TheOche.com

Original Photos PDC/Lustig, Article by Phill Catterick

As a result of Wayne Mardle’s withdrawal from the Whyte and Mackay Premier League, the organisers of the competition have decided to put in place five challenge matches in order for a full quota of games to take place on the remaining Thursday evenings.

Robert Thornton was the man chosen last week to take on the then league leader James Wade in Aberdeen and visually seemed to enjoy his time in the spotlight, but his darts didn’t quite match up to the expectation and he went down 7-2.

This week Adrian Lewis and Dennis Priestley enter the frame, and will take on Raymond Van Barneveld and Phil Taylor respectively.

It provides a perfect blend of youth and experience, with Lewis being one of the youngest players on the circuit and Dennis being one of the eldest at an impressive 57 years of age.

The former World Champion has been suffering with prostate cancer in the past 18 months, but has shown incredible determination and the crowd I’m sure will give him a terrific reception.

He and Phil go back a very long way, they’ve played out a total of five World Championship finals, with `The Menace` only prevailing once in 1994 by six sets to one.

Priestley also lost the 1995 World Matchplay Final to `The Power` 16-11, so he will want to get one over on Taylor to prove that he’s still got what it takes to beat the best in the business.

However, I can’t recall the last time Dennis beat Phil on TV (if anyone knows please let me know!), so bearing that in mind and the form that Taylor’s in, I can’t see anything but a power surge on this occasion.

Adrian `Jackpot` Lewis was in this tournament last year and made the play-offs on leg difference, but didn’t have a brilliant 2008 which meant he missed out on this year’s tournament.

He’s a quick thrower, he’s determined and most importantly of all, he has natural talent which if used well could be turned into a World Championship winning package.

For the time being though he’s looking to get back to his best, and Thursday night could well be a turning point in his season which has so far has not been convincing.

Because the results don’t count towards the overall points in the league table, Barneveld and Taylor may not be at their best Thursday night, but having said they won’t want to slip up against two players who weren’t part of the competition in the first place so it will make for some exciting darts.

Although Lewis on his day is capable of beating anyone, I don’t think he will quite have enough to fend off Barneveld. Out of the two challenge matches I’m expecting this one to be the closest, but I still think the Dutchman will prevail.

It’s great to see these two players back on the Premier League oche, and it could very well be Priestley’s last appearance as I don’t believe he will have enough success during the 2009 season to earn a place in next year’s competition.

It would be quite a way to go out aswell, by beating the reigning champion, and the man who recorded the highest average ever recorded on Television just last week.

Can `The Menace` do what he did in 1994 and switch off the Power?