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RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 8–6 Andy Hamilton

Raymond van Barneveld produced a stunning fight-back to claim an 8-6 victory over Andy Hamilton in Exeter. ‘Barney’ won the last four legs consecutively to seal the win, hitting five 180’s in the process.

Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC

The Dutchman has been in fine form in the first few weeks of the McCoy’s Premier League season and is delighted to be silencing his critics.

He said: “Since I got the wildcard for the Premier League I wanted to prove those people who said I didn’t deserve it wrong. I changed my attitude, I’ve got a good team around me who believe in me and I believe in myself. Andy played well; his finishing was fantastic so I’m happy with my first win.”

‘Barney’ hit his first 180 in the opening leg, which he won before Hamilton levelled. ‘The Hammer’ then broke the Dutchman’s throw and promptly took a 3-1 lead. Van Barneveld held his throw before Hamilton did the same, despite ‘Barney’ hitting his second maximum.

The five-time world champion hit double eight in the first leg after the break, to reduce Hamilton’s lead to 4-3.  ‘The Hammer’ restored his two leg advantage by holding his throw before ‘Barney’ hit double ten to stay in touch. The 2012 World Championship finalist hit double top to edge further in front once more. ‘Barney’ then threw five perfect darts at treble twenty for the second time in the match, before hitting bull then double 16 for a sensational eleven darter.

Still needing a break, at 6-5 down, van Barneveld turned up the heat on his opponent. The Dutchman hit his fourth 180 before hitting double nine to reach parity. He then held his throw to seal at least a point, hitting his fifth maximum in the process. ‘Barney’ completed the comeback by hitting double eighteen to break again, and grab his first win of the season.

By Chris Murphy

JAMES WADE 8 – 6 Kevin Painter

James Wade grabbed his first points of the 2012 McCoy’s Premier League season with a well-earned victory over Kevin Painter at the Westpoint Arena in Exeter.

The world number three out-scored his opponent throughout, and took out three ton plus finishes on his way to an 8-6 victory.

Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Wade, who suffered defeats in each of the first three weeks, feels that his relatively slow start is a familiar scenario and hopes this victory will be a catalyst for improvement.

He said: “It’s the same as every year; it takes me a while to get my first win. The players are brilliant in this competition; there is no weak link, so it’s such a relief to win a game. I’ll keep going and keep fighting, I’ve always been a scrapper and hopefully I can kick on from here and win a few more.”

Wade opted to split six, hitting two then double two, to level up after Painter had won the first leg. ‘The Machine’ then produced a brilliant 118 checkout for a break of throw, before increasing his lead with a thirteen dart leg. Painter won the next leg on the bull but Wade took out another stunning finish, this time 117, to go into the break with a 4-2 lead.

‘The Artist’ pulled a leg back before the 2009 champion hit double ten to restore his advantage. Painter then took out 118 and Wade responded in style, taking out 117 for the second time in the match. ‘The Machine’ had his lead reduced to 6-5 when Painter hit double 16. Wade then held his throw to ensure he would claim his first point of the season at the very least.

Painter took out 68 to take the match to a fourteenth and final leg, which Wade won with a clinical 78 checkout.

By Chris Murphy

James Wade will attempt to claim his first points of the McCoy’s Premier League Darts season when he takes on Kevin Painter in Exeter this evening.

The world number three, who won the tournament in 2009, has enjoyed success in recent years even though he has been a slow starter in the competition.

Photo - Lawrence Lustig/PDC

‘The Machine’ reached the final in 2010 and only missed out on the play-offs by a single point last year, despite being bottom after eight weeks.  A win against an in-form Painter could kick-start Wade’s 2012 campaign.

He faces ‘The Artist’ in the opening match of the night before Raymond van Barneveld takes to the stage in pursuit of his first victory.

The Dutchman has been playing fantastic darts of late, so will be confident ahead of his clash with World Championship finalist Andy Hamilton.

‘Barney’ has been involved in three thrilling encounters in the opening three weeks of the competition. The five-time world champion claimed draws against Simon Whitlock and Adrian Lewis before losing out to Phil Taylor, despite posting a brilliant 106 three dart average last week.

Whitlock faces Taylor in the night’s penultimate match. ‘The Wizard’ claimed a win and a draw before tasting defeat last week and will hope to bounce back against the ‘The Power’, who currently sits top of the table.

The evening draws to a close when Gary Anderson takes on Lewis in a repeat of last year’s final.

By Chris Murphy

Tonight’s fixtures

(Involving MODUS players)

JAMES WADE v Kevin Painter – (game one)

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD v Andy Hamilton – (game two)

SIMON WHITLOCK v Phil Taylor – (game three)