Don't give up the day job Robbie, says Taylor

PHIL Taylor has told Potteries pop idol Robbie Williams to stick to what he knows best.

The Power takes on Kevin McDine in the quarter-finals of the Stan James World Matchplay in Blackpool tonight – and his preparations for the tournament included a few games against Williams.

Taylor stayed with his fellow Port Vale fan in Los Angeles earlier this month after winning the Las Vegas Desert Classic.

And after a few games of darts, Taylor reckons the multi-millionaire pop star should stick to singing.

“We played a couple of games,” said the 13-time world champion from Bradwell, “and he's rubbish. He could be a decent pub player if he practised, but I've told him he should stick to singing. He will definitely make a better living doing that.

“He's a smashing lad – a genuinely nice guy – and I'm glad to see him doing so well.”

Taylor will be flying the flag for the Potteries in Blackpool tonight following first-round defeats for Adrian Lewis, Andy Hamilton, Mark Frost and Chris Mason.

He will be an overwhelming favourite to book a semi-final place at the expense of McDine in their best of 31 legs showdown, having averaged an astonishing 109.7 in his second-round thrashing of Colin Osborne. That was the third highest average in the 15-year history of the tournament.

Taylor said: “I never think about averages. I never go into a game thinking 'I want to get a 110 average' because you can get that and still lose.

“All I'm bothered about is winning the match and then I can look at the averages afterwards if I want to.”

Taylor may need his best form again tonight to stay on course for a ninth title in Blackpool.

McDine, a 23-year-old based in Northamptonshire, has risen to number 45 in the world rankings after just over a year on the circuit and reached the semi-finals of the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton last November.

He beat Lewis 10-8 in the first round at the Winter Gardens and then Mark Walsh to set up tonight's meeting.

Taylor said: “Kevin likes the longer matches, he's confident and he likes playing on television. He's one of the best young players around.”

However, Taylor is unbeaten in their five previous meetings – and that includes an exhibition when McDine was a teenager.

“I was only about 13 years old,” recalled McDine, “and Phil murdered me. He didn't show me any mercy.

“I grew up watching Phil and hoping I might be as good as him one day. But I don't think anyone ever will be.

“I've just got to play my best and hope he misses a few.”

YESTERDAY'S RESULTS

Second Round: Dennis Priestley 13, Terry Jenkins 11; Alan Tabern 13, John Part 7; Wayne Mardle 13, Michael van Gerwen 9; Matt Clark 13, Peter Manley 6; Raymond van Barneveld 13, Tony Eccles 3; James Wade 13, Ronnie Baxter 7.

TV: Sky Sports 1, 7pm