Power for the people at Civic
Phil 'The Power' Taylor thrilled a packed-out Civic Hall as big-time darts came to Wolverhampton. Phil 'The Power' Taylor thrilled a packed-out Civic Hall as big-time darts came to Wolverhampton. Staffordshire-based Taylor and seven of the world's top players had the 1,400-strong crowd at the Civic Hall raising the roof in the Premier League event. The 13-times world champion had to settle for a draw in his match with Dennis 'The Menace' Priestly but was still full of praise for the crowd. He said: "They paid their money and had a good time. They're as good as anywhere in the country." Read the full story in the Express & Star
Staffordshire-based Taylor and seven of the world's top players had the 1,400-strong crowd at the Civic Hall raising the roof in the Premier League event.
The 13-times world champion had to settle for a draw in his match with Dennis 'The Menace' Priestly but was still full of praise for the crowd. He said: "They paid their money and had a good time. They're as good as anywhere in the country, God bless them."
Other big names to feature included current world champ Raymond van Barneveld, known as 'Barney', who beat current world number one Colin Lloyd 8-6.
"That was fantastic. The crowd have really taken me to their hearts," said the Dutchman. It was the second time the event has come to the city and organisers expect to return next year.
A sell-out crowd of 1,400 braved the snow and raised the roof.A packed house, including several fans in fancy dress, watched the best players in the world compete in match night two of the Holsten Premier League, televised live on Sky Sports.Thirteen times world champion Phil The Power Taylor and current champion Raymond van Barneveld were among eight of the world's best players who took to the Civic Hall stage.
Taylor fan Matthew Chandler, of Bloxwich, grabbed plenty of attention after deciding to attend dressed as Scooby Doo. "I did it just to get on Sky," admitted the 25-year-old. "It's my first time at the darts and it is a brilliant atmosphere."
Kingswinford trio Andy Porter, Mark Littleton and Eddie Benbow said they had enjoyed the spectacle - and the beer.
Andy, aged 24, said: "It's our first time and the atmosphere is simply brilliant."
World champion Raymond van Barneveld, of the Netherlands, beat Colin Lloyd 8-6 in the night's first match and then stayed behind to sign autographs for fans.
Among those to meet him were Nathan Farrell, aged 21, and Jane Jones, 18, both of Walsall. Nathan said: "We've been to Blackpool and lots of other places to watch them. It's great to be here."
Charlotte Davy, aged 33, and Hellen Cross, 22, both of Fordhouses, are also darts regulars who met Barneveld.
"It's always a great laugh and there is never any trouble because everyone turns up for a good time," said Charlotte.
Away from the circus atmosphere, there was some serious action as the best darts players in the world battled it out.
Van Barneveld extended his lead at the top of the Holsten Premier League as Phil Taylor slipped up again.
Dutchman Barneveld opened match night two at the Civic with an 8-6 win over former world number one Colin Lloyd to make it maximum points from his opening two matches. But Taylor is still looking for his first win of the 2007 league after recording a second successive draw, this time against veteran former world champ Dennis 'The Menace' Priestley.
Taylor, who has lost a stone and a half in weight and given up alcohol since losing last month's World Championship final to Barneveld, insisted afterwards that his new lifestyle will pay dividends in the end.
"I feel great," he said. "I feel really healthy and I'm playing well in practice. All I need to do is take my practice game on to the stage, but my health is the most important thing and that's what I'm looking after." And Taylor was full of praise for the Wolverhampton crowd. He said: "They paid their money and had a good time. They're as good as anywhere, God bless them."
