Barney progresses to last-16 of darts World Grand Prix
Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld advanced to the last-16 of the darts World Grand Prix in Dublin last night with an easy two sets to nil win over veteran John MaGowan.
The world No.2 only dropped one leg after taking two months off from the sport. The five-time champion of the world raced into a 2-0 lead in the opening set after finishing on double eight and double 16, and clinched the set by hitting double one.
A finalist for the last two years, Barney took the first leg of the second set on double 10 after MaGowan missed the bullseye. MaGowan managed to put a leg on the board after Barney missed double 19 as he lost concentration. The same thing must have been passed onto in the next leg, as MaGowan miscounted, thinking he needed 39 instead of 49. Barney checked out 64 to lead 2-1, and sealed the match on double eight.
“I found it hard to get into my rhythm and hold my concentration because John's a slower player but I can look ahead to round two now,” said van Barneveld, who hit eight 140-plus scores during the game.
“The first set went alright but I lost my concentration a little bit. John miscounted and let me in and I finished the job off. I'm working hard but I'm not at my best yet and I'm just pleased to be through because there are a lot of players who played better than me in the first round, average-wise, and are out. I'd rather have a worse average and win my games,” added van Barneveld.
Barney will now play Mark Walsh, who beat Denis Ovens 2-0 as well. Walsh was excellent on his doubles and produced a solid display to dispatch The Heat.
Walsh began the match with a 13-dart finish, and soon doubled his lead by hitting double 10 as Ovens missed double 16 for a 108 finish. Walsh wasn’t in a position to lose the opening set, and after he hit a 160 in the third leg, he landed double tops to take it. Ovens was beginning to feel the heat after he fell 2-1 behind in the second set, but Walsh threw him a lifeline as he missed three match darts, and Ovens levelled the score in the set. Walsh was back on form again as he hit double 10 to set up a match against Barney.
“I was feeling good and tops was going in, normally first dart, so I was very happy,” he said. “I had some nerves there at the end but I've been speaking to a sports psychologist and he's been teaching me how to get over these things. This proved that I'm getting there.”
Former World Grand Prix champion James Wade sealed his passage into the next round as he ran out a solid 2-0 winner over local player Mick McGowan. Wade took the lead on double five, and followed up a 180 in the second leg with a double 16 to lead 2-0. McGowan pulled a leg back, but the 2007 champion hit another 180 and posted double top to take the first set.
McGowan led in the second set, but two finishes of double 10 and a double five gave him the win. “I'm a bit disappointed in my performance but it's a win and I'll take that,” said Wade. “The win was well overdue because since I won the event two years ago I've lost twice in the first round.”
Wade will now play Colin Osborne in the last-16. Osborne beat Co Stompe 2-1, as both players missed doubles in a tense battle. Osborne edged the first set 3-2, but Stompe took the second set 3-0 to take the match to a decider. As Stompe struggled, Osborne moved ahead and took the match. “I'm very relieved,” said Osborne. “The first round is always the toughest because you just want to get through that and get into the competition.”
Simon Whitlock produced a sizzling performance to defeat fellow Australian Paul Nicholson in straight sets. After Nicholson took the opening leg, Whitlock hit top gear, and stormed to a 3-1 win in the first set. The world championship finalist was looking good as Nicholson struggled to start the legs, missing doubles to open up in the unique format. Whitlock wrapped up the tie in typical fashion, checking out a brilliant 170. Described as “the beard that should be feared,” Whitlock has a match against Andy Hamilton in the last-16.
Hamilton beat Dennis Priestley 2-0 in a tough game. The Hammer hit 66 to lead, but Priestley levelled the set. Hamilton then wrapped up the set by hitting double 10 and double eight, and made sure the match didn’t go into a final set as he took it 3-2 to seal the win. “In the last couple of years I've done well here and I want to do that again, and if I can get further than I did last year, when I reached the semi-finals, that would be great,” said Hamilton.
Wes Newton beat 2004 World Grand Prix champion Colin Lloyd in straight sets as well, only dropping one leg along the way. Newton was able to adapt to the double-start format as Lloyd was denied chances at a double to finish. “I play double-start in a local league in Fleetwood and that probably helps me, but the key thing is to get in and I did that. I took my chances and I'm happy to be through to the next round,” he said.
Barrie Bates, who beat William O’Connor 2-0, is Newton’s next opponent. As room-mates, Newton is only focusing on the darts. “We've already said that there will be no friends in the second round so we'll see what happens,” said Newton. “It's a professional game and you've got to be professional about it. We'll have a beer afterwards but once we get on stage there's no sentiment.”
Tags: