Darts, Beers, & Cheers!

Posts Tagged ‘raymond van barneveld’

Taylor Retains Title – Wins WMP in Blackpool

Well I watched the final of the World Match Play in a local pub, enjoying the 3D Sky coverage.  The 3D is AMAZING and better than I thought it would be.  We did literary duck some of the early darts..

The good news was, Barney was up for a fight, and kept the game close until near the end.  Taylor was quite awesome though, he never lets up, keeps hitting the big numbers again and again.   The finishing was deadly too – both players knew they had to finish immediately, even when the opponent was back on a ton+ finish.

So all in all a great final, with proper competitive darts – something that Taylor hadn’t had all tournament.

Match Stats

Raymond van Barneveld	12-18	Phil Taylor
46	100+	35
24	140+	28
2	180	9
33.37	Ave1	35.05
100.11	Ave3	105.16
136	High Finish	135,105
1	Legs Against Throw	4

World Match Play Semi-final results

Well I managed to sneak home earlier than I thought, so managed to start watching the Barney vs. Wade game before the end.  So the great news is, it is the REAL BARNEY – he is back!   The game actually looked a little one sided, Barney pretty much destroying James Wade.

So we’re possibly going to have a very interesting final depending on how the Phil Taylor vs. Simon Whitlock game goes…

Game 1: RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 17-8 JAMES WADE

Game 2: PHIL TAYLOR 16 – 4 SIMON WHITLOCK

Oh dear – Phil is kicking bottom early on in his game vs. Simon Whitlock… it’s serious stuff, and Whitlock needs to pick up his average big time now.

Simon continues a low average, and Taylor is beating him up big style here.  I thought that Simon would do more, but couldn’t see him beating Taylor as I said in my preview earlier today.

Taylor ran away a winner in the end, leaving Whitlock way behind.

So our finals is the ‘old firm’ clash, of Taylor vs. Barneveld.

PDC Unicorn Women’s World Championship Final

Stacy Bromberg 6-5 Tricia Wright
Best of 11 legs (first to six, no tie-breaker)

Nerves are playing a big part in tonights game between Tricia and Stacy – both missing darts they’d normally easily hit.  It can’t be easy coming up late after two big games, and with a crowd so large.  Tricia is not scoring well, but Stacy has missed important doubles to keep the game with throw.

Tricia breaks Stacy, and goes 3-2 up.. if she can hold her throw.. WHICH SHE DOES.  4-2!  Two more and we have an English world champ!

Well done Stacy – who took the last two legs to win the match, and to become the 1st PDC Womens World Champion!

World Match Play, Semi final preview by Krispy

Semi-Finals

7pm start
James Wade v Raymond van Barneveld
Phil Taylor v Simon Whitlock

So it’s the business end of the play from Blackpool, and this year’s event has thrown up what I’d probably call “The Dream 4″ – pretty much the four best darts players in the world at the moment (be that PDC or BDO) playing each other in the semi finals.  All in 3D too!  If you fancy watching the games in 3D, you’ll need to find yourself a pub showing it – 3D pub finder here.

The bad news for me – I’m out this evening, so will miss the games!!  So no live updates from me     I’ll tape it and watch Sunday morning, so no telling me the scores!

Anyway, back to this evening’s games… and where would I start?

James Wade v Raymond van Barneveld

Tasty!  Even when you look at the stats you can hardly separate these two, and the head-to-head wins is; James Wade 12-13 Raymond van Barneveld – so Barney JUST has the edge.  Even this year, their two games in the premier league are split 1 win each.

Barney has been good and relaxed all tournament – almost back to his best.  Wade started badly, but has improved game by game.  Wade is also a big game player, as I think big games give him that kick up the bum to concentrate.

To be honest I can’t really call it – if we have got the old Barney back, then I think he will win, but it’s a test like this against Wade which will determine if he still does have the mental strength to win.

Phil Taylor v Simon Whitlock

This game keeps popping up this year – with a cracker of a world Final to start them off.  Many people (me included) see Whitlock as one of the 2 or 3 players who will be challenging for the worlds best spot as (WHEN?!) Taylor starts to lose his power.   Taylor still dominates Whitlock when you look at their head-2-head, 7-2 in Taylors favour.

Based on tournament form – and seeing Taylor win the other night without actually getting into top gear or being challenged by Painter, I think Taylor will win tonight, BUT it will be a close game, with a HUGE average (110) if Whitlock does push hard.

Ladies World Championship

Don’t forget, tonight is also the PDC Womens World Championship final! It’s a shame it’s being shown AFTER the men’s semi’s, as the crowd might be a little worse for wear and all cheered out, but we can’t have everything.  I hope it’s not too late for the ladies, as they deserve the respect they are due.  There’s big money on offer, with a £10,000 top prize (which is huge compared to prizes they have played for previously), plus other benefits (qual for the grand slam of darts included).

The ladies final is best of 11 legs, and is between England’s Tricia Wright V Stacey Bromberg of USA.

p.s. Bravo TV have released their trailer for their upcoming darts coverage (starts Thursday).  see it here; http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=412780966620

World Match Play – Day 1 results; 9 darter from Barney

What a way to start a big tournament - Raymond van Barneveld shows everyone that his time away from darts has worked, as he returned with a bang and 9 big darts.  I did say in my preview that Barney was the unknown, would his rest do him good, or was that hopefull thinking?  Well he looked very relaxed, and he was throwing the darts like us fans love to see – effortless liquid tungsten.

The 9 darter was just the cream on top of the display, as he thumped poor Denis Ovens 10-1.

My mate Jamie ‘Jabba’ Caven played well in patches, but didn’t quite show his best form against Ronnie Baxter – who won through 10-7.  The Osborne vs. Jones game was far from a classic unfortunately, with both players out of form, and doubles hard to come by.

Dennis Priestley 6-10 Vincent van der Voort
Colin Osborne 8-10 Wayne Jones
Raymond van Barneveld 10-1 Denis Ovens
Ronnie Baxter 10-7 Jamie Caven

Sunday July 18 – tonight’s fixtures
First Round
7.10pm Andy Hamilton v Co Stompe
8.00pm Adrian Lewis v Mark Webster
9.00pm James Wade v Andy Smith
10.00pm Alan Tabern v Wes Newton

Barney awarded special whisky for his 9 darter

Raymond van Barneveld has been presented with a commemorative bottle of Whyte & Mackay whisky to recognise his nine-dart finish in Aberdeen.

The achievement was his second nine-darter in the Premier League, matching his feat in the 2006 event against Peter Manley in Bournemouth, and the first on TV in Scotland.

Tournament sponsors Whyte & Mackay have recognised van Barneveld’s nine-darter by presenting the five-time World Championship with a commemorative bottle of their finest 30-year-old blend whisky.

“We offer our congratulations to Raymond for throwing an outstanding nine-darter in Aberdeen,” said Philip McTeer, Head of Brand for Whyte & Mackay.

“In recognition of his achievement we presented him with a bottle of Whyte & Mackay 30-year-old, as its only fitting that one of the world’s best darts players celebrates his successes with a dram of the world’s best blended whisky.

“Much like our whisky, Raymond is consistent in style, smooth under pressure and always a crowd pleaser.”

Well done Barney!  If you want some company drinking that find drop, you’re always welcome at my house!

Whyte & Mackay Premier League week 13 – Nottingham results

Mervyn King and the boos…

Oh dear – tonight Mervyn King really lost it with the crowd – his reaction to them (winding them up even more giving them the big “can’t hear you” stuff) kicked them off more and more… and I know it must be really hard to concentrate with the booing going on during your throw, but you can’t be concentrating at all turning around between every throw.   I can see why he’s upset, but it’s disrespectful to Barney – who is waiting to throw.

For those of you who don’t know – Mervyn King ‘threw a dart over Phil Taylors shoulder’ – during last years Premier League.  Now I think Sky blew it out of proportion, and ever sense Merv has been booed by the Prem League fans.  Merv also had a few rough patches during the BDO – when he did have the odd un-sporting moment.  But since being in the PDC, Mervyn has been a model professional – maybe it’s walk on music; “Bow down to the King”, or his snarl and darts face which puts some fans off.  He also famously said (while in the BDO); “he’d rather pack in darts than play for the PDC’ – obviously that was before he realised how much money there was in the PDC!

Oh and I know who one of the darts walk-on girls is this week – it’s Kathy Mugglestone (sometime Zoo girl), you can find her page on facebook here.

Anyway – results (as they happen if you’re reading this now!)…

Game 1 – Adrian Lewis 7-7 Ronnie Baxter

Match Stats

Adrian Lewis	7-7	Ronnie Baxter
19	100+	26
7	140+	8
2	180	1
28.90	Ave1	29.61
86.71	Ave3	88.84
86	High Finish	100
2	Legs Against Throw	2

Game 2 – Mervyn King 5-8 Raymond van Barneveld

Mervyn’s hopes to stay in the top 4 must have taken a dent in that fiery game!

Match Stats

Mervyn King	5-8	R v Barneveld
14	100+	14
5	140+	10
2	180	5
29.09	Ave1	32.48
81.27	Ave3	97.43
130	High Finish	82
2	Legs Against Throw	4

Game 3 – James Wade 4-8 Simon Whitlock

Great result for Whitlock – easy in the end! He’s now 2nd in the table.. great stuff!

Match Stats

James Wade	4-8	Simon Whitlock
16	100+	10
9	140+	12
3	180	3
32.69	Ave1	32.61
98.07	Ave3	97.84
127	High Finish	124,104,100
2	Legs Against Throw	4

Game 4 – Phil Taylor 8-5 Terry Jenkins

Match Stats

Terry Jenkins	5-8	Phil Taylor
19	100+	18
9	140+	13
3	180	3
29.64	Ave1	33.41
88.91	Ave3	100.23
58	High Finish	123,104
1	Legs Against Throw	2

Barney back to normal?  Will his darts do the talking now?

I thought I’d write up a few words about Raymond van Barneveld, as he’s always seemed a true gent and tungsten genius.   We all know how good he can play – his throw is liquid gold (I liken him to Erne Ells – another perfect movement in his sport).  A pumped up and firing Barney is a true joy, and pretty much no-one can touch him while looking so relaxed.

Recently though, Barney’s form hasn’t been there, and he’s seemed disinterested and bored with the darts.  Some of his decisions has appeared bizzare to say the least (not turning up to 3 UK Open qualifiers when he’d already reached the money required, so just appearances were needed to get into the Bolton event).

Many questioned his dedicatation to the sport, and a lot of fans felt let down – he has the talent of a darting god, but didn’t seem to want to use it.

There have been some rumours floating around the darts world, coming from Dutch newspapers I believe, of problems at home – Barney’s wife has followed him to nearly all his tournaments, and they’ve always seemed close…   Barney also split from his long time manager – was that a sign that all was not well?

Last night we heard from his own mouth why he’s not been concentrating on his darts;  he as been the victim of a blackmail plot!  He obviously did not share all the information – and who could blame him… but he did seem to indicate that the people responsible may have been caught by the police?   Whatever the reason for the blackmail, let’s hope that truely was Barney’s problem, and now he can relax and play as we all know he can.

It’s not been the real Barney in the last few weeks but the fans deserve to know that I’ve had personal problems and my private life was upside down. That’s in the past now I hope and I’m relieved – Raymond to his fans

Last night against Terry Jenkins we saw some one of his great performances – including a 9 darter in his second game!  (video and write up in previous article).  He did smile more, and appear more relaxed than for some time.  I know many people in the darting forums are now wishing him their best, and retracting earlier statements, as we really didn’t know what what happening in his life.  People will obviously continue to speculate – but I won’t go into any more details – this is a forum about darts after all – not heat magazine.

These people were phoning me and texting me and trying to extort money from me and threatening me in other ways.  It’s been almost impossible to see my family threatened and travel to matches and win games, I could hardly cope. I want to forget about it now and play darts.  It’s been the worst two months of my life.

Good luck Barney from all your fans, and lets hope you’re back where you belong – winning and competing against the best!  Krispy.

Whyte & Mackay Premier League week 12 – Results from Aberdeen

Not going to write up the games in full  tonight – wanted to relax a bit with a bottle of wine – and my dodgy ankle isn’t quite right.. so I didn’t want the extra hassle of the laptop…  sorry about that

And what’s this – no walk-on girls again??  What a let-down. 

So just the results with maybe a thought or two this week… as they come in….

GAME 1 – Baxter 7-7 Wade

Slow start to this game, doubles being missed by both in the 4th game, Baxter takes out madhouse to win it.  5th game wade misses more darts at a double.. Baxter takes his double top, 3-2 Baxter.  Baxter goes up 4-2 at the break.  Both players start game 7 with some big scoring.. Baxter fails to get his 121.. Wade goes for his.. and takes it!!  4-3 to Baxter, Wade to throw.  Wade takes his 40 our for 4-4.  Baxter misses three darts at double 17.. but Wade misses his change at 104.  Oh no!  Baxter misses his 17.. Wade on 12… 6.. misses 2 at double 3.  Wade doesn’t look happy, looks to someone in the crowd.  Baxter misses double 8 three more times!  Wade finally wins.  5-4 to Wade.  Wade holds his darts, and it’s now 6-4.  Both on 161.. Baxter messes it up.. Wade’s turn.. 60, 51, 25.. just misses the bull.  Baxter doesn’t mess, takes out 96, 6-5 to Wade.  Wade on 101.. 60.. 1… double top!  7-5 to Wade, a point in the bag.  Wade leads after a bounce-out for Baxter.. should be Wade’s game.

Wade misses darts at double 10.. double 5… Needs 5 now, with Baxter on 96.  Crowd are giving him it large – boo’s ring out.  Baxter hits 60.. and double 18 in one dart.  7-7 – a draw.

James wont speak, but Ronnie did, Interview online @ www.rockradio.co.uk from tomorrow. - Phil McKrackin, Darts Journo via twitter to me.

Why does Wade get booed? Hard to put your finger on it.  He often doesn’t interview that well – and he knows it.  People jealous of his girlfriend?  Maybe.  He’s a genius talent – that’s for sure.

GAME 2 – Mervyn King 1-8 Phil Taylor

This is the ‘new’ Taylor vs. Barney to be honest..  will the Scottish crowd cheer the Power?  Yes I think they will.

OK then, game on – both players had a rough welcome.. two Englishmen in Scotland.  First 180 to Taylor.  Taylor breaks King.. 1-0 Taylor.  King isn’t throwing well yet, back on 156 with Taylor needing 32.. he takes it out in 3 darts. 2-0 to Taylor.  King needs 161 to hold throw.. only 100.  Can Taylor take 154?  60.. ahh no, a single 18.  Merv must take 61.  Goes 25.. double 18, nice finishing.  2-1 to Taylor.  Taylor on 125 looks for his finish from last week.. but misses the first bull/25.  King still on 78 as Taylor goes for 36.. but misses with all 3 darts.  King needs 78.. NO.. left on 20.  Taylor takes out 18 in 3 darts.. 3-1 to Taylor.  4-1 to Taylor now as he takes out 64, breaking King yet again.  King can’t seem to find the triples, and is on a 84 average.  5-1 to Taylor at the break – he’s got no mercy!

The kicking continues after the break.. 6-1 to Taylor, another break of throw.  King needs to take 102, with Taylor on tops.. else it’s 7-1.  Nope.. Taylor steps up, 1 dart, double top. 7-1, one point.  Can King hold his dart?  Needs 80.. hits single 7.. triple 3.. erm??  Leaves 16. Power needs 70.. 18, 12.. tops.  8-1.  OUCH!

GAME 3 – van Barneveld 8-6 Jenkins

An improving Jenkins against an out of sorts Barney.  A big game for Barney, 8th vs 7th.. playing for pride here.  Barney seems to have experimented with his darts gain

Barney takes wins the first game with throw.. Barney seens to be finding the 60.. 1-0.   Barney starts the next game with 180.. 180…141!!!!!!!!!!!   9 darter!! 2-0.  The new dart set-up seems to be working.

3-0 to Barney… oh no, it’s 4-0   Terry looks stunned now.  112.5 average for Barney at this point..  Phew Jenkins gets a break of darts.. 4-1.  Barney breaks back again, with another relaxed leg.. 5-1, and the break.

Barney’s back…at last, those new arrows are like three excaliburs – Whyte & Mackay on twitter.

Barney holds his throw for 6-1… Jenkins is in trouble now.    An ironic smile on Jenkin’s face as he takes leg 8 for 6-2 down.   I’ve just realised that Barney has ditched his tri-coloured flights for this game (he had 3 different coloured flights, which he always threw in the same order.. for concentration I am told).  It couldn’t last long, Barney holds his throw, 7-2, and at least a point now.

Barney left on 121 for the game.. Jenkins back on 170.   It’s not going to be a finish for Barney… and then Jenkins hits 60, 60.. 25 (close!)..  Barney misses his 56.. and Jenkins hits his double, and it’s 7-3.  Barney to throw.

Both players trade 180′s. .. then Jenkins hits another 180… but hits triple 3!! hehe.  Ends up with 67.  Takes it out in his next three. 7-4.  Jenkins throw.. he’s doing well.. takes out his 32 in two darts.. 7-5.  Barney just needs 20.. BUT JENKINS TAKES OUT 146!!  60,60,26.  7-6.

Still looks like Barney’s game.. needs 42.. Jenkins needs 147.  Jenkins ALMOST did it!!  Just missed the double.. Barney doesn’t mess.. Barney wins 8-6.. WHAT A GAME!

Barney then talked about why his form has been off, and why he’s not been at the floor tournaments.. he seemed to be saying that someone was trying to blackmail him to extort money from him??  But he said the police had caught them.  Hopefully he can get his head together now and show us his true form.

GAME 4 – Lewis 7-7 Whitlock

Follow that guys!   Lewis is wearing his new shirt… I saw him in it in Wigan at the weekend, his first outing with it I think.. someone asked him “is that a new shirt Adrian?”… he answered “Yes duck, do you like it?”.. about 4-5 seconds of dead silence… “it might grow on me“.

Lewis breaks against Whitlock.. 1-0.  Lewis needs 40.. and takes it first dart.  2-0.  Whitlock hits a 180.. needs 81 with Lewis on 204, so should take this game… a 12 darter to get in the game.  2-1.  Whitlock has a change now.. Lewis on 25.. Whitlock on 100.. goes 20.. 40.. misses the 2nd double top.  Lewis misses his 25!  Whitlock hits 20.. then double 10, 2-2.  Hmm.. I think Whitlock might win now.

Ouch Lewis needs bull.. and bounces out on the wire.  But Whitlock misses 3 darts on double 4.  Lewis misses 10 and hits 15.. the ‘fans’ boo him as he tries to hit double 16.. and misses.  Whitlock cleans up now.. 3-2.  Lewis throws some great darts to leave himself double 8 with Whitlock back on 100.  Two darts miss… more boos… and 3rd HITS.  3-3, and the break. 4-3 to Simon, holding his own throw after the break.  Lewis on 170.. just takes the ton.  Whitlock can’t get his 140.. Lewis goes 54.. but misses the double 8.. left on 8.  Whitlock on 80.. has one dart at tops.. misses!  Lewis misses his 3 darts at 8… oh dear.  Whitlock hits his tops this time.. 5-3.  Whitlock looking good for 6-3.. but then hits a 60.  Whitlock isn’t playing as well as he has, but neither is Lewis.  Whitlock now on 44, Lewis on 89.  Whitlock goes 12.. 16.. and hits double 8, 6-3.

Lewis holds his throw .. 6-4 down.. Whitlock starts his next leg with 140, but Lewis takes a 180 out.  Then ANOTHER.. six perfect darts now.. but hits a triple 3.   Whitlock on 121.. hits 60, triple 11, then double 14!!  great finish for 7-4.

Lewis then gets the next leg with a 121 finish himself.. starting on bull.  7-5.  Whitlock needs 144 to win the game.. 60.. 60.. missed the double 12.  Lewis only gets to 36 away.. so Whitlock needs double 6.. and misses with all 3 darts.. Lewis needs double 18.. and gets it!  7-6.  Lewis to throw.. can he get a draw??  YES HE CAN.  Lewis hits his double.. and gets it to 7-7, winning the last 3 games.

No Barney for the UK Open in Bolton

I can confirm that Raymond van Barneveld will NOT be making an appearance (playing at least) at this years UK Open in Bolton.  To qualify to play in Bolton, a player must not only win enough money to take him into the top 96 players, but he also must play in AT LEAST 6 qualifiers.  As of today, Barney has only played in one UK Open qualifier (after stating on Sky TV prem league that he would be playing more weekend events and play in Bolton), and he has failed to register for this weekend in Wigan, and there is only ONE qualifier left after this weekend, so he cannot now reach the qualification requirements.

A real shame for two reasons; one is that the TV tournament will miss him, as he has a lot of fans in England, and the second more personal reason, is that I’m going to be in Wigan this weekend, and would love to have seen him/said hello and watched him play a few legs.  Oh well – maybe next time.

While Barney does have a really great following around the world of darts, I know a lot of people (including myself) are a little disappointed with his recent attitude to darts.  The apparent lack of concentration and focus is affecting his game, which may be caused by his illness or other personal issues; who knows maybe one day he will clear his head and come back to his best.

The good news is there are still a hell of a lot of great darts pro’s going to be there, as well as a lot of lucky (and good) amateurs who will have won through local & regional qualifiers.  Good luck to you all!

Premier League week 9 – Glasgow Results

Well darts fans can relax, after last week in Cardiff and the ‘no walk on girls’ disaster – this week in Glasgow we had 4 girls! Talk about value for money

The booing of Lewis was a bit poor – especially when he was throwing.  Come on Scotland – enjoy your night out, and cheer on Barney, but please respect the players, even if you don’t like em / they are English.

Remember if you are on twitter, you can follow me and join in the banter during the matches (a mix of fans, darts journalists, the sponsors, and players are often found offering their views).

On to the action…

Game 1 – Lewis vs Barney

Lewis managed to shush the boo boys early on, by outplaying Barney – taking a 4-1 lead early on (completely stuffing my predictions on the crowd beating him).  Lewis just missed a bull to go 5-1, but Barney kept his cool and got to 4-2 at the break. 4-3… Barney breaks for 4-4, and the crowd start up again.   Fantastic 11 darter for Lewis to break straight back.. 5-4.  Great game now.

I think I’ll need a lay down after this game… Lewis misses chances at a double to hold.. and Barney needs 3 for 32, and gets it.  5-5.  Barney then shows utter class – takes triple 18 three times, to leave himself 140 – what a counter, what an eye!  BUT then he goes on to miss 40 in 3 darts.. oh dear, Lewis then takes on 48 and misses in 3 darts, with the crowd screaming out their pleasure at him missing.  6-5 to Barney.  Lewis shows the crowd what he’s made of, and holds to get to 6-6, could be a draw.  Phew Lewis JUST misses a 160 checkout to break.. Barney misses his chance.. and Lewis gets his double 10 to break and get a point (at least) 7-6.. and the darts…

Lewis then piles on the pressure.. a 180… then gets to 40 while Barney needs 199!   Lewis takes his double top in two darts.. and wins 8-6.  FANTASTIC MATCH – WELL DONE ADRIAN.

Game 2 – Whitlock vs Jenkins

Ouch, Jenkins misses a double top finish to break.. and Whitlock doesn’t make a mistake.. 1-0 Whitlock.  Whitlock attempts a 170 checkout.. hits 25 instead of bull.. but still gets to finish to go 2-0 up, breaking Jenkins.

3-1 to Whitlock, and he’s got the throw… yep 4-1.   Whitlock attempts a 170 with Jenkins on 104.. and misses.. but Jenkins only gets to 48.. Whitlock misses double 16… and Jenkins gets his second leg for 4-2 at the break.  (on twitter there are fears for Jenkins.. )

Whitlock attempts a 164 check-out.. and misses.  But is far ahead.. and takes double 8 for 5-2.  Jenkins pain continues.. misses a low score.. and Whitlock takes his 52 in two darts, 6-2.  Then Whitlock starts with a 180… bad news for Terry.  7-2 with Jenkins back a way…  and in the next game only 48 with Jenkins back on 136..  Whitlock goes 16… 16.. and misses double 8.  Jenkins takes his double top!  7-3.  But now it’s Whitlock with the darts.  Wow Whitlock wins taking out a ton plus finish.  8-3 to Whitlock.

Game 3 – Taylor vs Baxter

Taylor up next – another win, or can Ronnie upset him?   Hmm…  Whyte & Mackay twitter going for the Rocket… they’ve obviously been drinking to much of their good stuff!     GAME ON!

Hmm slow start (averages of 1st leg both about 83) .. but Taylor breaks Baxter.. 1-0.. and then misses 3 darts at a double.. make that 6 darts!!  Baxter must take his double 8.. and does.  1-1.  Taylor again misses double 8 (twice).. and Baxter takes his double top (fav finish) for 2-1 to Baxter.  Hmm 2-2.. Ronnie isn’t scoring.. Taylor isn’t hitting doubles..    but hits one and gets his 48 to break Baxter’s throw, 3-2.. one more game before the break.

Taylor misses double 3… and Ronnie takes out 104 to take it back to 3-3!  I wonder how the Power will come out after the break.  He often seems to be able to re-energise.

Taylor (and Baxter) miss more doubles!  Taylor misses.. 5? At doubles.. and Baxter hits his to finally take the leg with throw.  4-3.  Phil takes his 74 out for 4-4.. and then Baxter only gets 49.. Taylor hits 180.  Oh dear.  Ronnie is really missing a lot of darts – low scoring, and doubles…  if Phil wins this then Ronnie will kick himself.. it was there for the taking tonight.

Taylor picking up steam now.. 5-4.. and another 180 hits home.  6-4 now.. Baxter with the throw.  Taylor breaks again – with his double 16 routine.. 7-4, and a point.. he has the throw for 2 points and total domination of the league.  Yep Taylor takes it to plan, and extends his lead.  8-4 to Taylor.

Game 4 – King vs Wade

I think this will be the game of the night.. although the first wasn’t bad!

Another slow start. King missing doubles..Wade finally hit one – 1-0 and a break.   2-0 after Wade takes a double 10, and the crowd are fairly quiet.  Then a big checkout for Wade, 131 (biggest of the night).

Fark – 4-0 to Wade – must have been the warm-up our competition winners gave him last night!  Or is it King’s dodgy facial growth?  Finally a finish on 25 gets a leg for King, 4-1.  Wade misses several darts at a double.. and king then misses double 16 with 3 darts.. but Wade misses again (hitting a 5 on double 5).  And then King finally takes the leg.. 4-2 at the break.  King on a comeback?

Leg 7 starts with 140 from both players.. and then Wade follows up with a 180.. great darts.  James takes out an 80 for 5-2.  The left-hander is in the driving seat now.  Shame it’s not closer.. King isn’t himself tonight.    Now at 6-3 (after a few slerps of wine and sorting the cat out).. oh no it’s 7-2!  At least a point to Wade..   A big 161 finish from KING!  7-4.  Wade on 81 … and GETS IT!  8-4 to Wade.
Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts
Week Nine – S.E.C.C., Glasgow
Raymond van Barneveld 6-8 Adrian Lewis
Simon Whitlock 8-3 Terry Jenkins
Ronnie Baxter 4-8 Phil Taylor
Mervyn King 4-8 James Wade