Phil Taylor battles past Peter Manley on World Seniors debut as Painter whitewashes Warren

Jamie Shaw in World Seniors Darts 05 Feb 2022

Phil Taylor returns to Lakeside (Photo by Chris Sargeant/WSDT)

Phil Taylor came from a set down to defeat Peter Manley on his World Seniors Championship debut at the Circus Tavern, while Kevin Painter and Robert Thornton enjoyed whitewash wins.

Taylor, the 16-time World Champion, returned to the scene of some of his most memorable triumphs and battled his way to victory over his old rival Manley.

Manley, who defeated Deta Hedman in Round One on Thursday, ensured an early plot twist as he edged a cagey first set set in a deciding leg.

Taylor, however, found his range and hit back with three straight legs to draw level, and added the next two sets to close out a hard-fought win with an 81.3 average.

“I tried so hard, I was pushing and pulling them, I tried everything to get them straight,” admitted Taylor.

“We can’t play the darts that we used to but tomorrow is a different day, I’ve got to get my head on.

“It was like I was playing with my left hand, it was weird. I wasn’t trying too hard to beat Peter, I was trying to please the people who had paid money to see me.”

Taylor will now face Kevin Painter in the Quarter-Finals on Saturday in a clash which signals a repeat of the 2004 PDC World Championship final at the Circus Tavern.

Painter continued his dream start to the inaugural World Seniors Championship by thrashing 2020 BDO Champion Wayne Warren in straight sets.

The 2011 Players Champion followed up his last-set victory over Tony O’Shea on Night One by reeling off nine straight legs to cruise through with an average of 94.5.

“It was a cracking atmosphere in there tonight,” said Painter. “This is like the old days at the Tavern and you can see people are coming out to see proper darts.

“It’s not an exhibition here, we’re here to play some proper darts and do some damage.

“I played well, I felt a little bit nervous, I don’t know why. I expected a bit more from Wayne and I was waiting for him to kick on but he never got going.

“We all know how good Phil [Taylor] is and we all know what he can do. I’m not going to kid myself, he’s going to play well. I have to play well and if I can play like that, I’ll cause him a few problems.”

Meanwhile, Martin Adams turned on the style to defeat Richie Howson in a deciding set with some clutch finishing along the way.

Three-time BDO World Champion Adams trailed home favourite Howson by two sets to one but an inspired display of finishing saw him turn the tables, including checkouts of 150 and 157 as he forced a decider.

The 65-year-old then clinched victory in style with a 153 checkout to progress to the Quarter-Finals – where either Larry Butler or Keith Deller await.

Former World Matchplay champion Butler coasted to a straight sets victory over former world number one Alan Warriner-Little, reeling off nine legs without reply.

Qualifier Dave Prins pulled off an impressive 3-1 victory over Singapore legend Paul Lim with a 90 average to set up a Last 16 tie with three-time World Champion John Lowe.

John Walton held off a spirited fightback from fellow former Lakeside Champion Les Wallace to edge through a gruelling fifth set decider.

Walton had opened up a two-set lead before missing a dozen match darts, handing the Scotsman a route back into the match – which he seized by taking the next two sets.

However, Wallace’s hopes of completing the comeback were quashed as 2001 World Champion Walton regained his composure to get over the line.

Multiple major finalist Terry Jenkins stormed to a straight sets victory over former UK Open champion Roland Scholten to set up a Last 16 show-down with Lisa Ashton.

Former World Grand Prix and UK Open champion Robert Thornton dropped just one leg on his way to a straight sets rout of ten-time Women’s World Champion Trina Gulliver with a 92.6 average to continue his charge at the Circus Tavern.

Saturday sees the final four Second Round ties contested in the afternoon session before the Quarter-Finals are held in the evening.

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