Darts: Barneveld breaks scoring record to crush Walton

Raymond Van Barneveld broke the record for the highest three-dart average at the Lakeside BDO World Professional Championship to end the brave challenge of John Walton in the quarter-finals here last night.

Andy Fordham edged a tense battle with Darryl Fitton 5-4 to join van Barneveld in the semifinals. The Viking failed to reach the heights he managed against Tony West on Tuesday, but he still took a 3-1 lead into the interval and resisted a fightback by Fitton after the resumption.

It all came down the final set and Fordham produced a 121 checkout to move within one leg of victory. Fitton failed to respond and Fordham nailed double top to clinch his place in the semis. "It was hard to play against Darryl because he's a good friend," Fordham said. "You have to try and switch off but it's difficult. I was inconsistent tonight but I got through in the end."

Van Barneveld surged into a three-set lead early in hi match, averaging 107.6 after the first 14 legs, to leave the Yorkshireman with a mountain to climb.

Walton fought back to reduce the deficit but the three-time champion had too much firepower and sealed a 5-1 victory with an overall average 103.83 ­ breaking Dennis Priestley's previous record of 102.63 against Jocky Wilson in 1993.

The Dutchman edged a tight first set with a successful attempt at double 16. But he was able to move up another gear in the second and a three-dart average of 117 helped him take it 3-1.

The crowd gave both players fantastic support but Walton had no answer to the 36-year-old, who produced 11 and 12-dart legs to move within two sets of victory.

Walton, the 2001 champion, kept himself in the match with a 3-2 success in the last set before the interval. However, "Barney" took control after the restart and reeled off three straight legs to regain his three-set advantage. There looked to be only one winner and Barneveld then wrapped up victory with a shot at double 20.

"He's like a robot," Walton said, "but I didn't watch him throw, I just concentrated on the board. I'm happy with the way I played tonight but he was just fantastic.

"However, he's still vulnerable. A few of the players left in the tournament have beaten him and he will have be on top of his game to win it."

Barneveld admitted afterwards: "John was a world champion a couple of years ago so I knew it would be a tough game. He's a good friend and it's very hard to play against friends. You just have to switch off when you get on that stage.

"He missed a few doubles in the earlier games but I knew that wouldn't happen against me. However, I know what I can do if I stay focused and I managed to do that tonight."