Raymond van Barneveld beats Phil Taylor as duo raise £15k for charity in coronavirus virtual darts showdown
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD came within millimetres of hitting a nine-darter as he gained revenge over old foe Phil Taylor in the highly-anticipated virtual darts match.
Though they were 350 miles apart, tungsten titans Barney and Taylor battled it out this evening from their homes over the internet on the Target Nexus Electronic Dartboard.
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And self-isolating Barney replicated the same scoreline as his famous 2007 world darts final at Circus Tavern as he won 7-6 in the first stay-at-home clash.
Playing in his Holland man cave – which had countless trophies in the background – Barney averaged more than 119 as he came from 6-3 down to prevail.
Taylor, who turns 60 in August, was back in Stoke with his partner Karen, playing in his bland but well-hoovered living room with a lovely tiny chandelier.
Introduced by MC John McDonald in his pants, these retired sporting grandfathers might have a combined age of 111 but this was top-class stuff in their 84th meeting.
In the 12th leg, five-time world champion Barney came within millimetres of achieving a historic nine-darter, missing the double 12.
When Barney took out 161 in the second leg and punched the air in celebration, the Power sledged: “I know. Shut up!”
The event was sponsored by Target Darts and bookmakers Paddy Power and it was streamed live by SunSport Online.
MATCH STATS
Barneveld 7-6 Taylor
119.27 Three-dart average 118.09
7/8 Checkout 6/7
161 High checkout 151
5 Match 180s 10
£5,000 Money raised for Heroes £10,000
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There were 15 180s which means £15,000 was raised by Paddy Power for the Heroes Charity.
Van Barneveld, 52, said; “We had great fun with some small banter. Both tried to hit as many 180s as possible for this great cause. Everyone please stay safe and keep your distance."
Taylor, 59, said: “It didn’t matter who won this match. The most important thing was raising money for the NHS and those doctors and nurses are who are doing an amazing job.”
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