Raymond van Barneveld came from behind to edge out Phil Taylor 7-6 in a thoroughly entertaining online match played from their own homes, but the really winner was NHS charity Heroes.
Taylor appeared to be cruising to victory at 6-3 ahead and Barney looking a beaten man, but the Dutchman showed some resolve and reeled off the last four legs in style, missing double 12 for a 9-darter at one stage.
The two legends of the oche were playing on a soft tip Target Nexus dartboard, which has slightly bigger segments and allows a finish on inner or outer bull, so the scoring was quite spectacular over the contest.
Barney finished with an average of just over 119 and Taylor was a shade over 118 with just two darts missed at double in the whole match.
That was all good news for Heroes, though, with Paddy Power donating £1,000 for every 180 hit, and the pair managing 15 between them.
Before the game the Power said he was keen to win and never wanted to lose a match, but changed his tune somewhat after defeat.
‘Where we were rivals, now we are good mates – and this is probably the only game I’ve ever played where winning or losing didn’t matter,’ said the 16-time world champ.
‘It’s important that the whole country gets behind the NHS during this crisis, and I’m happy to do my little bit.
‘If you’ve got a few bob going spare, get your hand in your pocket – you will soon get it back when this is all over and we’re back at work.’
Amazingly the scoreline mirrored Barney’s 7-6 victory over Taylor in the 2007 World Championship final, although that was in sets not legs, and not played in front of a sofa and a few old trophies on Van Barneveld’s mantelpiece.
MORE: Phil Taylor backs Peter Wright to usurp Michael van Gerwen as world number one
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