It’s taken a while but Raymond van Barneveld finally showed his class with his best performance of 2010 in the Premier League at the MEN Arena.
Elsewhere in week five in Manchester, Phil Taylor got out of jail to snatch a draw against Mervyn King, James Wade is still searching for his first Premier League win of the year, while it was a nightmare night for Adrian Lewis.
But it was Barney who stole the show, thrashing Unicorn stablemate Terry Jenkins and in the process, he recorded the highest average of the league so far – a terrific 106.92
“I just felt good up there,” he said. “After the defeat by Phil, I practiced, practiced and practiced to get used to the new flights and they just felt right. Hopefully, this is the start of something for me this year.”
The Dutchman raced into a 4-0 lead against Jenkins after ‘The Bull’ missed four darts to win the opening leg and there was no way that Barney was going to let it slip from that commanding position.
Three 180s, an 11 darter and 12 dart leg and an average of 110 as he raced 7-1 in front!
Jenkins did manage to win three consecutive legs and hit four 180s of his own but this was Barney’s night and he clinched victory with a brilliant 11 darter.
Is Barney back? Let’s hope so!
Taylor lost his 100 per cent record but he was grateful to snatch a point against King.
‘The Power’ still isn’t firing and he had to win the last leg against the throw to avoid what would have been only his 6th defeat in 78 Premier League matches!
“I still haven’t got my game back. The three weeks I took off in January has set me back three months, so I have still got a lot of hard work ahead of me,” Taylor admitted.
He found himself trailing King 5-3 as Taylor missed 12 darts at a double and King hit four 180s and finishes of 130 and 88 to take control.
But you never write Philip Taylor off! Three fabulous legs and three fantastic finishes later, he was 6-5 in front…..161, 126 and 125 – it was vintage Taylor!
King though, hit back again and he broke the Taylor throw for a third time to move 7-6 up and he was throwing for the match. But Taylor found some consistent scoring in the decider to win a point and stay top of the league.
Despite not being at his best, he still managed to average 100.68
James Wade had to battle against the boo boys and was visibly shaken by the reaction he got in Manchester.
“I tried so hard up there. I just don’t know why they booed me. It’s difficult to understand. Yes, it hurts and I will have to try and shut it out in future. I mustn’t let it get to me.”
The irony was that Wade produced his best display of the league but he is still winless…..this second consecutive draw leaves him rooted to the bottom of the table.
He broke to go 3-1 in front and two 12 darters, a 127 finish on the bull and a brilliant 11 dart leg saw him move 6-3 ahead.
The 10th leg was absolutely crucial.
Wade, who had been so good on his finishing, missed three darts at D10 and D5 for a 7-4 lead – and Baxter broke back.
‘The Machine’ took out 85 under great pressure to go 7-6 up but had to settle for another draw after Baxter started the final leg with back-to-back 180s.
He will try again in Brighton for that illusive first win when he plays Whitlock.
Adrian Lewis endured a shocker as his old inconsistencies came back to haunt him.
He hit only four doubles from 27 attempts and this defeat means that he slips down to second bottom in the table.
It was puzzling to see Lewis struggling, especially after his great win in Germany last weekend.
The 8th leg summed up his night….a 180 and he just missed D20 for a 145 finish and then proceeded to blow another eight darts at a double to allow Simon Whitlock to pinch the leg.
After that, there was no coming back and Lewis’ average of 83 told its own story.
Results – week five:
James Wade 7-7 Ronnie Baxter
Phil Taylor 7-7 Mervyn King
Terry Jenkins 4-8 Raymond van Barneveld
Adrian Lewis 4-8 Simon Whitlock
Next week, the Premier League roadshow rolls into Brighton.
By STUART PYKE at the MEN Arena, Manchester