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Simon Whitlock tightened his grip on a McCoy’s Premier League play-off place after claiming his third successive victory, with an 8-4 triumph over Raymond van Barneveld, while James Wade remains firmly in the hunt for a semi-final spot after sharing the spoils with Andy Hamilton in Bournemouth.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

Whitlock moved onto 14 points after getting the better of ‘Barney’, who won back to back tournaments at the weekend.

‘The Wizard’, who produced two fabulous ton-plus checkouts on his way to victory, said: “The 155 was lovely, as was the 116, and they changed the match. I’m not satisfied with being on 14 points; I want at least another two or four points to make sure I’m in the Play-Offs.”

Whitlock sits in second place, three points ahead of James Wade, who earned a hard fought point against Hamilton.

‘The Machine’ hit four 180’s and took out finishes of 116 and 114, but was matched all the way by ‘The Hammer’.

Adrian Lewis joined Wade on eleven points and moved into the top four, after inflicting Phil Taylor’s first defeat of the season, while Kevin Painter kept his semi-final hopes alive, with a win over Gary Anderson.

Van Barneveld’s defeat against Whitlock meant the Dutchman dropped out of the play-off places, but he is still in strong contention and just a point behind Lewis and Wade.

‘Barney’ will be aiming to make a return to the top half when he faces Hamilton in Liverpool next Thursday. Wade takes on Painter at the Echo Arena, while Whitlock, who faces ‘The Power’, could officially seal qualification.

By Chris Murphy

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JAMES WADE 7 – 7 Andy Hamilton

James Wade claimed another point in the McCoy’s Premier League after earning a hard fought draw with Andy Hamilton in Bournemouth.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

Wade, who hit two ton-plus finishes and four 180’s in the match, remains in a strong position to qualify for the playoffs with eleven points from eleven games.

‘The Machine’ threw his first 180 in the opening leg, but it didn’t stop Hamilton from grabbing an early break of throw. Wade broke back immediately though, adding his second maximum in the process.

The 2009 winner held his own throw to take the lead, before Hamilton levelled up at two legs apiece. Wade held again to edge back in front, but ‘The Hammer’ did the same to leave the match finely poised at three all going into the break.

Wade took out 86 in clinical fashion to win the seventh leg, before his opponent hit double four to win the eighth.

The world number three moved a leg ahead again, hitting a fantastic 116 checkout to hold his throw. Hamilton responded with a ton-plus finish of his own, taking out 123 to peg back his opponent once more.

The run of fabulous finishing continued, as Wade capped off a terrific twelve-darter with a 124 checkout. ‘The Machine’ missed two darts at double ten for a vital break of throw, allowing Hamilton to draw level again.

Wade then closed in on sealing a draw at the least, hitting his third maximum on the way to an eleven dart leg. Hamilton hit double top to clinch a share of the spoils but not before Wade hammered home a fourth 180.

By Chris Murphy

SIMON WHITLOCK 8 – 4 RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD

Simon Whitlock took a giant step towards securing a spot in the McCoy’s Premier League play-offs with a comprehensive victory over Raymond van Barneveld at Bournemouth’s BIC.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

‘The Wizard’ claimed his third successive victory to move onto the magic fourteen point mark, the amount thought to be enough to grab one of the four places on finals night in May.

Whitlock, who took out two ton-plus finishes, said: “I got two points and that’s the main thing, as it’s pushing me towards the final. There was a lot of pressure tonight because we were both fighting for a spot in the semis.

“I’ve got a tough run-in but I’m looking to get at least another win. I’m happy with how I’m playing, I’m smiling and I’m showing what I can do.”

‘Barney’ had almost brought the house down instantly, when he just missed double twelve for a 144 checkout. The Dutchman held his throw anyway, finding the bed with his second attempt.

Whitlock levelled up by hitting his first 180 before hitting double ten. ‘The Wizard’ hit double top to grab the first break of throw of the match, and he moved into a 3 – 1 lead with a brilliant 116 checkout.

The game-changing moment came when the Australian ace produced a moment of sheer class; taking out 155 to snatch another leg against the throw. Whitlock went into the break with a 5 -1 lead after van Barneveld just missed his double for a 117 finish.

‘Barney’ pulled a leg back by hitting double top to hold his throw, but missed the chance of a break when he failed to hit double eighteen twice, before ‘The Wizard’ stepped in to increase his lead to 6-2.

Van Barneveld hit his first maximum in the ninth leg, which he won with a neat 72 checkout. The five-time World Champion hit another 180 and punished his opponent for three missed darts at a double, hitting double two to break his opponents throw.

Whitlock responded by breaking back immediately, hitting his second maximum in the process. ‘The Wizard’ wasted no time in securing the victory, hitting double top to tighten his grip on second place.

By Chris Murphy