McDine meets 13-time world champion Phil 'The Power' Taylor in the quarter-finals of the Stan James World Matchplay in Blackpool.

Taylor, who is targeting a ninth title in Blackpool, averaged an astonishing 109.7 in his 12-5 demolition of Colin Osborne in the second round.

And McDine hopes the great man has a night off as he has never beaten 'The Power' in five previous meetings.

That includes an exhibition when McDine was a teenager.

"I was only about 13 years old," McDine recalled. "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.

"I've just got to go up there, play my best and hope he misses a few."
The locals at The British Arms in Irthlingborough will no doubt be glued to their television giving him support from afar.

The 23-year-old sharp shooter says he owes his recent improvement to playing in the Wellingborough Monday Night League and his practise sessions in Irthlingborough.

He moved to Northamptonshire two years ago from Newcastle to live with his girlfriend Sara Rose.

And the surroundings appear to suit him.

He has climbed up to number 45 in the world rankings in just over a year as a professional and reached the semi- finals of the Grand Slam of Darts last November.

McDine has also put together an unbeaten record in the Wellingborough League.

He said: "Moving to Irthlingborough has been good for me.
"It's much quieter than Newcastle and that suits me.

"There are plenty of good players in the area that I
practise with and play against on Monday nights. They keep me sharp.
"I'm unbeaten in the league, but it hasn't been easy. I get pushed hard in most games."
McDine practises regularly at The British Arms with Chris Jones from Wellingborough.

Jones made his darts breakthrough earlier this month by reaching the semi-finals of the BDO Gold Cup before bowing out to Gary Anderson and will be targeting the BDO British Classic at Kettering Leisure Village on Saturday.