IT'S PREMIERE LEAGUE FOR DENNIS

DENNIS Priestley with the help of some great recent results has earned him a spot in next year's Holsten Premier League Darts, which starts in February.

Priestley secured his place in the prestigious tournament, which will consist of the world's top eight ranked players, after reaching the semi-final of the SkyBet Grand Prix in Dublin where he lost to old nemesis Phil "The Power" Taylor, 6-3.

Priestley travels to Scotland for the Budweiser UK Open Scottish regional final on Sunday before taking part in the PDPA Players Championship in Holland next weekend and is in excellent form - form he showed in his defeat to the eventual winner, Taylor.
Said Priestley: "I wouldn't say I was unlucky not to beat Phil but I had my chance to make it four apiece. I could feel myself fading in the game because the heat was really bad.

"I played some good darts in the tournament apart from sneaking through against James Wade.
"I still I had quite a bit to do before the Ireland tournament but I managed to do well in two events before that and ended up with 446 ranking points."

He added: "I am pleased to be playing in the Premier League and I hope to be in the top four by the time the play-offs come around."

The televised tournament saw Priestley overcome Geoffrey Matthews, Adrian Lewis and Wade before his clash with Taylor and the Church Street resident said the Grand Prix format, where each player is required to score a double before getting off the mark, suited him.

"For me I think that format will always favour the best players because you need the skill at the beginning and at the end to get the doubles.

"I was really pleased with my first game (against Matthews), I never failed to get in the doubles and I only lost one leg,", said Priestley who also paid tribute to the backing he got in Dublin.

The 56-year-old added: "I had good support. Against Taylor they were supporting me because they always want the underdog to win, but against James Wade (21 years old) they were backing me too. It must be the old man factor!"

One thing that didn't suit Priestley, however, was the heat of the venue - the television cameras quite clearly showed how some of the players were wilting under the intense lighting in Dublin.
"I just can't understand why it should be like that with the technology we have.
It's the same for the other lads - the heat is unbelievable, but only we seem to put up with it.
"We had similar problems in Blackpool but they did something about it there - the cameramen were too hot and made a complaint to their union."

The Premier League consists of the eight top ranked players in the world and will be played over 14 nights in 14 venues before the play-offs in Brighton at the end of May.
"This tournament has captured the imagination of the British sporting public over the past two years," said PDC Chairman Barry Hearn.

Premier League Darts will not be played in Doncaster this year but fans of Priestley can make the short trip to the Hallam FM Arena on March 1 to take in the action.

Tickets went on sale yesterday and can be purchased by calling the credit card hotline on 0114 256 56 56, by booking in person at the venue or booking online at www.hallamfmarena.co.uk

Article Courtesy of www.dearnetoday.co.uk