Premier League Darts: Phil Taylor leading the way

Phil Taylor is setting the pace in the Premier League as we reach the half-way point of the season.

The 49-year-old has been in blistering form in this year’s competition after missing out on the Premier League trophy last year. ‘The Power’ has not lost a single match in his opening seven encounters, winning six and drawing the other.

World number two Raymond Van Barneveld and defending champion James Wade have so far both failed to live up to expectations. It took the latter until week six to pick up a victory, but ‘The Machine’ followed up his first win, which came against Simon Whitlock, with another against Terry Jenkins in week seven, leaving Wade just a point off fourth place.

Barneveld began the tournament in style at the O2 Arena in London by beating defending champion Wade 8-5. However ‘Barney’ has failed to find any sort of consistency, losing his next three matches on the spin. The Dutchman did get back to winning ways in week five with an 8-4 victory over Jenkins, but could only muster a draw and a loss in the following two clashes.

With the 15-time world champion sitting in pole position with 13 points, it is still anyone’s guess as to who will head to Wembley for the play-offs in May.

The top four will advance to the play-offs, and currently there is only a four-point difference separating second and eighth place.

Marvyn King and Ronnie Baxter are second and third respectively with eight points apiece, and just below them is 2010 World Championship finalist Whitlock on seven points.

It all makes for interesting viewing as we head into second half of the season. There is clearly still a lot to play for and with Taylor seemingly already heading to the semi-final stage of the 2010 Premier League, any of the remaining seven can join him.