KING TO FACE BARNEVELD IN SEMI

Raymond Barneveld fired a warning to his Embassy World Championship rivals with an impressive quarter-final victory over Belgium's Erik Clarys in Frimley Green on Friday. Mervyn King and Raymond Barneveld will battle it out for a place in the final after both prevailed in their quarter-final games. The Dutchman Barneveld, a former two-time champion looked very impressive as he overcame Belgium's Erik Clarys 5-1, while King had little trouble clinching a 5-0 win over Colin Monk.

Davies Has Backing Of Dethroned Champ

Reigning champion Tony David knows exactly what it takes to win the Embassy World Championship - and he believes Wales' Ritchie Davies (pictured) can claim his crown. The Australian, who sensationally won the title 12 months ago by defeating Mervyn King in the final, slumped to a shock 5-0 quarter-final defeat at the hands of the computer engineer from Aberdare.

David admitted his opponent simply produced the "better darts", and feels he is playing well enough to go all the way. "With the quality Ritchie displayed last night, there is no reason why he can't win the tournament," said the Queensland player. "He can do anything if he plays like that." Davies says he is feeling very relaxed at the oche and his confidence is sky high. "There is no reason why I can't go all the way. I felt very confident on that stage, very relaxed, and things seem to be going my way," said Davies. Davies' opponent in the semis will be Gary Anderson, who defeated Bob Taylor in their all-Scotland clash. When asked about his chances of progressing and winning Sunday's final, Anderson said: "You never know. I'm not frightened of anyone."

Quarter Final Results: Day 7 (2) Raymond van Barneveld (Ned) def Erik Clarys (Bel) 5-1 (3) Mervyn King (Eng) def Colin Monk (Eng) 5-0

The two-times champion got his quarter-final match underway in usual winning style - equaling Clarys' first leg with a 13-darter in the second before going on to win 3-2 with relative ease. Barney was in charge of proceedings in set two which he claimed 3-1. Clarys needed to hit double tops in leg one of the third set and, with Barneveld waiting to pounce, got it with his third attempt.

The knowledgeable Lakeside crowd could be forgiven for thinking a third whitewash was on the cards but Clarys showed his class by going 2-1 ahead before breaking Barneveld with an 81 two-dart shot out (45 x18). But Barney soon got his grip back on the game when he restored his two-set lead by claiming the fourth set - despite a brave battle from "The Sheriff".

The Dutchman held his own throw and went 2-0 up before Clarys hit another 81 shot out and claimed leg four. But Barneveld nailed a 124 shot (60 14 bull) to go into the break3-1 ahead in sets. He was soon a set away from victory after rattling through set five 3-0 - taking the first leg with 12 throws. Barney held his throw to take the first leg of the next set but Clarys was not done and showed his class by nailing the maximum check-out of 170 with two 60s and the bull. Fifteen darts later Barney was a leg away from his expected semi-final place. He had two shots at a double for victory but missed and Clarys stepped in to make it 2-2. Barney had the throw but Clarys still managed to get two attempts at a double. He missed and Barney struck with double 16 to move into the last four. "I'm delighted to be in the semi-finals," said the Dutchman afterwards. "Erik played some fantastic darts, but you have to play really fantastic darts if you are going to beat Raymond Barneveld. "In the last two years Ted Hankey and Mervyn King both did that, and credit must go to them." "Erik played well but my three-dart average was over 100 and I'm delighted to go through." Van Barneveld also praised Clarys on his 170 checkout, adding: "I congratulated him after the game because a 170 finish is just fantastic."

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MERVYN KING 5 - COLIN MONK 0

Colin Monk became the third player to bow out of the Embassy with a 5-0 defeat to their name when he was defeated by Mervyn King (pictured right) for the second year in a row.

The battling spirit that took Monk through a tough second round clash against Tony O'Shea was missing from Monk's game and he was punished for it. King claimed the first set with Monk taking seven throws to nail the only double he managed in that set. Monk held two of his first throw advantages in the second to go 2-1 ahead but King came back with 12 darts to level before moving two sets clear.

King, who beat Monk in the semi-finals last year before losing out to Tony David, claimed the third 3-1 and then survived an attempted rally from Monk in the next to go into the interval four sets clear. Defeat though was moments away for Monk. King held his throw and almost broke Monk in the following leg. Thirteen darts put King in pole position and he moved into the semi-finals when he took the next.

"I'm quite pleased with my performance tonight," said King afterwards. "That said, I didn't score as well as I usually do but my finishing was quite good. "Colin was under-par tonight. However, if you don't let him in, he's not going to produce his best. I think I got on top of him and kept him under pressure."

A disappointed Monk said: "I couldn't miss the double against O'Shea, but I couldn't buy a double tonight against Mervyn. He's a top-class player."

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Ladies Embassy

SEMI-FINALS TRINA GULLIVER 2 - MIEKE DE BOER 0

England's Trina Gulliver (pictured right) won the match of the Embassy's two glamour girls in the third Embassy Women's Darts Champion at the Lakeside. Dutch opponent De Boer claimed the opening leg with first throw advantage but that was as much as she got from the set. Gulliver looked focused and matched her high scoring with as much accuracy on the doubles - checking out on bull in the second leg.

Gulliver looked determined and held her advantage and then took the darts off her opponent to movea leg away from the final. De Boer (pictured left) needed tops to stay in the match and saw her first throw bounce off the wire - but she composed herself and nailed the double with the next throw. Gulliver though was in charge of the match and wrapped it up in the next leg - a maximum 180 helping her on her way.

The Leamington Spa thrower will face Anne Kirk in Saturday's final.

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