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Lewis: draw was enough

Premier League
P Taylor 21pts, +46 legs
J Wade 20pts, +22
R Van Barneveld 18pts, +16
A Lewis 12pts, -12
W Mardle 12pts, -14
P Manley 11pts, -12
T Jenkins 9pts, -18
J Part 9pts, -28

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• Premier League Results/Fixtures
• Premier League Table

Adrian Lewis claimed the final place in the Premier League semi-final line-up with a 7-7 draw against Wayne Mardle in Newcastle.

Three men headed to the Metro Arena bidding to finish fourth in the table and earn themselves a guaranteed £40,000 in Cardiff on finals night at the end of the month.

Lewis, Mardle and Peter Manley were all locked on 11 points, but with Manley set to face a resurgent Phil Taylor in the night's final match, it all looked like coming down to the 'Jackpot' v 'Hawaii 501' clash.

The first nine legs went with the darts, the highlight being Lewis' 13-darter to go 3-2 ahead.

Twice the man from Stoke missed doubles to break and Mardle hit a double with his final dart of the throw to hold.

But after getting the break, Lewis immediately surrendered it and four successive legs went against the darts.

Legs difference

Lewis led 7-5 and kissed his darts,suggesting he felt he was through due to a superior legs difference to Mardle.

His level duly dropped and Mardle won the last two legs to secure a draw, although the Essex man's 8-0 and 8-1 defeats to Taylor earlier in the series were to prove costly.

Manley needed a point to deny Lewis but was completely swept aside by Taylor, who hit a 167 finish - the best of the night and worth a £1,000 bonus - on his way to an 8-1 win.

That victory ensures Taylor finishes top of the table and will play Lewis in the semis in Cardiff on May 26.

"Obviously I thought Phil was never going to lose tonight," Lewis told Sky Sports. "I think Phil's playing better now than he's ever done. Phil was just different class.

"It makes me think to beat him I've got to be on that practice board probably as soon as tomorrow to stand a chance."

Lewis has never beaten his fellow Stoke man in a televised match but is bullish about his chances in Cardiff.

Pressure

"I have beaten him three times in world ranking tournaments, but I'm looking forward to beating hik on TV. I'm not scared of him, I'm not scared of anyone," he added.

"I will just go up there and play my own game. Tonight I was under pressure but I came through, did what I had to do and I'm just looking forward to playing Phil.

"If I score like I can and hit my doubles, I will give Phil a good run for his money."

The other semi-final will be between James Wade and Raymond van Barneveld.

Wade beat John Part 8-5 to ensure that the World Champion finished bottom of the table, while Barneveld crushed an out-of-sorts Terry Jenkins 8-1