Impressive Barney Strolls Into Last 16

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD announced his intentions to take the Budweiser UK Open crown from Phil Taylor as the pair progressed to the last 16 of the tournament on Saturday.

Dutchman van Barneveld is competing in his first major ranking tournament since joining the PDC, and he made an impressive start to his challenge for honours.

He whitewashed Simon Whatley in the third round, and then hit nine 180s in a convincing 11-4 win over Jimmy Mann to earn a place in the last 16.

The Dutchman will meet former World Champion Bob Anderson in the fifth round on Sunday, while Taylor will meet current world number one Colin Lloyd.

The defending champion was an 8-4 winner over London postman Gary Noonan in his opening game, and he then powered past Dave Askew 11-3.

Lloyd dropped just five legs in his wins over Alan Warriner-Little and Steve Maish, but has a poor record against Taylor in big games.

"The previous games mean nothing," said Taylor. "Colin can turn up tomorrow, it's a new start and he could knock me out.

"I'm glad to get through today and I'll prepare myself for tomorrow now."

Veteran John MaGowan enjoyed a dream 65th birthday, knocking out number three seed Kevin Painter before defeating Matt Clark to set up a fifth round clash with rising star Adrian Lewis.

Lewis edged out Wayne Mardle 11-10 in the game of the tournament, with the 21-year-old opening up a 6-1 lead before Mardle stormed back to move ahead 7-6.

But Lewis showed his class to take the game into a decider with a 146 checkout before landing double top to move through.

Liverpool's Robbie "Kong" Green continued his dream run, following up Friday's win over Jamie Harvey by seeing off Chris Mason and 2005 finalist Mark Walsh.

Green will now face Terry Jenkins in the fifth round, with other matches seeing resurgent Alex Roy face Ronnie Baxter, Denis Ovens meet Alan Tabern, Andy Callaby take on John Part and 2004 champion Roland Scholten clash with Welshman Barrie Bates.

Fifth Round Draw
Board One
Bob Anderson v Raymond van Barneveld
Phil Taylor v Colin Lloyd