TheOche.com

For anyone who suspected there may have been a little bit of needle between the two league leaders Phil Taylor and Mervyn King in Newcastle on Thursday evening-you weren’t wrong!

Their post match interview was very strange considering neither player gave each other eye contact, and Phil was clearly annoyed at something other than the result of the match-a 7-7 draw. Incidentally, the result leaves King top, and Taylor lies 3rd, only above John Part on leg difference.

What was the cause of the argument I hear you ask?

Well, Taylor was 4-2 up, albeit looking shaky-and dropped one of his darts as he took them from the board. King did hold up throwing his straight away but after a few seconds he could see Taylor was about to stand up and move away, so he decided to throw.

Taylor hadn’t stood up but nor was he directly in front of the board-however, it did look very dangerous considering a bounce out would almost have certainly caught Taylor on the back. And he made his feelings quite clear to King when he was questioned:

“I wasn’t happy when he threw that dart over my head; I didn’t like that at all. I was 4-2 up and I thought I was cruising but he came back at me.”
King didn’t apologise for the incident, possibly because he wasn’t listening, or he just didn’t feel he did anything wrong. Strictly speaking, he didn’t-his darts hit the board with Taylor not being hurt. However, it was dangerous and careless to say the least.

I imagine the argument will continue into Week 6!

And this week’s fixtures will come from the Manchester Evening News Arena, where the pick of the matches will be Mervyn King against Raymond Van Barneveld. The pair go back a long way, most notably in 2002 when King knocked out Barney in the Quarter finals of the BDO worlds. King went on to finish runner-up to Tony David.

He might just fancy his chances against the World number three too. His form is very inconsistent, and he’s not really making a mark on this competition as yet. He always seems to start well, but is continually letting his opponents back into the game, and ends up giving legs away.

Having watched Barneveld over the years, he always seems so much better when he’s chasing a game. When he’s in front, he seems to settle too much and take his eye off the ball. Take the 2007 PDC final, he was never in front until the closing stages, and had to chase most of the match. Finally overcoming Taylor in that legendary sudden death leg of course.

His doubles need to be worked on; at vital times he’s missing them and that’s why he lies in 5th place in the Premier League table rather than 3rd or 4th. I wouldn’t bet against him missing out on the play-offs if Wade, King, Taylor and Part build on their current performances.

Talking of the Canadian, he’s quietly going about his business and picking up good results. Admittedly, I thought he may finish bottom of the league after a poor 2008 campaign (excluding his world championship win) and the fact he finished bottom of last year’s tournament, albeit on leg difference.

He faces Jelle Klaasen next, and I expect him to overcome the Dutchman, but I wouldn’t write off the former BDO champ, he’s beginning to play much better, and if he nicked a draw I wouldn’t be too surprised.

Fixtures for Week 6:

Raymond van Barneveld v Mervyn King

A fantastic way to kick things off then in Manchester, and to be honest I think Barneveld might come a cropper again in this one unless he’s worked on his doubles over the weekend. King at the moment isn’t giving away too many chances, and even if he does provide Raymond with a chance, I wouldn’t bet on him to take it!

King will want to maintain his unbeaten start to the campaign, and putting one over on Barney would give him a tremendous sense of satisfaction.

On current form, King has to be the favourite, and I think he’ll just have enough to claim the points. It could leave the five time champion in a spot of bother if my prediction is anything to go by.

Phill’s prediction: Barneveld 6-8 King

Jelle Klaasen v John Part

I wouldn’t expect this game to be an epic encounter if I’m brutally honest as the averages of both men aren’t exactly mind boggling! However, both players will fancy their chances for very different reasons. I would go so far as to say that if Klaasen doesn’t win this match, he will not qualify for the play-offs at Wembley.

Deep down, I’m slightly disappointed that he hasn’t produced his `A` game in the Premier League. I’ve been a fan of his for a long time and think he has the capability to give anyone a game on his day. It’s just a lack of composure at times that costs him big legs that have almost certainly cost him points in this tournament.

Part needs the points to stay in touch with the league leaders, and having gone against him in previous weeks, I’m going to go for him this time-although I wouldn’t be totally surprised if Klaasen caused an upset.

Phill’s prediction: Klaasen 5-8 Part

Terry Jenkins v James Wade

Incredibly, Terry Jenkins is still looking for his first win in the competition after drawing three times and losing twice, and to be fair I don’t think he’s going to get his first against a resurgent James Wade. I expected `The Bull` to beat John Part last week, but his usual consistent murdering of the treble 20 wasn’t there, and because of that he was always left with big out shots. This week, he will have to be better otherwise Wade will give him the same treatment.

Having said that, Wade didn’t really play well either last week, although it was still enough to overcome Klaasen. Because of that, this match is somewhat hard to predict-but I think Wade will just do it.

Phill’s prediction: Jenkins 6-8 Wade

Phil Taylor v Wayne Mardle

I would NOT want to be Wayne Mardle this Thursday evening as I’m expecting a darting masterclass from `The Power` this week. I don’t think he’ll match last year’s efforts when he beat `Hawaii 501` 8-0, but I don’t expect Mardle to take many off him. Against Barney last week, Mardle was fantastic even with such a poor average in the opening stages, and took every chance when it came his way, including an accurate shot at the bullseye to earn a draw.

Taylor will be disappointed not to have beaten King last week, because it means he hasn’t won in three outings. Drawing against Jenkins, losing to Wade, and now a draw against King. It’s not a disaster by any stretch of the imagination, but he’ll certainly be out to prove a point- something I thought he may do last time out!

Phill’s prediction: Taylor 8-3 Mardle

From here on in, every match is vital to any player if they’re to reach the play-offs in May, and a slip up this week may very well put the pressure on in future matches.

King, Taylor, Wade and Part all occupy those all so important top four positions in the league at the moment. But don’t rule out Barney or Jenkins- they’re not done yet, and nor is the Premier League!