Darts: Part eyes Power trip

John Part renews his famous old rivalry with Phil Taylor in Brighton on Thursday, hoping for the win that will lift him above his old foe at the halfway stage of this year^s Premier League.

Part famously defeated ^The Power^ in a wonderful 2003 World Championship final at the Circus Tavern, and for years he was the main danger to Taylor in many a televised tournament.

Taylor was firmly on top in last year^s Premier League, with a pair of 8-3 victories for the Stoke man as he went on to claim yet another trophy.

Canadian star Part has been steady, if unspectacular, this season and sits just a point behind Taylor, meaning a win in Brighton on Thursday would lift him above his rival with exactly half of the league nights completed.

"He seems to always give me his best," said Part. "It^s the last match of the first half of the league, and if you^re going to beat Phil now is a good time.

"If I^m going to try and move ahead of him I have to beat him and it would put me in a great position if I can."

Klaasen comeback

Part was 5-1 up before drawing with Jelle Klaasen last week, but will not let that slip-up affect him on Thursday against Taylor as he goes all-out for victory.

"You always set out to get the two points and at 5-1 I looked pretty good for that," added Part. "But at that point he hadn^t clicked and in a match of that length you expect a player to click in, and in fairness to him he did.

"I didn^t stumble a great deal but he came back and with the momentum he had I was probably happy with a point."

Taylor has stuttered this year, and his win over Wayne Mardle last week was his first in four games, but he is ready to take on ^Darth Maple^ in Brighton.

"It was a nice game last week but this will be different against John," said Taylor. "Wayne had a bit of fun and played well, he hit a lot of 180s but was a little bit erratic.

Steady

"John is very steady and very good at punishing your mistakes and taking his own chances. I^ve had a little break since last week and feel good, and I know I^ll have to perform better against John."

Mervyn King still tops the table, but only on legs difference now after being taken apart by a resurgent Raymond van Barneveld in Manchester last week.

King looks to get back on track in Brighton against Terry Jenkins, who has played well but is still searching for a first win of the campaign, and their match opens up proceedings on another hectic night of arrows action.

James Wade is level on point with King, despite not being at his best in recent weeks, and he goes up against the unpredictable Mardle - who blasted a host of 180s against Taylor but still lost 8-4.

It^s an all-Dutch battle on third as Barney and Klaasen face-off. Klaasen has a decent record against his senior, and he too is desperate to finally chalk up a win in his debut season - while his comeback performance against Part last week should give him a huge confidence boost.

Story By: Sky Sports