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RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 8 – 5 Kevin Painter

Raymond van Barneveld claimed victory over Kevin Painter on night six of the McCoy’s Premier League in Glasgow.

‘Barney’ averaged over 103 on his way to victory, in a match where more legs were won against the throw than with it.

Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Painter grabbed a break of throw in the opening leg. ‘Barney’ responded with a maximum before hitting double top to draw level. The Dutchman just missed double sixteen for a 146 finish in leg three, but hit it in his next visit to put himself ahead. ‘The Artist’ hit back by taking out a stunning 157 finish to hold before breaking van Barneveld’s throw to take a 3-2 lead. ‘Barney’ broke back immediately once more to go into the break on level terms.

The second half of the match started in similar fashion to the first, as Painter claimed another break of throw before ‘Barney’ did the same, hitting another maximum in the process. The five-time world champion hit his third 180 in the ninth leg, which he won by hitting double 18. ‘Barney’ then closed in on victory when he hit double eight for another break of throw.

The pendulum briefly swung back Painter’s way when he hit double fifteen to break van Barneveld’s throw, but ‘Barney’ broke straight back once again to leave himself throwing for the match. He completed the job by hitting double 16, much to the delight of the Glaswegian ‘Barney Army’.

“I cherish the two points, I’m happy tonight,” said van Barneveld. “Kevin Painter is a world class player so I’m pleased to get the win. He will be disappointed, as I would have been if I’d lost tonight, but he’ll be back next week. I’ve been working hard, practising and working out in the gym. I am tired but I cherish every moment and if I need to climb a mountain to win games, I will do it.”

By Chris Murphy

SIMON WHITLOCK 8 – 6 Gary Anderson

Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Simon Whitlock produced a strong performance to beat ‘The Flying Scotsman’, Gary Anderson, in Glasgow. ‘The Wizard’ took out a spectacular 164 finish on his way to victory to silence the patriotic Scottish crowd, keeping himself in the playoff places in the McCoy’s Premier League.

‘The Wizard’ grabbed his second successive win, and his third of the season, to increase his points tally to seven after six matches.

Whitlock won the first leg against the throw and looked liked he would double his lead when he hit his first 180, but Anderson made him pay for missed doubles to break back. The Scotsman held to edge in front before ‘The Wizard’ responded in sensational style, taking out a fabulous 164 checkout on the bull. Anderson won the fifth leg to go back in front before Whitlock levelled up again; hitting his third maximum before hitting double top to make it three legs apiece at the break.

The Australian hit double two to break Anderson’s throw. The Scotsman looked like he would hit back immediately when he filled the treble twenty to leave a double, but Whitlock refused to surrender his lead this time and took out a brilliant 104 checkout to increase it to 5-3. ‘The Wizard’ hit another maximum but Anderson won the ninth leg to reduce Whitlock’s lead to one leg.  The world number five immediately restored his advantage by hitting double top, to leave himself a leg away from ensuring he would get at least a draw.

Anderson held his throw to keep his chances of victory alive but Whitlock ended the Scotsman’s hopes with a clinical 76 finish. The reigning champion hit double two to hold his throw as he attempted to salvage a draw, but Whitlock got the job done in the deciding leg, going off with a 180 before hitting double top to gain his third victory of the season.

By Chris Murphy

JAMES WADE 8 – 5 Adrian Lewis

James Wade made it three wins in as many weeks with victory over world champion Adrian Lewis in the McCoy’s Premier League in Glasgow. The seven-time major winner avenged his defeat against ‘Jackpot’ from the semi-finals of the World Championship with an 8-5 success over the world number two.

Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Wade, who lost his first three matches of the campaign, hit four 180’s on his way to an impressive victory at the SECC, as he continued to climb the league table.

Wade opened with a 180 before hitting double ten to hold his throw in the first leg. ‘The Machine’ hit another maximum in the next leg but was unable to break Lewis’ throw.  Wade hit double five to regain the lead and then double top to grab a break of throw, increasing his advantage to 3-1.

The world number three hit double ten again to open up a three leg lead, but ‘Jackpot’ held his throw to reduce the deficit to 4-2 before the break. Wade took out a brilliant 114 finish to hold his throw in leg seven before Lewis hit a 106 checkout to pull a leg back. The world champion then broke Wade’s throw to leave himself throwing to level the match. ‘The Machine’ had other ideas though, and wrapped in his third 180 before just missing the bull for a 161 checkout. He finally tidied up five to break back immediately.

Wade guaranteed at least a point when he hit double 18 to take a 7-4 lead. Lewis held his throw in leg twelve to keep the match alive, but Wade made sure of a third successive victory when he hammered home his fourth maximum before taking out 56.

By Chris Murphy