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Seven MODUS stars made it through to round two of the PDC’s inaugural European Tour event with victories in the Austrian Darts Open on Friday.

James Wade hit some monster checkouts

James Wade, Raymond van Barneveld, Simon Whitlock, Mark Webster, Vincent van der Voort, Co Stompe and Michael van Gerwen all won their respective first round matches at the Arena Nova in Wiener Neustadt.

World number three Wade hit fabulous finishes of 160 and 142 in his 6-3 triumph over Prakash Jiwa, while Whitlock beat Mareno Michels 6-4.

Legendary Dutchman van Barneveld edged past promising youngster Arron Monk with a 6-4 victory, while his compatriot van der Voort defeated Darren Webster 6-3.

Van Gerwen averaged over 100 in his 6-4 success over Mervyn King, and fellow Dutchman Co Stompe beat Ross Smith 6-3, while Webster beat Jelle Klaasen by the same score, but Paul Nicholson suffered an early exit at the hands of Dean Winstanley.

The second round pairs Webster against Alan Tabern in the afternoon session, when van der Voort is also back in action. ‘The Dutch Destroyer’ faces Kim Huybrechts.

MODUS’ Premier League trio all take to the stage in the evening session; with Wade facing Steve Beaton before ‘Barney’ and Whitlock take on Colin Osborne and Joe Cullen respectively.

The evening session will also see Stompe go head to head with Gary Anderson, while van Gerwen runs into the top performer of round one, when he faces Colin Lloyd, who posted an impressive average of 111.

By Chris Murphy

European Tour Event One – Austrian Darts Open
Friday April 27
First Round Results (involving MODUS players)
Mark Webster 6-3 Jelle Klaasen
Paul Nicholson 3-6 Dean Winstanley
Vincent van der Voort 6-3 Darren Webster
Co Stompe 6-3 Ross Smith
Simon Whitlock 6-4 Mareno Michels
James Wade 6-3 Prakash Jiwa
Raymond van Barneveld 6-4 Arron Monk
Mervyn King 4-6 Michael van Gerwen

Saturday April 28
Second Round (involving MODUS players)
Afternoon Session – 1pm start
Mark Webster v Alan Tabern
Vincent van der Voort v Kim Huybrechts

Evening Session – 7pm start
Gary Anderson v Co Stompe
James Wade v Steve Beaton
Colin Lloyd v Michael van Gerwen
Raymond van Barneveld v Colin Osborne
Simon Whitlock v Joe Cullen

James Wade and Raymond van Barneveld are still strong contenders for McCoy’s Premier League Play-Off places, after the pair both earned draws at Liverpool’s Echo Arena.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

Results on night twelve meant that Simon Whitlock moved within a whisker of qualification for finals night despite suffering defeat, as all of the other games were drawn.

Wade showed real fighting spirit in the night’s opening match, as he came back from three legs down twice to share the spoils with Kevin Painter.

‘The Machine’, who trailed ‘The Artist’ 4-1 and 7-4, won the last three legs to take his points tally to twelve, keeping himself in third place.

Whitlock then gave Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor and early scare in their top of the table clash. ‘The Wizard’ raced into a 3-1 lead, which included a sensational 161 checkout, but the league leader won all of the remaining legs.

Whitlock remains in second place behind Taylor, who has already booked his place at London’s O2 Arena in May. The Australian ace needs just one more point from his remaining two matches to ensure he joins his opponent.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

‘Barney’ battled hard for a precious point against Andy Hamilton after ‘The Hammer’ had led 4-1. The Dutchman missed two darts to win the match, but was pleased to get the draw, which leaves him a point and a place outside the Play-Off spots.

“Andy played fantastic; he is really hard to beat so I am pleased to get a draw,” said van Barneveld. “My aim has always been to get into the top four and I am in a good position to do that still.”

“I didn’t play my best game and I have no explanation for that, but another point was important and I think I can go on and make the Play-Offs from here.”

Reigning champion Gary Anderson held World Champion Adrian Lewis to a draw in the evening’s final match. That result leaves Lewis in the mix for a semi-final place but ends Anderson’s hopes of retaining his title.

Whitlock can seal qualification with a result against Hamilton in Birmingham next week. Wade is up against Taylor at the NIA, while van Barneveld faces Anderson.

By Chris Murphy

Latest League Table

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 7 – 7 Andy Hamilton

Raymond van Barneveld kept himself firmly in the hunt for a McCoy’s Premier League semi-final spot with a draw against Andy Hamilton in Liverpool.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

The five-time World Champion fought his way back from 4-1 down to grab a point, although it could have been an even better comeback for ‘Barney’, who missed two darts at a match-winning double.

He said: “Andy is a fantastic player, every time I play him he makes it hard for me to win. I didn’t play my best tonight so I was happy to get a draw.

“I’m still very much in with a chance of making the Play-Offs and of course I think I can do that.”

Hamilton won the first three legs, taking out a brilliant 152 finish in the second, before ‘Barney’ got a leg on the board when he hit double ten.

‘The Hammer’ hit double top to take a 4-1 lead but van Barneveld cut his lead in half with a tidy 76 checkout.

The Dutchman hit double 16 for a crucial break of throw. He then held his own throw to draw level, before just missing the second treble on a 164 finish. Hamilton capitalised and edged back in front before ‘Barney’ replied by hitting his first 180 on the way to squaring up at five legs apiece.

Hamilton held again before van Barneveld did the same, hitting double top for a neat 82 finish under pressure.

‘Barney’ put himself in a good position to win the match by hitting a 180 against the throw, but was made to pay for two missed darts at double twelve, as Hamilton guaranteed himself a point.

Van Barneveld made sure he claimed a share of the spoils by hitting double top.

By Chris Murphy