Last updated: 25th April 2008
Taylor: 8-1 winner
Phil Taylor went top of the Premier League table heading into the final round of regular-season matches after an 8-1 demolition of Wayne Mardle at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast.
Mardle still has play-off hopes but they were severely dented by such an emphatic defeat to the 13-time World champion.
The four-time Premier League champion had beaten 'Hawaii 501' 8-0 in their previous meeting this season and was once again in devastating form.
He raced into a 6-0 lead and looked on course for another whitewash, but the Essex man hit a double four to spare his blushes. It made no difference to the result, however, as Taylor raced through the next two legs.
Adrian Lewis kept his hopes of a semi-final place alive with a battling comeback in a 7-7 draw with Peter Manley.
'One Dart' lost the darts in the opening leg but won the next four to lead 4-1 and then 5-2.
Back roared Lewis to tie it up at 5-5 before the Cumbrian edged ahead again 7-6. He could have won it but missed a dart at the bull and 'Jackpot' Lewis hit a 100 finish for the draw.
Manley, who is still in the hunt for a play-off place himself, said: "It's been fantastic here in Northern Ireland. I wanted a bullseye with one dart. It was really difficult. He put a bit of pressure on me.
"At the end of the day I'm chuffed. I was favourite to finish bottom and I've given everyone a run for their money."
But Manley could not resist a dig at the man he has had a few run-ins with in the past, adding: "Adrian didn't turn up tonight, I think he was lucky. I think Wayne (Mardle) has got a great chance of beating him next week."
Lewis, Manley and Mardle are all locked on 11 points in a tie for the fourth and final semi-final berth heading into next week's final week in Newcastle.
James Wade started the night on top of the table but slipped back after losing 8-6 to five-time World champion Raymond van Barneveld.
Wade raced into a 3-1 lead but back-to-back 13-darters edged the Dutchman ahead.
It was nip-and-tuck from there and Wade looked set to claim a point, on a double with 'Barney' back on 157.
But Barneveld took out the highest finish of the night to grab the spoils, possibly gaining a crucial pyschological edge when the two meet in the semi-final in Cardiff on May 26. Barneveld is the only player to do the 'double' over Wade this season - the 'Machine' has only lost three times.
Terry Jenkins' semi-final hopes are over after he slipped to an 8-5 defeat to reigning World champion John Part. It was just the Canadian's fourth victory in 13 Premier League matches this season.
Expect an entertaining World Matchplay and two familiar faces in the final, says Sid Waddell.
After Las Vegas, Sid Waddell feels James Wade has replaced Barney as Phil Taylor's number one rival.
Sid Waddell says James Wade is in the right shape to hit the jackpot at the Las Vegas Desert Classic.