Van Barneveld edges past in-form Chisnall in scrappy tie, Cullen eases past Edhouse at Grand Slam of Darts

Raymond van Barneveld has delighted his 'Barney Army' overcoming one of the most in-form players in world darts, Dave Chisnall in a hard fought 5-3 win as Group A begins at the Grand Slam of Darts.

Van Barneveld and Chisnall missed 31 darts at doubles between them but it was the 2012 champion who sealed victory to gain the early points in Group A which also features Gerwyn Price who will play also this afternoon and could be the next opponent for the doyen of Dutch Darts.

Levelling at 2-2, he banished the misses and hit two 180's to break Chisnall's throw only to miss multiple match darts at 4-3 and allow the St Helens ace a shot at a decider but he didn't take it and finally Van Barneveld fell over the line in a last leg which characterised a scrappy tie.

While for Joe Cullen, it was anything but scrappy especially on the doubles as he breezed through 5-1 to take down Ritchie Edhouse to open up Group C and with leg difference put himself in pole position.

It is a group which also includes Michael Smith and Lisa Ashton and it was a 93 average, 62.5% on the doubles for 'The Rockstar' as he opened his account successfully.