Sheffield To Set New Crowd Record

A NEW record crowd for the modern era of darts will be set on Thursday night, when 5,700 fans flock to the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts at the Sheffield Arena.

The Sheffield Arena welcomed 5,300 fans when the Premier League made its debut at the venue 12 months ago - the highest crowd for a darts event since the old News of the World Championship at Alexandra Palace hosted up to 10,000 fans in the 1970s.

The Professional Darts Corporation have increased the capacity of this year's visit to the Yorkshire venue, allowing almost 6,000 fans to see the world's best players in action.

But that record will be shattered again next month - with 6,800 fans attending the Liverpool Echo Arena on 10 April.

The Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts reaches the half-way stage in Sheffield, with the possibility that SIX players could finish the evening tied on eight points in the league table.

Raymond van Barneveld and James Wade currently sit at the top of the table, with Terry Jenkins a point behind and three players tied on six points - headed by resurgent Phil Taylor.

Taylor has won his last two matches in an impressive return to form, whitewashing Wayne Mardle 8-0 before averaging a Premier League record 111.14 in an 8-3 win over van Barneveld in Nottingham last Thursday.

"There's a long way to go now but they've got a 'proper Phil' now," said Taylor. "The new darts are coming on tremendously but I've put a lot of effort in, not just on the dartboard but off it too," said Taylor.

"The other players knew I was struggling a little bit by making changes and they made the most of it, but now they know what I can do!

"I think it's done me good not being in the top four so far - it's given me something to aim at."

Taylor takes on PDC World Champion John Part in Sheffield, with the pair having enjoyed many famous battles in the past.

"John's a great player," added Taylor. "He's a cracking finisher and very good under pressure, and I've got so much respect for him.

"I don't know how he does the travelling from Canada, but you can't underestimate him."

Part returned to Canada last weekend after getting back to winning ways by edging out Adrian Lewis 8-6, and the World Champion is in positive mood.

"I'm feeling good and that win was just what I needed to get back on track," said Part. "I've had four or five days of good practice back home and been exercising so I'm prepared to play well.

"My scoring wasn't great against Adrian but my finishing earned me the win. I know I'll have to improve my scoring against Phil though, because he will punish me."

Lewis and Peter Manley, the draw specialist who has already had four stalemates this season, join Taylor on six points from as many matches.

Manley came from 5-2 down to draw with Jenkins last week and takes on James Wade in Sheffield.

He said: "It's certainly the most open Premier League and every week throws up a new challenge.

"James has started well and is probably the most consistent player in the world at the moment, but I've had some good performances so far and hope to have another this week."

Lewis meets van Barneveld, while Jenkins faces the Premier League's bottom player, winless Wayne Mardle, in Thursday's opening fixture.

"It was frustrating to draw with Peter because I should have won it from 5-2 - and with Raymond losing I would have been top of the table," said Jenkins.

"But there's still eight more games and I have a chance to make amends against Wayne."

Click here to see Rod Harrington's Preview

Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts
Week Seven - Sheffield Arena
Wayne Mardle v Terry Jenkins
James Wade v Peter Manley
Raymond van Barneveld v Adrian Lewis
Phil Taylor v John Part
Live on Sky Sports One from 7.30pm on Thursday March 13

Latest League Table

	P	W	D	L	+/-	Pts
R v Barneveld	6	4	0	2	+6	8
James Wade	6	3	2	1	+6	8
Terry Jenkins	6	3	1	2	+7	7
Phil Taylor	6	3	0	3	+7	6
Peter Manley	6	1	4	1	+1	6
Adrian Lewis	6	2	2	2	-1	6
John Part	6	2	1	3	-10	5
Wayne Mardle	6	0	2	4	-16	2