RAYMOND battled back from 6-3 and 7-5 down to grab a draw with Mervyn King in Week 6 of the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts. Our Dutch ace had ignited his Premier League challenge last week with a 107 average in Manchester to see off Terry Jenkins, but failed to hit those heights in Brighton in allowing King to pull away.

However, he showed the quality of a five-time World Champion to win four of the final five legs and pick up a point. King made the Dutchman pay for missed doubles in the opening two legs, as van Barneveld wasted four darts in the first and missed the bull for a 164 checkout in leg two. Raymond hit a 177 and double 16 to get off the mark, but another missed bull - this time on a 128 finish - allowed King to hit double eight and open up a 3-1 cushion.

 

Double top gave van Barneveld the fifth leg, but King produced a superb 121 checkout, finishing on the bull, to lead 4-2 at the break. Then Barney hit a second 180 of the game in taking leg seven, after King had missed double four, but a 12-darter from the English ace was followed by a sensational 142 checkout as he created a 6-3 lead.

 

However, he missed darts at a double in the next two legs as van Barneveld reduced the arrears to 6-5 with finishes on double top and double 18. King kicked off leg 12 with a 180, and this time landed double for to guarantee a draw, but van Barneveld edged the next leg on tops before producing a superb 13-darter in the deciding leg to earn a point.

 

"From being 7-5 down I am pleased to win a point but I'm not pleased with my performance," admitted van Barneveld. "I missed some doubles in the first leg and I had my chances all the way through.

"Mervyn hit some great finishes and took his chances but I will take a draw."

 

King said: "I shouldn't lose to anyone from 6-3 up but I missed some doubles to take some crucial legs.

"Raymond played well and did what he needed to do, but I'm very disappointed."