TERRY JENKINS produced a superb second half to his clash with Adrian Lewis to end the youngster's Holsten Premier League play-off hopes with an 8-5 victory.
Lewis had ignited his chances of reaching the top four with wins in the past two weeks and looked on course to keep up the pressure on fourth-placed Jenkins by leading 4-2 at the break in their game.
However, Jenkins stormed back into the match after the interval with five successive legs, including two ton-plus finishes, to put a foot into the semi-finals.
"It was a real pressure game for both of us, probably the hardest game I've ever played," said Jenkins.
"I needed to win to effectively get into the top four but I thought I'd thrown it away at the start.
"I hung in there and came back well after the break."
Jenkins took the first leg on double 18 after Lewis was off-target to break the throw, but the 22-year-old hit back in style.
He won the next three, with Jenkins missing his doubles in two, to lead 3-1, but wasted two chances to take the fifth leg and further extend his advantage.
A Jenkins 180, his first of the match, helped him to set up a double top finish in the sixth leg as he looked to level, but Lewis superbly took out 92 on double eight to take a 4-2 cushion into the break.
Lewis had another maximum in the first leg after the restart, but Jenkins took out a 12-darter, swiftly followed by finishes of 121 and 102 to hit the front.
He then won the next two legs to make it five in a row and move 7-4 up, securing a minimum of a point and ending any chance Lewis had of overhauling him to reach the play-offs.
Lewis continued to battle, hitting a sixth maximum of the game in winning leg 12 in 13 darts, but his missed dart at the bullseye in the next proved to be his last as Jenkins hit an 82 finish on double 12 for the match.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article