TERRY JENKINS claimed his first victory of the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts campaign with an 8-5 defeat of Mervyn King.

The Bull, from Ledbury, ended his slow start to the campaign by coming from 3-0 down to win eight out of 10 legs and take both points.

The defeat is King's second in succession after he powered clear at the top-of-the-table in the opening four weeks, although he seemed on course for another good win in the early stages.

He took the first leg on double three before stepping in with a 70 checkout to break throw in the second, with Jenkins missing doubles to take both legs.

A missed bullseye for a 121 finish and two missed darts at double four came back to haunt Jenkins in the third leg, before he finally landed a double in the fourth - raising his arms to celebrate a double 10 finish.

Both players landed double three in sharing the next two legs, before Jenkins returned from the break to take out 100 in two darts in reducing the gap to 4-3.

He began the next two legs with scores of 180 and 140 as he swept into the lead, and he extended his run to six straight legs in moving 7-4 up and securing a minimum of a draw.

King kicked off the 12th leg with a 180 and took out double 10 - after Jenkins missed three match darts - to threaten a comeback.

But Jenkins swiftly wrapped up the win, completing a fine display with a 120 checkout for his maiden victory of 2009.

"I think I've been trying too hard to get my first win and if I'd lost this I would have been devastated," said Jenkins.

"I've been scoring really well but it's been my doubles letting me down, and it was getting in my head.

"I thought it would happen again when the game started but I'm delighted how it turned out - I relaxed and let my darts flow."