"I don't think I've ever lost on stage to Gerwyn Price": Van Barneveld believes tough group spurred him on at Grand Slam of Darts

Raymond van Barneveld eased past Ted Evetts to end his group stage flawless topping it with the group winners' bonus heading his way too at the Grand Slam of Darts as the Dutch maestro continues to roll back the years.

"I'm really happy to be in the group with the World Number One (Gerwyn Price), Dave Chisnall he's really in form and the World Youth Champion, Ted Evetts. Won all three of my matches, what can I say. I'm averaging 91 last match winning 5-0, 5-1 or 5-4 with a 104. What would you prefer, you'd rather win 5-1 with a 91. At the end of the day averages don't matter as long as you win your games,"

"Being in a group with amazing players maybe that's just good for me. I can focus really hard, I don't think I've ever lost on stage to Gerwyn Price. You can do statistics you can say I believe it or not, but at the end I've never lost to him on stage. Dave Chisnall is always an amazing player to me. I beat him and then Ted Evetts and now I'm going to the second phase and I'm over the moon."

Even when he's been away from the stage, fans have still chanted Barney Army and he spoke on their support and how he personally doesn't get it.

"The crowd is always backing me wherever I go but you have to throw your darts yourself. If you don't do it, they are there to kill you.

"I still don't know why they cheer me so much, the Barney Army is there but ask them. I still believe I'm just a normal guy who plays his game."

Simon Whitlock is now next and weighing up both opponents he prospectively had, he preferred to face 'The Wizard'.

"Simon's playing the same rhythm as me and I like that. We always play each other in fantastic matches."