Van Barneveld turns out Power

Raymond van Barneveld confirmed he has Phil Taylor’s number in the big knockout events with an 11-4 demolition of ’The Power’ at the Blue Square UK Open today.

The Dutchman repeated last year’s quarter-final victory at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium but whereas it went to a deciding leg on that occasion, this time it was one-way traffic.

The first four legs were shared, but then ’Barney’ raced ahead as the 13-time former world champion failed to produce the form which carried him to a perfect nine-dart finish last night.

Taylor’s darts were continually dropping below the treble 20 bed and unusually he was completely outplayed by his opponent, who stayed on course for a successful defence of the title.

In nine meetings between the duo on domestic television since Van Barneveld joined the Professional Darts Corporation in February 2006, the score is now four wins each with one draw.

But while Taylor is unbeaten in the Premier League, Van Barneveld’s quartet of victories have all come in major ranking tournaments, including this year’s World Championship final.

“Phil just didn’t play his game today,” said Van Barneveld, who will meet Colin Lloyd for a place in the final.

“He threw too many scores of 60, which really surprised me, and the doubles went in for me.

“I put the pressure on him in every leg, went 8-3 up and told myself if I could keep winning the legs in which I threw first I would win the match.

“Phil beat me the last twice we played in the Premier League so it was probably my turn.”

Lloyd secured a showdown with Van Barneveld by recovering from 4-0 down to prevail 11-6 against the ’Muffin Man’, Steve Hine.

Vincent van der Voort came from even further behind, 5-0, to edge out Terry Jenkins in a decider and was meeting Colin Osborne, an 11-6 winner against Alan Green, in the other semi-final.