Premier League: Raymond van Barneveld sparked a stunning revival on Judgement Night
Saturday 2 April 2016 14:30, UK
Ahead of 'Judgement Night', Rod Studd recalls how Raymond van Barneveld staged a stunning revival in 2015.
It was a really tense night, because there were five players who could have been in the two elimination spots at the end of the evening.
The first part of the campaign had been pretty miserable for 'Barney', who had never been higher than seventh. He went into 'Judgement Night' in the eighth spot, just one place above the elimination places, but would benefit from results earlier in the evening.
Stephen Bunting drew with Kim Huybrechts, which put the Belgian definitely out, and then Adrian Lewis beat Peter Wright, that meant 'Jackpot' was safe and Wright sat just above the drop-zone.
By the time he faced Anderson on the oche, 'Barney' had slipped into the bottom two, but a draw would be good enough to save him at the expense of Wright. All the pressure was on the Dutchman's big shoulders as he began his match with Anderson, who was expected to send 'Barney' out.
Raymond's future looked bleak when he fell 3-2 behind, but he staged a battling revival to go 5-3 up and eventually a 91 checkout put him 6-4 in front, earning him the point he needed to avoid elimination. The match ended in a 6-6 draw and Wright instead exited the competition, although it was what followed after that, which was absolutely incredible.
'Barney' produced the most remarkable run of results that anybody has achieved in the history of the Premier League.
In the coming weeks, 'Barney' produced the most remarkable run of results that anybody has achieved in the history of the Premier League. I don't care if it's Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson or anybody. He beat Taylor 7-2 the next week, then beat Van Gerwen 7-3, then Dave Chisnall, Anderson, Lewis, drew with James Wade, and defeated Bunting to get to the semi-finals.
Wayne Mardle started tipping 'Barney' to win every week. All joking apart, Wayne had seen something that no-one else had, he spotted that Raymond had found some belief. Every week, Wayne said: "I think he'll win," and the rest of us were like: "yes, okay Wayne."
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In the semi-finals, he went 7-4 up on Van Gerwen and it seemed this fairy tale was going to continue, but unfortunately for him Michael had other ideas and went on to win 10-8.
It just shows you that if you can get through, by hook or crook tonight, literally any outcome is still possible, because there are eight games to play. 'Barney' has given everybody hope.
Watch all of the Premier League action on 'Judgement Night', with live coverage starting at 7pm on Sky Sports 1. Or watch live for £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV.
