Day 9 darts evening session review: Barney books MvG battle!

This star-studded scuffle between new granddad Barney and young Bunting really should have drawn the curtain on this dramatic evening of oche artistry, but instead it made for a magnificent appetiser.

Things got off to a wayward start, with both players missing plenty of doubles and chances to check out. Though The Bullet was most lethal in the opening set, which he clinched at the expense of wasteful Van Barneveld, three maximums to the good.

GAME ON! @Raybar180 v @sbunting180 is underway… #WHDarts pic.twitter.com/blb2lzceET

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 27, 2015

Barney was much slicker after the break, however, bouncing back to school Bunting with a whitewashing in the second. The Bullet returned ruthlessly to steal in again for the third as his Dutch opponent missed another double, but Van Barneveld stayed steady in the face of the Englishman’s intimidating 180 prowess, as the St Helens star notched 15 eye-watering maximums overall.

A bull-finish to break throw once again turned the tables to put Van Barneveld in control, in this topsy-turvy tussle, as the veteran clocked a classy 121 checkout to level sets. The clash grew in quality as it got down to the wire, with some stylish scoring in the form of a 131 and then a dazzling double 12 from Barney to take a 3-2 lead.

Bunting being able to capitalise on Van Barneveld’s stumbles was a theme that continued, as the Dutchman missed yet another three darts at the double to allow his rival back in and concede a deciding set.

It was familiar tungsten territory for the darting duo who too it all the way in the previous edition of this competition, and this time it was deja-vu all over for Bunting, who fell at the last, as Barney pulled tops out of the bag to deliver a deadly blow. Van Gerwen is the third round prize awaiting, but will surely punish those scuffed doubles with far more venom.

An Ally Pally CLASSIC! @raybar180 finishes an epic match up against the Bullet https://t.co/DZgwLhNjXY

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 27, 2015

James Wade 4-0 Wes Newton (3-0, 3-0, 3-1, 3-2)

It was another match to spend easing through the gears for The Machine, who was meticulous on the oche as he denied Newton even a chance at double while storming to the opening set, beginning with a rather brilliant 14-dart first leg.

GAME ON! James Wade v Wes Newton is underway… #WHDarts pic.twitter.com/drHN1IXrKY

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 27, 2015

Another break of throw later and Wade was firmly in the driving seat, with no sign of putting on the breaks, as The Warrior was left in his wake with a second successive set whitewashing.

Newton made no response until the third, when he recorded a rare leg in relief, as Wade looked a little too at ease. Though three chances to draw level on legs with doubles saw Newton stumble, with The Machine unusually also scuppering two shots before speeding 3-0 clear.

If The Warrior had a chance to rally that was it, and a temporary two leg lead in the fourth set did little but ignite Wade to speed up his success and set up a third round fray with Jamie Caven, who should provide his compatriot with more to think about.

Straight sets win for @JamesWade180 and it looks like this man will take some stopping at this years #WHDarts pic.twitter.com/9CAGjATjpI

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 27, 2015

Michael van Gerwen v Darren Webster (3-0, 3-0, 3-1, 3-0)

It took Mighty Mike, with a point to prove after his near miss in the last round, mere minutes to blast his way to a 1-0 lead in sets, in a blistering beginning to the battle which saw him also surge to a tremendous 110 average.

The Green Machine put forward a peerless performance, providing a solo spectacle featuring ton-plus finishes in abundance plus a bull in the opening two sets, with Webster failing to have a dart at the double for a long stretch.

HEAR. HIM. ROAR!! Just one of @mvg180's multiple ton+ finishes in the game so far. Can the man be stopped?? https://t.co/Xn2rpOCoQU

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 27, 2015

Demolition man was the unfortunate recipient of his nickname, as MvG continued to take apart his rival in a truly dominant display, though he did break the Dutchman’s chance of taking nine legs on the trot by stealing one back for a rare moment of triumph.

WINNER with a stunning 109.23 average! Can anyway stop @MvG180?! pic.twitter.com/kCTe3M4ztT

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 27, 2015

It was hard not to feel for Webster is Mighty Mike romped through the third and fourth set with similar abandon, though it proved quite the spectacle, and not even Van Barneveld (28/1 with Coral to take this title) up next will concern him while in this ferocious form.

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