Tag: Modus Darts

Michael van Gerwen won the first ever Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters, completing an amazing week with an excellent 11-7 final victory over Raymond van Barneveld on Thursday evening.

‘Mighty Mike’, who has also triumphed in the Premier League and European Masters in the last eight days, produced stunning finishes of 164 and 170 to cap a fine string of performances.

The Dutch ace had defeated Wes Newton and Andy Hamilton to set up a last two clash with compatriot van Barneveld.

“There was a little payback there because Raymond beat me in the Grand Slam, but I always enjoy playing him and it was a great final,” van Gerwen told the PDC’s official website.

“I think, with all the conditions, I played very well and put in some great averages and hit the 170 finish and 164 finish at good moments in the final so that was important to make me the champion.”

James Wade had become the first PDC player to win a professional game outdoors when he defeated Simon Whitlock in a thrilling quarter-final match on Thursday.

But ‘The Machine’ was denied a place in the final by ‘Barney’.

PDC Chairman Barry Hearn has revealed that the tournament will return to Dubai in 2014.

He said: “We’re looking forward to building on this because the crowd have created a fantastic atmosphere.

“We’ve had over 5,000 fans visit the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium for the tournament and millions watching around the world, and I’m sure we can sell out next year’s event.”

By Chris Murphy

THE STARS OF WORLD DARTS ARE HEADING TO NORTH WALES NEXT MONTH – CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

James Wade and Michael van Gerwen will go head to head in the semi-finals of the McCoy’s Premier League on Thursday, when the final four will compete for the prestigious title.

Wade, a former winner of the £520,000 tournament, meets ‘Mighty Mike’ who topped the table in his debut season, as the 14 week elite darts showcase reaches its climax at London’s O2 Arena.

Raymond van Barneveld takes on defending champion Phil Taylor in the other clash of a semi-final line-up that is identical to the last four stage of January’s World Championship.

Seven-time PDC major title winner Wade believes that the tournament, which he won in 2009, is there for the taking.

“I really don’t think anyone can confidently pick a winner this year,” said ‘The Machine’.

“You’ve got four quality players, who are all capable of fantastic things so it’s all on the night.

“Michael van Gerwen is playing brilliant but we’ve had some close games recently. I’ll just concentrate on my own game and I know I what I can do.

“His strength his scoring and mine is finishing so I hope we both go up and play our best games because it could be something really great.

“I want to win a couple of majors this year and I’m hoping the first one comes my way on Thursday.”

World number two van Gerwen is chasing his second televised success in the PDC after losing two major finals since winning the World Grand Prix in October.

He said: “I want to win this Premier League. Finishing first in the table was a nice thing for me but now I have to follow it up.

“I have two more matches hopefully and I need to win them both.

“Everybody keeps saying I will win a lot in the future but you never know how your form might change.

“I’m playing well now and I want to make it count now.”

van Barneveld has set his sights on reaching a first Premier League final after five unsuccessful attempts.

But the Dutchman knows he has his work cut out against a player he is yet to beat in the competition.

“I had a good chance to beat Phil Taylor in the league this year,” said ‘Barney’, the five-time World Champion.

“But maybe that wasn’t my time. I hope Thursday night is. If I play like I can then I can do it.

“Five times I have lost in the semis so to make the final, just once, would be great for me and to win the whole tournament would be a dream come true.”

Whoever does take glory on Thursday will scoop a £150,000 first prize – the second largest winners cheque on the PDC tour.

By Chris Murphy

Individual previews can be viewed at the players’ official websites: James Wade – www.jameswade.co.uk / Michael van Gerwen – www.michaelvangerwen.tv / Raymond van Barneveld – www.barneyuk.tv

 

 

Four of the biggest names in professional darts will be on show at the Benfield Nissan Darts Masters in Sunderland next month.

The stars, including five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld, will compete at the Nissan Sports and Leisure complex on 15 June.

Dutch legend ‘Barney’ will be joined by Australian ace and European Champion Simon Whitlock, double World Champion Ted Hankey and James Wade, winner of seven major titles.

They will battle it out, alongside local qualifiers, in the type of thrilling tournament as seen on TV as high quality darts heads to Sunderland.

“This should be a great night,” said van Barneveld, who starred in the Premier League in Newcastle last week.

“I know that fans up there are very passionate about their darts. They were amazing on Thursday and I’m looking forward to meeting the guys in Sunderland.

“I’m sure there will be some good players from the local area, who will give us a run for our money.

“It is a brilliant line up and we will all be aiming to put on a show and, most importantly, win!”

Tickets for this exciting event are available online at www.dartshop.tv or by calling 08450 180 180.

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS TO THIS EVENT OR FOR MORE INFORMATION

Michael van Gerwen can secure his place at the McCoy’s Premier League play-off finals with a positive result in Birmingham, where James Wade and Raymond van Barneveld will be looking to move closer to cementing their places inside the top four.

Simon Whitlock and Robert Thornton are also in the race to compete in the tournament’s finale in May ahead of the twelfth night of action on Thursday.

League leader van Gerwen is hoping to celebrate his 24th birthday by obtaining the point that would guarantee his place at London’s O2 in next month’s finals night but his opponent Simon Whitlock knows the importance of securing victory to keep his own bid alive.

Whitlock, who hit a nine-dart finish in last year’s play-offs and finished as runner-up, faces a double-header against world number two van Gerwen and the highest ranked player, Phil Taylor. But ‘The Wizard’ insisted that he is not daunted by the challenge.

“I’ve got the top two players in the world rankings but I’ll be looking to do some damage,” warned Whitlock, who has claimed back-to-back victories since surviving relegation.

“I know that I can beat both of these guys but you’ve got to play one match at a time. I need to get at least six points out of my next five matches to have a chance of reaching the play-offs but I’m going in the right direction.”

Second and third place will go head to head in Birmingham as Wade and van Barneveld clash at the NIA.

After the pair shared a draw in their previous meeting, Wade is confident of getting a result against the Dutch star.

“I won’t lose to him,” said ‘The Machine’, speaking to www.pdc.tv

“We drew the last time we played and I was awful. I had gastroenteritis and hadn’t slept for two days and I still got a draw.

“He has been getting good results but I don’t think he is at his very best and I’m starting to get closer to mine so I look forward to playing him.”

Thornton takes on Stoke pair Andy Hamilton and Adrian Lewis and is looking to close the gap on the top four, or even climb back into it, after falling two points behind fourth-placed Taylor.

“My focus is on the reaching the play-offs now,” said the Scottish ace.

“That can only be achieved one game at a time though and it starts again with a tough match on Thursday.

“A win against Andy started what has been an amazing first season in the McCoy’s Premier League for me and hopefully another one can kick-start my play-off push.

“Whatever happens then I have to prepare for Adrian Lewis. It will be a difficult night but it could be a very sweet one if it goes right.”

Taylor and Lewis face each other in the evening’s other match.

By Chris Murphy

Images courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Latest League Table

P W D L +/- LWAT Ave Pts
Michael van Gerwen 13 9 2 2 +27 32 99.25 20
James Wade 12 7 2 3 +19 28 96.78 16
Raymond van Barneveld 12 6 3 3 +10 31 98.50 15
Phil Taylor 12 5 3 4 +9 30 99.60 13
Robert Thornton 11 4 3 4 +2 25 98.48 11
Andy Hamilton 12 5 0 7 -8 23 94.56 10
Simon Whitlock 11 5 0 6 -8 23 93.94 10
Adrian Lewis 11 3 1 7 -19 18 91.46 7

 

See some of the stars of Premier League in action at the Allstars of Andover in August – Tickets now on sale – BUY NOW 

 

Some of the best darts players on the planet will be on show at The River Centre, Tonbridge for a special VIP night on Saturday 20 October.

Fans will enjoy the special experience of a top quality darts event VIP style, with a waitress service, buffet, meet and greet with the players and an exclusive after party, which will follow the main event.

The world-class stars on show include world number three James Wade, who has won seven major PDC titles, five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld and two-time World Champion Dennis Priestley.

They will be joined by former Premier League star Terry Jenkins, quick-fire Dutchman Vincent van der Voort and two-time Lakeside finalist Tony O’Shea.

Qualifiers Ben Songhurst and Rob Prince will be competing against the professionals on what will be a night to remember for the local pair.

Lewis Jones of MODUS said: “This is a really unique event. Not only will fans get to see some of the best darts players on the planet compete, but they will get the VIP treatment too.

“It is a fantastic opportunity to watch a darts event in a completely new and exciting way. It will be a special experience.”

VIP tickets for The Money Shop VIP Experience are priced at £60 and are available calling 08450 180 180 or online via www.dartshop.tv

For fans who wish to see the show without the VIP benefits, standard tickets have now been made available from £20 per person.

Doors open at 6.30pm for the VIP reception, with the main event starting at 8pm. VIP guests are invited to stay on for the after party from 11pm.


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