Premier League Race Heading To Wire

THE battle for the first six places in the 2008 Premier League Darts will be decided following the SkyBet World Grand Prix - and looks set to go right to the wire.

Eight players will compete in the 2008 Premier League Darts, with Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld guaranteed a place and Stan James World Matchplay champion James Wade now assured of making his debut in the tournament.

Terry Jenkins, who was the runner-up in the 2007 Premier League in his debut campaign, and Peter Manley are well placed to maintain their spot in the event, with the sixth place being up for grabs.

Adrian Lewis occupies sixth place provisionally heading into the SkyBet World Grand Prix - with the £200,000 on offer in that event accompanied by £45,000 available in the Irish Players Championship and Blue Square UK Open Irish Regional Final the previous week.

Andy Hamilton's excellent form this year means that he is only £2,600 behind Lewis going into those events, with Roland Scholten, Dennis Priestley and Colin Lloyd needing outstanding weeks in Dublin if they are to retain their Premier League spots.

The 2008 Premier League Darts will have £340,000 in prize money on offer, with £100,000 for the winner, £50,000 for the runner-up and a minimum £20,000 for each player who qualifies.

The two Wildcard selections will be announced following the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.

The venues and dates for the 2008 Premier League Darts will be announced next week.

2008 Premier League Darts
Provisional Standings Going Into SkyBet World Grand Prix