Menace Chasing Maiden Matchplay Title

DENNIS PRIESTLEY is hoping to pick up the Stan James World Matchplay title for the first time next week.

The 56-year-old from Mexborough has been the finalist three times in the tournament, which takes place at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

After sliding down the rankings, his inspired display against Phil Taylor in last year's second round sparked a run of form which has seen Priestley move back into the world's top ten.

"You could look back a year and say I'd turned the corner at that particular stage," said Priestley, who lost the game 15-13.

"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 in the last two tournaments.

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

Priestley takes on qualifier Alan Tabern from St Helens in the first round on the opening night of the tournament this Sunday.

"He's a good player," added Priestley. "I've not played him yet but I've seen quite a lot of him and he's beaten some of the big names this year.

"Like with most players, I have to play well myself and keep on top of him.

"I've got to put the pressure on him instead of allowing the pressure to be thrown back at me if I miss."

Priestley reached the quarter-finals of the last major tournament, the Las Vegas Desert Classic, with wins over Dennis Smith and Peter Manley before suffering a 3-0 loss to Phil Taylor.

And he admits the prospect of playing in front of 2,000 fans at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool left him looking forward to Sunday's clash.

"I've been in the final three times, and it's a good venue," he said.

"I'm not quite sure whether the legs format is my game, I'd sooner play sets, but if you play well you should win whatever the format.

"It's been a few weeks since we last played, at the start of July, but it's going okay.

"It wasn't the easiest of draws in Las Vegas, but sometimes the easy draws aren't always the ones which they seem.

"I'm practising every day at the moment in the build-up and trying to finely tune things."

Priestley will also take part in the Bobby Bourn Memorial Trophy PDPA Players Championship event on Saturday, and he added: "It's a final chance to see how you are playing and a big event in its own right."

Live Commentary and match highlights will be available throughout the Stan James World Matchplay for DartsTV subscribers, along with a free scorecentre to follow the action.

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