Raymond van Barneveld gets one over rival Phil Taylor as ‘Stay at Home Darts’ match raises £15,000 for charity

Great darts rivals rolled back the years with eventual winner Van Barneveld fighting back from 6-3 down to triumph and come within one dart of a nine-dart finish

Five-time world champion Raymond Van Barneveld recovered from 6-3 down to beat Phil Taylor in a charity darts match played from their living rooms.

It was billed as the biggest clash in stay-at-home darts history with Van Barneveld winning 7-6 as he renewed his rivalry with Taylor on a soft-tip interactive board.

The pair also hit 15 maximums to raise £15,000, which will be split between NHS charity Heroes and the Haaglanden Food Bank Foundation, as the sporting world continued to lend its support during the coronavirus crisis.

Taylor, a 16-time world champion playing from his home in Stoke, won three straight legs after being 2-0 down to take a 5-3 lead.

Van Barneveld, playing in The Hague in Holland, initially struggled as Taylor picked up the ninth leg to move within one of victory.

But the Dutchman rallied to level at 6-6 after missing double 12 for a nine-darter and then, as Taylor’s game deserted him, took the final leg to claim victory with a 119 average.

Both admitted afterwards thought that the result mattered little due to what was at stake, with every 180 leading to £1,000 being added to the charity pot – with 10 coming from Taylor and five from Van Barneveld.

“It didn’t matter who won this match.,” said Taylor. “The most important thing was raising money for the NHS and those doctors and nurses are who are doing an amazing job.”

Taylor races to a 5-3 lead but ended up in defeat (Paddy Power)

Van Barneveld added: “We had great fun with some small banter. Both tried to hit as many 180s as possible for this great cause. Everyone please stay safe and keep your distance.”

PA