DARTS THROWBACK: Van Barneveld overcomes rollercoaster ride against Wallace in 1999

As a world champion, you will always have to do it: defend the title. Eric Bristow (1980, 1981), Adrian Lewis (2011, 2012) and Gary Anderson (2015, 2016)managed to successfully defend their first world title. And of course Raymond van Barneveld succeeded as well. He successfully defended his world title in 1999 by beating Ronnie Baxter 6-5 in the final of the BDO World Championship. Earlier in the tournament, in the last 16 however, things looked bad against 1997 winner Les Wallace.

Van Barneveld has played Wallace before in Frimley Green. In 1995, Van Barneveld won in the first round 3-2 in sets, after which he would make the final. In 1997, Wallace won in the second round 3-2 in sets, after which he would later go up for the world title in a final against Marshall James. Van Barneveld and Wallace are evenly matched: whoever wins usually gets into the final.

In 1999 the men won their first match easily: Van Barneveld won 3-0 over Palfrey, Wallace won 3-0 against Cunningham. With great confidence both players headed into their duel. Van Barneveld as reigning champion obviously with a little more pressure. Naturally, Wallace came on stage with Scottish kilt and Flower of Scotland as his walk on song. And Van Barneveld with a green-and-yellow scarf: "The Return of the Legend".

The gentlemen immediately lived up to their status in the first set with a high level. In the first leg, Van Barneveld started with a 180 among other things and was out in 11 darts without blinking. Wallace then kept his leg in fifteen darts with a careful 118 finish, although Van Barneveld missed 121 earlier(Bull, Triple 13, D16). The next leg, Van Barneveld threw out the ensuing 121 in 12 darts.

Frequent scoring from Van Barneveld, in every leg a 180. But perhaps it was Les Wallace who stole the show. In the fourth leg Van Barneveld was on 41 after nine darts, but Wallace kept his own leg in 11 darts: he threw out 107 in two darts via triple 19 and bullseye. Wallace, rushed to set victory in 14 darts: 3-2. While, Van Barneveld threw in the first 120.20 average and five 180. Sensational figures.

In the second set the high level seemed to continue. Wallace kept his leg in 15 darts, Van Barneveld in 14. But in the third leg things went wrong. Van Barneveld could have broken Wallace to take the second set but despite three 140's the man made a mess of it on the doubles: Wallace kept his own leg. Van Barneveld did come back to 2-2 in the set, but in the final leg, Wallace took the leg in a meager 17 darts, for 2-0 in sets.

Van Barneveld could boast an average of nearly 100, but Wallace was ahead 2-0 in sets. A measly break in the first set was the difference. Enough hope for Van Barneveld, as the game was excellent. And it showed in the third set. The first leg was difficult in 18 darts, but the set went 3-0 to Van Barneveld with 12 and 14 darts. Van Barneveld threw after this set 101.37 average.

In the fourth set Van Barneveld had to step up. Otherwise he would have been eliminated. In 16 and 15 darts he raced effortlessly to a 0-2 lead in the set, but then the engine started to falter. Scores above 100 were rare, allowing Wallace to get back into the set. In 17 darts and 15 darts, he came back to 2-2. Wallace had six matchdarts (three at 40, three at 10) in the deciding leg of the fourth set, but could not hit them. Van Barneveld then threw out 25 in two darts. 2-2 in sets.

Playing brilliantly and still skimming along the edge of elimination: even in the early darts years it was just possible. Van Barneveld can tell all about it. He got to start the fifth and deciding set. And he did so with a 180, with a shout he threw out the discharge. In 16 darts Van Barneveld took the first leg, but Wallace hit back with a 14-darter in his own leg.

In the third leg, Wallace got off to a late start, allowing Van Barneveld to lead 2-1 in 16 darts. The Dutchman finished it off immediately. With a 180 and 140 score he could easily bubble out: in 13 darts he finished it via double 19. The celebration after that was great.