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Raymond van Barneveld produced a fantastic performance to beat Gary Anderson in front of a PDC record crowd of 9,000 at Dublin’s O2 in the McCoy’s Premier League.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

The five-time world champion moved up to second in the table on level points with Simon Whitlock, after the Australian drew with Andy Hamilton.

‘Barney’ sent the Irish crowd into raptures as he beat the defending championing in a breathtaking affair. The five-time World Champion, who averaged over 107, was delighted with his performance.

He said: “To hit an average like that this week is brilliant. I’m delighted to get the win in front of a brilliant crowd, who were fantastic to me. It was a real buzz. I’m really happy to be second in the table, and to be proving people wrong.”

Whitlock earned a hard fought draw against Hamilton earlier in the evening, delighting the Irish crowd with a fabulous 152 checkout in the process.

He said: “It was a brilliant feeling when that went in. When I’m on stage in the Premier League I feel like I’m in the best place in the world, and the crowd were really behind me here. It was fantastic.”

James Wade was beaten by runaway league leader Phil Taylor, while Adrian Lewis beat Kevin Painter in the night’s other match.

Wade and Whitlock face each other next week in Cardiff, where van Barneveld takes on Lewis.

By Chris Murphy

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 8-5 Gary Anderson

Raymond van Barneveld produced a stunning performance to beat defending McCoy’s Premier League champion Gary Anderson in a thrilling match at the O2 in Dublin.

The popular Dutchman hit five 180’s and recorded a brilliant 107.22 average to see off ‘The Flying Scotsman’, much to the delight of the record breaking Irish crowd.

The tremendous turnout of 9,000 was the highest ever in a PDC event and van Barneveld was delighted to have put on a show, and, more importantly, get the victory.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

He said: “It felt good out there. It was fantastic to play so well in front of an amazing crowd. Last week I didn’t play too well and won, so tonight I was pleased to win when I had played well. I’m relaxed at the moment and that has enabled me to play the game I know I can.”

The signs of a special performance were evident from the start, as the five-time world champion took out a tidy 109 finish to hold his throw in the opening leg. The Dutchman hit his first 180 in leg two but was unable to stop Anderson drawing level. Van Barneveld hit double top to go back in front before Anderson hit double ten to hold his throw once more. ‘Barney’ won the fifth leg, hitting his second maximum in the process, before grabbing the first break of throw in the match, to take a 4-2 lead into the break.

He made it three legs in a row with a brilliant 120 checkout, before Anderson pulled a leg back despite another 180 from van Barneveld. The Scotsman won the next leg, against the throw, to put himself back on course for at least a draw, but ‘Barney’ wrestled back control by hitting back to back 180’s in an awesome eleven dart leg.

The pendulum swung back Anderson’s way, when he broke the throw to reduce Barney’s lead to 6-5, but the Dutchman restored his advantage immediately to ensure he would come away from the Emerald Isle with a draw at worst. He sealed the win in the next leg, hitting double sixteen to move up to second in the table.

 By Chris Murphy

SIMON WHITLOCK 7-7 Andy Hamilton

Simon Whitlock fought back to claim a point against Andy Hamilton in the McCoy’s Premier League at Dublin’s O2, hitting a roof-raising 152 checkout in the process.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

‘The Wizard’ looked like he would suffer defeat against the player who knocked him out of the World Championship, but won some vital legs under pressure and was pleased to seal the draw.

“I was happy in with a draw in the end,” said Whitlock. “It was another tough game, but that is what you have to expect in this tournament. I play the best players in the world every week, so I’m delighted with how well I’ve been doing. I have struggled against Andy on television recently, so it was pleasing to get something off him for once.”

Hamilton held his throw in the opening leg before ‘The Wizard’ hit double eight to level up. The Australian just missed a dart at the bullseye for 126 checkout, allowing Hamilton to edge back in front. Whitlock restored parity once more by taking out 90, with two 25’s and double top. ‘The Hammer’ held his throw again before Whitlock turned on the style, taking out a sensational 152 finish when it had looked like his opponent was about to grab the first break of throw.

The world number five hit his first 180 in the seventh leg, but it wasn’t enough to buck the trend of legs won with the throw, as Hamilton took a 4-3 lead. It was Hamilton who broke that run when he hit double 16 to open up a two leg lead. ‘The Wizard’ found the perfect response, hitting his second maximum en route to a break of throw, and then hitting double top to draw level at five legs apiece.

‘The Hammer’ went back in front by winning the next leg with the throw. Whitlock replied with another 180 before taking out another brilliant 90 checkout, this time on the bull. ‘The Wizard’ missed a dart for a crucial break of throw in the thirteenth leg, going wide of the double 16 bed for a 102 checkout. Hamilton hit double top to take a 7-6 lead, meaning Whitlock would need to hold his throw to draw the match. The Australian did exactly that, going out in thirteen darts to take a share of the spoils.

By Chris Murphy