Grand Slam of Darts - Day Three, Report and Statistics

BARNEY HOLDS NERVE TO PROGRESS IN SINGHA BEER GRAND SLAM OF DARTS
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD held his nerve to claim a second round place at the SINGHA Beer Grand Slam of Darts on Monday night, as Gary Anderson, Phil Taylor, Robert Thornton and James Wade ended the group phase unbeaten in Wolverhampton.

Van Barneveld went into his decisive third Group E clash with American Larry Butler knowing that the winner would join Anderson in moving through to the last 16. Former World Matchplay winner Butler provided typically stiff opposition as he hit back from 2-0 down to level, but the American ace crucially missed darts at doubles to lead 3-2 and 4-3. Van Barneveld capitalised as an 84 checkout put him 4-3 up before a 70 finish completed a 5-3 win and moved the 2012 Grand Slam of Darts champion through to the knockout stages.

"At two-all there was a lot of pressure on my shoulders because I wanted to win so badly and I'm really pleased with the win," said van Barneveld. "I've known Larry for a lot of years and I knew how good he is but he missed a few doubles and let me in, and my finishing helped me - and these doubles were so important."

Anderson completed a clean sweep in Group E with his 5-1 win over Andy Boulton, averaging over 100 for a third successive game as he condemned the Ayrshire-based qualifier to a trio of defeats.

"I'm happy with the way my darts are going," said Anderson. "It's been alright so far and even though I didn't hit as many 180s as I wanted to tonight I hit my doubles well. I'd love to go on and win this tournament now. It's my favourite event but the players are getting harder and harder so I've got to take it one match at a time. In the group stage it's first to five and anything can happen, but I prefer the longer games and I can settle into that now on Wednesday in the second round."

Reigning champion Phil Taylor also moved through to the knockout phase with three straight wins as he defeated Austrian youngster Rowby-John Rodriguez 5-2.

"It was a hard game so I'm pleased to win and to have three wins is the dream coming into the groups," said Taylor "Rowby went out there to enjoy himself and gave it his best shot, and he was hitting 180s for fun but he missed a couple of doubles. He's a good little player who's full of confidence and full of ability."
Taylor added: "It will be a scrap against Terry but it's a longer format. It's been a tough three days but I can get ready for that now."

Robbie Green joined Taylor in qualifying from Group H after defeating Martin Phillips 5-1 in their decider, with the Wallasey-based qualifier finishing five doubles from six attempts to reach the second round for a second successive year.

"I was a bit nervous about tonight and I had to see this as a straight knockout game," admitted Green. "Martin's a very good friend of mine so it was difficult emotionally and a really tough game, but I'm just happy to go through. I won through a tough qualifiers and now it's time to show what I can do on the stage. I don't think I've shown anywhere near my potential yet, so hopefully that's still to come."

October's World Grand Prix champion Robert Thornton hit back from 4-2 down to edge a 5-4 win over Terry Jenkins which saw him top Group G with three wins from as many matches. Jenkins moved into a 4-2 lead with a 136 checkout as he secured his own progression, but was unable to claim a win which would have seen him top his group as five missed match darts were punished by Thornton as he took the final three legs.

"Terry was due a cracking game and he produced it tonight, and I had to fight all the way to get the win and it's great to finish top," said Thornton. "I've won my group before and I'm happy to have won all three games. My scoring's holding up well and I'm playing okay."

Jenkins' narrow defeat meant that he qualified ahead of Geert De Vos and Jonny Clayton on leg difference, despite the Belgian's brilliant 5-0 whitewash in his final group game. Clayton had defeated Jenkins in their opener on Saturday, but the Welshman was denied a dart at a double by a superb performance from De Vos, who hit the Grand Slam of Darts' second highest ever average in a win which ultimately came in vain.

"I'm very pleased and that's definitely my best performance," said De Vos. "I know I can play well and that came through tonight - my first game was good as well but I missed a few doubles."

James Wade, the 2010 Grand Slam of Darts finalist, won Group F with a third straight victory as he defeated Keegan Brown 5-2, coming from a leg down to average over 100 for a second successive game. "I didn't know the scenarios and I felt a nervous going up there, and I played the best I could in the situation I was in," said Wade, who now faces van Barneveld in the second round. "It was a funny game because Keegan had chances, but I'm hitting doubles and hitting scores and I can only take positives from that. I've never practised as much as I am now and hopefully it's the time that it's going to come out. It's another good performance so I'm happy."

Brown's defeat meant that Mark Webster qualified alongside Wade following a nervous wait, with the Welsh left-hander having earlier defeated Dutchman Michel van der Horst 5-3 from 2-0 down in their final group game.

"I'm feeling pleased," said Webster. "I held up my half of the bargain and I think I deserved to go through - I've had a pretty steady group and won two of my three games.Keegan's a talented player and I knew he could beat James, but James put in a professional performance and I knew he'd want to win. It's a big ask to beat James because he's one of the favourites for the competition."
Webster now meets Anderson in Wednesday's second round, and he said: "He's the World Champion but I'm improving every day and I've got to test myself at a level so let's see where I'm at. He's an unbelievable player, a big 180 scorer but it's a good place to see where I'm at. I'm not defeatist - I think I can win - but I've got to take my chances. It will be a good game and I've got to try and put him under pressure when I can."


Statistics
Ave180sDoublesPlayervPlayer Ave180sDoubles
98.1520/0Clayton 0:5de Vos113.8625/7
94.5735/6Green 5:1Phillips81.0001/7
92.6715/17Webster 5:3 v.d.Horst89.6903/7
102.7915/12Anderson 5:1Boulton89.46.01/2
100.0545/8Thornton 5:4Jenkins99.8744/15
94.1925/13Taylor 5:2 Rodriguez96.0642/9
103.6815/12Wade 5:2Brown 94.4712/8
95.2625/13v.Barnveld 5:3Butler97.3233/9








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