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James Wade and Raymond van Barneveld moved firmly into contention for the McCoy’s Premier league play-off places, while Simon Whitlock climbed to second in the table, as all three MODUS stars triumphed in Glasgow.

Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Wade exacted revenge on Adrian Lewis, for defeat in the semi-finals of the World Championship, with an impressive 8-5 victory over ‘Jackpot’. The 2009 Premier League champion has turned his form around in this year’s competition, by following three consecutive defeats with the same amount of successive wins. ‘The Machine’ joins three other players on six points in the table ahead of next week’s trip to Dublin, which marks the halfway stage of the tournament.

“I’m not playing my best darts at the moment but it’s another two points which I’ll take gladly,” said Wade. “It’s coming good and I’m getting a little bit of rub of the green, and I took my chances well at times.”

Van Barneveld is also on six points after claiming a hard fought victory over Kevin Painter. The popular Dutchman won five of the last six legs to grab his second win of the season, leaving the boisterous Scottish crowd delighted.

“It wasn’t the best game we’ve both played but at the end I’ve got the two points,” said van Barneveld. “I lost to Phil with a 106 average a few weeks ago, and I’m happy just to get the two points this time. I don’t think I played as well as in recent weeks but it’s a good win for me. I’m working hard and I know I’ll get back to my best, I’m getting there.”

Simon Whitlock silenced the patriotic Glasgow crowd earlier in the evening, with an 8-6 success over ‘Flying Scotsman’, Gary Anderson. ‘The Wizard’, who hit a stunning 164 checkout in the match, moved above the defending champion with his third win of the season.

Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC

“I probably could have made it a lot easier for myself but I’m very happy to get the win,” said Whitlock. “I missed a lot of doubles and, credit to Gary because he came back at me. Last season I lost both matches to Gary, so to get one back is great for me and keeps me up there in the table. I’m taking one game at a time and battling away.”

Phil Taylor continued his unbeaten start to the season with an 8-3 triumph over Andy Hamilton in the other match of the night.

Wade will attempt to become the first player to beat ‘The Power’ this season when he takes on Taylor in Dublin next Thursday. Van Barneveld is up against Anderson in Ireland, where Whitlock faces Hamilton.

By Chris Murphy

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