RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD'S disappointing Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts campaign continued with an 8-2 defeat to Phil Taylor at the CIA in Cardiff on Thursday night.

The Dutchman, a five-time World Champion, suffered an 11th successive loss to Taylor and, more importantly, a fifth defeat of the Premier League campaign to remain second-bottom in the league table.

He was punished for a string of missed doubles as Taylor romped to victory in Cardiff, extending his unbeaten run in the event to eight matches this season.

"It wasnt my best performance but I didn't have to produce my best game," said Taylor. "We were both under pressure and he seemed to drop his head towards the end.

"His head isn't right and he's got to sort it out. I don't like to see him like this because, alongside Dennis Priestley, he's been my greatest rival during my career, and I want to see him back up there playing well again, and I'm sure he'll put it right."

Taylor remains five points clear of both Mervyn King and Ronnie Baxter, who picked up valuable wins over Terry Jenkins and Simon Whitlock respectively.

King returned to top form with an 8-2 win over Jenkins, who suffered a fifth successive loss in the event, while Baxter pulled clear from three-all to win 8-5 against Simon Whitlock.

The night's other game saw Adrian Lewis jump to fourth in the league table with an 8-5 win over James Wade, taking the final four legs without reply to end the reigning champion's four-match unbeaten run.

Lewis now meets van Barneveld in Glasgow next week, while Taylor takes on Baxter and King faces Wade at a sold-out S.E.C.C. in Scotland.

Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts
Week Eight - CIA, Cardiff
Terry Jenkins 2-8 Mervyn King
Simon Whitlock 5-8 Ronnie Baxter
Adrian Lewis 8-5 James Wade
Phil Taylor 8-2 Raymond van Barneveld

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