DENNIS PRIESTLEY will renew one of darts' great rivalries tonight when he takes on Phil Taylor in the quarter-finals of the Stan James World Matchplay.

The pair have enjoyed some classic matches over the past 15 years, and met in the 1995 World Matchplay final in Blackpool when Taylor picked up the first of seven titles.

Taylor also won an epic second round game 15-13 last year, but Priestley has since returned to the world's top ten with some vintage displays on the Professional Darts Corporation circuit.

"You could look back a year and say I'd turned the corner at that particular stage," said Priestley, the 56-year-old from South Yorkshire.

"I suppose it gives you belief. Everybody, no matter how much they've won, has some niggling doubts and it will be creeping in with Phil now after his defeats to Raymond van Barneveld in the last two tournaments.

"But it probably was the turning point for me."

While Taylor has cruised past Bob Anderson and John Part to reach the last eight at the Winter Gardens, Priestley has endured battles with qualifier Alan Tabern and Alex Roy.

He defeated Roy 13-8 on Wednesday, and admitted that soaring temperatures at the seaside resort have made life even tougher under the glare of the television lights.

"The conditions and weather got on top of me," added Priestley, who even changed from his traditional "Dennis the Menace" t-shirt into a cotton shirt.

"I tried to do everything possible. I was wearing cold armbands and changed shirt to a lighter cotton shirt but it's going to affect a 56-year-old more than a 31-year-old.

"Phil keeps putting the performances in whether it's minus ten or hot on stage. You've got to get on with it, battle the elements and try to play better."

Priestley has opted to make a daily cross-Pennine journey from his Mexborough home, and he added: "That's a deliberate plan.

"We stopped in a hotel where the seagulls were up at dawn making noise and revellers came in at all hours.

"You might as well be at home, it only takes an hour and a half to travel and I've got my home comforts."