Taylor powers past Jenkins to win Players Championship (From Crewe Guardian)

Taylor powers past Jenkins to win Players Championship

3:07pm Thursday 4th March 2010 in

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PHIL TAYLOR powered past Terry Jenkins 6-1 to claim Saturday's Players Championship in Derby in his first PDC ProTour appearance of 2010.

The world number one confirmed his return to top form at the Moorways Centre in Derby, backing up a third successive Whyte and Mackay Premier League darts victory on Thursday with a devastating players championship win.

Taylor dropped just six legs in seven matches on his way to the £6,000 title, which included whitewashes of Andy Hamilton and Chris Thompson, with Stompe being the only player to win two legs against him.

After storming to victory against York's Thompson in the semi-finals, Taylor blew away Premier League rival Jenkins 6-1 in the final.

He opened the final with a 14-dart finish and set up a double eight checkout with a 168 score in breaking Jenkins' throw in the second leg.

A missed double 11 for a 124 finish, allowed Jenkins to hit back in the third but Taylor slammed home checkouts of 108 and 124 as he took the next two legs, before hitting a 180 in a 13-darter to lead 5-1.

Four missed match darts in the next leg allowed Jenkins a chance to stay in the game but he wasted two throws at double top as Taylor returned to hit double two for victory.

Meanwhile Taylor takes on Raymond van Barneveld for the first time this season as the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts visits Exeter tonight.

Taylor has been victorious in his last nine meetings with van Barneveld since suffering a 10-9 defeat in the 2008 UK Open, and the 15-time World Champion has also won his first three games in this year's Premier League.

Taylor believes van Barneveld is also suffering from not competing each weekend in PDC ProTour events.

"He's frustrated at the minute and he's trying his best to turn it around," said Taylor.

"If he beats me it will build his confidence up.