close battles but that crowd lifted me and it brought extra out of my
game. It was a little bit scary, I didn’t want to let Scotland or myself
down, when I started 180 then hit 5 with my fourth dart I thought ‘now,
now; come on’ – I composed myself and I really built on it well.
“It’s all about the top eight, then top four, then top one – it’s a pretty
simple target for me. I want to go to the O2 and I want to win it. I
think my game and my mental state means I can win a major title this
year - at least one.”
The Scottish crowd continued their partisan support as Robert Thornton
took to the stage to face a confident Wes Newton. The effects of
Newton’s confidence and Thornton’s support seemed to cancel each
other out as the pair played out a thrilling draw.
Peter Wright
The pair shared the opening four legs on throw, before a crucial break
for Newton saw him lead for the first time at 3-2. The Fleetwood ace
went on to produce the first maximum of the match as he moved 4-2 up,
before the Scottish supporters were able to rally their man, inspiring
Thornton to break back and restore parity at 4-4.
Newton pinched the ninth leg after missed doubles from Thornton,
before the former UK Open champion kicked on to secure a point at
6-5.
With the win for the taking, Thornton was unable to convert as Newton
produced a sublime 11-dart leg to ensure both men would take home
a point from the night.
“It’s starting to
come together
now”
Phil Taylor
Phil Taylor 7-3 Simon Whitlock
Phil Taylor got his campaign underway as he claimed his first televised
victory since his crash diet and change of manufacturer.
Whitlock took the opening leg, although this only served to produce a
response from Taylor, who levelled before pushing on to lead 3-1 in the
early stages.
The Aussie ace was able to respond, claiming the fifth leg, but a poor
sixth allowed Taylor to regain his two leg advantage.
This proved to be a costly mistake for Whitlock who was unable to
close the gap again as Taylor went on to secure his first points of the
2014 campaign.
“It’s starting to come together now,” said the six-time Premier League
champion, who meets Gary Anderson in week 5. “I don’t know what is
to come but $