Новости Unicorn

“Welcome to our world Barney” and didn’t he just love every minute of it!

“I have never experienced anything like that!” he admitted. “It was an incredible atmosphere and the crowd were something else.”

It was standing-room only as over 1300 darts-crazy fans packed the King George’s Hall in Blackburn and what an opening night it was.

Team Unicorn’s powerhouse was forced to dig deep before beating Wayne Mardle 8 legs to 6 but he put Unicorn stablemate Colin Lloyd to the sword in the last match of the evening, winning with ease 8-1.

Barneveld must have been under enormous pressure, just 24 hours after his switch to the PDC but he joined the party in style, thrashing ‘The Rocket’ Ronnie Baxter 8-1.

But there was huge disappointment for Unicorn’s Peter Manley, who just couldn’t get going against Roland Scholten and lost 8-4.

Barney won the first five legs against Baxter, including finishes of 127, 121 and 116. He felt right at home against the local lad. Lancashire-born Baxter was simply blown away, as Van Barneveld showed just why he is going to be a huge threat over the coming years.

The four-times BDO World Champion hit four 180s and averaged 98, as he sent out a warning to the rest.

He wants to take on the best week in and week out and in Taylor, he saw the very best.

‘The Power’ could easily have been switched off in the opening game of the night, if Mardle had nailed his doubles.

The match went the distance but Taylor had just enough. He took the 12th leg with a 130 check-out and won the match in style, finishing on 148. That was also enough to earn him a £1,000 bonus for the highest check-out of the night.

Taylor though, was supreme against Unicorn’s World No.1. Lloyd just didn’t get a look in. He averaged 106.79 and hit five magical maximums along the way. Lloyd won just one leg.

‘The Power’ looks in the mood to retain his Premier League crown.
Peter Manley will want to put opening night behind him as soon as possible. ‘One Dart’ failed to live up to his nickname. He had 22 shots at a double but hit only 4. Scholten was far from his best but didn’t need to be. Manley will have to up the ante if he is to challenge for a place in the semi-finals.

If this is anything to go by, the 2006 Holsten Premier League is going to be some competition.

Van Barneveld must be thinking – “why didn’t I join the PDC sooner!”

Taylor will be thinking – “I am still the best!”

Lloyd will be wondering – “will I ever beat Taylor on TV”

Manley will be hoping – “things can’t get any worse!”

Roll on next week as the roadshow rides into Sunderland….

Watch this space!

By Stuart Pyke

Photo Lawrence Lustig/PDC