Five-time world champion ends Michael van Gerwen's 44-game unbeaten streak
Friday 24 March 2017 17:52, UK
Rod Harrington has talked up Raymond van Barneveld, saying that the Dutch grand master is "a force to be reckoned with in world darts again."
Van Barneveld inflicted a rare defeat on reigning Premier League champion Van Gerwen - his first in a televised game for the first time in 179 days, going back to last September.
The inspired Dutchman took a 7-5 triumph over the world No 1 to move himself into the top three of the standings.
Van Barneveld had missed double 12 for a nine-dart finish as he moved 3-0 up before his opponent battled back from 3-0 down to lead 4-3 - taking out a key 108 in the process - but a slip in the eighth allowed van Barneveld to wrestle back the advantage with three straight legs.
Double 14 saw Van Gerwen pull back to 6-5 and force a decider, but the 2014 champion took out 70 to claim his third successive win and a precious victory over his rival.
"We always knew Barney was a great player, he had the great action, but the only one who doubted it was himself. He used to talk himself down, but he doesn't do that anymore," Harrington told Sky Sports.
"The more he can get on this stage and beat the likes of Michael van Gerwen, the better he will get. He will tighten up even the loose darts that he's throwing now.
"He's now a force to be reckoned with in world darts where 18 months ago he was thinking about packing it up. He was moaning that he was too tired. That's funny, because you don't hear about him talking about him being too tired now.
"Raymond loves to be liked, that's what's boosts him on and that action he's got is as smooth as silk."
Wayne Mardle believes Barney's throw lends itself to playing well, especially when the 49-year-old is fully relaxed on the oche.
"At one point he just did not look like he was going to miss," said 'Hawaii 501'. "He's definitely got this big-game mentality.
"He knows that when he's firing, when he's concentrated, he can beat them all and he does."
Watch Premier League Darts next Thursday, from Cardiff's Motorpoint Arena, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7pm.
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