Darts Federation of Australia

Darts: Van Barneveld Holds Davies At Bay For Third Title
By Gavin Worley

Raymond Van Barneveld can expect to be treated like a superstar when he returns home to the Netherlands with his Embassy World Championship trophy today.

The 35-year-old won the title for a third time with a 6-3 win over Wales' Ritchie Davies, who staged a gutsy fight back and almost leveled the score at 4-4.

However, Van Barneveld won the crucial eighth set and, after Davies took the first leg in the ninth, he reeled off the next three legs to wrap up victory.

"When you win the title for the first time it's very good," said Van Barneveld. "You are treated like a celebrity. When I retained the title, people back home went mad.

"After 2000 when I lost in the first round I did not believe in myself. I've had to work hard to get on this level again."

Van Barneveld admitted the match had been tough, but he knew it was his for the taking when he steadied himself for the shot which gave him a 2-1 lead in the last set.

"In the last set he missed some crucial doubles and I hit two tons," he added.

"I stepped back for the double 18 and I could see by his face that he wasn't going to win it anymore.

That gave me the extra to win the title back and it feels fantastic."

Davies (pictured right) said: "I was trying to get into the match but every time I got to a fifth leg, Raymond always came up with the big score or a nice finish.

It was very difficult."

But the computer engineer from Aberdare gave himself a glimmer of a chance when he produced a 121 finish to make the score 4-1 going into the interval.

He said: "It was crucial. I then got two sets back after the restart and I was just hoping to make it 4-4 and get myself back in the game. But Raymond won the next and he managed to do it in the final set. I am happy at the moment, it's a privilege to be here."

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