PDC World Championship: Raymond van Barneveld hit a maximum check out to win
Van Barneveld too strong for Rodriguez
Tuesday 23 December 2014 08:28, UK
Raymond van Barneveld thrashed Rowby-John Rodriguez 3-0 with a maximum check out at Alexandra Palace in the World Championship.
The 2007 winner overwhelmed his young challenger on Monday night en route to accumulating a 125.25 average in the final set and 99.93 overall.
Van Barneveld won the match with the grandeur that a raucous Ally Pally - most of whom made it clear they were here for ‘Barney’ - wanted. The triple 20, triple 20, bullseye finish had the crowd roaring and underlined the Dutchman’s threat to this year’s championship.
The 20-year-old Rodriguez was not immediately blown away - he hit a 180 to level the first set - but could not cope with Van Barneveld’s relentless scoring.
The veteran hit check outs of 95 and 167 at which point Rodriguez looked defeated. Two legs in the final set were finished off with 12 darts - culminating in his perfect finish.
Van Barneveld has been ranked at number 14 for the London event but the five-time world champion is returning to the city where he won the Premier League title in May.
He was eliminated at the third round of last year's World Championship but on this evidence 'Barney' will take some stopping.
Dominant
Brendan Dolan was also able to avoid the upset defeats that fellow top seeds have suffered, defeating Nolan Arendse 3-0.
The Irishman, in the final match of Monday evening, didn't require the flashy check outs that Van Barneveld showcased in order to cruise past his South African opponent.
Arendse had beaten Alex Hon in a preliminary match earlier in the night but found the step up in competition too steep.
Jamie Caven began the night by beating Jason Hogg and Michael Smith edged a tight encounter with Mensur Suljovic.
Ally Pally fans had earlier been treated to cricket stars Alastair Cook and James Anderson competing at the oche with the former coming out on top.
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