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Raymond van Barneveld and Simon Whitlock lit up Nottingham’s Capital FM Arena with stunning victories on night nine of the McCoy’s Premier League.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

‘Barney’ posted his highest ever televised average in an 8-6 victory over Kevin Painter, while ‘The Wizard’ demolished Gary Anderson 8-2, leaving both of the victorious players tied on ten points in the table.

Van Barneveld, who averaged 112.28, saw off a late fight back from Painter, to keep himself in the play-off places. The Dutchman hopes to take this kind of form to Sheffield next week, where a showdown with his Premier League nemesis Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor awaits.

“I know what I can do and that’s what I keep saying to myself now,” said the five-time world champion. “You can’t send a message to Phil, he’s too good. I’m just proud of what I’ve done tonight but I hope I can play this well against him next week.

“Everything has to be right next week. I will have to take my chances because he will always be on a finish ready to pounce. Every player is so close and we’ve all got a chance to make the playoffs. That is great though, it’s what we want to see.”

Whitlock completed an impressive double over reigning Premier League champion Anderson. The Australian swept past his Scottish opponent in clinical fashion, to bounce back from his nightmare 8-0 defeat last week.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

“To get an 8-0 flogging wasn’t real good, but I showed a lot of character tonight,” said ‘The Wizard’, who is now second in the table.

“I went out there with a positive mind and put last week to bed by playing my best tonight. You have to throw a 100 average to win nowadays, and if you do that you’re going to win a lot of games.

“I’m back up to second but I’ll be happy to be in the top four – the McCoy’s Premier League is going to be a very tight finish but I’m in a good position.”

James Wade was replaced in the top four by Adrian Lewis, after the world champion came out on top in their duel. ‘The Machine remains in strong contention for a semi-final spot, however, as he is just a point behind ‘Jackpot’ with a game in hand.

The other match of the evening saw Phil Taylor seal his place in the play-offs with a narrow 8-6 win over Andy Hamilton.

By Chris Murphy

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