Barrie Bates was the Welsh hero, as they won an amazing match with Australia to set up a World Cup Final showdown against the Netherlands!
But it meant heartache for his Team Unicorn stablemate Paul Nicholson, who could only look on in despair, as Bates sensationally took out 116 to win a sudden-death shoot-out against the Aussies.
It was a remarkable end to a remarkable semi-final.
So it’s Wales against Raymond van Barneveld’s Holland in the World Cup Final.
What a semi-final it was though, as Bates and Mark Webster produced a darting miracle to see off Nicholson and the Aussies!
Australia led 3-1 after the singles, so it meant that Wales had to win the pairs to force a sudden death leg and that’s exactly what they did!
Nicholson and Whitlock were terrific during the singles and there was no sign of the drama to come. In fact, Bates lost both of his singles games!
The doubles match then went all the way to a deciding leg after Nicholson took out 100 to make it 5-5. But after Webster and Bates both missed darts to win, it was left to Nicholson to step up to throw for a place in the World Cup Final in that 11th leg.
But he fluffed his lines under enormous pressure….Nicholson missed darts at ‘tops’ and D10 and Webster nailed D20 to force the shoot-out.
When Whitlock won the bull and kicked off the leg with a 180, it looked all over…..but Webster’s heavy scoring kept Wales in it. The Aussies were left on 61 to win it, until Bates came up with his amazing 116 check-out!
Bates and Webster celebrated wildly on the stage, while Nicholson and Whitlock looked on crestfallen.
“I was shaking,” said Bates!
The Unicorn man added: “They were probably the three most important darts of my life. Mark kept us in the match but I guess that finish makes up for everything!”
Bates really was the unlikely Welsh hero but what a finish to win a World Cup semi-final. “It was just like winning a penalty shoot-out!” joked Bates
Barneveld was in terrific form again for Holland and he and Co Stompe proved, yet again, to be the perfect combination!
Their four singles victories over the brave Spaniards, meant there was no need for the pairs showdown, and World Cup glory is within touching distance for the Dutch.
“It has been a great experience,” said the Unicorn man. “Co and I really enjoy playing together and we make a great team. I must give so much credit to Carlos (Rodriguez) and Antonio (Alcinas), because they did their country proud.”
Barney beat Alcinas 6-2 with a 103 average, six doubles from nine attempts and a brilliant 132 finish to win the match, as he hit bull, bull and D16…..and in one leg he hit six perfect darts, just missing the 7th T20.
He was just as good against Rodriguez! A 6-4 win, which included finishes of 112 and 104, two 11 darters, 3x180s, a 96 average and a classy 76 two-dart check-out to seal the win….
Stompe lost all his singles matches in the group stages on Saturday, but he held his nerve superbly in the critical fourth singles game with Alcinas.
If he won, Holland were in the final but if he lost, the semi-final would be decided by a doubles clash! Alcinas was again brilliant, but Stompe’s experience counted in the end, as he came from 5-4 down to win 6-5 and seal their spot in the World Cup Final.
Semi-Final results:
Netherlands 4-0 Spain
Raymond van Barneveld v Antonio Alcinas (6-2)
Co Stompe v Carlos Rodriguez (6-3)
Raymond van Barneveld v Carlos Rodriguez (6-4)
Co Stompe v Antonio Alcinas (6-5)
Wales 4-3 Australia
Mark Webster v Paul Nicholson (6-5)
Barrie Bates v Simon Whitlock (4-6)
Mark Webster v Simon Whitlock (4-6)
Barrie Bates v Paul Nicholson (3-6)
Webster/Bates v Whitlock/Nicholson (6-5)
**Wales win sudden-death shoot-out**
Final:
Netherlands v Wales (all matches over the best of 15 legs)
By STUART PYKE at Rainton Meadows Arena
Photos courtesy Lawrence Lustig / PDC