THE LAKESIDE WORLD PROFESSIONAL

Brian started the match but it was "Barney" who struck first with a 180 in his second visit. Brian narrowly missed a 118 checkout then both players missed chances before Brian took out D4 for the leg. Both players hit the high scores in leg two and Brian narrowly missed a 130 checkout. Again both players missed three darts at the double before Barney levelled the match. Baney put on the pressure in leg three and left 64 after 12 darts. He made no mistake with three darts which left him throwing for the set. Brian threw a succession of wayward darts in leg four. Barney missed nine darts at the checkout before Brian stole the leg with D4. Brian opened with a140 and Barney 81, however a maximum from Barney lined him up for his favourite D18 and he took the set.

Neither player produced the high scores but Brian was best and took the leg against the darts with D16. Barney fought back with a maximum in leg two. He narrowly missed a 12 darter and settled the leg in 14 darts from D16. Leg three saw Barney open with a maximum and a 15 dart checkout from 58 sealed the leg. Barney hit a couple of low scores before a maximum got him back in the leg. Barney missed three darts at tops before Brian levelled the set at two legs each. Yet another maximum put Barney well ahead and a checkout on D9 gave him the leg and the set.

Barney continued to pressurize Brian in set three and his 7th maximum put him on 46 after 9 darts. Barney missed 11 darts at the double before hitting D1 for the leg. Both players were wayward in leg two, especially Brian and Barney checked out on D8 which left Barney just one leg from victory. Brian held his throw with a bull checkout which left Raymond throwing for the match. Barney threw best in the fourth leg and he was on 48 after 12 darts. He needed only two darts and a D16 gave him the leg the set, and the match.

SETS: 3-2 3-2 3-1 AVERAGES: VAN BARNEVELD 28.61 SØRENSEN 25.88