End of the road for Wade at Blackpool

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD won through to his first StanJames.com World Matchplay final with a 17-8 demolition of James Wade at the Winter Gardens on Saturday night.

World number two van Barneveld continued his dream return to form at the World Matchplay, having returned from a two-month lay-off with a nine-darter in the first round a week ago and swept aside Denis Ovens, Alan Tabern, Co Stompe and now Wade in Blackpool.

Another fine performance, where he hit 43 percent of his chances at a finish, including three ton-plus scores, and five maximums, blew the 2007 champion apart and saw him power into Sunday's final, where he meets Phil Taylor or Simon Whitlock.

"I have a target to win every big PDC tournament and I've not won this so it would be massive to win the World Matchplay," said van Barneveld.

"I still feel pressure, especially from being the number one in Holland and being number two to Phil Taylor but it would be amazing to beat him and win this."

Wade had actually made the brighter start, winning three of the opening four legs to hold the early advantage, taking out 121 for a 12-darter as well as two double ten finishes, although van Barneveld had hit a 174 score in setting up double 18 to get off the mark.

The Dutchman landed a 180 in taking the first, and after Wade checked out 140 to take the sixth with another 12-darter he found another gear to reel off four sparkling legs.

They included one 14-dart finish, two 15-darters and a 136 checkout for a 12-darter in assuming a 6-4 lead.

Wade ended that run with a 14-darter, but three more legs from van Barneveld saw him move 10-6 up as he landed a brace of 13-darters and a 100 finish to take control of the game.

Wade won two of the next three, including a 145 checkout, but a thrilling ten-darter from van Barneveld moved him into an 11-7 advantage.

He then missed five darts to take the next leg, as Wade posted double ten to pull back to within three legs - but he was frustratingly left waiting on a finish without getting a chance as van Barneveld moved 14-8 up with another burst of three legs, including a 101 checkout.

Double nine and double top put him to the brink of victory, and though Wade landed scores of 171 and 170 in the next the Dutch star took out 91 for a 14-darter to ensure his first televised final since the World Grand Prix last October.