McCoy's Premier League Darts Night 13

THE race for places in the McCoy's Premier League Darts Play-Offs will be decided in Newcastle next week after victories for Phil Taylor, Kevin Painter and Andy Hamilton at the NIA in Birmingham left the battle for semi-final spots wide open.

Five players will fight for the final two spots in the Play-Offs on May 17 on the last of 14 league nights, which will be held at the Metro Radio Arena next Thursday.

With Phil Taylor already assured of his semi-final place, his victory over James Wade in Birmingham meant that Simon Whitlock is also sure of a Play-Off spot, despite the Australian losing to Andy Hamilton.

Wade will now face a shoot-out with Raymond van Barneveld in Newcastle, after the Dutchman drew with reigning champion Gary Anderson, who is the only player now eliminated from the competition.

Hamilton's win, coupled with a sensational 8-3 victory for Kevin Painter against Adrian Lewis, means that trio are also still in the Play-Off race, with Lewis in fourth place on 12 points.

Hamilton and Painter sit on 11 points ahead of their meeting in Newcastle - but they know that even a victory may not be enough should Lewis and either Wade or Barneveld win in Week 14.

"It's an amazing scrap between the guys," said Taylor, the runaway league leader. "I'm delighted that I can enjoy my game next week and then watch the other guys fighting it out because it's a great way to end the league season.

"My win over James puts him under pressure next week and I know he'll want to respond, but all the guys are fighting for their lives and there's no second chances from now on."

World Champion Lewis moved up above Wade in the league table despite his defeat, and admitted: "It was a bad day at the office. I wasn't at the races tonight but Kevin took out pretty much every chance he had and deserved to win.

"I've got Simon Whitlock next week, and it's 'Game On' now! It's been the best Premier League ever and if I don't qualify it will be down to me really."

Painter hit finishes of 150, 106 and 100 in his win over Lewis, and he said: "I still need all the results to get into the top four, but if I win next week and every result goes my way I might get in.

"I might have left it a bit late but, like Andy, I'll fight right to the end."

Van Barneveld hit a 170 finish in taking a 5-3 lead against Anderson before the Scot won four out of five to earn a point, with the Dutchman producing the better darts in the decider to take a draw which could prove key come the end of Week 14.

"I don't know if the draw will help me going into next week but I'm still in the competition and I'll give it my best in Newcastle," said van Barneveld.

"I had a few great finishes tonight and I can't complain about that, but I wasn't great on his throw. The 170 was great but it was only one leg, and now the players don't care and they hit you back.

"I'll go and prepare myself now for next week in Newcastle because James is a quality player and I know what I've got to do against him. He always plays well against me and I know I'll have my hands full, but I'll get my chances and I must take them next week."

The final league night of the season will begin with Lewis' clash with Whitlock, before Hamilton plays Painter.

The clash between Raymond van Barneveld and James Wade will then settle the four Play-Off places, before the top-versus-bottom clash between Taylor and Anderson completes the fixtures.

Tickets for the McCoy's Premier League Darts at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle are still available by calling 0844 493 6666 or by visiting www.metroradioarena.co.uk.

McCoy's Premier League Darts Play-Off Permutations
Three of next week's games will still have a bearing on the Play-Off positions - with five players fighting for two places in the semi-finals alongside Phil Taylor and Simon Whitlock.

Here is each players' position:
Phil Taylor - Qualified, and will finish first.
Simon Whitlock - Qualified, and needs a point in Newcastle to secure second place.
Adrian Lewis - Must win to be sure of Play-Off place, but could still be eliminated with a draw.
James Wade - Must win to be sure of Play-Off place, but could still be eliminated with a draw.
Raymond van Barneveld - Must win to be sure of Play-Off place, but could still qualify with a draw.
Kevin Painter - A draw may be enough to win a Play-Off place, if Lewis and either Wade or van Barneveld lose. A win, though, may not even be enough to overhaul Lewis and Wade/Barneveld depending on other results.
Andy Hamilton - Must defeat Painter and hope Lewis loses, leaving his fate in the hands of the Wade-Barneveld result.
Gary Anderson - Eliminated.

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McCoy's Premier League Darts
Week 13 - NIA, Birmingham
Simon Whitlock 4-8 Andy Hamilton
Gary Anderson 7-7 Raymond van Barneveld
Kevin Painter 8-3 Adrian Lewis
James Wade 1-8 Phil Taylor

Week 14 - Revised order of play
May 10 - Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle
Adrian Lewis v Simon Whitlock
Andy Hamilton v Kevin Painter
Raymond van Barneveld v James Wade
Gary Anderson v Phil Taylor
Tickets: 0844 493 6666 or www.metroradioarena.co.uk

Latest League Table

After Week 13	P	W	D	L	+/-	LWAT	Pts
Phil Taylor	13	11	1	1	+51	37	23
Simon Whitlock	13	6	2	5	-3	27	14
Adrian Lewis	13	4	4	5	-6	25	12
James Wade	13	5	2	6	-6	23	12
Raymond van Barneveld	13	4	4	5	-11	27	12
Kevin Painter	13	5	1	7	-5	30	11
Andy Hamilton	13	3	5	5	-7	23	11
Gary Anderson	13	3	3	7	-13	27	9

MATCH INFORMATION
ANDY HAMILTON 8-4 SIMON WHITLOCK
ANDY HAMILTON kept alive his McCoy's Premier League Darts Play-Off hopes with an 8-4 win over Simon Whitlock at the NIA in Birmingham.

Hamilton had to avoid defeat in the contest to retain any hope of a top-four finish in his maiden Premier League campaign, and obliged with a superb win over second-placed Whitlock.

The Australian went on to see his place in the Play-Offs ensured with James Wade's defeat to Phil Taylor, and he now meets Adrian Lewis in Week 14 in Newcastle in a bid to avoid a fourth-placed finish and a semi-final with Taylor.

Neither player was able to hold throw in a tense opening half of the match, with Whitlock missing tops in the opening leg as Hamilton drew first blood on double eight.

Whitlock replied with a 70 finish before hitting a 180 in leg three, only for Hamilton to break with a 13-darter before the Australian levelled in the fourth by following another maximum with an 89 finish.

Hamilton broke again in the fifth with a sensational ten-darter, following scores of 140, 180 and 165 with double eight, only to see Whitlock hit back in the sixth.

However, two misses from the Australian allowed Hamilton to finish 72 for the seven, and he then finally broke throw by defying another maximum from Whitlock to finish tops for a 14-dart finish to move 5-3 up.

Whitlock missed five darts to hit back as Hamilton won the ninth on tops before he finished double 16 for a 7-3 cushion.

Whitlock finished 84 to stay in the contest at 7-4, but Hamilton fired in a timely 177 and took out tops for a key victory.

Hamilton must now defeat Kevin Painter in Newcastle next week, and hope that Adrian Lewis loses to leave his chances of a top-four finish dependant on the result of the clash between James Wade and Raymond van Barneveld.

"I went out there to give it my all because I knew that if I lost I'd have been out of the Premier League, and I'm still there fighting," said Hamilton.

"I enjoyed myself tonight and my finishing won me the game, and to win 8-4 makes a difference where leg difference is concerned.

"I'll look forward to next week but it's a little bit annoying that my fate's in other people's hands. The first half of the season was a big learning curve and I dropped too many points, but the last few weeks have been great."

Leg-By-Leg
0-1 - Hamilton misses a dart at double 16 for a 106 checkout to break, but when Whitlock cannot finish tops the Stoke ace returns to land double eight to take the opening leg.
1-1 - Whitlock breaks back by taking out 70 on double 16.
1-2 - Whitlock hits a 180 but is unable to finish 120, and Hamilton checks out 78 in two darts for a 14-darter to break again.
2-2 - Whitlock opens with another maximum and takes out 89 to break once more.
2-3 - Hamiton produces a superb ten-dart finish, hitting 140, 180 and 165 to set up double eight as he moves back ahead.
3-3 - Hamilton is unable to finish 139, and Whitlock ensures a sixth successive break of throw by taking out 49.
3-4 - Whitlock misses double 16 and double eight, and Hamilton finishes 72 on double 18 to edge back ahead.
3-5 - Whitlock hits his third 180 of the game, but Hamilton takes out 56 on tops to hold throw for the first time in the game.
3-6 - Whitlock misses five darts to wi the leg, and Hamilton steps in to take out 60 in two darts, hitting tops to break
3-7 - Hamilton posts double 16 to earn himself at least a point.
4-7 - Whitlock finishes 84 on double 12 to hit back.
4-8 - Hamilton lands tops to secure what could prove a vital win - keeping himself in the Play-Off race!

Match Stats

Simon Whitlock	4-8	Andy Hamilton
12	100+	12
8	140+	10
3	180	1
32.49	Ave1	31.81
97.46	Ave3	95.43
89	High Finish	78
3	Breaks of Throw	5
4/13 - 31%	Finishing %	8/11 - 73%

GARY ANDERSON 7-7 RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD ended Gary Anderson's defence of the McCoy's Premier League Darts title as the pair drew at the NIA in Birmingham - ensuring that the Dutchman can still reach the Play-Offs in a fortnight.

Anderson needed to take victory from the clash to retain his slim hopes of reaching the semi-finals at The O2 in London, and produced one of his best performances of the season.

He battled back from 5-3 down to lead 6-5 and secured a point at 7-6 with a 12-darter, only for van Barneveld to win the decider - with the draw meaning he now faces a shoot-out with James Wade in Newcastle next week for a top four place.

Van Barneveld won the game's opening leg with a brilliant 138 checkout, only for Anderson to fire in 180s in the next two, stepping in to level after the Dutchman missed the bull for a 161 finish before posting a 12-darter to lead 2-1.

Van Barneveld fired in a maximum in the fourth, but the Scot moved clear as he posted double two to win a third successive leg.

The Dutchman hit 180s in the next two legs as he levelled with finishes of double four and double 14, before pouncing on three misses from Anderson to land double eight and break throw.

He then won a fourth successive leg by posting a superb 170 checkout - only the second of the season - to move 5-3 up.

Anderson replied strongly, finishing 60, 70 and 64 to win the next three legs and regain the lead at 6-5, although a 120 finish from van Barneveld would level the game with his third ton-plus checkout of the match.

Anderson moved 7-6 up to ensure he would avoid defeat, posting three 140s and finishing 81 on double 12 for a 12-darter, but he was unable to repeat the scoring in the game's final leg as van Barneveld was first to a finish to post tops for the win which keeps him fighting for a Play-Off place.

"I don't know if the draw will help me going into next week but I'm still in the competition and I'll give it my best in Newcastle," said van Barneveld.

"I had a few great finishes tonight and I can't complain about that, but I wasn't great on his throw. The 170 was great but it was only one leg, and now the players don't care and they hit you back.

"Gary's the holder and even though he's in eighth I knew he would play well, and he did that tonight. I'll go and prepare myself now for next week in Newcastle because James is a quality player and I know what I've got to do against him.

"He always plays well against me and I know I'll have my hands full, but I'll get my chances and I must take them next week."

Leg-By-Leg
0-1 - van Barneveld makes a stunning start by taking out 138 on double 12 to break throw immediately.
1-1 - Anderson opens with 140 and 180, and when van Barneveld misses the bull for a 161 checkout the Scot returns to post tops and level.
2-1 - Anderson posts another maximum and finishes a 12-darter to take the lead
3-1 - van Barneveld lands a maximum but Anderson returns from missing double 14 for a 121 finish to land double seven to break.
3-2 - van Barneveld breaks back, opening with a 180 and coming back to the oche after missing the bull for a 126 checkout to hit double four and reply.
3-3 - van Barneveld kicks off with 180 and 140 as he hits five successive treble 20s, and finishes double 14 to level at the interval.
3-4 - van Barneveld wins a third successive leg by punishing a trio of misses from Anderson to land double eight and break.
3-5 - The Dutchman raises the roof at the NIA with a brilliant 170 checkout.
4-5 - Anderson finishes 60 on tops to pull back to within a leg.
5-5 - Anderson levels by taking out 70 in two darts with a treble ten, tops combination.
6-5 - Anderson finishes 64 to move back in front in the contest.
6-6 - The Scot leaves himself 56, but van Barneveld takes out 120 to level again with his third ton-plus finish of the game.
7-6 - Anderson powers in three 140s to leave 81 after nine darts, and finishes double 12 for a 12-darter to earn at least a point.
7-7 - van Barneveld scores the better in a tense decider, and he finishes tops to grab a draw - ending Anderson's title defence.

Match Stats

Gary Anderson	7-7	Raymond van Barneveld
20	100+	21
12	140+	9
2	180	3
32.80	Ave1	32.12
98.40	Ave3	96.35
81	High Finish	170,138,120
3	Breaks of Throw	3
7/15 - 47%	Finishing %	7/12 - 58%

KEVIN PAINTER 8-3 ADRIAN LEWIS
KEVIN PAINTER ensured that his fight for a McCoy's Premier League Darts Play-Off place will go into the final week of the season with a brilliant 8-3 win over World Champion Adrian Lewis.

Painter has enjoyed a strong debut campaign in the Premier League, and he now plays Andy Hamilton in Week 14 in his bid to break into the top four - knowing that he could even afford to draw the game if Lewis and Raymond van Barneveld were to be defeated in Newcastle.

Painter, though, was in determined mood throughout as he seeks to win a semi-final spot, making Lewis pay for a slow start with a brilliant opening.

He hit finishes of 100 and 106 to take the opening two legs, and opened the third with back-to-back 180s before finishing double 18 for a 12-dart finish after his chances of a nine-darter slipped away.

Lewis landed a 180 and double eight to hit back, before Painter fired in tops to move 4-1 up.

Tops gave Lewis the sixth, but when he missed the bull in the next Painter finished double 16 to edge away and double eight to lad 6-2, punishing the World Champion for a sloppy second dart on a 113 combination, when he hit the treble 20 but missed the single 13 which would have left a double.

Painter then hit his third 180 of the game in leg nine, before powering home a stunning 150 checkout - with Lewis waiting on 81 after hitting three successive 140s - to ensure he would take at least a draw at 7-2.

Lewis landed tops for a 13-darter to keep his hopes alive, but Painter was first to a finish in the 11th leg and landed double 12 to complete a heavy win.

"It's always enjoyable to get a win and I'm really pleased to beat Adrian," said Painter. "Adrian missed a couple of doubles early on and I don't think his scoring was as good as it has been in recent weeks, and I dug in and got my rewards.

"I felt like I should have won against James Wade last week but tonight it came good.

"I still need all the results to get into the top four, but if I win next week and every result goes my way I might get in. I might have left it a bit late but, like Andy, I'll fight right to the end.

"My form's been good over the last four or five weeks and, if I'd had this form earlier in the Premier League I might have been in a better position, but the other lads have played well. I'm loving this and it's an unbelievable experience."

Lewis admitted: "It was a bad day at the office.

"I wasn't at the races tonight but Kevin took out pretty much every chance he had and deserved to win.

"I didn't hit as many treble 20s as I wanted to, I kept dropping low, and it was frustrating. I've got Simon Whitlock next week, and it's 'Game On' now!

"It's been the best Premier League ever and if I don't qualify it will be down to me really. I've beaten Phil Taylor, Raymond van Barneveld and James Wade recently but now drawn with Gary Anderson and lost to Kevin, who are below me in the table."

Leg-By-Leg
1-0 - Lewis misses a dart at tops and Painter takes out 100 to win the opener.
2-0 - Painter finishes 106 to double his lead against the darts.
3-0 - Painter opens with 180, 180 and although a possible nine-darter goes begging he finishes 61 on double 18 for a 12-darter.
3-1 - Lewis fires in a 180 and lands double eight to get off the mark.
4-1 - Painter regains his three-leg cushion by hitting tops.
4-2 - Painter is unable to finish a second 106, and Lewis hits tops to cut back to 4-2 at the interval.
5-2 - Lewis misses the bull for an 87 finish to take the leg and Painter finishes double 16 to move three legs clear.
6-2 - Lewis is punished for a slack dart, as he attempts a 113 finish and opens with a treble 20 but misses the single 13 to leave tops, allowing Painter in to hit double eight.
7-2 - Painter finishes a brilliant 150 checkout with two treble 20s and double 15.
7-3 - Lewis produces a 13-darter at a key time to stay in the game.
8-3 - Painter misses two darts at double 12 for a 78 finish, but returns to seal victory.

Match Stats

Kevin Painter	8-3	Adrian Lewis
14	100+	14
7	140+	7
3	180	1
31.81	Ave1	32.16
95.44	Ave3	96.47
150,106,100	High Finish	56
2	Breaks of Throw	0
8/16 - 50%	Finishing %	3/6 - 50%

PHIL TAYLOR 8-1 JAMES WADE
PHIL TAYLOR stormed to an 8-1 win over James Wade in the McCoy's Premier League Darts at the NIA in Birmingham - and left the 2009 champion facing a shoot-out with Raymond van Barneveld for a Play-Off place.

The world number one was back to his best as he averaged an outstanding 116.10 in seeing off Wade, having been on course for a first-ever televised average of above 120 after winning the opening six legs without reply.

Wade won the seventh, but Taylor quickly snuffed out any chance of a fightback by winning the next two legs.

Wade now faces a crucial battle with Raymond van Barneveld in Newcastle next week, knowing that only a victory makes him a certain semi-finalist with five players fighting for the final two Play-Off spots.

The left-hander was left shell-shocked by a barrage of high scores from Taylor in the early part of their game as the 15-time World Champion hit top form.

He took out 93 to win the opening leg against the throw before posting tops for a 13-darter in leg two, before breaking again in 12 darts in the third by finishing 81 after landing a maximum.

Taylor then added back-to-back 13-darters by landing double 16, and posted another maximum in an 11-dart leg as he moved 6-0 up at the break without allowing Wade a dart at a double and pushing his own average up to 121.88!

Wade got off the mark in the seventh by finishing 100 on double ten, but Taylor replied in style by kicking off the next with a 174 before finishing double ten for another 13-darter.

Taylor also hit a 174 to leave 32 in the ninth, and when Wade missed two darts to keep the game alive he took out the finish to wrap up a comprehensive triumph.

"I'm very pleased with that," said Taylor. "The 116 average was great but it wasn't my aim, I was just trying to focus on winning the match.

"I started really well, but when I looked at the big scoreboard I saw my average at over 120 and I said to myself that I needed a couple of good legs to break the record - I don't know why I did that because my next shot was a 40!

"James said he couldn't live with me and I did feel a bit sorry for him because he's trying his hardest to qualify, but I had to keep it up because he can come back at you.

"It's an amazing scrap between the guys. I'm delighted that I can enjoy my game next week and then watch the other guys fighting it out because it's a great way to end the league season.

"My win over James puts him under pressure next week and I know he'll want to respond, but all the guys are fighting for their lives and there's no second chances from now on."

Leg-By-Leg
0-1 - Taylor breaks in the opening leg with a 12-darter.
0-2 - Taylor misses tops for a 139 checkout and returns to hit tops to win the leg in 13 darts.
0-3 - Taylor hits a 180 to leave 81, and finishes the checkout to break again in 12 darts.
0-4 - Taylor finishes double 16 for a 13-darter as he pulls clear.
0-5 - Taylor wins a fifth successive leg by posting double 16 once more, taking a 13-darter.
0-6 - Taylor opens with 140 and 180 and finishes tops for an 11-darter, lifting his average to 121.88.
1-6 - Wade wins his first leg of the game, finishing 100 on double ten.
1-7 - Taylor opens with a 174, and although his misses double top and ten, he lands double ten to finish a 13-darter.
1-8 - Wade misses double top and ten, and Taylor follows up hitting a 174 by landing double 16 to secure a brilliant win.

Match Stats