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JAMES WADE 6 – 6 Raymond van Barneveld

James Wade and Raymond van Barneveld shared a draw in Cardiff in the McCoy’s Premier League on Thursday.

Wade took out two finishes of over 100, while van Barneveld hit five 180s in a match that had plenty of highlights but the pair could not be separated.

The result sees both players remain inside the play-off places but Wade, who also hit six darts towards a nine-dart attempt, felt he should have climbed to the second place slot, which is occupied by his opponent.

“I saw Ray was weak tonight so I’m frustrated not to get the job done,” said the 2009 champion.

“It shows how good he is to get a draw to be fair as he didn’t play as well as he can.

“I should have won the game though as I let him in a couple of times but overall a point is not a bad result at all.”

‘Barney’ opened with a 180 but a fabulous 118 finish gave Wade the first leg before the Dutchman pegged double ten to pull level.

van Barneveld grabbed a break of throw on double twelve and moved two legs clear with the help of his second maximum.

‘The Machine’ replied with his first 180 before bedding tops to reduce the deficit.

van Barneveld’s third 180 couldn’t prevent ‘The Machine’ from restoring parity at three legs apiece.

Wade then pinned double top for the second leg running to wrestle back the lead but ‘Barney’ levelled up by sinking double 16.

The world number four then produced a clinical 124 finish to edge back ahead.

van Barneveld’s response was to hit his fourth maximum before pinning double five to make it five all.

Wade produced six perfect darts in the eleventh leg, in which his opponent also hit a 180, as ‘The Machine’ ensured he wouldn’t lose the match by bedding double ten.

But ‘Barney’ bedded double eight to seal  a share of the spoils.

Wade takes on league leader Michael van Gerwen in Glasgow next week.

By Chris Murphy