Raymond van Barneveld and Paul Nicholson played major roles to see their respective countries through to the World Cup semi-finals.
But despite some terrific performances, Unicorn’s three-times World Champion John Part saw his Canada team fail to make it through to the last four.
The Canadians finished third in Group A after a 3-1 victory over Austria in their last match. Part was certainly prominent, as he averaged 110 in his 3-0 singles victory over Maik Langendorf, and he won the match with a brilliant 164 finish on the bull.
Earlier in the day, he had beaten Co Stompe in their match against the Dutch and lost his singles match to Nicholson after being 2-1 in front.
But the signs are certainly good for Part, as he bids to rediscover his top form. And we can all hope that the much anticipated Part/Taylor 2nd round showdown at the World Championship, actually materialises after Christmas!
Nicholson was in cracking form for his adopted Australia. He won singles matches against Mensur Suljovic (Austria) and came from behind to pip Part, when he hit five 180s in five legs and won it with a 12 darter.
And he and Simon Whitlock will be big contenders come those semi-finals on Sunday.
Raymond van Barneveld though, was the star of the show on Saturday afternoon at the Rainton Meadows Arena.
Team Unicorn’s World No.3 was in fantastic form as he led from the front, with the Netherlands finishing top of Group A
He won all three of his singles matches, including coming from 0-2 down to beat Austria’s Langendorf!
Barney was hitting 180s for fun and was checking out at over 50 per cent! He and partner Co Stompe are the new favourites to win the World Cup after England’s demise.
“I am having fun and enjoying my darts,” he said. “Co and I make a great team and the fact that we battled through to win all three of our pairs games 3-2 says a lot for the spirit and ;passion in the Dutch team.”
Group A results (1pt per singles win, 2pts pairs winners)
Netherlands 3-1 Canada
Austria 0-4 Australia
Netherlands 3-1 Austria
Canada 1-3 Australia
Netherlands 3-1 Australia
Canada 3-1 Austria
Group A table (top 2 qualify for semi-finals):
1 – Netherlands 9pts
2 – Australia 8pts
3 – Canada 5pts
4 – Austria 2pts
By STUART PYKE at the PDC World Cup of Darts
Photos courtesy Lawrence Lustig / PDC and Chris Sargeant