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James Wade and Raymond van Barneveld are still strong contenders for McCoy’s Premier League Play-Off places, after the pair both earned draws at Liverpool’s Echo Arena.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

Results on night twelve meant that Simon Whitlock moved within a whisker of qualification for finals night despite suffering defeat, as all of the other games were drawn.

Wade showed real fighting spirit in the night’s opening match, as he came back from three legs down twice to share the spoils with Kevin Painter.

‘The Machine’, who trailed ‘The Artist’ 4-1 and 7-4, won the last three legs to take his points tally to twelve, keeping himself in third place.

Whitlock then gave Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor and early scare in their top of the table clash. ‘The Wizard’ raced into a 3-1 lead, which included a sensational 161 checkout, but the league leader won all of the remaining legs.

Whitlock remains in second place behind Taylor, who has already booked his place at London’s O2 Arena in May. The Australian ace needs just one more point from his remaining two matches to ensure he joins his opponent.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

‘Barney’ battled hard for a precious point against Andy Hamilton after ‘The Hammer’ had led 4-1. The Dutchman missed two darts to win the match, but was pleased to get the draw, which leaves him a point and a place outside the Play-Off spots.

“Andy played fantastic; he is really hard to beat so I am pleased to get a draw,” said van Barneveld. “My aim has always been to get into the top four and I am in a good position to do that still.”

“I didn’t play my best game and I have no explanation for that, but another point was important and I think I can go on and make the Play-Offs from here.”

Reigning champion Gary Anderson held World Champion Adrian Lewis to a draw in the evening’s final match. That result leaves Lewis in the mix for a semi-final place but ends Anderson’s hopes of retaining his title.

Whitlock can seal qualification with a result against Hamilton in Birmingham next week. Wade is up against Taylor at the NIA, while van Barneveld faces Anderson.

By Chris Murphy

Latest League Table

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 7 – 7 Andy Hamilton

Raymond van Barneveld kept himself firmly in the hunt for a McCoy’s Premier League semi-final spot with a draw against Andy Hamilton in Liverpool.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

The five-time World Champion fought his way back from 4-1 down to grab a point, although it could have been an even better comeback for ‘Barney’, who missed two darts at a match-winning double.

He said: “Andy is a fantastic player, every time I play him he makes it hard for me to win. I didn’t play my best tonight so I was happy to get a draw.

“I’m still very much in with a chance of making the Play-Offs and of course I think I can do that.”

Hamilton won the first three legs, taking out a brilliant 152 finish in the second, before ‘Barney’ got a leg on the board when he hit double ten.

‘The Hammer’ hit double top to take a 4-1 lead but van Barneveld cut his lead in half with a tidy 76 checkout.

The Dutchman hit double 16 for a crucial break of throw. He then held his own throw to draw level, before just missing the second treble on a 164 finish. Hamilton capitalised and edged back in front before ‘Barney’ replied by hitting his first 180 on the way to squaring up at five legs apiece.

Hamilton held again before van Barneveld did the same, hitting double top for a neat 82 finish under pressure.

‘Barney’ put himself in a good position to win the match by hitting a 180 against the throw, but was made to pay for two missed darts at double twelve, as Hamilton guaranteed himself a point.

Van Barneveld made sure he claimed a share of the spoils by hitting double top.

By Chris Murphy

JAMES WADE 7–7 Kevin Painter

James Wade came back from three legs down twice to seal a draw against Kevin Painter at Liverpool’s Echo Arena.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

Wade, who hit four maximums, trailed Painter 4-1 and 7-4 but fought back to move onto twelve points in the McCoy’s Premier League, staying in strong contention for a Play-Off place.

‘The Machine’ hit his first 180 on the way to taking the opening leg. Painter held his throw in the second leg and then grabbed an early break with a 120 checkout.

‘The Artist’ made it 3-1 and Wade looked like he had the ideal response, hitting his second maximum, followed by a 140, but Painter produced a superb eleven darter to grab another break of throw.

Wade clinched a crucial break back before the break, going out in twelve darts to reduce the deficit to 4-2. He returned after the interval with his third 180 and went on to hit double 18 to move within a leg of his opponent.

Painter restored his two leg advantage when he took out 68 but ‘The Machine’ bounced back again, taking out 123 brilliantly on the bull.

‘The Artist’ hit double top with his first attempt to win the tenth leg, and then produced a stunning ten darter to move 7-4 ahead.

Needing to win all of the remaining three legs to have any chance of salvaging a draw, Wade hammered home his fourth maximum before finishing on 83 for a break of throw.

‘The Machine’ then held his throw to put the pressure on Painter. The 2009 winner hit back to back 140’s in the final leg, before hitting double top to take a share of the spoils.

By Chris Murphy

Simon Whitlock could seal his place in the McCoy’s Premier League Play-Offs on Thursday, if he can get a positive result against Phil Taylor, in a top of the table clash at Liverpool’s Echo Arena.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

Whitlock is second in the table with 14 points after claiming three successive victories. If ‘The Wizard’ manages to extend his excellent run of form with a win against Taylor, who has already qualified for the semi-finals, he would guarantee his place at London’s O2 Arena in May.

He said: “I’m not satisfied with my points total just yet. 14 might be enough to make the Play-Offs in the end, but I want another two or four points out of the last three matches.

“It’s going to be very difficult against Phil so if I can get a draw or a win, that would be absolutely brilliant.”

Raymond van Barneveld and James Wade are also hoping to boost their chances of reaching the final four.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

‘Barney’ is looking to catapult himself back into the top four when he faces Andy Hamilton. The Dutchman is fifth with ten points, while ‘The Hammer’ must get a result to stay in contention.

Van Barneveld, who was beaten by Whitlock last week, knows he has an important night ahead.

“Last week’s result doesn’t change anything for me,” said ‘Barney’. “Even if I’d won I think I had to win in Liverpool and also another game after that so I’ll try to do my best against Andy.

“Last week wasn’t my night and it was disappointing for me. I didn’t score like I can do and Simon played well, he hit some crucial finishes and I missed too many doubles.”

Wade, who is third in the table, can move onto 13 points if he beats Kevin Painter. ‘The Artist’ needs to avoid defeat to keep his Play-Off hopes alive.

In the night’s other match, Adrian Lewis, who sits in fourth place, takes on reigning champion Gary Anderson, who must win to hang on to any hopes of retaining his title.

By Chris Murphy

Latest League Table

Arron Monk claimed a brilliant double at the weekend, with victories in the PDC Unicorn Youth Tour Event’s one and three at the Moorways centre in Derby.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

The 2011 Under-21 World Champion whitewashed both James Hubbard and Michael Smith, who won the second event, in final triumphs on consecutive days.

Monk, who plays Raymond van Barneveld in the inaugural European Tour Event in Austria next weekend, collected over £1000 in prize money for his excellent efforts.

He said: “It’s absolutely brilliant, I’m over the moon. This will be my last year on the Youth Tour and I want to make it count. My aim is to win 14 of the 21 events so this is a great start.”

“Last year was frustrating for me. I had a bad patch and was changing my darts and trying to improve my game, and it just didn’t happen for me on the Youth Tour.

“I’ve been practising for a while now with a different throw, where my darts flick up more in the board instead of laying flat, but I’ve never had the guts to try it in tournaments before this weekend.

“Chris Aubrey persuaded me to try in Derby because we’ve been practising together ahead of this and I’ve been hitting 180s and 140s for fun, so it’s a massive boost for my confidence that it’s worked so well.”

Monk’s route to glory in Saturday’s Event one included victories over Aubrey and Smith before overcoming Hubbard 4-0 in the final with a commanding performance, in which he produced a stunning 150 checkout.

After reaching the last 16 in Event two, Monk returned on Sunday to win Event three, beating Co Stompe Jnr and Jamie Lewis amongst others, before another 4-0 victory in the final.

By Chris Murphy

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

Latest League Table

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

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

Raymond van Barneveld and Simon Whitlock go to head to head in Bournemouth on Thursday, as the pair bid to move a step closer to sealing a play-off spot, while James Wade aims to do the same when he faces Andy Hamilton on week eleven of the McCoy’s Premier League.

‘Barney’ and ‘The Wizard’ kick off proceedings at the sold-out BIC , with the Dutchman trailing his Australian opponent by two points in the league table.

Van Barneveld heads into the clash in strong form, after winning both Speedy Services UK Open qualifiers in Barnsley last weekend.

“Simon is a great player,” said van Barneveld, who hit a nine darter on the way to the first of his two victories.

“I played him on Saturday and was 3-0 down and won 6-5, even though he started with a 180 in the last leg.

“We always have close games, he’s a fantastic player and he averaged 103 last week so I’ve been warned.

“I’ve got to prepare myself right because I’ve still got four games left and my target is to get four or six points to make sure I qualify.”

Whitlock also has every reason to be confident, after winning his last two McCoy’s Premier League matches, both with ton-plus averages.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

The quality and form of both players, paired with the significance of the clash in terms of the race for a semi-final spot, indicates that all the ingredients are there for the pair to serve up a classic.

Whitlock said: “Every time we play it’s a ding-dong battle. We’ve put on some good shows in the last couple of years and I think this will be another.

“We all love Raymond and it makes darts interesting again with him playing well. Barney had a bad couple of years, but it is good to see him play well again.”

Wade, who is sandwiched between the two and sits in third, takes on Hamilton in the third game of the evening.

A win for ‘The Machine’ would take his points tally up to twelve, and closer to ensuring that he is involved on finals night.

He said: “A win against Andy could stretch the table out but the way I’ve been playing, anything can happen. I’ve got a tournament average of 95 and against everyone else it’s not good enough.

“Andy’s doing well, as is Kevin Painter. It’s their first year in the Premier League and it’s hard, and they’re both there or thereabouts on points, and in the first four or five weeks Andy played really well.”

In between those two matches, Gary Anderson and Painter do battle to keep their play-off hopes alive.

The curtain will be brought down on a another exciting evening when Phil Taylor meets Adrian Lewis in what is set to be a thrilling encounter.

By Chris Murphy

Raymond van Barneveld completed a delightful double at Barnsley Metrodome by winning Sunday’s Speedy Services UK Open Qualifier Six.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

The resurgent Dutchman beat Ian White 6-2 in the final, to claim his second title in as many days, having won the fifth qualifying event on Saturday.

‘Barney’ enjoyed victories over Bernd Roith, Kevin Dowling, Tony West and Darren Johnson before seeing off world number six Wes Newton in a close last 16 clash.

The five-time world champion then beat two fellow World Championship winners, defeating Dennis Priestley 6-1 and Richie Burnett 6-2, before victory over White sealed his brilliant double success.

Van Barneveld had trailed his opponent 2-1 before taking five consecutive legs to clinch the £6000 prize money. That, combined with the £6400 he collected for Saturday’s triumph and nine-dart finish, moves ‘Barney’ back into the top eight in the PDC Order of Merit.

“Not many players win both tournaments in a weekend so I’m really proud,” said van Barneveld, who has been enjoying something of a revival in 2012.

“That says a lot about the kind of player you are; I’m working out now in the gym, I feel fit, I feel awake and I feel confident.

“The first couple of games I wasn’t pleased with but after that I gained confidence and the rest of the day was awesome. I’m really pleased to have won both finals.”

‘Barney’ will be hoping to take this kind of form to Bournemouth on Thursday, where he faces Simon Whitlock in the McCoy’s Premier League.

By Chris Murphy