DARTS : Taylor and Barney set for Echo showdown

MERSEYSIDE darts fans will be treated to a clash of the titans at the ECHO arena next month.

Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld have been paired against each other on the opening night of the 2009 Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts on Thursday, February 5.

It will be a rematch of the recent PDC World Darts Championship final at Alexandra Palace which Taylor won 7-1 to clinch a 14th world crown.

Taylor is the defending Premier League champion and thrashed Van Barneveld 8-2 when the two clashed in front of 8,000 fans at the Echo Arena last April.

"I can’t wait to get going again," said Taylor. "It should be a real cracker because I love playing Raymond. He brings the best out in me and it’s a great way to begin the Premier League season."

The first of 14 league nights will kick off at 7pm with new world number two James Wade taking on three-time world champion John Part.

In the second match Jelle Klaasen faces Terry Jenkins, followed by Mervyn King against Wayne Mardle.

Taylor’s fixture with Van Barneveld will be the last showdown on the oche.

Story By: Liverpool Echo

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/other-sports/2009/01/15/taylor-and-barney-set-for-echo-showdown-100252-22699538/