Phil Taylor wins yet again, beating Raymond van Barneveld in Cardiff
Phil Taylor moved four points clear at the top of the 888.com Premier League Darts table with an 8-3 win over Raymond van Barneveld as Mark Webster's Welsh homecoming was ruined by an 8-1 loss to Adrian Lewis at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff.
Taylor maintained his run of victories against Dutch ace van Barneveld with a fine display to remain unbeaten against his great rival in each of their 12 Premier League meetings.
Van Barneveld gave as good as he got in the opening five legs, hitting four 180s in the process, but the game turned when Taylor took out 128 on the bullseye to take a 4-2 lead.
The reigning champion then won four of the next five legs to storm to a seventh successive Premier League victory, averaging 104.52 in the process.
"I'm getting closer to my best but I'm enjoying it and going on stage with a smile on my face," said Taylor. "You've got to relax and enjoy the game, even though there's a lot of pressure on you."
Welshman Mark Webster had averaged 110 in a victory against World Champion Adrian Lewis a month ago, but endured a miserable homecoming in Cardiff when the Stoke star took an 8-1 win from their clash.
Webster never recovered from missing six darts to win the second leg of the game, with Lewis - who has now picked up seven points from his last four matches - leading 7-0 before the left-hander won his solitary leg.
"I tried my best but it was nowhere near good enough," said Webster. "The reception was great and I apologise to all the people who came hoping to see me win.
"Sometimes when it's not happening for you, you try harder and I got a bit twitchy. Adrian battered me and fair play to him, but I've got to restore some pride now because I'm playing terribly."
Lewis said: "It was tough for Mark. He had all the Welsh crowd with him but maybe he was trying too hard, but it's his first Premier League and he'll become more experienced.
"I've shown I can play Gary Anderson in Scotland and win and Mark Webster in Wales and win, and I'm ready for what people want to throw at me."
Gary Anderson joined van Barneveld on ten points - four behind Taylor - with his 8-6 victory over 2009 champion James Wade.
Wade led 6-5 at one stage, but Anderson won the final three legs without reply, including an 11-darter to break throw in the penultimate leg, to end a three-game losing run.
Simon Whitlock also left Wales victorious following an 8-3 win over Terry Jenkins, which the Australian sealed with a 122 finish.
888.com Premier League Darts
Week Eight - CIA, Cardiff
James Wade 6-8 Gary Anderson
Simon Whitlock 8-3 Terry Jenkins
Phil Taylor 8-3 Raymond van Barneveld
Adrian Lewis 8-1 Mark Webster
