top."
