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JAMES WADE 8 – 3 Gary Anderson

James Wade produced a solid performance to see off reigning McCoy’s Premier League champion Gary Anderson at Sheffield’s Motorpoint Arena.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

‘The Machine’ combined some heavy scoring with razor-sharp finishing to send down ‘The Flying Scotsman’ and move to ten points after ten weeks of action.

“It’s nice to win. I enjoyed myself out there although I did feel bad for Gary,” said Wade. “He had the crowd on his back, which was unfair, but after last week it was important to get a win.

“Everyone is so close this year, and we have all got a chance of qualifying so I need to keep finishing well and winning because anything could happen.”

Wade hit double top to take the opening leg, but just missed the bull for a stunning 170 checkout before Anderson stepped in to level up.

‘The Machine’ edged back in front, hitting double top again, before hitting his first maximum in leg four, which he won against the throw with a tidy 82 finish.

Anderson took out 64 to break back immediately but Wade ensured he would take a two leg lead into the break, hitting double top once more for another break of throw.

The world number three moved four legs clear of his opponent by winning the next two legs, hitting his second maximum in the process.

‘The Machine’ continued his sharp finishing, as he hit double top again to take a fourth consecutive leg and move into a 7-2 lead.

Anderson hit double twenty to stop the rot but Wade soon finished the job, punishing his opponent for missing four darts at a double, before once again hitting tops.

By Chris Murphy

Raymond van Barneveld is aiming to beat great rival Phil Taylor on TV for the first time since 2008 when the stars of the McCoy’s Premier League visit Sheffield on Thursday, with MODUS stars James Wade and Simon Whitlock also in action at the Motorpoint Arena.

Photo: Michael Cooper/PDC

‘Barney’ heads into his clash with ‘The Power’ fresh from a stunning display in Nottingham last week, where he recorded his highest ever televised average in his triumph over Kevin Painter.

“It’s a big achievement for me and I know now, with these darts, that in the future I can hit averages like this in every game,” said van Barneveld.

“I’m hoping to play well against Phil. Everything has to be right when you play him and you do always get chances, but you always have to hit them because he never seems to miss.

“He’s already qualified and I want to be one of the three players alongside him in the Play-Offs.

“It’s so close in the league season and that’s what we want. I think that even in week 14 there will be players needing to win to get into the Play-Offs.”

The popular Dutchman sits in joint second in the McCoy’s Premier League table with Whitlock, who faces Painter in the steel city.

‘The Wizard’ also heads to Yorkshire on the back of a brilliant performance, after demolishing Gary Anderson last week.

“You have to hit a 100 average to win these days – if you don’t you’re in trouble,” said the Australian. “Anything over 95 is good, but if you throw over 100 you’ll win a lot of games.

“The way the McCoy’s Premier League season is going at the moment it’s going to be a very tight finish. The for and against is important and as long as I’m in the top four I’ll be very happy.

“My goal is to make the top four and then see where I can go from there, and I’m on course for that at the moment.”

Wade faces reigning champion Anderson in the opening match of the evening. ‘The Machine’ will be hoping to bounce back from his controversial defeat at the hands of Adrian Lewis last week.

That match is one of two for Anderson as fixtures are rebalanced after his absence a fortnight ago. The Scotsman faces Andy Hamilton in the final match of the night, while Lewis has a week off, having already played ten matches.

Audio interviews with the victorious players will be available exclusively to MODUS elite members. Click here for details of how to subscribe.

By Chris Murphy

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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