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Both players were far from their best but for sheer drama, you couldn’t beat it. What a show! Barney raced into a 3-1 lead, before Taylor powered back to lead 7-4 and he looked to be coasting to victory, before Van Barneveld won the last three legs. It was just about the right result, as Bournemouth and millions of TV viewers were treated to a 9-dart finish from Barney earlier in the night and three drawn games.

Taylor will be cursing too many missed doubles. Despite averaging nearly 101, he missed chance after chance to dominate. The Power blew one chance at double top to take the match, before Van Barneveld stepped in with double 10 to clinch a prized 7-all draw.

Taylor said: “When I was 7-4 up, I thought I had him but he did an 11-darter against the throw and finished well. At least I haven’t lost and the draw was probably a fair result. I can’t wait for the next time we get it on in Doncaster in April. There was a lot of pressure out there for both of us!”

It is only the second time in the history of the Premier League that Unicorn’s 13-times World Champion has failed to win a match. His other draw came against Colin Lloyd in Stoke last year.

It was an incredible night as Barney made history – hitting the perfect 9-dart finish against Unicorn’s Peter Manley. He is only the second man, after Taylor, to nail the perfect leg live on Sky Sports.

“It is a dream come true for me,” admitted Barney. “It is my first ever 9-dart finish on live television and I have done it on only my fourth appearance live on Sky Sports!”

The Dutchman hit his amazing 9-darter in the 9th leg of the match……seven 180s, followed by treble 19 and double 12 to send the crowd of over 3,000 crazy at the BIC in Bournemouth. Manley was struggling with a knee injury throughout the match and despite averaging 95, he had no answer to Van Barneveld. Barney coasted to an 8-3 win.

Unicorn’s World No.1 Colin Lloyd came from behind to snatch another dramatic point against Wayne Mardle. Lloyd broke throw for the first time to go 5-3 in front. Mardle then reeled off four consecutive legs to lead 7-5 but ‘Jaws’ showed his class, winning the last two legs. His three point tally in the Premier League still leaves him 6th in the table. It was the first point of the tournament for ‘Hawaii 501’.

In the night’s other game, Roland Scholten and Ronnie Baxter slugged it out but after ‘The Rocket’ went ahead for the first time in the match in the penultimate leg, ‘The Tripod’ won the last leg. The draw consolidates his 3rd place in the Premier League table.

Next Thursday, the Premier League rolls into Carlisle. Taylor and Barneveld have almost certainly booked their tickets to finals day in Plymouth. Colin Lloyd and Peter Manley still have it all to do.

By Stuart Pyke