Mardle on last weeks clash between Van Gerwen & Van Barneveld: "It was a magnificent game"

Raymond van Barneveld and Michael van Gerwen went to war last week in Rotterdam with 'Barney' coming out on top in what Wayne Mardle saw as a 'magnificent game'.

According to the former Premier League participant, Van Gerwen looked tight, worried and stressed but could still average 105 which he saw as a barometer of how good he is. Mardle also said that while now they cheer for Van Barneveld they will be cheering for Van Gerwen in years to come. “It was a magnificent game. Van Gerwen didn't play his best and yet, at one point, he was averaging 105.” said ‘Hawaii 501’ “Van Gerwen looked tight, he looked worried and stressed - but he can still [average 105]. It doesn't make sense. He's that good!” “Raymond, when he had to, never missed anything. The doubling stats weren't great but nothing that he missed actually mattered. There were five darts missed in one leg - but [Barney] won that leg. Then he missed the first two, but hit double nine [to check out from 36].” “Michael put up a hell of a show and I liked the respect before the last leg - he held out his hand, knowing Raymond held all the aces, and said: 'have a good last leg'.” “From Raymond's point of view, he had to win and he won. Keep on winning and see if the others falter, that's the only way he will book a place in the play-offs. "You felt for the audience because they had to make up their mind - they went for Barney! But in years to come they will be with Michael.”

Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC