PHIL TAYLOR 6-4 TERRY JENKINS

REIGNING Cash Converters Players Championship winner Phil Taylor came from 4-1 down to take a 6-4 victory over Terry Jenkins in their first round tie at the Doncaster Dome on Friday night.

Jenkins threatened a huge upset when he opened the game with two 180s in setting up a potential nine-darter before moving 2-0 up.

He then led 4-1 but Taylor fired back with five successive legs as he hit top gear to progress to a second round clash with Mervyn King on Saturday night.

"It was a real scrap and a fantastic game," said Taylor. "I think Terry's plan was to hit me as fast as he can.

"It would have been nice if he had hit the nine-darter at the start - it might even have put him off! - but Terry played very well.

"At 4-1 I had to take it one leg at a time and when my back was against the wall I relaxed, but that game will be good in getting me prepared for the rest of the tournament."

Jenkins made a stunning start to the game, opening with back-to-back 180s in setting up a potential nine-dart finish.

He also hit a seventh treble 20, but missed the treble 19 before returning to take the opener in 11 darts.

He then took out 89 for a 14-darter to double his lead as Taylor paid for a slow start, although the defending champion hit a 180 to set up tops as he got off the mark in the third leg.

Jenkins, though, replied with a 180 in setting up a double four finish in taking the fourth and then traded 180s with the world number one in leg five to set up double top in taking a 4-1 lead.

Taylor replied immediately by opening the sixth leg with a 177, and also added a 140 in a 14-darter to begin his fightback.

The seventh leg proved crucial as Jenkins hit a 180 but missed one dart at tops for a 5-2 cushion, with Taylor posting double ten to pull back to 4-3.

He then finished 77 in two darts to level the match, and when Jenkins faltered in the ninth - hitting a 180 but missing two darts at tops - Taylor stepped in to hit double 16 with his third dart and lead for the first time.

Jenkins had the advantage of throw in leg ten, but Taylor opened with scores of 180 and 140 to put himself in control, and finished 83 in two darts for an 11-darter to complete a stunning comeback.