Van Barneveld survives comeback to claim repeat victory over Taylor in Darts at Home steel-tip rematch
PDC
Raymond van Barneveld has claimed a repeat victory over Phil Taylor 11-8 in the latest Darts at Home iteration despite having to survive a late comeback from his rival.
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Van Barneveld was 8-3 and 9-5 up on Taylor but five out of the next six legs went the way of 'The Power' who reduced arrears to 9-8.
The 16x World Champion though started to throw quicker and Van Barneveld produced a showpiece 120 finish to claim the tie 11-8 and claim the double after previously winning against him on the Target Nexus board.
In terms of statistics, he hit a 94 average to Taylor's 90 and despite 11/33 on his doubles compared to 8/13, the more darts at double wasn't really a factor as he hit six 180's to Taylor's one in an impressive display from the five time World Champion.
To begin, Taylor took the throw hitting the bullseye first time. Van Barneveld pressured Taylor's throw with two 140's and left himself 106 with 'The Power' back on 205.
He had a 48 checkout to hit but missed two darts to break throw and Taylor hit a 52 checkout to hold his throw as the Dutchman missed an early opportunity. Van Barneveld pinned 52 to make it 1-1 and take a hold of throw in a good reply from the Dutchman.
'Barney' continued that by beginning the next leg with a 180 but by the end of it, they both left themselves on 52 and Taylor hit it right in the corner to continue the holds of throw.
Both players began to find their rhythm and when Taylor had a sniff of a potential break of throw, Van Barneveld hit a 140 and 99 to leave 78.
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He hit double 10 last dart in hand which saw Taylor saw 'Barney you lucky boy' as he was denied a chance at a break. A poor leg from Taylor wasn't punished as Van Barneveld missed chances to break and as a result, the close nature continued at 3-2.
Barney takes the lead
Van Barneveld left double 18 with a 134 set up shot and with Taylor back on 161, he pinned double nine to hold. Barney finally broke with a 13-darter to make it 4-3. He continued to be ahead and he pinned double three to make it three legs on the spin at 5-3.
Van Barneveld left 116 with a 105 set up shot and he left it with 74 to go for a double break with Taylor leaving a bogey number in 168. An excellent 74 checkout saw Van Barneveld make it 6-3 and claim that double break to put Taylor into a spot of bother.
Another maximum followed from the Dutchman as the break approached and he went five darts into a nine-darter. A nine checkout followed to make it 7-3 as he was on a 90 average with three 180's.
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A 120 checkout evaded Barney to break again but Taylor missed two darts to hold and the former took a clean kill to make it 8-3 and claim six legs on the spin.
Taylor missed a 167 checkout but Van Barneveld couldn't hit a 132 which allowed Taylor to claim a break back at 8-4 behind. Could he find a way back?
Van Barneveld left 82 with Taylor looking at 102 to hold and he hit it to make it 8-5. Barney stopped a mini rot pinning 42 to make it 9-5.
Taylor's comeback is too late
A 180 from Taylor tested the resolve of Barney to finish it off and he pinned double 20 to make it 9-6. Van Barneveld hit a 180 himself as he looked to go one away and hit a 140 to leave double eight but three misses saw Taylor hit 88 to make it 9-7.
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The former left the 170 checkout but couldn't hit the second treble 20 and with Taylor hitting a 174 set up shot, he hit a 75 checkout to make it 9-8 and claim five out of the last six legs.
A 180 from Barney left 105 and he missed double 16 but Taylor was well back. He stopped the rot to go one away at 10-8. Taylor began to look flustered and Van Barneveld pressured and he pinned a 120 checkout again to win the tie 11-8.
Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
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- Everyone knows what a fantastic champion Taylor was,but his performances in the seniors were poor. He wouldn't throw littler off stage,as he'd miss these days!!rick6712-11-2026
- He produced some impressive numbers in that qualifying campaign. I'm excited to see him compete at the World Championship once again, even if it will be difficult to replicate last year's success even with an improved performance, with the draw playing a huge role in determining his fortunes.Deduce635811-11-2026
- I often think about this very question. I think they should revive the format. They could even invite representatives from MODUS Super Series, with four series winners from the past year, and the ADC, with finalists from the Global Championship and perhaps other events. Why not throw in eligible representatives from the JDC and even the soft-tip game too?Deduce635811-11-2026
- So what if littler missed out, he doesnt have to enter everythingant10-11-2026
- Good, absolutely no loss if we never see this dancing goof ever again......no that is not fair. He absolutely cannot and has never been remotely able to dance!richieburnettrocks10-11-2026
- Yes Phil,now the money in the game is bigger than ever,you'd play littler. Well so would I! Retire on your memory Phil,and your successful careerrick6709-11-2026
- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
- Ultimately it is a bye for whoever draws Barney. It will be another stroppy and sulky performance once he goes behind. Barney was excellent but really must completely call it a day now.richieburnettrocks07-11-2026
- I'm disappointed he was not able to secure a spot at the Grand Slam. With Carl Sneyd taking care of Daryl Gurney, he would have had to beat Andy Boulton before facing the winner of Sneyd vs Mensur Suljović for a Grand Slam spot. Unfortunately, after beating Filip Bereza comfortably, he succumbed to Boulton, and the board would ultimately be won by the highly inconsistent Carl Sneyd. Since he could instead have been drawn against the likes of Cristo Reyes, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Stephen Bunting, I think once Gurney was out of the picture he would have been favourite to win his board, and it seems like a massive missed opportunity to put 5 grand on his ranking and seal another major TV appearance ahead of the Worlds. The highs and lows of following Raymond van Barneveld!Deduce635806-11-2026
- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026