Taylor powers past Wade in Premier League
Phil Taylor returned to top form in condemning reigning Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts champion James Wade to a third successive defeat this season with an 8-3 triumph in Belfast.
Wade's slow start to the 2010 season continued with another below-par display, as he failed to match Taylor's impressive scoring as the World Champion piled in six maximums and a 104 average.
Taylor's display saw him warm up in style for a clash against old rival Raymond van Barneveld in Exeter next week and show that he is approaching his best after overcoming a recent virus.
"I'm over the moon to have won three from three," said unbeaten Taylor. "I'm enjoying it and feel like I'm getting back to my best after the virus I had at the start of the season.
"I'm not 100 percent yet but James didn't play as well as he can and at times I was waiting for him to kick in. I played steady and where I was hitting 90-odd averages I'm getting up now to 100-odd averages."
Van Barneveld suffered a second successive defeat as he went down 8-5 to Simon Whitlock, with the Australian hitting eight from nine attempts at a double in a scintillating display to claim his maiden Premier League victory.
"I'm really happy with my finishing and didn't realise it was so good during the game," said Whitlock. It's all I practice and probably the easiest part of my game, and my scoring is what I need to work on
"I feel my form is coming back now and I'm absolutely stoked to get such a great win."
Ronnie Baxter was also in superb form with his doubles, hitting finishes of 112 and 100 - featuring a brace of double tops - before taking out 164 in the deciding leg of his 8-6 win over Mervyn King.
"You have to take the chances when they come along and I did that, especially with the 100," said Baxter. "The 164 was a brilliant way to finish."
Terry Jenkins was also an 8-6 winner on the night, defeating Adrian Lewis with his best display of the season so far.
Jenkins, who had drawn his opening two games, hit six 180s and key finishes of 137 and 121 in remaining unbeaten after three weeks.
"I'm pleased with the win and also to be unbeaten," said Jenkins. "It's an achievement against this quality of player to have played three matches and not lost."
Week Three results - Odyssey Arena, Belfast
Ronnie Baxter 8-6 Mervyn King
Terry Jenkins 8-6 Adrian Lewis
Simon Whitlock 8-5 Raymond van Barneveld
Phil Taylor 8-3 James Wade